The MMA Daily

Josh Emmett vs. Dan Ige Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

The preliminary card headliner comes in the Featherweight division, as Josh Emmett takes on Dan ‘50k’ Ige. Coming into this fight on a three-fight win streak, Josh Emmett is nearing contender status. Unfortunately, Emmett’s progress has been slowed down by a litany of injuries, which has seen him only fight only four times since February of 2018. Meanwhile, Ige will look to rebound after being defeated by Chan Sung Jung. A fight that saw Jung use his wrestling, something in which I haven’t seen since he defeated Dustin Poirier in 2012. Prior to the defeat, Ige had won seven of his last eight fights.

Prediction

This could very well be your ‘Fight of the Night’, as both men are known to entertain when they step inside the octagon. Josh Emmett is primarily a striker who possesses legitimate power. Recording at least one knockdown in the last six fights, and a total of ten in that span, Emmett has a claim to being the heaviest handed fighter in the Featherweight division. Dan Ige though is extremely durable, having never been stopped in nineteen professional fights. Fairly well rounded, Ige is a hard-nosed striker and one who isn’t shy to attempt several takedowns to get the fight to the mat. Sporting a 25% takedown accuracy, it’s not too often he succeeds in such. In fact, in Ige’s last six fights, he landed only three of the twenty three takedown attempts.

As for a prediction, I have Emmett. While Ige is extremely tough and has shown the ability to compete with some elite strikers, the power of Emmett is going to be a game changer. Even with excellent durability, Ige is going to do his best to avoid brawling with Emmett. Another reason why I like Emmett is that with the exception of one fight, where he was taken down eight times, he’s been only taken down once in his eight other fights inside the octagon. So with that said, in a fun fight, I predict that Emmett will land the more convincing shots and earn himself a decision nod.
Pedro Munhoz vs. Dominick Cruz Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

The Bantamweight division plays host to an exciting fight, as Pedro ‘The Young Punisher’ Munhoz takes on the former Bantamweight Champion Dominick ‘The Dominator’ Cruz. Somehow buried on the preliminary card, and not even the headliner, these two top ten ranked Bantamweights will clash in a pivotal fight. Munhoz has struggled of late, dropping three of his last four fights. However, in that losing streak, Munhoz has fought the current Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling, the former Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar and the former Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Literally fighting Championship quality fighters, Munhoz will once again face another one in Dominick Cruz. Coming off a split decision victory over Casey Kenney, Cruz not only ended a two-fight skid, but ended a 57-month winless drought. Fighting for the second time in 2021, Cruz will look to cap the year off on a two-fight winning streak.

Prediction

This is an important fight in not only a crowded Bantamweight division, but for both men. Pedro Munhoz, still ranked eighth, can’t afford to lose another fight. A loss would not only be the fourth in the last five, but it unravels everything Munhoz has done to be ranked within the top ten. Primarily a high output striker who’s arsenal includes debilitating leg kicks, Munhoz has in ways, shed his excellent grappling abilities that carried him early on his career. With two knockout victories in his last three wins and three ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses in his last five fights, perhaps striking is his forte. As for Cruz, he is the more well rounded fighter of the two. With wrestling to go along with his technical striking, which is guided by unique footwork and angles, Cruz has proven to be one of the most defensively sound fighters on the roster. In fact, opponents are landing a mere 28% of the significant strikes they throw at Cruz.

As for a prediction, I’m siding with Cruz. While Munoz is the more accurate, powerful and high output striker, he has often been doomed by his inability to cut off the cage. Allowing opponents to fight at range, Munhoz has been getting hit often and is absorbing a staggering 6.02 significant striker per minute. Against Cruz, who notably fights at range, I see this as problematic. Inaccurate as he may be on the feet, Cruz has excellent cardio and is always active. In what I expect to be a fun fight, I believe Cruz will do enough to outpoint and edge out a decision victory.
Augusto Sakai vs. Tai Tuivasa Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

In the Heavyweight division, we have an intriguing fight between Augusto Sakai and Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa. Originally the two were scheduled to throw down on November 20th. However, visa issues would scrap those plans and reschedule the fight three weeks later. Sakai comes into this fight on a two-fight skid. Having been stopped in both fights, Sakai is unknown territory. Before the losing streak, Sakai had lost once professionally, was on a six-fight win streak and had never been stopped before. Meanwhile, Tuivasa has seen a career resurgence. Riding a three-fight win streak, all which have come via stoppage, Tuivasa has certainly put to bed a previous three-fight losing streak that almost got him cut from the UFC.

Prediction

This should be a crowd pleaser, as both men are pure strikers who have laid waste to most of their opponents. Augusto Sakai may be struggling of late, but that is in part to facing excellent competition in Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruick. While many may believe that his durability is gone, I’d argue that before those fights, it had been noted as a strength. Punishment and father time do play roles in diminishing durability, but with only nineteen fights and age thirty, none of those seem to be the case. As for Tai Tuivasa, the Shoey drinking slugger has seemingly come into his own of late. With three straight opening round knockouts, including most recently a sixty-seven second knockout over Greg Hardy, Tuivasa is not one you want to go toe-to-toe with.

As for a prediction, I’m siding with Sakai. While I understand that both fighters are currently headed in opposite directions, I still believe that Sakai has the better skill set in this fight. Of course, this being a Heavyweight fight and Tuivasa sporting eleven knockouts in twelve wins, all it takes is one punch. However, Sakai boasts good durability, cardio and the ability to land with volume and power. As long as Sakai can withstand any early adversity, the later this fight goes, the more it leans towards Sakai. So with that said, I predict that Sakai wins via late TKO.
Bruno Silva vs. Jordan Wright Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

An exciting fight in the Middleweight division is upon us, as Bruno ‘Blindado’ Silva takes on Jordan ‘The Beverly Hills Ninja’ Wright. If I could guarantee anything about this card, it’s that this fight is going to be exciting and it certainly isn’t going the distance. Silva comes into this fight a winner of six straight and sixteen of his last seventeen. Of those sixteen wins, fourteen have come via knockout. Meanwhile, Wright comes into this fight off a knockout victory over Jamie Pickett. Having yet to see the scorecards in thirteen fights, Wright’s intentions are clear even before the bell rings.

Prediction

This fight should be fireworks for however long it lasts. Both men are finishers to the core and more often than not, waste no time putting down their opponents. Bruno Silva is a striker who has devastating power. Often winging shots with the intent to put opponents to sleep, Silva does open himself up to being taken down. Which in his last fight against Andrew Sanchez, happened seven times. Regardless, Silva won’t have to worry about wrestling against a fellow striker in Jordan Wright. With an extensive striking background, Wright has a vast arsenal of strikes in his tool chest. When in range, Wright looks to get off his kicks. When in the clinch, Wright uses the Muay Thai plum to knee opponents non-stop. In fact, both UFC victories were as a result of the Muay Thai plum knees.

As for a prediction, I’m siding with Silva. While this fight is going to be chaotic, it’s the durability and power of Silva that I trust. Despite Wright’s record indicating only one knockout loss, he’s actually been put down twice. In a fight that was eventually changed to a no contest, Anthony Hernandez, who has one knockout victory in his eight wins, put Wright out in forty seconds. Durability aside, Wright’s resume isn’t spectacular. Before entering the UFC, Wright had fought eleven opponents who had a combined record of 25-45. In three fights in the UFC, his opponents are a combined 39-19. While much better, in terms of UFC standards, it isn’t spectacular. So with all that said, I predict that Silva wins via knockout.
Andre Muniz vs. Eryk Anders Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

We got ourselves an intriguing fight in the Middleweight division, as Andre ‘Sergipano’ Muniz takes on Eryk ‘Ya Boi’ Anders. Coming into this fight on a seven-fight win streak and off a spectacular submission victory over Ronaldo Souza, Muniz will look to keep the momentum going. Somehow unranked, Muniz seems likely to have a number next to his name should he win this fight. Meanwhile, Anders finally closed the chapter on Darren Stewart, as he bested the Brit via decision. With three victories in the last five fights, which includes a no contest, Anders seems to have gotten over his three fight losing streak back in 2018 to 2019.

Prediction

Despite being the early preliminary headliner, this is an important fight in the Middleweight division. Andre Muniz may not be a household name, but he’s quickly climbing up the Middleweight ranks. With seven consecutive wins and an inverted armbar submission victory over Ronaldo Souza, Muniz is on the cusp of fighting the upper tier of the division. An excellent grappler and submission specialist, Muniz looks to get the fight to the mat as early as possible. With little striking skills, Muniz is every sense of the word, a specialist. A good one at that, as fourteen of his eighteen stoppage victories have come via submission. Having never been submitted, Eryk Anders will undoubtedly have to be on high alert in this one. Primarily a striker, the former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker is explosive and powerful. With eight of his fourteen wins coming via knockout, Anders isn’t one you want to stand around with for long.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Muniz. While his striking deficiencies are going to get him in trouble one day, I don’t think it happens in this fight. Anders is physically strong and boasts a solid 76% takedown defense. However, despite having an advantage in the striking department, Anders finds himself wrestling or in the clinch way more often than he should. In fact, in Anders’ last seven fights, he has attempted eighteen takedowns, with only three being successful. I would have to think that Anders avoids wrestling and grappling all together. Then again, it’s a constant in his fights, especially when he tires. Something that Muniz will capitalize on, as he will get this fight on the ground one way or another and lock in a fight-ending submission.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Miranda Maverick Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

In the Women’s Flyweight division, we have a showdown between Erin ‘Cold Blooded’ Blanchfield and Miranda ‘Fear The’ Maverick. After a successful UFC debut in September, Blanchfield will return to the octagon, looking to extend her win streak to five. At only 22 years old, Blanchfield looks to be a legitimate prospect and potential contender down the line. Meanwhile, Maverick comes into this fight looking to rebound from a controversial loss to Maycee Barber. A fight that media members and fans across the board scored in favor of Maverick. Prior to the loss, Maverick had won five straight, two of which came inside the octagon.

Prediction

This is a solid fight in the Women’s Flyweight division, as it pits two young talents against each other. Erin Blanchfield has excellent ground skills, and showed that in her UFC debut. Accumulating nearly ten minutes of control time and landing 120 significant strikes, Blanchfield was a machine from start to finish. With evolving striking, it’s only a matter of time before Blanchfield is near the top of the division. The same could be said about Miranda Maverick too. With already excellent wrestling and size, improvement to her striking and overall activity could be the difference in becoming a legitimate contender at Flyweight.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Maverick. In what is one of the tougher fights to predict on the card, I believe that Maverick is the better striker and that between her size and defensive wrestling, she can keep the fight upright long enough to edge out rounds. While Blanchfield easily took Sarah Alpar down in her debut, I don’t see her finding as much ease this time around. A work in progress on the feet, I see this being a fight where she gets slightly outpointed. So with that said, I predict that Maverick wins this fight via decision.
Alex Perez vs. Matt Schnell Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

In the Flyweight division, we have a clash between Alex Perez and Matt ‘Danger’ Schnell. Perhaps the third times the charm, as both were scheduled to face each other in May and then August. Returning to the octagon for the first time in 2021, Perez will look to rebound from a title fight defeat to Deiveson Figueiredo. A fight in which Perez looked good early, but eventually succumbed to a submission. Still ranked 4th in the Flyweight division, Perez remains in a good spot to get another crack at the title sooner than later. Meanwhile, Schnell will look to rebound from his defeat to Rogerio Bontorin in May. Prior to the loss, Schnell had caught some fire, winning five of his last six fights.

Prediction

Despite losing to Rogerio Bontorin, Matt Schnell is presented with an opportunity to rebound against a top five ranked opponent in Alex Perez. An early Christmas gift for Schnell, who had a run halted with losses in two of his last three fights. Regardless, the ninth ranked Schnell has an opportunity to catapult himself right back in the title picture with a win. A solid grappler with ground skills, Schnell more than often opts to strike. While he has good boxing, is fast and throws with volume, Schnell’s durability is always something that’s worrisome. As for Perez, he is a well rounded fighter that can win a fight on the feet or with his wrestling. With six stoppages in his last eight wins, four of which came via submission, Perez is a fighter that is evolving into a more dangerous version of himself each fight.

As for a prediction, I have Perez winning. While Schnell has the submission chops to make this interesting, especially given Perez’s woes with submission defense, I don’t really believe he’s got another path to victory in this fight. Perez is the better striker, wrestler and isn’t the one with the questionable chin. Having seen Schnell stopped via strikes in three of his four losses in the UFC, there isn’t much confidence he can handle opponents with some power. So with that said, I predict that Perez wins via knockout.
Ryan Hall vs. Darrick Minner Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

In the Featherweight division, we have a showdown between Ryan ‘The Wizard’ Hall and Darrick Miner. Since defeating Artem Lobov to win the Ultimate Fighter in December of 2015, Hall has seen injuries and inactivity limit him to four fights inside the octagon. The last of which was not only Hall’s first loss in the UFC, but first since being defeated fifteen years ago in his mixed martial arts debut in 2006. Meanwhile, Darrick Miner will look to rebound after being defeated by Darren Elkins in July. A loss that halted a two-fight winning streak.

Prediction

Given both men are grapplers, this fight could go either two ways. One, both neutralize each other and we could have ourselves a pretty tame kickboxing match. Two, both enter the fire and we get an exciting grappling affair that features scrambles, reversals and submission attempts. While I could see the first scenario playing out early, I believe that ultimately it will turn into a grappling affair. One in which could result in a highlight reel submission victory. Ryan Hall is one of the most decorated BJJ practitioners on the planet. While Hall has sparingly shown his BJJ in mixed martial arts, only winning three of his eight wins via submission, when he has, you get something spectacular like the Imanari roll to heel hook submission over B.J. Penn. As for Darrick Miner, he’s never been one for judges. In thirty-eight fights, Miner has only been to the scorecards four times. He has been stopped in eleven of his twelve losses and has won twenty-three of his twenty-six wins via stoppage. Of those twenty-three wins via stoppage, Miner has won twenty-two by submission.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Hall. Despite a career’s worth of inactivity, Hall will not only make his quickest turnaround since joining the UFC in 2015, but this will be the first time since joining the promotion that he has fought twice in the same year. Obviously the most recent result doesn’t sit well with Hall, but this matchup almost seems tailored for him to bounce back. Not only is Hall the better striker, which isn’t saying much, but Miner’s ability to work himself into disadvantageous positions and get submitted, falls right into Hall’s game. So with that said, I predict that Hall wins via submission.
Randy Costa vs. Tony Kelley Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

The Bantamweight division plays host to an exciting fight, as Randy ‘The Zohan’ Costa takes on Tony ‘PrimeTime’ Kelley. Returning to the octagon for the second time in 2021, Costa will seek to rebound from a ‘Fight of the Night’ defeat to Adrian Yanez. A fight in which Costa looked sharp in the opening round, but ultimately was put down in the second. Prior to the defeat, Costa had strung together back-to-back first round knockout victories. Meanwhile, Kelley will make his first appearance of 2021. Having tasted victory for the first time in a decision win over Ali AlQaisi back in October of 2020, Kelley will seek to make it two straight.

Prediction

This is an excellent fight, as both men are strikers. In fact, between the two, only Tony Kelley has attempted one takedown in his two fights inside the octagon. Make no mistake though, this fight will be a striking contest and an early contender for Fight of the Night. Randy Costa isn’t one to accumulate cage time, as all six of his professional victories have come via first round knockout. With a pressure heavy style, Costa marches forward and throws a barrage of strikes. Landing an absurd 8.64 significant strikes per minute, Costa stylistically speaking, checks in at number one all-time in the UFC in that category. As for Kelley, while he is a more well rounded fighter, he prefers to strike. With good head movement and footwork, Kelley does an excellent job of countering opponents and hitting them at odd angles. Having been taken down a combined ten times in two fights inside the octagon, Kelley may have a slight takedown defense issue. However, Costa will unlikely exploit that weakness, as he has shown zero intent to wrestle in four UFC fights.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Costa. While Kelley may find some success with his counter striking early, especially given Costa’s pressure style, his lack of striking defense is going to be his downfall. With a hands low approach, in two fights, Kelley has been hit by 57% of strikes thrown at him and is absorbing 4.77 significant strikes per minute. In other words, against someone with legitimate power like Costa, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. One in which I foresee happening, as I predict that Costa will win via knockout.
Gillian Robertson vs. Priscila Cachoeira Prediction

December 9, 2021

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Preview

The curtain jerker comes in the Women’s Flyweight division, as Gillian ‘The Savage’ Robertson takes on Priscila ‘Zombie Girl’ Cachoeira. Returning to the octagon for the second time in 2021, Robertson will look to put a halt to a two-fight losing streak. Having been as high as 12th in the Flyweight rankings, Robertson has proven that she has the abilities to be a contender. First thing’s first, getting back on track with a win. Meanwhile, Cachoeira comes into this fight on a two-fight winning streak. Having lost her first three fights inside the octagon, including a debut against current Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko, Cachoeira seems to have finally found her footing in the UFC.

Prediction

This is an intriguing fight, as you have two fighters heading in opposite directions. Gillian Robertson, before the two-fight losing streak, had won six of her eight UFC fights and was ranked in the top fifteen of the division. Known for her excellent grappling and submissions, Robertson has asserted herself as a finisher inside the octagon. With five stoppages, four coming via submission, Robertson is not one to play around with her food. The same could be said about Priscila Cachoeira, who has won six of her last seven wins via knockout. Primarily a striker, the Brazilian features a blend of power and volume. With an iron chin and excellent cardio, Cachoeira looks to outlast her opponents and eventually take them out. Having won two straight, the Brazilian heads into this fight with momentum.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Cachoeira. While takedown defense is an area of concern, especially against a grappler like Robertson, I believe that the Brazilian has adequate submission defense and grappling to get back to her feet. As the fight wanes, Cachoeira will begin to shrug off a tired Robertson’s takedown attempts and exploit the Canadian’s weakness of striking. In the end and despite the odds seeing Robertson as a heavy favorite, I predict that Cachoeira will defeat Robertson via TKO.