Topic: UFC 254
UFC 254: Khabib vs. Gaethje
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- Saturday 10.24.2020 at 02:00 PM ET
- U.S. Broadcast: Pay Per View | Prelims: ESPN 2
- Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Ownership: Endeavor
- Venue: UFC Fight Island
- Location: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Enclosure: Octagon
- TV Announcers: Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier
- Ring Announcer: Bruce Buffer
- Post-Fight Interviews: Jon Anik
- PPV Buys / Buyrate: 675,000 | TV Ratings: 343,000 avg. viewers (ESPN 2 prelims)
- MMA Bouts: 12
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Promotion Links:
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Event Links:
| Bout | Info | |
|---|---|---|
| Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Justin Gaethje via Submission, Triangle Choke | 1:34 Round 2 of 5, 6:34 Total Bout Page | |
| Robert Whittaker defeats Jared Cannonier via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Alexander Volkov defeats Walt Harris via KO/TKO, Kick to the Solar Plexus | 1:15 Round 2 of 3, 6:15 Total Bout Page | |
| Phil Hawes defeats Jacob Malkoun via KO/TKO, Punches | 0:18 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Lauren Murphy defeats Liliya Shakirova via Submission, Rear Naked Choke | 3:31 Round 2 of 3, 8:31 Total Bout Page | |
| Magomed Ankalaev defeats Ion Cutelaba via KO/TKO, Punches | 4:19 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Tai Tuivasa defeats Stefan Struve via KO/TKO, Punches | 4:59 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Casey Kenney defeats Nathaniel Wood via Decision, Unanimous | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Shavkat Rakhmonov defeats Alex Oliveira via Submission, Guillotine Choke | 4:40 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Da Un Jung vs. Sam Alvey Ends in a Draw, Split | 3 Rounds, 15:00 Total Bout Page | |
| Miranda Maverick defeats Liana Jojua via KO/TKO, Doctor Stoppage (cut) | 5:00 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page | |
| Joel Alvarez defeats Alexander Yakovlev via Submission, Armbar | 3:00 Round 1 of 3 Bout Page |
Responses Page 13
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- Hippie
10.21.2020 | 3:13 PM ET
Mr Shakirova in action
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 575 Points | Tied for 1222nd
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- TomMcCoyTBE
10.21.2020 | 4:33 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 1 of 4 Winners, 1 Perfect, 100 Points | Tied for 3702nd
Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R2
Justin is way tougher than Conor so Khabib won’t be playing as much and will submit him faster by guillotine.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Jared Cannonier, DEC
Out wrestles him.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R2
Justin is way tougher than Conor so Khabib won’t be playing as much and will submit him faster by guillotine.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Jared Cannonier, DEC
Out wrestles him.
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- Hippie
10.21.2020 | 4:47 PM ET
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 575 Points | Tied for 1222nd
три
10.21.2020 | 6:34 PM ET
Predictions: 3 of 3 Winners, 0 Perfect, 195 Points | 3540th Place
Khabib by 3rd/4th round submission as I think Justin will be tired out by the 3rd round.
Never bet against Khabib.
Never bet against Khabib.
10.21.2020 | 8:03 PM ET
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 535 Points | 1687th Place
Do people really think that Gaethje is a better fighter the Mcgregor. Gaethje lost to two people who Mcgregor beat and was losing to Johnson before he KOed him. Mcgregor vsed way better people in his time. I think they just see how he beat Furguson and get excited before that the last 3 he fought in a 5 fight span are 1-5 (Cerrone) 2-3 (Barboza) and 1-4 (Vick). then before that was his 2 loses.
10.21.2020 | 9:37 PM ET
Predictions: 5 of 12 Winners, 1 Perfect, 330 Points | Tied for 3166th
I don't know about better necessarily, but its hard to say he doesn't match up better against Khabib, with his div 1 All American background and refusal to take a step back
"I know many a troops that I visit when I went to Iraq in 2005... 2-uh excuse me in 19-or.. 05' 06' 07' 08' 09' 2010 2011. I went from the Korwaiten border! All the way up to the Turkish border!" -Tito Ortiz
10.21.2020 | 9:54 PM ET
Nuff said
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 1 Perfect, 405 Points | Tied for 2799th
Sambo!
10.21.2020 | 10:02 PM ET
Predictions: 5 of 12 Winners, 1 Perfect, 330 Points | Tied for 3166th
if jiu jitsu was easy it would be called sambo
WAIT
"I know many a troops that I visit when I went to Iraq in 2005... 2-uh excuse me in 19-or.. 05' 06' 07' 08' 09' 2010 2011. I went from the Korwaiten border! All the way up to the Turkish border!" -Tito Ortiz
10.21.2020 | 10:59 PM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 5 Perfect, 640 Points | Tied for 668th
Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, TKO, R2
I think Volkov is just miles ahead in the striking department. I think he can fight intelligently and pick Harris apart, and he can hit hard enough to knock him out. I also hope he's trained more wrestling after that Blaydez **** show, because he can then easily win this fight imo. But it's HW wouldn't be surprised to see him get KO'd by some weird blacksplosive maneuver
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R1
Both of these fighters suck so bad I honestly have no idea who will win. I just hope it's inside the first round.
Alexander Volkov, TKO, R2
I think Volkov is just miles ahead in the striking department. I think he can fight intelligently and pick Harris apart, and he can hit hard enough to knock him out. I also hope he's trained more wrestling after that Blaydez **** show, because he can then easily win this fight imo. But it's HW wouldn't be surprised to see him get KO'd by some weird blacksplosive maneuver
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R1
Both of these fighters suck so bad I honestly have no idea who will win. I just hope it's inside the first round.
"🏴 No Quarter Given 🏴"
10.22.2020 | 12:32 AM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 10 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 670 Points | Tied for 430th
Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R4
more value on justin gaethje. love elevation in 5 round fights.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Jared Cannonier, TKO, R2
whittaker has to wrestle and it was a sweat against till. 36 is a scary age. taking cannonier.
Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, TKO, R3
live bet volkov after 1st round. draw could be in play. 1 round knockout for walt possible.
Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
not sure how he fights in a bad situation. Jacob fights once a year. No experience.
Murphy vs. Shakirova
Lauren Murphy, DEC
liliya has fought no one. Lauren is pretty slow however. The move is pass on this fight.
Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba II
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
Ankalaev needs to survive first round. ankalaev can take it to decision. parlay material.
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R1
stefan cant take the punch. tai knocks him out. weigh-ins could be telling. this fight will be a sweat. tai inside the distance/K.O
Kenney vs. Wood
Casey Kenney, DEC
casey will land more than wood. casey has a good chin. wood will react to hits. casey needs to shutdown wrestling. its going to be a close fight. Kenney by decision.
Oliveira vs. Rakhmonov
Shavkat Rakhmonov, DEC
live betting opp. oliveira has cardio issues on a good day. he has to knock him out quick. its going to be a greaser.
Jung vs. Alvey
Da Un Jung, TKO, R1
0-4 alvey, short notice. shine spot for da un jung.
Jojua vs. Maverick
Miranda Maverick, DEC
jojua can only submit from her back to win. two young fighters and they could just not focus.
Alvarez vs. Yakovlev
Joel Alvarez, DEC
yakovlev grinds this out. joel alvarez by decision is a good prop odds.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R4
more value on justin gaethje. love elevation in 5 round fights.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Jared Cannonier, TKO, R2
whittaker has to wrestle and it was a sweat against till. 36 is a scary age. taking cannonier.
Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, TKO, R3
live bet volkov after 1st round. draw could be in play. 1 round knockout for walt possible.
Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
not sure how he fights in a bad situation. Jacob fights once a year. No experience.
Murphy vs. Shakirova
Lauren Murphy, DEC
liliya has fought no one. Lauren is pretty slow however. The move is pass on this fight.
Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba II
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
Ankalaev needs to survive first round. ankalaev can take it to decision. parlay material.
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R1
stefan cant take the punch. tai knocks him out. weigh-ins could be telling. this fight will be a sweat. tai inside the distance/K.O
Kenney vs. Wood
Casey Kenney, DEC
casey will land more than wood. casey has a good chin. wood will react to hits. casey needs to shutdown wrestling. its going to be a close fight. Kenney by decision.
Oliveira vs. Rakhmonov
Shavkat Rakhmonov, DEC
live betting opp. oliveira has cardio issues on a good day. he has to knock him out quick. its going to be a greaser.
Jung vs. Alvey
Da Un Jung, TKO, R1
0-4 alvey, short notice. shine spot for da un jung.
Jojua vs. Maverick
Miranda Maverick, DEC
jojua can only submit from her back to win. two young fighters and they could just not focus.
Alvarez vs. Yakovlev
Joel Alvarez, DEC
yakovlev grinds this out. joel alvarez by decision is a good prop odds.
10.22.2020 | 1:31 AM ET
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 570 Points | Tied for 1288th
@corrie I don't care what people say but I still think Tony is the guy most likley to beat Khabib and Not Gayches .Even tho Gayci smash Tony. Gaiche .Style is the same as the last 5-7 guy Khabib fought, Excelent boxing with great takedown defence If U want to really simplify fighting style. He's takedown defence is good, But he no Jose Aldo, People really overated his Takedown Defense.
Tony Unorthdox style is a style Khabib has not fought before, 1st round Conor Jiu Jitsu mix with lots of cheating really did slow down Khabib and turn him into a lay and pray fighter for I think the first time in the first round. , Also Dustin got a gulliten on him so Tony maybe could avoid damage and catch him late with something. Also Tony standup won't get hindered because he's scared of the takedown.
All I said about Khabib Jiu Jitsu weakness is Hyperbole, But also true. I think Tony losses to Hooker, Gaichese, Dustin and Conor because he really match up badly with those 4, But It think he style match up the best with Khabibs
Tony Unorthdox style is a style Khabib has not fought before, 1st round Conor Jiu Jitsu mix with lots of cheating really did slow down Khabib and turn him into a lay and pray fighter for I think the first time in the first round. , Also Dustin got a gulliten on him so Tony maybe could avoid damage and catch him late with something. Also Tony standup won't get hindered because he's scared of the takedown.
All I said about Khabib Jiu Jitsu weakness is Hyperbole, But also true. I think Tony losses to Hooker, Gaichese, Dustin and Conor because he really match up badly with those 4, But It think he style match up the best with Khabibs
"Quack quack quack"
10.22.2020 | 5:02 AM ET
Murphy gets shocked
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 430 Points | Tied for 2621st
| I THINK mURPHY just might get upset here... other than that all mine are fairly straight forward... PREDICTION | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nurmagomedov | KO/TKO | Round 4 | ||
| Whittaker | Decision | ||
| Volkov | Decision | ||
| Hawes | KO/TKO | Round 2 | ||
| Shakirova | KO/TKO | Round 1 | ||
| Cutelaba | KO/TKO | Round 1 | ||
| Struve | Decision | ||
| Kenney | Decision | ||
| Oliveira | Decision | ||
| Jung | KO/TKO | Round 2 | ||
| Maverick | Decision | ||
| Alvarez | Submission | Round 2 |
"“And tell Dana I said get off Conor’s nuts”....(Nate Diaz) "
10.22.2020 | 5:15 AM ET
Shakirov..Thanks Hippie
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 430 Points | Tied for 2621st
Thanks for the video bud... I actually am chosing Shakirov in upset here..made that decision prior to seeing your video tho....I'll stick with it in my one off... I am just not very high on Murphy never was ... but it WOULD be upset of night ...as this girls not much honestly... Was this her latest fight? Like they were looking for an opponent to get "highlight reel' from for her trip to Octagon... Her opponent was green... I dont think Shapirov is too terribly great at closing distance (for Murphy) that can be problematic.. and her ground game is "eh"... But I will stick with my pick as upset of event... Thanks again
"“And tell Dana I said get off Conor’s nuts”....(Nate Diaz) "
10.22.2020 | 5:25 AM ET
Gaetchje's wrestling
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 430 Points | Tied for 2621st
Heard more than a few comments on here going both ways on this topic... about how Khabib will steam roll...or gaetchje might surprise Khabib on ground... due to his Div 2 wrestling experience... I cant help but think it lays somewhere in the middle .. but with end results being similar as always ... (round 4 tho by Khabib) .... Only way out for Gaetchje is if Khabib takes same approach he did against "Real Estate Guy"..and trys to go toe to toe... But I doubt he does that long... but people are also making mistake that college wrestling equates to Khabibs grappling... on some levels sure..it 'could " help....but they are entirely 2 different crafts at this level.... Its also important to note Justin is far too keen on "going out on his sword"... where wins and losses dont matter as much (yet) to him as giving POTN or FOTN performances.... which can lead to a fighters demise even quicker against a guy like Khabib....
Also...are we overlooking Gaetchje's kicks? Could this be the first fight for Khabib where he actually suffers true injury due to them early on? Or is Khabibs threat from his wrestling going to limit Justins willingness to throw such kicks
Also...are we overlooking Gaetchje's kicks? Could this be the first fight for Khabib where he actually suffers true injury due to them early on? Or is Khabibs threat from his wrestling going to limit Justins willingness to throw such kicks
* Edited at 10.22.2020, 5:28 AM ET *
"“And tell Dana I said get off Conor’s nuts”....(Nate Diaz) "
10.22.2020 | 5:33 AM ET
Main Event
Predictions: 7 of 12 Winners, 2 Perfect, 430 Points | Tied for 2621st
Justin Gaetchje draws ALOT of success off his kicks... its the one aspect to his game that nobody seems to be talking all that much about and for me its the biggest factor in this fight... Justin absolutely is brutal with his kicks... once he gets those started... its very difficult to answer to... The question for me remains.. will he even try getting them off or is Khabibs grappling just too big a threat from the start? You would think Justin would at least test that right off? IF Justin finds success early with his feet... I think Khabib could beak
"“And tell Dana I said get off Conor’s nuts”....(Nate Diaz) "
10.22.2020 | 10:02 AM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 630 Points | Tied for 704th
Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R4
HUGE FIGHT! i am honestly buzzing for this fight like so many other people. i cannot wait for the moment when i can honestly pick against khabib confidently but sadly that day isnt today, do i think gaethje could KO khabib.... Yes, absolutely. do i think he is going to? No. the big question here is how will gaethje`s wrestling background fare against khabib`s Russian Sambo and i really do not know the answer to that. if gaethje can force this to be a striking match contested on the feet then their is clear path to victory for him but ultimately no one has ever been able to not eventually get taken down by khabib and i think this has the same outcome as every other khabib fight. i think gaethje`s wrestling and TDD helps him stay on the feet for more time than most people do against khabib but as the fight goes on i think khabib will break him and get him down to the ground, tire him out and eventually submit him just as he has predicted. Gaethje has great cardio and therefore i think it will reach the championship rounds before the fight is finished but i am going to say khabib gets it done in the 4th round by submission taking him to 29-0.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Robert Whittaker, DEC
I think that jared Cannonier has been hyped way more than he should have been... dont get me wrong, the guys a beast and clearly has strength and power, but when you look at technical ability in all departments i think Whittaker beats him every time. The only red flag for me in simply the amount of wars that whittaker has been in along with him being KO`D by Adesanya recently. But i think i would be more concerned had he not already fought since that loss, he beat Darren Till in a close decision win which i think is a great advantage coming into this fight as Till is hands down a more talented striker that Cannonier and whittaker was able to stand with him for 25 minutes. Cannonier`s route to victory is by catching Whittaker and i really think people are under the impression that is going to be a lot easier than it actually is. Whittaker is going to have a speed advantage, experience advantage, wrestling advantage, his cardio has never been an issue and i would say a technical striking advantage goes to him aswell. i really do only think that the advantage for cannonier is his strength and power. when you look into who he has actual fought at middleweight and break it down it really isnt great.... He Beat Branch who held a 2-3 UFC record before going elsewhere, a WAY past it Anderson silva by leg kick (Massively injured and surgically repaired leg) and Jack Hermansson which is certainly his biggest win but the step up in level between Hermansson and Whittaker is MASSIVE! Hermansson was actually outstriking Cannonier aswell until he was caught. I think this will be a massive deciding point for Whittaker in his carear, as if he gets KO`d in this one then he may need to take some time off to regenerate and let his body recover which at only 29 he can certainly still do. Because a 100% whittaker honestly beats cannonier everytime. If this was a 5 round fight i would go as far as to say that whittaker gets its done by finish but as its 3 rounds im going to say round 1 is a bit histant as he starts reading into cannoniers game plan, feints, movements and gauging timing. Then he goes on to pick up a unanimous decision. 30-27 maybe 29-28 depending on how the first round goes.
Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, DEC
If Volkov uses his distance management, reach and heigh advantages appropriately then on paper he wins this fight 100 out of 100 times but at heavyweight as derrick lewis showed, everything can change with one punch. i dont see wrestling featuing in this fight and it will therefore be a stand up affair which i think again favours Volkov more so with his kickboxing background. I think Harris`s only route of victory is a first round KO as he certainly has cardio issues and i dont think he carries his power into the later round as well as derrick lewis does so should this fight make it past the first round i would be about 95% confident that volkov takes a clear decision win. He could maybe even pick up round 3 KO/TKO as he has the power to turn peoples lights off and the later it goes the more hittable and predictable Harris will become. but ultimately im going to say Volkov wins a 30-27 decision after a few hairy moments in Round 1.
Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
Phil Hawes will go into this searching for the KO from the moment the bell rings and i just dont think 4 pro fights is enough experience for Jacob Malkoun to be ready for it, i think he gets caught with something brutal in the first and gets handed his first pro loss in nasty fashion.
Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba II
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
The more i think about this fight, the more i dont see the point in remaking it the amount of times it has been cancelled, Cutelaba has a punchers chance and that is it... granted the first fight was stopped to early, not desputing that but even the short period of time it was going it was clear as day to see the difference in technical striking between these two, ankalaev is head and shoulder above Cutelaba. i see the first round being basically the same, cutelaba comes out hot winging his big looping punches and missing a solid 75% of them whilst ankalaev picks his shots smarter and allows cutelaba to burn himself out hunting for a quick finish and then round 2 ankalaev puts it on a tiring cutelaba getting a KO/TKO later in the round.
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Stefan Struve, DEC
i felt sorry for Struve in his last fight, he was for sure winning until getting kicked in the C*** twice and then finsihed, i would go as far as to say that had those low blows not happened then he would have won by decision, they clearly had a big impact on the rest of his performance. I think this fight is Struve`s to lose, Tuivasa is absolutely turd..... i literally have nothing good to say about him, but if struve uses his massive 9 inch hight advantage and 9.5 inch reach advantage then i dont see how he loses this one.... hes dangerous with his submission so i dont see Tuivasa wanting to do any grapppling and i cant see him being able to close the distance down often enough to earn the judges nod. For me this is screaming to be a very unexciting decision win for struve and a farewell to Tuivasa after picking up his 4th straight loss.
Kenney vs. Wood
Casey Kenney, DEC
This has potential to be a great fight from 2 big prospects in the batamweight division, wood was beating dodson until he got caught and certainly has a lot of potential to be up their with some of the best. Kenny looked amazing in his last performance albeit against pretty bad competition but regardless he did look very good. I think Wood has the slight advantage in the striking aspect here but i think kenny has the wrestling advantage by a bigger gap and it will show, i think wood has alot of talent and will show to much heart to be finished by kenny, i dont like to go against wood as hes from England and i am a fan but a pretty one sided decision will probably unfortunately come mainly down to the difference in skill level of wrestling and grappling between the two.
Oliveira vs. Rakhmonov
Alex Oliveira, DEC
Shavkat Rakhmonov hasnt fought anyone with any experience except his most recent opponent, looks like his undefeated record has been filled out with cans to bring a bit more hype.... Oliveira has fought a lot better competition and has a lot of experience. I see Oliveira welcoming Rakhmonov to the big league and doing enough to earn the decision here and kick his ass from the undefeated ranks.
Jung vs. Alvey
Da Un Jung, TKO, R1
Sam Alvey should have nothing to smile about going 0-4 in his last four fights and im saying Da Un Jung is going to make it 0-5 with a decisive TKO finish, it feels like this fight was tailor made to get a known name on Jung`s record to build him up.
Alvarez vs. Yakovlev
Joel Alvarez, SUB, R1
Yakolev has got a lot of experience and has fought some top names to his credit however having only won 2 fights by finish in the last 8 years (1 TKO, 1 SUB) would point to his best route of victory to be by decision, at 36 years old i think it is fair to say yakolev`s best years are certainly behind him. Joel Alverez is 9 years yonger than yakolev at just 27 years old but has still has a decent amount of MMA experience himself. Alverez dispatched of Joe Duffy by submission with ease taking him up to 15 out of 17 wins coming by submission, given the fact yakolev leaves his neck out to be grabbed way to often and the fact that 4 of his 10 losses have come by submission i think that is the most likely outcome for this fight. Alverez has never been submitted himself and i dont see yakolev to be the first one to do it. I think regardless of how it is done Alverez gets his hand raised at the end of this one but i personally see it coming earlier rather than later by sub, probably a Guillotine.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, SUB, R4
HUGE FIGHT! i am honestly buzzing for this fight like so many other people. i cannot wait for the moment when i can honestly pick against khabib confidently but sadly that day isnt today, do i think gaethje could KO khabib.... Yes, absolutely. do i think he is going to? No. the big question here is how will gaethje`s wrestling background fare against khabib`s Russian Sambo and i really do not know the answer to that. if gaethje can force this to be a striking match contested on the feet then their is clear path to victory for him but ultimately no one has ever been able to not eventually get taken down by khabib and i think this has the same outcome as every other khabib fight. i think gaethje`s wrestling and TDD helps him stay on the feet for more time than most people do against khabib but as the fight goes on i think khabib will break him and get him down to the ground, tire him out and eventually submit him just as he has predicted. Gaethje has great cardio and therefore i think it will reach the championship rounds before the fight is finished but i am going to say khabib gets it done in the 4th round by submission taking him to 29-0.
Whittaker vs. Cannonier
Robert Whittaker, DEC
I think that jared Cannonier has been hyped way more than he should have been... dont get me wrong, the guys a beast and clearly has strength and power, but when you look at technical ability in all departments i think Whittaker beats him every time. The only red flag for me in simply the amount of wars that whittaker has been in along with him being KO`D by Adesanya recently. But i think i would be more concerned had he not already fought since that loss, he beat Darren Till in a close decision win which i think is a great advantage coming into this fight as Till is hands down a more talented striker that Cannonier and whittaker was able to stand with him for 25 minutes. Cannonier`s route to victory is by catching Whittaker and i really think people are under the impression that is going to be a lot easier than it actually is. Whittaker is going to have a speed advantage, experience advantage, wrestling advantage, his cardio has never been an issue and i would say a technical striking advantage goes to him aswell. i really do only think that the advantage for cannonier is his strength and power. when you look into who he has actual fought at middleweight and break it down it really isnt great.... He Beat Branch who held a 2-3 UFC record before going elsewhere, a WAY past it Anderson silva by leg kick (Massively injured and surgically repaired leg) and Jack Hermansson which is certainly his biggest win but the step up in level between Hermansson and Whittaker is MASSIVE! Hermansson was actually outstriking Cannonier aswell until he was caught. I think this will be a massive deciding point for Whittaker in his carear, as if he gets KO`d in this one then he may need to take some time off to regenerate and let his body recover which at only 29 he can certainly still do. Because a 100% whittaker honestly beats cannonier everytime. If this was a 5 round fight i would go as far as to say that whittaker gets its done by finish but as its 3 rounds im going to say round 1 is a bit histant as he starts reading into cannoniers game plan, feints, movements and gauging timing. Then he goes on to pick up a unanimous decision. 30-27 maybe 29-28 depending on how the first round goes.
Volkov vs. Harris
Alexander Volkov, DEC
If Volkov uses his distance management, reach and heigh advantages appropriately then on paper he wins this fight 100 out of 100 times but at heavyweight as derrick lewis showed, everything can change with one punch. i dont see wrestling featuing in this fight and it will therefore be a stand up affair which i think again favours Volkov more so with his kickboxing background. I think Harris`s only route of victory is a first round KO as he certainly has cardio issues and i dont think he carries his power into the later round as well as derrick lewis does so should this fight make it past the first round i would be about 95% confident that volkov takes a clear decision win. He could maybe even pick up round 3 KO/TKO as he has the power to turn peoples lights off and the later it goes the more hittable and predictable Harris will become. but ultimately im going to say Volkov wins a 30-27 decision after a few hairy moments in Round 1.
Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
Phil Hawes will go into this searching for the KO from the moment the bell rings and i just dont think 4 pro fights is enough experience for Jacob Malkoun to be ready for it, i think he gets caught with something brutal in the first and gets handed his first pro loss in nasty fashion.
Ankalaev vs. Cutelaba II
Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2
The more i think about this fight, the more i dont see the point in remaking it the amount of times it has been cancelled, Cutelaba has a punchers chance and that is it... granted the first fight was stopped to early, not desputing that but even the short period of time it was going it was clear as day to see the difference in technical striking between these two, ankalaev is head and shoulder above Cutelaba. i see the first round being basically the same, cutelaba comes out hot winging his big looping punches and missing a solid 75% of them whilst ankalaev picks his shots smarter and allows cutelaba to burn himself out hunting for a quick finish and then round 2 ankalaev puts it on a tiring cutelaba getting a KO/TKO later in the round.
Struve vs. Tuivasa
Stefan Struve, DEC
i felt sorry for Struve in his last fight, he was for sure winning until getting kicked in the C*** twice and then finsihed, i would go as far as to say that had those low blows not happened then he would have won by decision, they clearly had a big impact on the rest of his performance. I think this fight is Struve`s to lose, Tuivasa is absolutely turd..... i literally have nothing good to say about him, but if struve uses his massive 9 inch hight advantage and 9.5 inch reach advantage then i dont see how he loses this one.... hes dangerous with his submission so i dont see Tuivasa wanting to do any grapppling and i cant see him being able to close the distance down often enough to earn the judges nod. For me this is screaming to be a very unexciting decision win for struve and a farewell to Tuivasa after picking up his 4th straight loss.
Kenney vs. Wood
Casey Kenney, DEC
This has potential to be a great fight from 2 big prospects in the batamweight division, wood was beating dodson until he got caught and certainly has a lot of potential to be up their with some of the best. Kenny looked amazing in his last performance albeit against pretty bad competition but regardless he did look very good. I think Wood has the slight advantage in the striking aspect here but i think kenny has the wrestling advantage by a bigger gap and it will show, i think wood has alot of talent and will show to much heart to be finished by kenny, i dont like to go against wood as hes from England and i am a fan but a pretty one sided decision will probably unfortunately come mainly down to the difference in skill level of wrestling and grappling between the two.
Oliveira vs. Rakhmonov
Alex Oliveira, DEC
Shavkat Rakhmonov hasnt fought anyone with any experience except his most recent opponent, looks like his undefeated record has been filled out with cans to bring a bit more hype.... Oliveira has fought a lot better competition and has a lot of experience. I see Oliveira welcoming Rakhmonov to the big league and doing enough to earn the decision here and kick his ass from the undefeated ranks.
Jung vs. Alvey
Da Un Jung, TKO, R1
Sam Alvey should have nothing to smile about going 0-4 in his last four fights and im saying Da Un Jung is going to make it 0-5 with a decisive TKO finish, it feels like this fight was tailor made to get a known name on Jung`s record to build him up.
Alvarez vs. Yakovlev
Joel Alvarez, SUB, R1
Yakolev has got a lot of experience and has fought some top names to his credit however having only won 2 fights by finish in the last 8 years (1 TKO, 1 SUB) would point to his best route of victory to be by decision, at 36 years old i think it is fair to say yakolev`s best years are certainly behind him. Joel Alverez is 9 years yonger than yakolev at just 27 years old but has still has a decent amount of MMA experience himself. Alverez dispatched of Joe Duffy by submission with ease taking him up to 15 out of 17 wins coming by submission, given the fact yakolev leaves his neck out to be grabbed way to often and the fact that 4 of his 10 losses have come by submission i think that is the most likely outcome for this fight. Alverez has never been submitted himself and i dont see yakolev to be the first one to do it. I think regardless of how it is done Alverez gets his hand raised at the end of this one but i personally see it coming earlier rather than later by sub, probably a Guillotine.
* Edited at 10.22.2020, 10:18 AM ET *
10.22.2020 | 10:22 AM ET
Prediction Comments
Predictions: 11 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 735 Points | Tied for 149th
Hawes vs. Malkoun
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
this guy got POWER, i'm on the Hype Train
Phil Hawes, TKO, R1
this guy got POWER, i'm on the Hype Train
"They're All On Steroids Bro!"
10.22.2020 | 1:01 PM ET
@StreamFan
"I think Khabib could break"
Now THAT is some funny stuff. Thanks for the laugh my friend.
Now THAT is some funny stuff. Thanks for the laugh my friend.
10.22.2020 | 2:02 PM ET
FREE PICK FROM THE TELLER
ALRIGHT BOYS SO YOU KNOW ON A BIG CARD LIKE THIS I HAVE TO GIVE A FREE PLAY FOR THE BOYS!!!! FOR THOSE KEEPING TRACK WE HAVENT LOST ONE PLAY THAT WAS GIVEN HERE YET.
I HAVE 3 PLAYS LOCKED IN AND I MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE 4 BY FIGHT NIGHT. STILL MONITORING ONE LINE.
FREE PLAY--- SLAMMED CASEY KENNEY AT -175 5 UNIT PLAY.
YOU CAN CATCH ME ON INSTAGRAM @mmafortuneteller_
TAKE CARE BOYS
THE TELLER TELLER TELLER
I HAVE 3 PLAYS LOCKED IN AND I MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE 4 BY FIGHT NIGHT. STILL MONITORING ONE LINE.
FREE PLAY--- SLAMMED CASEY KENNEY AT -175 5 UNIT PLAY.
YOU CAN CATCH ME ON INSTAGRAM @mmafortuneteller_
TAKE CARE BOYS
THE TELLER TELLER TELLER
* Edited at 10.22.2020, 2:03 PM ET *
This user is suspended from posting until 1 month, 2 days, 8 hours, and 9 minutes from now.
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- Hippie
10.22.2020 | 2:35 PM ET
# 4
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 3 Perfect, 575 Points | Tied for 1222nd
^ @ Teller, why don’t u enter picks on Tapology mate?