This Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, fight fans are set to witness an exciting matchup between Gaston Bolanos and Cortavious Romious on the main card of UFC Fight Night 247. Bolanos, with a professional record of 7-4 and standing at 1-1 in the UFC, is eager to bounce back after suffering a setback in his last fight against Marcus McGhee. Meanwhile, Romious, entering the Octagon for the first time with a record of 9-2, comes in brimming with confidence following his successful performance on Dana White’s Contender Series, where he clinched a decision victory over Michael Imperato.
Gaston Bolanos, 32, is seeking to improve his standing in the UFC after a promising debut against Aaron Phillips, which showcased his striking prowess. As a seasoned fighter with Bellator experience, he understands the demands of high-level competition. Nonetheless, his recent loss raised questions about his ability to adapt and learn from his previous setbacks. As he continues to refine his skill set—particularly in grappling—his striking ability remains formidable. The Peruvian fighter’s experience is a key factor heading into this bout, and he will need to leverage that background against Romious.
Conversely, Cortavious Romious enters the fight with notable potential but also significant questions surrounding his performance quality. Despite securing a UFC contract, critics have pointed out flaws in his fight IQ during his last match in the Contender Series. Disregarding his coaches’ instructions during crucial moments raises concerns about his strategic decision-making, especially against a versatile striker like Bolanos. Still, with two consecutive victories leading into this event, Romious will be keen to showcase his skills and prove the skeptics wrong.
The fight dynamics between Bolanos and Romious are intriguing. If Romious opts to deploy a grappling-heavy strategy, the smaller Octagon at UFC Apex could indeed work in his favor. However, this approach must be executed with precision; a lapse in judgment could open the door for Bolanos to exploit his striking capabilities. Bolanos’ improved grappling skills suggest he will not be an easy opponent to control on the ground.
An essential aspect of this fight is the pressure each fighter will face. For Bolanos, the urgency to recover from his prior defeat will motivate him to push the pace and establish dominance early in the bout. Conversely, Romious must balance aggression with caution to avoid overextending himself against a proven striker.
Given the contrasting styles and backgrounds of both fighters, this matchup promises to deliver a thrilling showcase of skills and strategies. Bolanos’ experience and striking finesse present a formidable challenge for Romious, who, despite potential, must demonstrate significant improvement in fight management. As the odds suggest—with Romious favored at -215 and Bolanos at +172—the fight is anticipated to be competitive. My prediction leans towards Bolanos, who is likely to utilize his experience and striking advantage to secure a decision victory. Fans can look forward to this encounter streaming live on ESPN+ at approximately 8:05 p.m. ET, a contest that could prove pivotal for the careers of both fighters.