Yordenis Ugas vs Mario Barrios Prediction: Mario Barrios ready to cause an upset

Yordenis Ugas and Mario Barrios, two former champions who have established themselves in the welterweight division, will compete for the vacant Interim WBC World Welterweight Title. This pivotal matchup is the main event and will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yordenis Ugas approaches this fight after a contentious defeat in his previous bout, determined to make a comeback and claim a championship. Conversely, Mario Barrios holds the top contender position for the WBC title, underscoring his remarkable abilities and unwavering commitment in the welterweight division.

Yordenis Ugas fought a difficult road in the welterweight division. He lost a split decision to Errol Spence Jr. in a unification bout that many thought he should have won. However, his career took a big turn when he defeated Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision, winning him the WBC, IBF, and WBA World Welterweight Titles. Ugas, who has only five losses on his career record, was the IBF welterweight champion until he lost the belt by split decision to Shawn Porter in a highly contested fight. Throughout his career, Ugas defeated renowned opponents such as Omar Figueroa Jr., Ray Robinson, and Thomas Dulorme, cementing his status in the sport. It's worth noting that Ugas has been out of the ring since March 2023 due to an eye injury acquired during his fight with Spence Jr. that required surgery.

In his recent fights, Mario Barrios has had some ups and downs. He is coming off an eight-round win over Jovanie Santiago, which helped him recover from two severe losses. Gervonta Davis knocked him out in the 10th round of a fight for the WBA super lightweight title. The other was a 2021 welterweight loss to Keith Thurman by unanimous decision. Barrios, on the other hand, has had remarkable success in his career. He defeated Batyr Akhmedov to win the vacant WBA Regular Super Lightweight Title. He is currently the WBC welterweight title's number one contender, displaying his ability to compete at a top level in the division. Barrios has also demonstrated his tenacity and endurance by fighting in several 10-round battles throughout his career.

I anticipate that Barrios may outperform Ugas and secure a decisive victory. Ugas, who is 37 years old, faces a significant challenge due to his long layoff of nearly a year and a half and potential eye issues. Ring rust is expected to impact his performance. On the contrary, Barrios is a skilled fighter, and he is younger and more energetic in this matchup. He and his team have indicated that he struggled when competing at 140 pounds, and his physical appearance suggests that he has adapted well to the 147-pound weight class. The outcome will become clearer on fight night. This match promises an engaging boxing contest, with Ugas having an advantage in experience over Barrios. Ugas is renowned for his adept counterpunching abilities, and he embodies the Cuban School of Boxing, known for its focus on technique and strategy. However, Ugas might be more susceptible at this stage of his career. Considering Ugas' recent setbacks, including his extended break, eye injury, and advancing age, this could be an opportune moment for Barrios to establish himself.