The MMA Daily

Almost exactly to the date (November 12, 1993), the UFC held their first ever event in Denver, Colorado. An event that saw Royce Gracie win three fights in one night, showing the world that no matter what weight the opponent was, Jui-Jitsu was a mixed martial art form to be reckon with. Twenty five years later, the UFC returns to where it all started in Denver, Colorado with a fun card. Headlining the event is a pair of exciting Featherweights in Chan Sung Jung aka the “Korean Zombie” and Yair Rodriguez.

Jung, is one of the very best Featherweights on the planet. However, between mandatory military service for South Korea and a multitude of lengthy injuries, Jung hasn’t quite been able to prove just that. In fact, he’s only fought once since August of 2013. Don’t get it twisted though, Jung has already proved that “ring rust” doesn’t apply to him. In February of 2017, after a three plus year layoff from his last fight, Jung knocked out a top ten Featherweight at the time in Dennis Bermudez. Featuring an all around mixed martial arts game and a legendary chin, hence the moniker “Korean Zombie”, Jung is back to climb the ranks.

As for Rodriguez, the dynamic striker from Mexico has already proven to be one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. After winning TUF: Latin America, Rodriguez proceeded to storm through UFC foes. In fact, Rodriguez began his UFC career with a sterling 6-0 record. That was until, he faced off against Frankie Edgar in May of 2017. In an absolute beat down, Rodriguez suffered his first UFC career defeat and he hasn’t fought since. Injuries, a weird UFC feud that saw him cut and then brought back have derailed his return. However, Rodriguez is taking this fight on short notice which makes believe he’s healthy and anxious to get back into the cage.

Anyways, enough talk, to the Predictions!

UFC Fight Night 139 Main Card on FOX Sports 1 (10 p.m. ET):

145 lbs.: Chan Sung Jung vs. Yair Rodriguez – What an awesome main event. You got a guy who literally eats punches for breakfast and keeps coming like he’s a real life terminator in Chan Sung Jung. Then you got a guy who throws an arsenal of ridiculous kicks you’d only see in video games in Yair Rodriguez.

My prediction though is that Chan Sung Jung is going to prevail. He’s a more well rounded fighter, has ridiculous cardio and can put on pace that will absolute tire out foes within three rounds. Rodriguez is no slouch, but I feel in cardio and pace department and especially in a five round fight, he can be exposed. Jung is going to eat a lot of Rodriguez’s early striking success, but in the end, he’s going to tire out Rodriguez with pressure and punches. So with that, I have Jung winning via TKO in the 4th round.

170 lbs.: Donald Cerrone vs. Mike Perry – When Cowboy fights, it’s exciting and packed with non-stop action. When Perry fights, it’s wild, violent and down right scary at times. Put the two together and we are in for an absolute war. Usually Cowboy fights at his best when there is no animosity with his opponent, but due to how personal this one has gotten, I feel like we may see the old Cowboy come out. As for Perry, in his last fight, he looked like mixed martial artist. He was more technical, used wrestling and didn’t use all of his energy in the first round trying to knock out his foe. It was actually quite refreshing to see a fighter drastically change his game to evolve and boost his chances in the long run against the upper echelon.

Anyways, as for a prediction, I got Cowboy. I know Perry presents a lot of issues for Cowboy, but I just sense this fight due to whole Jackson-Winklejohn camp issue has lit a fire under Cowboy. This fight is for revenge and redemption. So with that, I got Cowboy via knockout.

135 lbs.: Raquel Pennington vs. Germaine de Randamie – As tough as Pennington is, her quickness and speed has faded to the point of being a standstill punching bag. Against a power puncher such as de Randamie, it only sets up the inevitable. So with that, I have de Randamie winning via TKO.

155 lbs.: Beneil Dariush vs. Thiago Moises – Dariush should win this. He’s an all around better fighter, who’s chin has failed in. In a fight to get him out of gatekeeper status, I believe he shines and gets Moises out of there in two rounds. I say via submission.

115 lbs.: Maycee Barber vs. Hannah Cifers – No clue, I’ve never seen either fight so I’m very curious in this bout. As for a prediction, I’ll go with Barber via decision.

155 lbs.: Mike Trizano vs. Luis Pena – Trizano has a lot of heart, but in a fight against a long and dangerous foe in Pena, heart might not save you from being chocked out. So with that, I have Pena winning via submission.

UFC Fight Night 139 “Prelims” On FOX Sports 1 (8 p.m. ET):

115 lbs.: Amanda Cooper vs. Ashley Yoder – Good fight , but I believe Yoder should take this. She’s been competitive her last three fights, despite them being defeats. On the feet she’s a way better striker and grappling wise she can hold her own and thwart Coopers takedown attempts. So with that, I got Yoder winning via decision.

145 lbs.: Chas Skelly vs. Bobby Moffett – This might be a close fight, but I believe that Shelly’s veteran experience should prevail him here. I mean, he’s not a great striker, but he makes it up with his ability to absolutely grind down foes. I expect a lot of grappling in this fight, with Skelly getting the best of Moffett. So with that, I have Skelly via decision.

155 lbs.: Davi Ramos vs. John Gunther – This just seems like a mismatch… Ramos via submission.

155 lbs.: Devonte Smith vs. Julian Erosa – This fight is going to be wild and violent for however long it last. My guess is that it’s Smith who lands first and puts away Erosa via knockout.

UFC Fight Night 139 “Prelims” On UFC Fight Pass (7 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Joseph Morales vs. Eric Shelton – This is a toss up fight, but I got Shelton. If he can shore up his wrestling woes, he’s actually a solid athlete who’s decently well rounded. His record doesn’t speak for it, but Shelton has a lot of potential. So with that, I got Shelton via decision.

125 lbs.: Mark De La Rosa vs. Joby Sanchez – For whatever reason, Sanchez has had a difficult time in the UFC. I mean, I remember him dropping Wilson Reis and looking promising throughout the fight in his debut. Since then, besides the recent regional success, there’s not much to be impressed about. Anyways, I’ve got De La Rosa winning this fight. I believe his grappling should ultimately aide him into an advantageous position where he locks in a submission victory.