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Performance of the Night: Tatianna Suarez (9-0-0)

After nearly a four-year layoff, the feared Tatianna Suarez returns tonight at UFC Vegas 70 against Montana De La Rosa. Suarez, a wrestling standout who destroyed the likes of former champion Carla Esparza and top contender Alexa Grasso, has been battling a handful of injuries since her last fight in 2019. The entire MMA community knows how seriously talented she is, and what may feel like out of nowhere, a new top-tier contender has emerged at 115. As the odds show, De La Rosa doesn’t stand much of a chance. A statement will be made tonight, as Suarez bags an extra 50K dollars on her paycheck and double-digit wins on her undefeated record. 

Fight of the Night: Mike Malott (8-1-1) vs Yohan Lainesse (9-1-0) 

The Battle of Canada takes place as the opener of the main card and will set the tone for the remainder of the night. Dana White made a fantastic decision, choosing this bout between two firecrackers as the introduction to what should be a sneaky good Apex main card. Mike Malott, the favorite, viciously knocked out veteran Mickey Gall in his debut last April and put the UFC world on notice with his wild post-fight celebration. Yohan Lainesse, the underdog, has shown his ability to put on an entertaining fight, staying active and always looking for a big shot against Darian Weeks back in September. Both men can strike and do it fairly well, in what should be an entertaining 15 minutes or less. 

Finish of the Night: Andre Muniz (23-4-0)

Andre “Sergipano” Muniz has produced multiple brilliant performances in his ascension to contention. His signature armbar has caught two of his last three opponents, with Ronaldo Jacare Souza and Eryk Anders both being submitted in the first round. Tonight, Muniz puts his ranking on the line against one of the best-unranked middleweights the promotion has to offer in Brendan Allen, and I think he’ll handle the fight with patience, similar to his approach to Uriah Hall. Although Allen isn’t a slouch, Muniz is an up-and-coming threat to everyone in the top five, and a win tonight could establish himself as an even bigger name in the company. This is, in my humble opinion, the best opponent he’s faced in the UFC, and I have no doubt Muniz will rise to the occasion. Will it be an armbar? Maybe. Will it be a nasty finish? Yes.