The UFC Fight Night series hits the city of Prague this weekend, with a light heavyweight main event between Thiago Santos and Jan Blachowicz.
It will mark the UFC's first trip to the Czech Republic, and the main event will certainly have its say on the light heavyweight rankings.
Here's everything you need to know about UFC Fight Night, courtesy of ESPN's Cheat Sheet.
Thiago Santos (20-6) vs. Jan Blachowicz (23-7), light heavyweight
Odds: Santos -110; Blachowicz -110
Thiago Santos is a 35-year-old veteran of mixed martial arts, but his body of work over the past 12 months looks more like that of a fresh-faced prospect.
It's not common for a UFC contender who is in his mid-30s to make six appearances in the span of 12 months. That's exactly what Santos will have done after he meets Blachowicz on Saturday. Since February 2018, Santos is 4-1 in the UFC -- and he even weighed in as a potential backup for an event last summer.
The Brazilian also switched weight classes during this flurry of activity, moving up from middleweight to light heavyweight in September. He initially did so to accept a short-notice fight against Jimi Manuwa, but various circumstances (not to mention, spectacular performances) persuaded him to move forward at 205 permanently.
He knocked out Eryk Anders in September, after Manuwa was forced to pull out of their matchup with an injury. In his sophomore appearance in the weight class less than three months later, he viciously knocked out Manuwa in the second round at UFC 231.
A former welterweight, Santos will look to become an unexpected title contender in this matchup, as Blachowicz is riding a four-fight win streak. The Polish striker has become a surprising title contender himself, after dropping four of five contests between 2015 and 2017.
Neither light heavyweight has gotten much attention for his respective win streak, but with defending champion Jon Jones apparently seeking an active fight schedule after years of inconsistent appearances, one of these two could get a shot at a UFC title quicker than you'd think.
Fight breakdown
Has Santos been watching Justin Gaethje fights or what? This guy is going out with the Gaethje mentality, which is: I'm going to throw everything I've got at you; I welcome you to throw everything you've got back at me. And we'll see who's left standing.
It's a bold strategy, especially when you consider he's the one moving up to face bigger guys. His power translates so well, though, and he figures to have a speed advantage at this weight. The thing about throwing haymakers, spinning wheel kicks and the kitchen sink from the opening bell, though, is it leaves you exposed and it wears you out.
Both have been true of Santos in recent fights. He's emptying the gas tank early, which is a little concerning in a five-round fight. He's also taking the type of risks that elite opponents will surely capitalize on. Provided, of course, they're not overwhelmed by Santos' offense, which can get on you in a hurry.
Blachowicz is probably the biggest threat on the floor Santos has had to face since David Branch, who surprised him with a first-round knockout this past April. Nine of Blachowicz's 23 wins have come via submission, and he has scored at least one takedown in every appearance during this winning streak.
Prediction: Blachowicz via submission, third round.