UFC on ESPN+ 9: Iaquinta vs. Cowboy

Thanks my friend! Some luck involved of course. Still a long way to go ;) 


Somehow i'm a fan of Macy! Pure finisher, savage intent. 

Bruson vs Theodoru

Brunson, Dec.

Elias is a **** fighter. It's really that simple. Squeaked past Anders, who is still new to the game and fought like a deer in the headlights, as usual, and couldn't finish a 100 year old one-legged man in Kelly. He's also lost seven times against cans. Brunson isn't getting a belt, but he's a veteran, only loses to elites, and is far and away good enough to decision the ring *****.

Bullar vs Adams

Adams, KO/TKO R1.


I fully expect Adams to crumple Bullar, indeed anyone he lands clean on, like a Styrofoam cup. However, Bullar's wrestling is top knotch. This is a hard fight to pick, because Adams has BJJ and Bhullar doesn't, so even if it goes to the ground, it could be anyone's fight. Could be good money here if Ajan is a serious dog.

Chiasson vs Moras

Chiasson, KO/TKO R2.

Feeding time for everyone's favorite southern rug muncher.


Swanson vs Burgos

Burgos, dec.

I like cub but he's getting on a bit and Burgos is hungry. Can't read to much into swan's losing streak as everyone of the guys who has beaten him is a murderer, that said Burgos' only lose is to Kattar who is an animal and extremely dangerous and well rounded. Cub will survive, but Burgos will do more.

Katona vs Dvalishvilli

Katona, Sub R1,


I'm pretty high on Katona. He's got it all, just needs refinement, to put it all together and most importantly more experience. Merash isn't bad, but I don't see him sticking around in the UFC for long. He's open to subs and Katona will get one here.


Sanchez vs Barrriault 

Barriault KO/TKO R1

One of my more confident picks on the card. This will be a striking battle, and Barriault is going to win it, because he's a better striker by a significant margin. Not complicated.

Smith vs Gagnon

Smith, KO/TKO R1

Not only is Gagnon not good now, he never was. Add to that the fact this will be his first fight in three ******* years, his last two losses were by KO/TKO, and that this will be his second fight in F I V E years and it isn't difficult to figure out how this one is going to go.

* Edited at 04.28.2019, 8:39 PM ET *

@noksuk For sure, I was just being overly critical of the few match-ups that were announced at that time. 

Cerrone vs Iaquinta

Cerrone, submission R3.

This is an interesting fight and iT will look one of two ways; either cerrone will stuff Al's TD'S, keep him on the outside and chop him to pieces before finally hitting a TKO OR getting a good transition and hitting a sub, or Al gets up in Cerrone's grill and pocket smashes him for a TKO the way Masvidal and Till did. How good are Al's takedown's? Fairly. Are they better than Hernandez's? Nah. Not really. At least, I don't think they are, and even if they are, it's not by enough to make a difference, and Cowboy has the TDD, subs, off-the-back-play and fight IQ to read, exploit and negate them. That, and Cowboy and is wicked in the clinch and has nasty well-timed knees. Of all the ways Cowboy could win by a striking finish, that's the most likely.

In any case, I see this as mostly being a standup affair. It could go to a decision, and although this is unlikely, If that happens, I think Cerrone takes it, because he's going to be the guy landing more and he has the cardio to hang with IaquInta.

* Edited at 04.29.2019, 10:49 PM ET *

Actually @Free that's the one thing Brunson does well, land early with power. All of his wins the past few years are 1st round KO's. IMO that again will be his best chance of victory here 

Harris vs Spivak 
Spivak via Submission 
Big fan of Spivak. Tall, rangy, mean and extremely awkward. The kid doesn't know what he doesn't know. Spivak is going to close distance immediately and look for some clinch work. If he can't land something sneaky he'll then try a trip/throw. Rinse & repeat until he finds a finish. Can Harris KO my prospect? Absolutely. Though, I see Harris getting flashbacks of Krylov and freaking out.