The MMA Daily

It’s been a long and action-less nineteen days since UFC Fight Night 89, but no worries, in matter of three days, three UFC events will take place. The cherry on top will come on Saturday when the biggest card in UFC history goes down, as Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt were elevated to the main event of UFC 200 (Jon Jones flagged for potential drug violation). But for now, let’s focus on UFC Fight Night 90, which is headlined by lightweight kingpin Rafael Dos Anjos and challenger Eddie Alvarez. Dos Anjos looks to defend his belt for the second time, while Alvarez looks to become the first person to win both a Bellator and UFC title. 

In the co-headliner, two heavy handed heavyweights collide, as Roy Nelson looks to slow down the “Black Beast” Derrick Lewis. Nelson looks to build off his recent victory over Josh Rosholt, meanwhile Lewis looks to extend his winning streak to four and put himself into a position for bigger fights. As for the rest of the card, let’s just get to the predictions!

UFC Fight Pass Main Event:

155 lbs.: UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos vs. Eddie Alvarez – Amazing title fight we got here, as UFC Lightweight kingpin Rafael Dos Anjos looks to defend his belt for the second consecutive time. Fresh off pummeling Donald Cerrone, Dos Anjos might just be headed for a long reign as UFC Lightweight Champion. However, Eddie Alvarez has something to say about that. Alvarez comes into the fight on a two fight win streak, edging out both former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis and former UFC Lightweight challenger Gilbert Melendez. As fr the fight, it’s hard to pinpoint any weaknesses by both men, but one key factor, is that Dos Anjos has a Frankie Edgar-like pace. There’s no slowing him down and the volume strikes plus timely takedowns is hard to compete with. So with that, I can’t see Alvarez out striking him or out grappling him – I see Dos Anjos doing those things. Dos Anjos via late stoppage.

UFC Fight Pass Main/Under Card:

265 lbs.: Roy Nelson vs. Derrick Lewis – O baby, two heavy handed sluggers going toe to toe in what should promise a knockout. For Nelson, a win here would make two straight, something he hasn’t done since 2012. Yet Nelson believes he deserves a title shot… Anyways since faltering to Shawn Jordan, Derrick Lewis has stringed off three consecutive victories, all by finish. As for the fight, this should be a slugfest and I honestly am unsure. Can Nelson still endure punishment like used too and can Derrick Lewis avoid his sometimes sloppy techniques? You know what, I’m going out on a limb and saying that Lewis puts Nelson lights out, making it four in a row.

155 lbs.: Mitch Clarke vs. Joseph Duffy – I hate to write off Clarke like I did against Al Iaquinta, but C’Mon, how’s he going to beat Joe Duffy. A top notch striker with an excellent submission game. Clarke also is a specialist on the ground, but is no where close to the striker that Duffy is. Duffy via TKO.

155 lbs.: Mehdi Baghdad vs. John Makdessi – Who is this Mehdi Baghdad and why is facing John Makdessi? This is as far as I’m concerned, a W in the win column for the one they call”The Bull”. Makdessi via TKO.

135 lbs.: Anthony Birchak vs. Dileno Lopes –  Fun fight, possibly your fight of the night. Two scrappy brawlers going toe to toe, with Birchak holding the poem advantage and Lopes the speed. If anything that’s to take into consideration here, is that Birchak is an excellent wrestler despite never using it. Anyways, even if Birchak gets into a brawl, I still think he will pull this one off. I got Birchak via TKO.

170 lbs.: Alan Jouban vs. Belal Muhammed – If Jouban can work on his striking defense and willingness to brawl , then you got a legit superstar at 170lbs. Muhammad is coming off a victory Steve Carl, which is good, but he’s too young in his career for a dynamic striker like Jouban. Jouban via TKO.

170 lbs.: Alberto Mina vs. Mike Pyle – Mina controversially beat Sexyama, which a win over him in my books elevates you to contender status. Unfortunately he runs into the 40 year old Gym GOAT, which goo enough for me. Seriously though, even at 40 and despite a lack of striking defense, I still believe he’s well rounded enough to be someone like Mina. Pyle via late submission.

170 lbs.: Alvaro Herrera vs. Vicente Luque – Gosh this card annoys me, as I have no idea much about these guys. Better start doing research on fight pass, but for now, Luque via decision. 

155 lbs.: Gilbert Burns vs. Lukasz Sajewski – Burns all day here, as I have no idea who this Sajewski guy is.

135 lbs.: Marco Beltran vs. Reginaldo Vieira – TUF alum right? Yea I don’t know, Vieira by decision. 

135 lbs.: Russell Doane vs. Pedro Munhoz – Man, this is a tough fight to call. Munhoz is a talent for sure, but Doane is as game as they come. Ughh – I’m going to side with Doane based on his all around game and the fact that I believe he will take Munhoz down and keep him there. Doane by decision.

155 lbs.: Felip Arrantes vs. Jerrod Sanders – Good fight, but I’m siding with Arrantes here – all pending he avoids getting smothered for 15 minutes. Arantes by decision.