The MMA Daily

After an unbelievable weekend of fights stemming from UFC 214, the UFC is right back in action in Mexico City, Mexico. Headlining the card is a pair of Flyweight contenders in Sergio Pettis and Brandon Moreno. The stakes are high in this one, as both come into this bout on a three-fight win streak. A victory could catapult either into a number one contender fight or the motherload, a title shot.

Co-Headlining the card is a two upper-echelon Women’s Strawweight fighters in Randa Markos and Alexa Grasso. Markos, has been up and down throughout her UFC career, but her potential showed when she upset former Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. As for Grasso, the former undefeated prospect took a minor step back, as she was most recently defeated by Felice Herrig. In a fight pitted against an all around veteran, Grasso proved that she was still green. However, make no mistake about it, her potential is that of Champion-status.

Anyways, let’s just get to the Predictions!

FOX Sports 1 Main Card (10 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Sergio Pettis vs. Brandon Moreno – Fun Fight, but I got Moreno. I believe that his pace is going to eventually break Pettis. He’s also very durable and will be weather any early storm Pettis puts on him. I’m not discrediting Pettis, but I really like Moreno’s all around game, albeit at times wild striking. Anyways, I got Moreno via late submission.

115 lbs.: Alexa Grasso vs. Randa Markos – Love this fight! Grasso is a legit prospect and despite a minor setback in her last fight, I bet it made her a better fighter. On the other end, the veteran Markos is coming off a huge win over former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza. It was a big upset and proved that Markos has untapped potential. In fact, I believe Markos will challenge for the belt one day. So obviously I have her winning this fight. I believe Markos improved striking will lead to her strong grappling abilities en route to a decision victory.

170 lbs.: Alan Jouban vs. Niko Price – I’ve heard good things about Price, but I have no idea about his skill set. Jouban ideas a talented and dynamic striker and I bet is ready to get back in the win column after falling short against Gunnar Nelson. So with that, I got Jouban via TKO.

145 lbs.: Humberto Bandenay vs. Martin Bravo – Ugh huh, Bravo via decision.

185 lbs.: Sam Alvey vs. Rashad Evans – Alvey is interesting in that he’s a hesistant striker that packs a punch. However due to being hesitant, inactivity follows and it’s been his downfall. Evans on the other hand is in a tough spot, as he’s lost three in a row and hasn’t won since 2013. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has his back against the wall and I like it. He’s desperate for a win and with people around him talking retirement, prepare to see Evans go back to his roots with wrestling. So with that, I got Evans via decision.

135 lbs.: Alejandro Perez vs. Andre Soukhamthath – Ugh, don’t really know all that much about either. I do recall seeing Perez beat the shell of Jorgensen. However, this dude Soukhamthath has a sick last name. And that obviously equates to wins. So with that, I got Soukhamthath via decision.

FOX Sports 1 Prelims (8 p.m. ET):

185 lbs.: Jack Hermansson vs. Brad Scott – What I’ve noticed is that Scott is mediocre everywhere and it’s translated to a mediocre UFC career thus far. Hermansson is a solid striker and he’s going to show that in this fight. So with that, I envision Hermansson winning this via knockout!

125 lbs.: Dustin Ortiz vs. Hector Sandoval – This seems like a gatekeeper matchup, but one in which I see the young Sandoval getting humbled. Ortiz is the definition of a grinder and his striking has steadily improved. So with that, I got Ortiz via dominant decision.

135 lbs.: Henry Briones vs. Rani Yahya – Briones is tough, but Yahya’s grappling is tougher to thwart off. It’s smothering and frustrating. However, his striking is poor and cardio is suspect at times. But, I think Yahya’s got this via decision.

135 lbs.: Jose Quinonez vs. Diego Rivas – The dude with the amazing moustache from TUF: Latin America! Finally I know someone! And I’m going bold here, he’s winning…via TKO!

UFC Fight Pass Prelims (7 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Joseph Morales vs. Roberto Sanchez – Gosh this card is tough with known fighters… Morales via decision.

155 lbs.: Alvaro Herrera vs. Jordan Rinaldi – Who and who? Rinaldi via decision.