Featherweight prospects collide Saturday night, as the debuting Jose Delano takes on Robert Ruchala at the Meta APEX.
Delano (16–3, 0–0 UFC) punched his ticket to the UFC with a unanimous decision win over Manuel Exposito on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. Ruchala (11–2, 0–1 UFC) looks to rebound from a decision loss to William Gomis in his Octagon debut in September.
Delano enters as a -325 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Ruchala sits as a +260 underdog. The total is set at 2.5 rounds.
Delano vs. Ruchala Preview
Jose Delano
Lauded as one of the most UFC-ready rising prospects, Jose Delano is ready to make a statement in his Octagon debut. The former cavalry soldier for the Brazilian Army has won 15 of his last 16 fights dating back to 2015, including four-straight, punctuated by a contract-clinching masterclass on DWCS in August.
While he didn’t score a finish, Delano, 29, put his explosive striking on full display against the mighty-durable Manuel Exposito. He out-landed his opponent, 149–38, en route to a 30–27 unanimous decision.
Not only can he batter opponents on the feet, but Delano can also impose his will on the mat. Nine of his 16 professional wins have come inside the distance, including four knockouts, five submissions, and five first-round finishes.
Robert Ruchala
Robert Ruchala went back to the drawing board after dropping a competitive unanimous decision to William Gomis in his UFC debut last September. Still just 27, the former two-time KSW interim champ has plenty of time to recapture his past form that helped him become the only Polish featherweight on the active roster.
“Faker” is known for his relentless pressure, frequently initiating grappling exchanges. Three of his early professional wins came by submission, but he’s shown recently that he’s equally comfortable on the feet. Before his UFC debut, Ruchala went 3–1 with three knockouts, including one in under a minute.
Still, his high-octane approach has left him vulnerable to counters. His lone loss during that span also came in knockout fashion.
Delano vs. Ruchala Pick, Best Bet
Saturday’s contest pits a pair of full-throttle prospects, both hungry for a finish. After failing to put away Exposito on DWCS, Delano will look to make a statement in his debut. Meanwhile, Ruchala wants to leave nothing to chance after landing on the wrong side of the scorecards in his first trip to the Octagon.
Don’t expect this one to go the distance.
