The MMA Daily

UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor Predictions

October 6, 2018

The biggest fight in UFC history is finally upon us, as the Dagestani mauler Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to defend his Lightweight title against the biggest star in combat sports, Conor McGregor. Nurmagomedov heads into this fight with a perfect professional record of 26-0. He’s stepped inside that octagon ten times, finishing four foes and dominating the other six via decision. In fact, over those six decision wins, Nurmagomedov has never lost a single round on any judges scorecard. A feat that is unmatched and unprecedented by any fighter in mixed martial arts period. The level of domination demonstrated is literally utter madness.

As for McGregor, it’s been nearly two years since he last fought in the UFC. A mega boxing fight against Floyd Mayweather and a legal issue prompting this rivalry and fight with Nurmagomedov kept him outside the octagon. However, the Irish superstar is back and stylistically is taking on the hardest fight of his career. Only once has McGregor truly been tested against a standout wrestler. That was against short notice replacement Chad Mendes. In the end, McGregor triumphed, but he was taken down, controlled and hit with a few good ground strikes. That was over three years ago though. And in that span, McGregor slept Aldo in 13 seconds to become the Featherweight Champion, avenged a loss to Nate Diaz in a classic and slept Eddie Alvarez to become the Lightweight Champion and first ever simultaneous belt holder.

Anyways, enough talk, Predictions!

UFC 229 PPV Main Card (10 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor – The motherload! The greatest fight in UFC history has finally arrived and boy is it tough call. It’s no secret how everyone and their mother view this fight. If it goes into the later rounds, Nurmagomedov will have succeeded in weathering the early storm and implementing a heavy takedown and top control approach. If it ends earlier rounds, McGregor most likely knocked Nurmagomedov out with his signature left hand.

The one thing I hate people say is, Nurmagomedov might be chinny. He got rocked one time in his career and that was to Michael Johnson. The same guy who knocked out Dustin Poirier. And not to pick on Poirier, but I believe McGregor knocked him out too. So, if Nurmagomedov can take several Michael Johnson punches and stay upright, I believe he can withstand some of McGregor’s power shots. However, I will admit that if McGregor can keep this upright and more importantly get up on takedown’s, the accumulation of his strikes will be too much to withstand.

For whatever reason, despite the stylistically bad matchup, I have McGregor. Nurmagomedov doesn’t quite have the killer instinct too put away foes, which means McGregor will have plenty of chances to crack him. So with that, I have McGregor via knockout.

155 lbs.: Tony Ferguson vs. Anthony Pettis – I’m loving the resurgence of Pettis, but at the same time I don’t think he has a chance against any of the top Lightweights. That includes Ferguson, who is the most well rounded fighter in the division. His pace and cardio are going to break Pettis and ultimately finish him. Ferguson might just be the toughest matchup for anyone, as he can literally take advantage wherever the fight goes. So with that, I have Ferguson winning via submission.

205 lbs.: Ovince Saint Preux vs. Dominick Reyes – I love OSP, but Reyes is the future. He’s a good wrestler and striker, having legit power in his hands and kicks. OSP is tough, but he’s so inconsistent. His gas tank is also a huge question mark in every fight. If you set any kind of pace, by the third round his hands are on his knees. So, with that, I have Reyes winning via knockout.

265 lbs.: Derrick Lewis vs. Alexander Volkov – If this stays standing, Volkov should be able to technically pick apart Lewis and potentially finish him. However, I don’t think this fight will be the slugfest people think. I see Lewis taking down Volkov, who notoriously has terrible takedown defense. From there, it’s night night, as Lewis practically throws haymakers from the top. One of them is going to land, earn Lewis the knockout victory and put him seriously in title contention.

115 lbs.: Michelle Waterson vs. Felice Herrig – This is going to be a close fight, as Herrig will look to use her strength and bully Waterson down to the mat. If she does, then her top control might reign supreme. If Herrig fails to takedown Waterson, then she’s going to get technically out pointed on the feet. Ughh, I’ll go with the latter. So with that, I have Waterson via split decision.

UFC 229 FOX Sports 1 Prelims (8 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Jussier Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis – I’m so back and forth with this fight, but I got Pettis. I think Formiga is an excellent fighter, but he’s always dropped the ball in essentially title eliminators. For whatever reason, he can’t win the big one. The same can’t be said about Pettis though, as his most recent fight resulted in a big victory over perennial contender Joseph Benavidez. Pettis showed excellent takedown defense and made Benavidez pay for every attempt with hard power punches. I believe we see a similar game-plan, as Formiga will look to put Pettis on his back. However, I believe Pettis shrugs off the grappling exchanges and out points Formiga on the feet en route to a decision victory.

170 lbs.: Vincente Luque vs. Jalin Turner – I think Turner could have a future in the UFC based off his massive frame, but this is a short notice fight against a rising powerhouse in Luque. In the end, Luque is just too powerful on the feet. I believe he’ll drop Turner at some point and finish him via submission.

135 lbs.: Aspen Ladd vs. Tonya Evinger – This is a tough fight to call. On one end, I believe Ladd is the better fighter. On the other end, Evinger is a legit veteran, who’s got excellent grappling and submissions. She also proved that she can take several Cyborg punches and roll with them. As for the prediction, I lean Ladd because I think she is physically stronger and her grappling is getting better by the fight. So with that, I have Ladd via decision.

155 lbs.: Scott Holtzman vs. Alan Patrick – While I think Holtzman is capable of knocking out Patrick, I don’t think he’ll get much of a chance too. Patrick is a takedown artist and when he has you down, he keeps you down for the entire round. It’s not the the most entertaining style, but it’s been extremely effective. So with that, I have Patrick grinding out his sixth UFC win via decision.

UFC 229 Fight Pass Prelims (6:30 p.m. ET):

135 lbs.: Yana Kunitskaya vs. Lina Lansberg – I like Lansberg, but her gas tank is just not good. She puts every opponent against the cage, puts immense pressure on them and hits them solid elbows. However, the pace she sets seemingly puts her in quicksand in the third round. Kunitskaya is a solid grappler with really slick submissions. If anything, she should be able to put Lansberg on her back and control her. So with that, I have Kunitskaya via decision.

155 lbs.: Gray Maynard vs. Nik Lentz – This is a tough fight to call, as Maynard is clearly past his prime, but his wrestling is superior. Lentz is a solid grappler himself, but it’s more based towards submissions. In what should be an absolute grind of a fight, it’s Maynard who I think grits it out via split decision.

170 lbs.: Ryan LaFlare vs. Tony Martin – This should be a fairly competitive bout, as both men are well rounded. However, I believe LaFlare is slightly better in both striking and grappling. In what most likely will end decision, LaFlare’s volume striking will carry him in the victory.
UFC Fight Night 137: Santos vs. Anders Predictions

September 22, 2018

This card has been through the ringer, as seven fighters pulled out of bouts mainly due to injuries. The injuries resulted in a cancellation of two fights, three replacements sought and a brand new main event. Thankfully, the card has finally arrived and it has the looks and feels of a Strikeforce card that featured many mismatches. Those cards resulted in finishes galore, which is what I am expecting come fight night.

Anyways, to the predictions!

UFC Fight Night 137 Main Card on FS1 (10:30 p.m. ET)

205 lbs.: Thiago Santos vs. Eryk Anders – Both men are Middleweight’s, but this contest will take place at Light Heavyweight given all the changes to the main event. The extra 20 pounds is actually a great thing for both men and the fans, as neither had to cut weight and deplete themselves. In what should be another first round fight, It’s Anders I have winning. Santos is a killer on the feet. He’s got knockout power and his leg kicks are just as devastating. However, I just have this feeling that Anders comes out early and takes him down. From there, heavy ground-and-pound leading to a TKO stoppage.

170 lbs.: Alex Oliveira vs. Carlo Pedersoli – This should be a fun fight early, but this will ultimately be too much for the short notice replacement Pedersoli. He’s yet to be finished, but I think that changes. Oliveira is too dynamic and is a bonafide finisher. So with that, I have Oliveira winning via submission.

205 lbs.: Sam Alvey vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira – Oof. This either ends in the first round or it’s a staring contest between two counter punchers for three rounds. Given Nog is 90 years old and based on his disintegrated chin, I would venture to guess it ends in the first. So with that, I have Alvey winning via knockout.

135 lbs.: Renan Barao vs. Andre Ewell – Honestly I don’t know. Barao is a shell of himself, which is crazy to think given he’s only 31 years old and only four years removed from being the potential pound for pound best fighter. Now, he can’t even make weight and is essentially a punching bag for every opponent. With all that said, I’ve got Barao via decision. Ha! I know nothing of Ewell, but I hear he’s fast and keeps his hands low. The last part gives me pause, as Barao still has the power to disrupt any fight. Anyways, I got Barao via decision.

115 lbs.: Randa Markos vs. Marina Rodriguez – Markos has alternated wins and losses in her last twelve fights. Literally, she has won one, lost one. Considering she’s on a loss, she’s due for a win. All joking aside, I think Markos gets it done. Her ever improving striking along with sneaky good grappling makes her a tough out for any opponent, let alone a debuting foe. So with that, I believe Markos gets back on track via decision.

UFC Fight Night 137 Prelims on FS2 (8:30 p.m. ET)

155 lbs.: Christos Giagos vs. Charles Oliveira – Welcome back to the UFC Giagos, here’s Charles Oliveira. Can you sacrifice yourself a limb so that Oliveira picks up the submission victory? Jeez…Oliveira via submission.

155 lbs.: Evan Dunham vs. Francisco Trinaldo – Dunham is a good fighter and I can’t help but to think what kind of path he’d a been on had he gotten the decision win over Sean Sherk. Anyways, I have Trinaldo. He’s got legit power in his hands, he’s a solid grappler with excellent takedown defense and surprisingly his gas tank ain’t half bad for an old man. I expect him to hurt Dunham early on the feet and lock up a submission victory.

205 lbs.: Luis Henrique vs. Ryan Spann – Henrique is a big boy, so for him to get down to Light Heavyweight should exponentially give him a strength advantage over most opponents. Given his grinding style, I like him over the debuting striker Spann. I’m thinking decision win.

265 lbs.: Augusto Sakai vs. Chase Sherman – This ends early and in a knockout. Given Sherman’s porous striking defense, I have Sakai getting the job done here.

UFC Fight Night 137 Prelims on Fight Pass (6:30 p.m. ET)

170 lbs.: Sergio Moraes vs. Ben Saunders – Fun fight, but I honestly don’t trust Saunders chin or his ability to take punishment anymore. Moraes might not give off the presence as a knockout artist or even a striker, but he’s got a sneaky overhand I can envision giving Saunders loads of problems. So with that, I have Moraes winning via knockout.

125 lbs.: Marya Bueno Silva vs. Gillian Robertson – No clue, but Robertson has been on a roll, especially with submissions. I’ll side with momentum here and say she gets it done via submission.

185 lbs.: Thales Leites vs. Hector Lombard – This is a toss up, but I’ve got Lombard. Both men have shorty gas tanks and well past their primes. Lombard is impossible to take down and he still has ridiculous knockout power. Leites is a grinder, but his gas tank of recent hasn’t allowed him to go along with that game plan. In what should be a quick fight, I have Lombard winning it via knockout.

170 lbs.: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Luigi Vendramini – Unfortunately Belal Muhammad dropped out due to injury, so Vendramini will make his sacrificial debut. The dynamic striking of dos Santos ends this one early via knockout.

115 lbs.: Alex Chambers vs. Livia Renata Souza – Poor Chambers. Souza is massive for the weight class, shes better everywhere and undoubtedly has the ability to control where this fight goes. I don’t expect any debut jitters, as Souza easily gets it done via submission.
UFC Fight Night 136: Hunt vs. Oleinik Predictions

September 15, 2018

The UFC is back in action, as the company embarks on what potentially could be a new hotbed in there first ever event in Russia. Headlining the event, is knockout artist Mark Hunt, who will share the main event spotlight with Russia’s own Alexsei Oleinik. Hunt, is coming off a decision loss to Curtis Blaydes. A fight in which he nearly won in the opening stanza with his ridiculous power. As for Oleinik, the submission specialist is coming off a victory by yet again, an ezekiel choke. A rare submission that seemingly has only been pulled off in an MMA fight by few, yet Oleinik has made it his bread and butter. As far as I’m concerned, one more ezekiel choke and it should be renamed to the Oleinik choke.

Anyways, to the Predictions!

UFC Fight Night 136 Main Card (2 p.m. ET):

265 lbs.: Mark Hunt vs. Aleksei Oleinik – As much as I love when Oleinik fights, I think his willingness to strike early puts him at serious risk in this fight. He’s too tough for his own good and against someone with power like Hunt, toughness will go out the window. So with that, I have Hunt winning knockout.

205 lbs.: Jan Blachowicz vs. Nikita Krylov – The UFC made a huge mistake when they let Krylov go. Not only is the Light Heavyweight division old and shallow, but Krylov has all the tools to be a contender. On the other hand, Blachowicz is no push over and is enjoying a three-fight win streak. Crazy, given that Blachowicz was 1-3 in his last four fights prior to the streak. Anyways, as for a prediction, I have Blachowicz. His improvement in takedown defense and offense has led the way in this win streak. Combine that with his already stout striking abilities and Blachowicz is trending in the right direction of becoming a contender. A win here certainly calls for a top five fight. So with that, I have Blachowicz winning via decision.

265 lbs.: Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Andrei Arlovski – This is a tough fight to call. Arlovski undoubtedly is a better striker, but Abdurakhimov undoubtedly is a better grappler. In Arlovski’s last few fights, he’s used takedowns to aid him in victory. However, those fights weren’t against anyone with takedown defense, hence the exploitation. In what should be a close fight, I’m going with Abdurakhimov. I believe that he’s faced a much heavier hitter in Derrick Lewis, not only surviving for 4 rounds, but taking him down at will for pretty much three rounds. So with that, I have Abdurakhimov via decision.

170 lbs.: Thiago Alves vs. Alexey Kunchenko – Again, I have no idea about Kunchenko. I do though know that Alves is pretty much done, but then again he has shown to be a tough out in the first round of fights. After that, he’s gassed and usually finished. On the basis of lack of knowledge yet again, I’ll go with the grizzled veteran Alves winning the fight via first round knockout.

UFC Fight Night 136 ‘Prelims’ Undercard (10:30 a.m ET):

185 lbs.: Khalid Murtazaliev vs. C.B. Dollaway – Honestly, I know nothing about Murtazaliev. If he has any power, he probably should be able to crack Dollaway’s disintegrating chin. However, on the basis of lack of knowledge, I’ll side with the American Dollaway to avoid getting finished and win via decision.

135 lbs.: Petr Yan vs. Jin Soo Son – Yan is a legit contender at Bantamweight. On the other hand, Son is just fodder for Yan’s rise to contender status. So with that, I have Yan via KO.

155 lbs.: Kajan Johnson vs. Rustam Khabilov – Johnson just fought a Russian wrestler and got steamrolled. The same will happen here, except without the finish, so with that, I have Khabilov via decision.

155 lbs.: Desmond Green vs. Mairbek Taisumov– Green is an solid fighter, but he doesn’t have a dynamic striking game like Taisumov. Throw in the fact that Green is a counter puncher and that just opens up space for Taisumov to get off whatever he wants. So with that, I predict that Taisumov eventually finishes Green via TKO.

205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Marcin Prachnio – Ankaleav made a mental error in his UFC debut, one in which cost him the fight with 1 second left. This time around, he will right those wrongs with a spectacular knockout. Lock it in.

185 lbs.: Jordan Johnson vs. Adam Yandiev – Both men are undefeated, so someone’s O has to go. My prediction is that Yandiev blitzes Johnson early and tries to get him out in the first round, but the early storm is weathered. A tired Yandiev, one who hasn’t sniffed the second round, will be taken down, controlled and ultimately finished by a fresher Johnson.

170 lbs.: Ramazan Emeev vs. Stefan Sekulic – Emeev is a name to watch. At Middleweight, I thought he was a potential contender. Now 15 pounds lighter, he should find it easier to rag doll opponents around with his gorilla strength and controlling style. So with that, I have Emeev via dominant decision.

135 lbs.: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Terrion Ware – This might as well be considered a pink slip fight, as both men are a combined 0-5 in the UFC. As for a prediction, I have Ware. I believe that if he keeps this fight upright, on the feet, his volume striking will guide him to his first UFC victory.
UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till Predictions

September 8, 2018

Can you believe, that in a little over a month, there has only been one UFC event! An oddity, given that there have been times where the UFC had six consecutive weeks of events. And usually, when there is a gap in between events, it’s due to promoting a huge PPV card. This particular card isn’t huge, but it’s packed with a ton of intriguing fights.

Headlining the card, is the return of UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. It’s been over a year since he last fought, but he’s back and set to defend his title against the fast rising Darren Till. The Brit, has rapidly risen in the ranks by finishing Donald Cerrone and then controversially defeating Stephen Thompson via decision. With a massive height and presumably weight advantage, Till has a legit chance to dethrone Woodley.

Anyways, to the Predictions!

UFC 228 PPV Main Card (10 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley vs. Darren Till – I think that timing-wise, this could be a perfect opportunity for Till. Woodley hasn’t fought in over a year and is coming over major shoulder surgery. Till is a massive welterweight and will tower over Woodley. However, Till is very green. This will be his seventh UFC fight, with Donald Cerrone and Stephen Thompson the only real names he’s fought. Till had no issues with Cerrone, but against Thompson, it was a chess match that many believed he lost. Missing weight didn’t help either. Nevertheless, Till was awarded the victory and a title shot.

As for a prediction, I have Woodley. I believe that having fought Thompson for 50 minutes should have him prepared for a similar opponent like Till. Add in the fact that Woodley’s power will be something I don’t think Till has ever dealt with, and I think we may have a shorter night then people expect. So with that, I have Woodley retaining via TKO.

115 lbs.: Jessica Andrade vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz – This is an excellent fight in the Women’s Strawweight division. However, I can’t pick against Andrade. She’s a literal bulldozer. Her durability, volume striking, pace, cardio, pressure, power are just too overwhelming for opponents. The only way to defeat Andrade is to counter and keep distance, which is hard when she’s just eats every punch and bullies her way inside. So with that, I have Andrade via decision.

145 lbs.: Zabit Magomedsharipov vs. Brandon Davis – I love that Davis stepped up and he’s gritty enough to make this a fun fight. However, he’s got poor takedown defense, he gets hit too much and his pace calls for better cardio. Against a well rounded Magomedsharipov, it’s only a matter of time before he gets overwhelmed. My guess is late into the second. So with that, I have Magomedsharipov via submission.

135 lbs.: John Dodson vs. Jimmie Rivera – Fun fight, but Dodson hasn’t really impressed me of late. His fight ending power has dissipated and he’s not landing in volume anymore. He’s eking wins and against Rivera, a cerebral fighter, that won’t work. I expect Rivera to come out, crack Dodson with his power, match his speed and ultimately outpoint Dodson for a clear cut decision victory.

170 lbs.: Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Niko Price – This should be a slugfest, as both men are wild strikers. The one glaring difference though is that Price has the cardio to go full three rounds if necessary. Alhassan doesn’t. Hell, by the second round, he’s gassed out. So with that, I have Price via late TKO.

UFC 228 FX ‘Prelims’ (8 p.m. ET):

115 lbs.: Carla Esparza vs. Tatiana Suarez – I think Suarez is too big and lanky for Esparza to handle. Even if she stops takedowns in the open, she will get pressed into the cage and grinded down. Ive been saying this for a long time, Suarez is a future champion. So with that, I have Suarez via decision.

135 lbs.: Cody Stamann vs. Aljamain Sterling – Dynamic is the word in this fight. The only one who fits that description is Sterling. So with that, I have Sterling shrugging off Stamann’s takedowns and outpointing him on the feet with dynamic striking abilities.

170 lbs.: Frank Camacho vs. Geoff Neal – This should be an early barnburner, but ultimately I have Camacho earning the decision victory. Neal has yet to be tested, and against a durable fighter like Camacho, I foresee him getting discouraged when he Camacho withstands everything he’s got.

185 lbs.: Charles Byrd vs. Darren Stewart – Stewart has tons of power, but he’s wreckless at times and has been vulnerable to takedowns. Byrd will capitalize on Stewart’s inability to keep the fight upright. Takedowns followed by an eventual submission lead Byrd to his second UFC victory.

UFC 228 Fight Pass ‘Prelims’ (6:15 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez vs. Craig White – In 2018, Diego Sanchez is still fighting. His iron chin is disintegrating by the fight. However, this seems like a tailored made fight to get him a victory. And despite all the red flags, I’ll go with Sanchez via decision.

155 lbs.: Jim Miller vs. Alex White – Miller probably could out-wrestle White, but his cardio has slowly dissipated to the point whereI don’t think he can go three rounds anymore. So with that, I have White via late TKO.

135 lbs.: Irene Aldana vs. Lucie Pudilova – Aldana started out her UFC tenure a little lackluster, but she’s better than this. Pudilova is no pushover though, but ultimately I still believe that Aldana’s volume striking should help her eek out a decision victory.

125 lbs.: Roberto Sanchez vs. Jarred Brooks – Brooks is desperately in need of a win after dropping two straight, including knocking himself out in his last fight. The “Monkey God” has the wrestling abilities to grind out a decision victory here.
UFC Fight Night 135: Gaethje vs. Vick

August 25, 2018

Due to vacationing, the Predictions for this exciting fight night will be brief.

In the main event, I believe Gaethje will get it done based on his ability to withstand punishment and equally dish it out. He does an excellent job of chopping down opponents with leg kicks and if he would use a little wrestling, he could be a contender at Lightweight. Vick is excellent, with height and reach advantages over every Lightweight, he’s a legit problem. However, I feel like if this gets to slugfest territory, Gaethje is more built for it. Who knows though, the last three Gaethje fights have been wars and it’s only a matter of time before that chin wears down.
UFC 227: Dillashaw vs. Garbrandt II Predictions

August 4, 2018

The UFC is back in action with a top heavy PPV event. Headlining the card is a rematch of a rivalry between UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw and Cody Garbrandt. A rivalry of former teammates, turned enemies. In the first fight between the two, it was Dillashaw who drew first blood. A perfectly timed head kicked would rock Garbrandt, but a minute later a right hand followed by ground-and-pound would turn the lights off. Dillashaw dethroned then Champion Garbrandt, igniting the fire of a rivalry that seemingly and could very well see a trilogy. However, Dillashaw could end this chapter tonight.

Also on the card, UFC Flyweight Champion and consensus pound-for-pound fighter Demetrius Johnson locks horns in a rematch against Henry Cejudo. Johnson, looks to extends his record breaking title defense streak to twelve. Meanwhile, Cejudo gets a second chance to shock the world.

Enough Talk, to the Predictions!

UFC 227 PPV Main Card (10 p.m. ET):

135 lbs.: UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw vs. Cody Garbrandt – If these guys fought 100 times, it would honestly probably be close to a 50-50 split. I mean, Garbrandt has legit knockout power, which is aided by his footwork, head movement and overall quickness. He’s also a solid wrestler, but I don’t expect to see any of that given this rivalry. Dillashaw on the other hand has some of the best unconventional movement in mixed martial arts. His faints and footwork aid his unpredictability on the feet. Tie that in with his dynamic striking game that features potent head kicks and he’s a problem for anyone. I mean, you saw that first hand in the first fight against Garbrandt. Dillashaw can also wrestle his ass off, but again I don’t expect any of that unless someone gets rocked.

Anyways, I feel like this is going to be a five round battle. And given Dillashaw’s dynamic striking, I think leg strikes are going to make the difference. Garbrandt can disrupt rounds though if he can drop Dillashaw several times like he did against Dominick Cruz. That could very well happen, but Dillashaw is weary of his power. I think he keeps more distance this time and fights on the outside, avoiding the brawl. After five hard fought rounds, it’s Dillashaw who I believe will retain via decision.

125 lbs.: UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson vs. Henry Cejudo – I don’t see where exactly Cejudo holds any edge in this bout except maybe power? I don’t expect this fight though to end as quick as it did last time. Instead, Cejudo will make it to the Championship rounds and will fade out in the 5th. That’s when Johnson will pounce with something spectacular. Perhaps a cartwheel kick, followed by lion-like leap to grab a rear-naked-choke? Sure. So with that, I have Johnson via submission.

145 lbs.: Renato Moicano vs. Cub Swanson – Moicano has contender written all over him. However, I feel like stylistically this could be a fight in which both counter punchers stare at each other for long periods of time. Or Swanson could come out reinvented and go right at Moicano. Or Moicano can throw his patented leg kicks and slowly wear down the striking attack of Swanson. Honestly, I don’t know, but given Swanson’s recent lumps, it’s do or die for him. This is a must win in order to stay in the title picture, one in which recent and old talent is flooding. With his back up against the wall, I got Swanson finding a way to win this via decision.

115 lbs.: J.J. Aldrich vs. Polyana Viana – Viana has an excellent ground game, but I believe Aldrich has good enough takedown defense to keep this upright. From there, it’s all Aldrich. So with that, I have Aldrich via decision.

185 lbs.: Thiago Santos vs. Kevin Holland – This is a rude awakening to the UFC for Holland. Santos throws everything with fight ending intentions. Holland on the other hand doesn’t. In what should be a firefight of a first round, it’s Santos who will escape with the knockout victory.

UFC 227 Prelims on FX (8 p.m. ET):

135 lbs.: Pedro Munhoz vs. Brett Johns – Johns is a solid fighter, but this is simply a bad matchup. Munhoz, is the complete package. He has excellent cardio, a fast pace, throws strikes in volume, can wrestle, is an excellent grappler and locks down submission when they are presented. The one blemish is his striking defense, but he’s young. Against Johns, he could conceivably get cracked, but I don’t see it. So with that, I have Munhoz via decision.

135 lbs.: Ricky Simon vs. Montel Jackson – Simon was pretty lucky to win his debut, but he does looks to be a solid addition at Bantamweight. Given that I have no clue about Jackson, it’s Simon who I have winning via decision.

135 lbs.: Kyung Ho Kang vs. Ricardo Ramos – This is an awesome fight, but I’ve got Kang edging it out. Ramos has been on a roll of late and his striking has begun to evolve. Considering his submission prowess when the fight hits the mat, a striking game could open the door for Ramos to be a player at Bantamweight. However, his grappling still needs some work and against a massive wrestling heavy opponent like Kang, it’s going to be exploited. So with that, I have Kang using his strength to bully Ramos for three round en route to a decision victory.

145 lbs.: Sheymon Moraes vs. Matt Sayles – No clue who Sayles is, so I got Moraes via decision.

UFC 227 Prelims on Fight Pass (6:30 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Alex Perez vs. Jose Torres – Honestly, I don’t know. Torres was pretty hyped coming in, but his debut wasn’t particularly an indicator that he’s for real. I mean, Torres was losing his debut up until his opponent knocked himself out trying to slam him. Nevertheless, it’s a UFC victory. As for Perez, he has two UFC victories, both coming via impressive showings. Considering the hype of Torres, it’s possible pressure, short notice and UFC jitters played factors in his debut. So with that, I’ll go with the notion that we didn’t see the best of Torres and that he will show up here, winning via decision.

115 lbs.: Danielle Taylor vs. Weili Zhang – Taylor’s output is so lackluster, that Zhang can win this by landing only 30 strikes. Seriously. So with that, I have Zhang via decision.

135 lbs.: Wuliji Buren vs. Marlon Vera – This seems like a gimme fight for Vera. All Buren offers is a semi okay wrestling game, but even if he does take Vera down, he has to deal with a dangerous guard game. On the feet, Vera holds a significant advantage. So with that, I have Vera winning via submission.
UFC on Fox 30: Alvarez vs. Poirier II Predictions

July 28, 2018

The UFC is back in action, taking their talents to Calgary, Canada. Headlining this card, which airs on big FOX, is Lightweight contenders Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier. This will be a rematch, as the first fight took place on May 13, 2017 and ended in a controversial no contest. It was a wild and exciting fight for two rounds, with both men hurting each other. However, it was Alvarez who was rocked, rallied back and then landed an illegal knee that halted the action. Considering Poirier couldn’t continue and Alvarez landed multiple illegal blows, the fight probably should of ended in a disqualification victory for Poirier. The referee deemed it was accidental, hence the no contest.

Over a year later, both will lock horns in what should realistically be a number one contenders fight. However the reemergence of Conor McGregor seemingly ruins those logistics. Nevertheless, these two men will undoubtedly put on a show. Alvarez, comes into this fight fresh off a stellar victory over Justin Gaethje. He is on the last fight of his contract, betting on himself, to well, make bank. Meanwhile, Poirier comes into fight on the heels of a two fight win streak. In two “fight of the nights”, Poirier was able to withstand punishment and come out on top, finishing both Anthony Pettis and Justin Gaethje.

Anyways, to the Predictions!

UFC on FOX 30 Main Card on FOX (8 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: Eddie Alvarez vs. Dustin Poirier – What an exciting fight. These two Lightweight contenders are the epitome of entertainment. If we were to go by of recent, it’s Poirier who’s turn it up a notch of late. The last two fights against Anthony Pettis and Justin Gaethje showed that wherever the fight goes, Poirier is fully capable of making it advantageous for him. An ability to withstand punishment too has certainly nixed the claim that Poirier has a weak chin.

As for a prediction, I’ve got Alvarez. I think against Justin Gaethje, he showed massive improvements. And if I remember correctly, he somehow avoided getting rocked at any point. He took a ton of leg kicks, but his head movement and striking were all on point. If I’m being honest too, I think Alvarez’s problems stem from the first round. He’s a slow starter and doesn’t quite adapt until around the second rounds. Against Poirier, he couldn’t deal with the reach. In this fight, I think he uses his wrestling to deal with it. I mean, he’s on the last fight of his contract and a title shot isn’t even guaranteed. So with that, I believe Alvarez will wrestle and grind down Poirier, finishing him into the later rounds via TKO.

145 lbs: Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens – This is a tough fight to call, but I have Aldo. The main reason, this is a three round fight. Against Holloway, Aldo looked solid for about two rounds, but Holloway’s volume, pace and pressure proved to be too much for the former Featherweight kingpin. Stephens is a guy who can replicate Holloway’s gameplan, but he doesn’t have the height, reach or high output Holloway has. He does have power though, which is scary given the amount of punishment Aldo has endured in his last two fights. Nevertheless, if Aldo can get back to guy who threw those patented debilitating leg kicks and stayed away from brawling, he has the ability to get back on track. Against a dangerous Stephens, who is on the cusp of a title shot, I believe this is do or die for Aldo. With his back up against the wall, Aldo will perform and outpoint Stephens via decision.

115 lbs.: Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Tecia Torres – This is a great fight, but I feel like Jedrzejczyk is better everywhere. Now, Torres is an excellent fighter, but she lacks power and finishing instincts. Against Jedrzejczyk, you need power to put her away or at least keep her at bay. So with that, I have Jedrzejczyk via a dominant decision victory.

155 lbs.: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Alexander Hernandez – This is a tough fight to call, especially given Hernandez’s debut. Honestly, I’ve always thought OAM was a special talent, who’s a striking game away from breaking out. Welp, in his last fight, he showed that. However, it ended so early that I feel I need a little more to be sold. I feel like Hernandez is a confident wrestler, who’s got legit pop in his hands. I can see him fending off OAM and hurting him on the feet. OAM is tough though and won’t go away lightly. So with that, I have Hernandez via decision.

UFC on FOX 30 Prelims on FOX (6 p.m. ET):

170 lbs.: Jordan Mein vs. Alex Morono – Mein has all the weapons to be successful, but for whatever reason, he can’t put it together. It might be mental, but I don’t know. Either way, I’ve got Morono via a sloppy decision victory.

145 lbs.: Austin Arnett vs. Hakeem Dawodu – I’ve heard great things about Dawodu, but his debut was not them. Nevertheless, this is tailored matchup for him to get back on track. So with that, I have Dawodu via decision.

155 lbs.: Kajan Johnson vs. Islam Makhachev – The Russians are coming! Makhachev looks to be a force to be reckon with and I believe Johnson is the perfect opponent to showcase him to a larger audience. So with that, I’ve got Makhachev via submission.

205 lbs.: Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Ion Cutelaba – Antigulov is on a roll, but considering he’s finishing everyone (19 of 20 wins), his cardio remains relatively unknown. Cutelaba has shown to have great cardio, a relentless pace and high volume of output. He’s also shown durability, so I’m not concerned about him being knocked out. The potential to be taken down and submitted is very possible. Nevertheless, I’m going to predict that Cutelaba weathers the early storm and puts away Antigulov via TKO in the third round.

UFC on FOX 30 Prelims on Fight Pass (4 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: John Makdessi vs. Ross Pearson – If this were Pearson five years ago, I would have picked him. However, it’s a slower and more hittable Pearson. Considering Makdessi is a counter puncher, I expect Pearson to walk right into every punch. So with that, I have Makdessi winning this one via decision.

125 lbs.: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Alexis Davis – This is a toss up. Chookagian has the striking edge, while Davis the grappling. Chookagian has been vulnerable to grapplers, defending takedowns at only a 57% clip. If Davis can get this to the ground, I find it hard to believe Chookagian will be able to get back up. So with that, I have Davis via decision.

125 lbs.: Matheus Nicolau vs. Dustin Ortiz – Another toss up here, but I’ll go with the momentum of Nicolau. Ortiz is a gritty wrestler, who is relentless at taking his foes down. His top control and scrambling abilities are tremendous to boot. However, on the feet, Ortiz is vulnerable. He’s a serviceable striker, but his troubles have come standing. Nicolau has shown to have excellent striking and takedown defense. I expect Nicolau to fend off Ortiz and outpoint him for two rounds. In the third, Ortiz will finally get him down, but won’t be able to get the finish. So with that, I have Nicolau taking this fight via decision.

115 lbs.: Nina Ansaroff vs. Randa Markos – This is once again, another toss up. Ansaroff has the striking advantage, although Markos has shown tremendous improvements on the feet. Meanwhile, Markos is an excellent grappler and I could very well see her mixing in takedowns en route to my prediction, a decision victory.

155 lbs.: Alvaro Herrera vs. Devin Powell – Both men haven’t fought in quite sometime, so I expect rust. In the name of Predictions, I’ll go with Powell. Herrera is a one round fighter, meanwhile Powell has shown durability and a knack for weathering earlier storms. So with that, I’ve got Powell via submission.
UFC Fight Night 134: Rua vs. Smith Predictions

July 22, 2018

The UFC is back in action, as they head overseas to Hamburg, Germany. Headlining the event is former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua against rising talent Anthony Smith. Rua, is currently on a three-fight streak and hasn’t lost since 2014. Each of the three victories have come in a different year. Rua, has not won four fights since 2011, and has a great opportunity not only to do that, but potentially earn a title shot. One in which Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier has called for if Rua were to win. As for Smith, the former Middleweight made a successful trek up to 205 pounds, defeating Rashad Evans via knockout in a mere 53 seconds. Prior to that victory, Smith had won eleven of his thirteen fights. Only three of those came in the UFC, but they were all via impressive comeback finishes.

Anyways, to the Predictions!

Main Card (FS1, 2 P.M. ET):

Light heavyweight: Mauricio Rua vs. Anthony Smith – This fight is going to be violent from the start and I have a feeling it’s not going to last all too long either. In my opinion, as good as Shogun was, he’s just not the same anymore. He’s got legit power in his hands, but he’s visibly slower. Against Smith, who’s tall, lengthy and faster, it’s only a matter of time before Rua gets finished. He’s tough, but Smith likes to use his elbows and knees and if one of those connect, it’s pretty much over. So with that, I’m going with the new blood at 205 pounds to defeat the legend Shogun via knockout.

Light heavyweight: Glover Teixeira vs. Corey Anderson – This is an excellent fight. If Anderson’s chin was a little less prone, he’d be a contender by now. However, it’s cost him several fights in which he was winning. Considering Teixeira has legit power in his hands, I figure he will keep this upright and try to test that chin of Anderson. Once he lands that perfect shot, I see him jumping on a wounded Anderson and locking on a submission for the victory.

Middleweight: Abu Azaitar vs. Vitor Miranda – No clue. Miranda had a little spark in the UFC, but that went away quick. The German Azaitar will have the hometown crowd in his favor, which will aid him to a decision victory.

Heavyweight: Stefan Struve vs. Marcin Tybura – Struve seems shot to me. He’s nearly 7 feet tall, always having a size advantage and reach advantage on opponents. Yet, he never throws jabs and instead fights in close range. A recipe that has seen him get battered and finished several times. If only he pumped the jab and tried for takedowns to use his world class BJJ. If only right… so with that, I have Tybura grinding this one out via decision.

Welterweight: Danny Roberts vs. David Zawada – Roberts is very underrated and I think people are too quick to deem him “chinny”. He took countless power shots from Perry before being rendered unconscious. He did get quickly knocked out by Nordine Taleb, but sometimes there is nothing you can do about a perfectly timed strike. Anyways, Roberts is a talent and he’s going to show it in an impressive submission victory.

Lightweight: Marc Diakiese vs. Nasrat Haqparast – Diakiese was once thought to be a superstar in the making. Now, he’s an afterthought and on the brink of potentially being cut by the UFC. Considering I like guys with their backs against the wall, it should be no surprise that I have Diakiese winning via decision.

Preliminary Card (FS1, 12 P.M. ET):

Lightweight: Damir Hadzovic vs. Nick Hein – The German actor and former police officer Hein is not losing in his home country. So with that, Hein via decision.

Welterweight: Bartosz Fabinski vs. Emil Meek – Even in defeat, Meek looked good against a wrestling heavy Kamaru Usman. In this fight, I think he shows off his defensive wrestling and keeps this one upright. On the feet, Meek is wild and powerful. I think eventually he overwhelms Fabinski and wins via TKO.

Featherweight: Nad Narimani vs Khalid Taha – Isn’t Narimani the guy who defeated Paddy Pimblett? Yup. So with that, I have Narimani winning via submission.

Light heavyweight: Justin Ledet vs. Aleksandar Rakic – Don’t know much about Rakic, but new blood in the Light Heavyweight division is always a plus. Unfortunately, Ledet is a talented striker. His last fight against Zu Anyanwu was a little lackluster, but his prior fights showed that he’s a potential contender. So with that, Ledet stays undefeated and wins this via late KO.

UFC Fight Pass Exclusive Prelims (10:30 A.M. ET):

Bantamweight: Davey Grant vs. Manny Bermudez – I thought Grant was pretty solid coming out of TUF, but I was wrong. He’s not very good and is going to get submitted by a very talented prospect in Bermudez.

Light heavyweight: Jeremy Kimball vs. Darko Stosic – This one ends in knockout. Given how massive Stosic is and just thinking how brutal that weight cut must be, I’m siding with Kimball here. If he can survive round one, I truly believe he will defeat the huffing and puffing promotional newcomer via TKO.

Bantamweight: Pingyuan Liu vs. Damian Stasiak – Don’t know Liu, but I’m well aware of Stasiak. He’s a karate fighter who seemingly gets cracked a bunch, but has insane toughness and heart. How he lasted as long as he did against Brian Kelleher was pretty crazy. Anyways, I’ve got Stasiak via decision.
UFC Fight Night 133: Dos Santos vs. Ivanov Predictions

July 14, 2018

A week after a thrilling UFC 226 card, the UFC is back in action with an exciting Fight Night card in Boise, Idaho. This will be the promotions first visit to Idaho. Headlining the card is a Heavyweight bout pitting former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos against promotional newcomer Blagoy Ivanov. Dos Santos returns to octagon for the first time in 2018, as he had been held back by USADA due to a potential violation. After a lengthy battle, Dos Santos was cleared of any PED use.

Dos Santos most recently is coming off a UFC title defeat against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. Since 2012, Dos Santos has fough eight times, trading a win and loss each fight. As for Ivanov, the promotional newcomer enters the UFC with a sterling 16-1 record. Ivanov, rides into this fight on a five-fight win streak. He is the former WSOF/PFL Champion and is a welcome addition to a Heavyweight division starting to regain steam. This is a huge debut fight, as a victory over the former UFC Heavyweight Champion instantly vaults him into the top ten.

Anyways, to the Predictions!

UFC Fight Night 133 Main Card on FOX Sports 1 (10:00 PM EST):

265 lbs.: Junior Dos Santos vs. Blagoy Ivanov – Heavyweight fights are so tough to predict, as it can end in one punch. Given that and the fact that Ivanov hasn’t fought anyone to the caliber of a shell of Dos Santos, I’ve got the former UFC Champion here. So with that, I have JDS via TKO.

170 lbs.: Sage Northcutt vs. Zak Ottow – This is a tough fight for Northcutt, as he’s not only moving up in weight, but fighting an experienced, gritty and overall grinder of a fighter in Ottow. However, Ottow isn’t a knockout artist and he doesn’t pressure his foes. Given that, Northcutt will be able to stay on the outside and use his arsenal of leg strikes. He will also have a significant speed advantage that I can foresee frustrating Ottow. So with that, I have Northcutt taking this fight decision.

145 lbs.: Dennis Bermudez vs. Rick Glenn – Glenn is a tough, lanky and long fighter. He’s also extremely hittable and against a volume and powerful striker like Bermudez, that doesn’t bode well. Mix in Bermudez’s excellent wrestling and ground-and-pound, and we got ourselves a beat down that ends in an a TKO victory by Bermudez.

170 lbs.: Randy Brown vs. Niko Price – Honestly I’m unsure, but I lean Price. He’s a wild striker who has legit knockout power and a pretty decent submission game. Price already has finished the likes of Brandon Thatch, Alan Jouban and George Sullivan. Not a bad list. Meanwhile, Brown is a formidable striker himself and could use his height and reach advantage to keep Price’s power at bay. However, Brown’s level of competition is no where near Price’s, having Mickey Gall as his biggest win to date. So with that, I have Price winning via late TKO.

145 lbs.: Myles Jury vs. Chad Mendes – I don’t know what to expect from Mendes, but if he’s the same fighter he was two years ago, then he’s got this fight. He’s an underrated striker, who’s bread and butter of wrestling and top control is amongst the best in the UFC. Against a tough and gritty Jury, it might initially be hard to take him down, but the constant grind that Mendes employs here will eventually break Jury. So with that, I have Mendes via decision.

135 lbs.: Cat Zingano vs. Marion Reneau – This is a toss up, but I’m going with Zingano. Mentally I think she’s back and while Reneau is on a roll, she’s often found herself getting beat up early and rallying to win. Against Zingano, a fighter who’s essentially built her career of comebacks, rallying back won’t happen here for Reneau. I mean, Zingano has already endured current Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes best shots and former Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate’s smothering grappling, only to come back and finish both of them. So with that, I have Zingano getting back on track via decision.

UFC Fight Night 133 Prelims on FOX Sports 1 (8:00PM EST):

135 lbs.: Alejandro Perez vs. Eddie Wineland – Wineland’s laid 2 eggs in his last two fights. While he has the better skill set, it’s the momentum and improving Perez that I’m picking here. Wineland is too hesitant of a striker, meanwhile Perez throws more in volume and uses timely takedowns to keep his foes uncomfortable. So with that, I have Perez via decision.

145 lbs.: Darren Elkins vs. Alex Volkanovski – This is such a tough fight to call, but I’m done counting Elkins out. I mean, I believe that Volkanovski has the style, pace and cardio to win this fight on the scorecards. However, he’s yet to fight anyone notable or as durable as Elkins. With six consecutive victories and a top five fight on the horizon, perhaps a main event against Frankie Edgar, I’ve got Elkins doing Elkins things en route to a decision victory.

125 lbs.: Said Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Scoggins – Given that Said Nurmagomedov is cousin of UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, I am to assume he is world class wrestler. And given Scoggins, while a phenomenal striker, has some of the poorest fight IQ, I am to side with the wrestler in this one. So with that, I have Nurmagomedov via decision.

145 lbs.: Raoni Barcelos vs. Kurt Holobaugh – I’ve got Holobaugh all the way here. He’s got a 5 inch height and 1.5 inch reach advantage. He’s coming off three consecutive victories, really four if you count the no contest due to using an IV bag to rehydrate. Each of the victories he has finished his foe. As for Barcelos, he hasn’t fought in nearly two years and this will be his UFC debut. Against a well rounded, scrappy and dam right durable Holobaugh, I can’t envision Barcelos shaking off the rust to get the victory. So with that, I have Holobaugh taking this one via submission.

UFC Fight Night 133 Prelims on Fight Pass (6:30PM EST):

125 lbs.: Liz Carmouche vs. Jennifer Maia – Tough fight to call, but I have Maia taking this in her UFC debut. She was the number one Flyweight outside the UFC and is on a roll of late, winning six consecutive fights. While Carmouche will look to use a heavy dose of wrestling and top control to win this, it’s Maia’s grappling and volume striking that will neutralize her. I expect a close fight though, but ultimately it’s Maia who gets the judges nod via decision.

125 lbs.: Mark De La Rosa vs. Elias Garcia – Don’t know, but I have Garcia on the account that in De La Rosa’s debut, he landed a mere 4 punches in over 6 minutes of action. It was against former Flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott, but still I have Garcia via decision.

115 lbs.: Jessica Aguilar vs. Jodie Esquibel – Considering Esquibel is a former Atomweight and her takedown defense isn’t exactly great, this is a tailored made matchup for the former number one Strawweight Aguilar. Expect a heavy dose of takedowns and top control en route to a decision victory.
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier Predictions

July 7, 2018

Finally, the beast that is UFC 226 has finally arrived. However, not without a visit from apparently a voodoo doctor that has plagued UFC cards for years. Not everything can be perfect, but for the love of god, could the biggest and baddest card not have a fight removed? One in which is between two of the very best talents in the UFC. One in which is a five round fight for the Featherweight Title! Of course not!

After showing concussion-like symptoms during fight week, the UFC pulled Featherweight Champion Max Holloway from his title fight against Brian Ortega. I for one am so glad this was caught before the fight, as those two men healthy will undoubtedly provide us with what could be one of the best fights ever. They are so talented and skilled, I could very well see this becoming a trilogy down the road.

A bummer that fight got scrapped, but at least we still have the headlining superfight between UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier. A fight which almost was taken away from us by the Voodoo doctor, as after a press conference, Cormier tripped over a speaker and took a hard spill. He claims he’s alright, but he had to be helped up and was clearly grimacing. We’ve already seen wires take out Tony Ferguson and his Interim Lightweight belt.

Anyways, this superfight is going to be a doozy. Miocic is arguably the greatest Heavyweight of all-time, holding the record for UFC Heavyweight title defenses currently at three. Meanwhile, Cormier minus Jon Jones is one of the very best competitors to ever grace the octagon in not just one weight class, but two. Cormier has the chance to elevate his legacy in this fight, as a victory over Miocic earns him the “baddest man on the planet” moniker, the Heavyweight title, the recognition of being only the fifth UFC fighter to capture belts in multiple weight classes and only the second to hold two belts simultaneously. As for Miocic, while a victory doesn’t get him all those accolades, it does earn him more respect. With more respect comes money. After this fight, Miocic should demand the house and Brock Lesnar.

Alright, enough talk! Prediction time!

UFC 226 PPV Main Card (10 p.m. ET):

265 lbs.: UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic vs. UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier – I’ve already talked enough about this fight above, so I’ll keep this short. For whatever reason, I have Cormier winning. He’s smaller in stature, has a reach disadvantage and doesn’t remotely have the power Miocic has. Cormier also hasn’t been hit by Francis Ngannou with everything and the kitchen sink and lived to tell about it like Miocic has. So why am I picking Cormier? At the end of the day, in a five round fight, Cormier puts on an incredible pace and has an ability to break down fighters. If he can survive the power of a Miocic in the first two rounds, I think he wears down Miocic over the last three to edge out a decision victory. How bout that?

265 lbs.: Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou – This is going to be fireworks for however long it last and it might only last one punch. In my opinion, Ngannou wins this fight. Both men have serious knockout power, but it’s Ngannou who’s speed advantage should allow him to land more and eventually put away Lewis.

155 lbs.: Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis – I have Chiesa here. Pettis seemingly will never learn how to stop a takedown. Against a grappling heavy based fighter like Chiesa, I just don’t see how he wins. So with that, I have Chiesa via decision.

205 lbs.: Khalil Rountree vs. Gokhan Saki – This ends in a knockout and early. On the basis of it being a one round fight, I edge Rountree. He’s too athletic and has remnants of wrestling enough to help him out of sticky situation. So with that, I have Rountree via KO.

170 lbs.: Paul Felder vs. Mike Perry – I think Perry’s actually a good fighter, but the blueprint on beating him is out. A blueprint in which Felder doesn’t need to really study, as his style is essentially it. He’s a striker, who’s technical and keeps distance. Perry can’t seem to figure out those who stay on the outside and I need to see improvement in that aspect if I’m going to pick him again. So with that, I have Felder via decision.

UFC 226 FOX Sports 1 Prelims (8 p.m. ET):

185 lbs.: Paulo Costa vs. Uriah Hall – After nearly being finished last fight, Hall’s killer instincts finally came out. Unfortunately that was against the light hitting Jotko. Costa is a massive behemoth of a man, has bricks for hands and will pressure you till you fall. Considering it takes being on the brink of unconsciousness for Hall to fight, there’s no way I’m picking him. So with that, I have Costa via KO.

135 lbs.: Raphael Assuncao vs. Rob Font – This is a tough fight to call, but I’m edging Assuncao. He’s just too well rounded and consistent for me to believe he drops this potential opportunity to claim a title shot with a victory. This is no knock on Font, he’s a polished striker who can very well out point Assuncao. However, the stakes for Assuncao are too high for me not to believe he does whatever he can to win. So with that, I have Assuncao via decision.

155 lbs.: Drakkar Klose vs. Lando Vannata – Man, Vannata is fun to watch, but he fights down to his competition. I mean, this guy nearly put away the former Lightweight Interim Champion Tony Ferguson. Then he fights guys like Daniel Teymur and Bobby Green and drops the ball. Against Klose, I think he does the same. However unlike those previous opponents, Klose can actually grapple. So with that, I have Klose edging out a close (pun intended) decision.

170 lbs.: Max Griffin vs. Curtis Millender – Griffin looked excellent in his last fight against a dangerous Mike Perry. However, Millender is a serious problem at welterweight. He’s massive for the weight class and his technical striking tied in with devastating head kicks is going to be a headache for any opponent. So with that, I have Millender via knockout.

UFC 226 Fight Pass Prelims (7 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: Gilbert Burns vs. Dan Hooker – I’m edging Burns here. I think Hooker has feasted off opponents that don’t have similar strength and athleticism abilities like Burns has. Also, Burns striking has come a long way and his ground game is excellent. I don’t expect Hooker to get steamrolled here, but edged out via decision.

115 lbs.: Jamie Moyle vs. Emily Whitmire – Close Fight, but ultimately I think the wrestling of Moyle will aid her in a decision victory.