The MMA Daily

Damon Jackson vs. Pat Sabatini Prediction

September 17, 2022

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We have a pivotal fight in the Featherweight division, as Damon Jackson takes on Pat Sabatini. Storming into this fight on a four-fight win streak, Jackson is on the cusp on cracking the division’s top fifteen. An impressive feat, considering this is Jackson’s second stint in the UFC. Meanwhile, Sabatini has rattled off six-straight wins – with four of them coming inside the octagon. Closing in on being ranked, with a victory, Sabatini at the very least, should find himself against a ranked foe next.

One the best fights on the card, I’m expecting an exciting grappling affair. A prolific grappler, with excellent submissions, Jackson isn’t someone you’d want to be on the mat with. Nicknamed the Leech, once Jackson gets ahold of you, he is hard to shake off. Fifteen submission wins would validate that. Showing vast improvements on the feet, Jackson is turning himself into the best version of himself at 34 years old. As for Sabatini, he too has excellent grappling and submission abilities. Landing eleven takedowns in the past two fights, Sabatini has been finding ease in getting the fight to mat. While his striking needs work, at the very least, he’s shown precision to the tune of a 54% significant strike accuracy. While it’s hard to gauge who holds the grappling edge, and with neither being particularly armed with stout takedown defense, I’m expecting both men to have their moments. However, should this fight be contested on the feet at any point, Jackson has evolved himself into the better striker. While Jackson doesn’t feature immense output, he has out-landed Sabatini by 52 significant strikes in their last three fights combined. So with that said, in an exciting and close affair, give me Jackson to win via decision.
Trevin Giles vs. Louis Cosce Prediction

September 17, 2022

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We have a scrap in the Welterweight division, as Trevin Giles takes on Louis Cosce. Coming off back-to-back stoppage losses, Giles returns to the octagon looking to rebound. Having fought the majority of his career at Middleweight, Giles debuted at Welterweight in his recent fight. Despite the result being a loss, physically, Giles looked excellent. Meanwhile, after nearly two years out of action, Cosce returns to the octagon. Coming off his first professional loss, the Dana White Contender Series graduate will look to make good on his second appeareance on the big stage.

A hard fight to gauge, given the concerns regarding Giles durability and Cosce’s cardio, one could presume that this fight may avoid the scorecards. Giles is a well rounded fighter, who mainly profiles as a striker. Accurate and powerful on the feet, Giles has won three of his five UFC wins via knockout. Having landed a take down in four of the past six fights, Giles has often looked to mix wrestling into his attack. However, with two losses via submission, the ground isn’t always Giles safe place. Which brings me to Cosce. A wrestler, who also features heavy hands, Cosce stormed into the UFC undefeated and with all seven wins via first round knockout. However, when dragged into deep waters in his octagon debut, Cosce faded. Knowing he’s got a limited gas tank, and that he was stuffed on eight of his nine takedowns against Sasha Palatnikov, it’s hard to side with Cosce. Yet, I am. Not because I think he’s the better fighter, but of late, Giles has fought with his hands down. An approach that has seen him knocked out in back-to-back fights. With that said, make it three straight, as I have Cosce pulling the upset out via knockout in a wild fight.
Loma Lookboonmee vs. Denise Gomes Prediction

September 17, 2022

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We have a clash in the Women’s Strawweight division, as Loma Lookboonmee takes on promotional newcomer Denise Gomes. Returning to the octagon for the first time in 2022, Lookboonmee will look to rebound from a defeat to Lupita Godinez. Previous to the loss, Lookboonmee had rattled off two straight wins. Meanwhile, Gomes comes into her UFC debut on a six fight win streak. Having defeated Milana Dudieva and Rayanne Amanda in back-to-back fights, Gomes has proved that at only 22 years old, she’s ready for the big stage.

While I’m very interested to see Gomes step inside the octagon, the short notice nature interwoven with fighting a tough veteran in Lookboonmee seems like a tall task. However, Gomes’ has a power edge, is aggressive and has an excellent gas tank. She has also fought as heavy as Bantamweight, which gives me the impression that she’s going to be the bigger fight in the octagon. Where I have concern with the Brazilian, is within her takedown defense. Having watched tape on Gomes, she seems to vulnerable in that area. In the fight against Milana Dudieva, she was taken down rather easily, then was mounted and flattened out. And although Lookboonmee is a striker, she has snuck in a takedown in four of her five UFC fights. I expect her continue to do such, finding more success on the ground then dealing with the Brazilian on the feet. In the end, Lookboonmee’s takedowns and control time will aide her to victory via decision.
Trey Ogden vs. Daniel Zellhuber Prediction

September 17, 2022

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We have a showdown in the Lightweight division, as Trey Ogden welcomes newcomer Daniel Zellhuber. Coming off an unsuccessful UFC debut against Jordan Leavitt, Ogden will look to make good on his second appearance. Having fought twenty times professionally and for several top organizations, Ogden has the experience. He just needs to translate it into wins on the biggest stage. Meanwhile, Zellhuber comes into his UFC debut with a perfect 12-0 record. A graduate of Dana White’s Contender series, Zellhuber has the size and talent to make an immediate impact in the Lightweight division.

A fight that is a good test for both gentlemen, I’m going to side with Zellhuber. While there is a concern regarding the Mexican’s takedown defense, which is mainly from his earlier fights, he evolved since then into a more well rounded fighter. Obviously Ogden will test that notion and may even find success, but I’m not certain that the American, who seemingly finds himself in disadvantageous positions in his fights, is the man for the job. On the feet, Ogden is no slouch. However, he’s also no Zellhuber. With excellent distance management, good output and powerful kicks at his disposal, Zellhuber is a tough man to stand across the cage from. Given Jordan Leavitt’s success on the feet with Ogden, I’m fairly certain that the American will eventually want no part of striking with Zellhuber. Unfortunately, I don’t think he’ll have much of a choice. With that said, I predict that Zellhuber will win via decision.
Mariya Agapova vs. Gillian Robertson Prediction

September 17, 2022

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We have a clash in the Women’s Flyweight division, as Mariya Agapova takes on Gillian Robertson. A loser of two of the last three fights, Agapova comes into this bout urgently needing a victory. Once considered a rising star, Agapova is in danger of falling completely off the map. Meanwhile, Robertson has fallen on tough times of late. Dropping three of the past four fights, the submission ace has seen the momentum from her 6-2 start inside the octagon all but diminish.

This fight comes down to if Agapova can avoid being taken down. Being a striker, with quick and powerful hands, Agapova can be a disruptive brute to face. However, lacking the necessary takedown defense and grappling, Agapova can be undone on the ground. In fact, including Dana White’s Contender Series, Agapova is 0-3 when taken down. Which bodes well for Robertson, who’s notched a take down in ten of her twelve UFC fights. Even better, of those ten fights she landed a takedown, the Canadian has gone on to win seven of them. While MMA math can be flawed, it’s hard to ignore that Robertson’s strength and game plan, are Agapova’s kryptonite. So with that said, I predict that Robertson will win via submission.
Tony Gravely vs. Javid Basharat Prediction

September 16, 2022

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We have an important fight in the Bantamweight divison, as Tony Gravely takes on Javid Basharat. A winner of two straight and four of the last five, Gravely comes into this bout with excellent momentum. With an opportunity to best an undefeated fighter, Gravely could push conversation about cracking the division’s top fifteen or getting a ranked opponent next. Meanwhile, Basharat comes into this fight off a successful UFC debut over Trevin Jones. Still undefeated and very talented, Basharat will have to get past a stiff test in second UFC appearance. Should he prevail, Basharat could very well be fastracked against a ranked foe next.

One of the more intriguing and tougher fights to call, I’m going to side with Basharat. While I recognize that Gravely is a solid wrestler, who is among the all-time leaders in the Bantamweight division in both takedowns and takedown accuracy, Basharat has the takedown defense and scrambling abilities to stifle the American. The one edge I give Gravely though, is that he has power, as we saw in his last fight against Johnny Munoz Jr. However, Basharat is defensively sound. With excellent output and cardio too, the workhorse is known to be able to go a hard fifteen. Which is notable, as Gravely’s gas tank has been compromised in the past. With that said, I predict that Basharat will scramble his way into top position, eventually locking in a fight ending submission.
Nikolas Motta vs. Cameron VanCamp Prediction

September 16, 2022

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The curtain jerker comes in the Lightweight division, as Nikolas Motta takes on Cameron VanCamp. Coming off an unsuccessful UFC debut against Jim Miller, Motta will look to his second appearance to taste UFC victory. Previous to the loss, the Brazilian had won three straight. Meanwhile, VanCamp too is coming off an unsuccessful UFC debut. Which he took on short notice and up a weight class. Now with a full camp behind the American, perhaps we see the best of VanCamp.

Out of thirty eight fights combined, only ten have seen the scorecards. In other words, this fight will likely end inside the distance. Boasting hand speed, aggression, cardio and power, Motta is offensively potent. However, defensively, not so much. With an iffy chin and takedown defense, Motta can be hard to trust. The same could be said about VanCamp, who has the wrestling to make this fight interesting. Yet, it’s hard to ignore that he’s coming off a knockout defeat and three years ago, was defeated by a 40-year old Bobby Voelker. While neither is particularly trustworthy, Motta is talented despite his defensive decencies. And in this fight, that talent will shine through, as I predict that Motta wins via knockout.
Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson Prediction

September 10, 2022

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The main-event comes in the Welterweight division, as Nate Diaz takes on Tony Ferguson. After being put on ice for over a year and wanting out of his contract, Diaz is one of the biggest winners of the card being shuffled. No longer being paired up against Chimaev, which was a nightmare matchup, Diaz was gifted with a comparable foe and undoubtedly more money to stay in the main event. Should Diaz prevail, he will pick up his first win since 2019. Meanwhile, despite dropping four consecutive fights, Ferguson finally gets his due in the UFC. Oddly, twelve straight victories didn’t do it, but instead Khamzat Chimaev missing weight badly did. Slotted in the main event and also earning more money in the process, one of the fan favorites in Ferguson will look to pick up his first victory since 2019.

The saviors of the card, Diaz and Ferguson is an excellent fight. Not only on paper, but for the fans, who have backed both men throughout their career. Diaz, who we might see for the last time in the octagon, is one of the realest fighters in mixed martial arts. An excellent boxer, Diaz is the epitome of a volume striker. Aided by his insane cardio, Diaz puts on a pace that often breaks fighters who oblige to stand with him. While grappling isn’t an issue for Diaz, nor fighting off his back, he often succumbs to takedowns by top notch wrestlers. Other than that, the only other flaws is his lack of wrestling and ability to check leg kicks. However, his durability is perhaps the best in the UFC and he’s usually unfazed by leg kicks.

Then there is Ferguson, who despite failing on hard times, looked pretty rejuvenated before being stopped by Michael Chandler. Known for his unpredictability, Ferguson will throw strikes from odd angles and can often be seen rolling for a leg lock. Backed by excellent cardio, Ferguson brings forth excellent volume and has often been problematic for foes as the fight wanes. With good grappling and a dangerous guard, Ferguson is often an uncomfortable fighter to face. Obviously father time has slowed him down and his durability has cracked, but with the move up to Welterweight, perhaps not cutting the extra fifteen pounds brings out the best in the former Interim Champion.

As for a prediction, I have Diaz winning. While Ferguson is coming in as a slight favorite, I’d argue that Diaz, who’s biggest enemy is his scar tissue, has several edges in this fight. For one, his durability is unmatched. Having yet been visited by father time, Diaz can endure punishment and continue coming forward. Ferguson on the other hand, has shown cracks in his once strength of durability. Throw in the fact that Ferguson is coming off a brutal knockout only four months ago, and I’m uncertain that he’s taken the time necessary to recover. Two, the last time Ferguson fought someone who is relentless and has excellent cardio was Gaethje – who isn’t Diaz, but there are similarities in which I could foresee showing it’s rear teeth in this fight. While I expect both men to have their moments, it’s hard to pick against someone who I know will be there for twenty-five minutes. So with that said, I predict that Diaz will win via TKO.
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland Prediction

September 10, 2022

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We have ourselves a bad blood matchup at a Catchweight of 180 pounds, as Khamzat Chimaev takes on Kevin Holland. Originally slated to fight Nate Diaz in the main event, Chimaev badly missed weight – subsequently causing chaos and the top three fights to shuffle. Undoubtedly in hot water, the undefeated Chimaev still has an opportunity to build himself up with an impressive victory. Meanwhile, Holland went from a matchup against a striker in Daniel Rodriguez to one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. A huge opportunity no less, as Holland could instantly catapult himself into a contender with an upset victory over Chimaev.

The fact that this fight is five rounds and with Dana White confirming that Chimaev stopped cutting weight due to cramping, it will be interesting to see how this fight will unfold should it go deep. However, I’m not certain it will make past three rounds, as this fight is stylistically a nightmare for Holland. Known to lack wrestling and having moved down to the Welterweight division to combat fighting heavier opponents, the fact that this fight is at 180 pounds and is against a feared wrestler brings back memories of when Holland was dominated by Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori. Chimaev, being so well rounded, likely will waste no time in rag-dolling Holland to the ground. From there, his relentless ground-and-pound will wear on Holland and eventually force the referee to intervene due to the amount of unanswered strikes. While Chimaev isn’t in good favor with anyone, a dominant performance like he’s capable of in this matchup, could get him back some brownie points. With that said, I predict Chimaev wins via TKO.
Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez Prediction

September 10, 2022

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After the card got shuffled around, we got ourselves a Catchweight of 180 pounds between Li Jingliang and Daniel Rodriguez. The biggest loser as a result of the card’s last minute changes, Jingliang stepped up to the plate and took a fight against an opponent who was scheduled to fight ten pounds above him. Despite losing out on a co-main event spot against Tony Ferguson, Jingliang has an opportunity to cement himself as a legend if he pulls this off. Also, Jingliang can notch two straight wins for the first time since 2018-2019. Meanwhile, Rodriguez comes into this fight on fire. Having won three straight and twelve of the past thirteen, Rodriguez is closing in on finally cracking the division’s top fifteen. A victory over Jingliang, regardless of it being a Catchweight, would all but certainly do the job.

Unfortunate that weight discrepancy is a factor, this still should be an exciting fight between two fighters who bring it. Heavy handed and not afraid to brawl, Jingliang is notoriously a dangerous man to stand across from. Physically strong and with good wrestling as well, Jingliang has proven that he isn’t just a one-trick pony. The knock however on Jingliang has been his takedown defense and grappling. Of his five losses in the UFC, he was taken down in four of them. However, Jingliang doesn’t need to worry about defensive wrestling, as Rodriguez is a pure striker. A solid one at that, as Rodriguez has used pressure and output to systematically outclass opponents. With excellent cardio and stout takedown defense too, Rodriguez is a problem for anyone who dares stand with him. Jingliang included, who has power, but his wildness leaves opening. With a more technical approach and nearly double the amount of output, it’s hard for me not to back Rodriguez in this fight. Especially when you consider the fact that he stifled Kevin Lee in his most recent victory. So with that said, I predict Rodriguez wins via decision.