UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Imavov

The official Tapology discussion thread for the event!

The only thing going agaist Rebeki is that he a lightweight, lightweight is just such a deep divison with all the top 15 being great fighters, still think he get far tho, just think he another shark in a lake filled with sharks 

* Edited at 01.14.2023, 3:05 PM ET *

Mendonça vs. Basharat
I go for Javid Basharat at -340. He has a homemade Samoan driver and a resilient guillotine and also an odd mountain bomb. Basharat might kick the canvas.

Flick vs. Johnson
I am taking Charles Johnson at -345. He has a formal axe kick. Johnson won't ruin the performance.

Soriano vs. Kopylov
I choose Punahele Soriano at -160. He has a valiant full guard and a luxurious demeanor. Soriano must claw the canvas. Easiest pick of the night!

Rębecki vs. Fiore
I believe in Mateusz Rębecki at -800. He has an odd reverse side kick. Rębecki won't balance the cage.

Strickland vs. Imavov
I prefer Nassourdine Imavov at -135. He has a gifted back mount. Imavov isn't about to flaunt the victory.

Argueta vs. Aguirre
I am with Daniel Argueta at -550. He has a trendy anaconda. Argueta isn't about to kick the Octagon.

Nascimento vs. Hernandez
I feel disposed to Allan Nascimento at -350. He has a valiant mentality and a yucky double leg and also a homemade fight IQ. Nascimento can avert the achievement. For sure!

Nurmagomedov vs. Barcelos
I am sticking with Umar Nurmagomedov at -1000. He has an intelligent training style. Nurmagomedov will likely hamper the cycle.

Both streaks continue

Strickland vs. Imavov
Strickland, DEC
I think Imavov looking human against Buckley and Strickland arguing beating Cannonier tells the entire story here. Imavov is really good but this is too much too soon and he's giving up 10lbs.

Ige vs. Jackson
Ige, KO/TKO
Torn on this one because I'm such a big Jackson fan. While Ige has fought better competition, he has taken some serious ass whoopings in his last few fights. Jackson is also no slouch and showed in his fight with Rosa that he can take some serious damage and still dominate.

Soriano vs. Kopylov
Soriano, DEC
Probably going to be a closer fight than people think. I think the potential threat of a takedown from Puna will probably help him win enough in the stand up.

Vieira vs. Pennington
Vieira, DEC
2-3 years ago maybe Rocky could pull off a win here but I think the tide of youth likely swings to much in Vieiras favor.

Nurmagomedov vs. Barcelos
Nurmagomedov, SUB
This fight is going to look similar to when Islam fought Dober: a long drawn out ass whooping that ends with G&P or a sub.

Mendonça vs. Basharat
Basharat, DEC
Mendonca is the real deal and this fight is probably going to be close but I think Basharat takes at least 2 rounds. If these guys fought again 2-3 years from now for whatever reason I could see the result being different. Mendonca just needs more experience.

Razak Alhassan vs. Ribeiro
Ribeiro, KO
*wild breakdancing*

Rębecki vs. Fiore
Rębecki, KO
Murder

Nascimento vs. Hernandez
Hernandez, DEC
Call me contrarian I guess. Hernandez takes awhile to get going but he's in every fight. Experience seems lopsided but Hernandez has fought decent competition for a guy whos only entering his 10th fight and has amateur wins over both Charles and Jose Johnson. Half of Nascimentos losses are to guys currently on the roster; one was too Ricardo Ramos who fights at 145 and the other 2 are splits. However, he has 3 split decisions losses overall and I think this may be his fourth. I think Hernandez comes on later in rounds 2 and 3 and wins a close decision.   

Argueta vs. Aguirre
Argueta, SUB
Aguirre looks really talented and has some size here but the QOC between the two isn't close. Thought maybe Argueta would move back down to BW but he's won fights at FW and looked good on short notice against Jackson in his debut. Aguirre has dominated in all of his fights but he's also never fought anyone with the experience Argueta has and his longest fight thus far is only just over 7 minutes. I think Argueta wins a decision or sinks in a late sub after getting past what will probably be a tough first round.

Flick vs. Johnson
Johnson, DEC
No idea how this fights going to go because Flick hasn't fought in forever. The odds on this one seem pretty off to me since Johnson is easily a more winnable fight than Flicks orginal opponent in Jeff Molina. Molina and Johnson both beat Zhumagulov by split but Molina argueably won unanimously while InnerG argueably lost. Flick probably needs a sub to win. Johnson should be sharper on the feet and has solid enough grappling.

This will be a good card to get the year going for UFC

I never pick a fighter coming off a robbery win, Pennington should school Viera

My freind... I wonder if you realise something. Despite being absolute geniuses along with Andrew and Ayy, our picks have never completely matched.

They do this time. We have both picked the exact same people for every fight (Even though I am betting Nick against Arguetta).

This is a momentous occasion. Tapology should declare a day of celebration and a national holiday on this forum and the bookies should tremble. Goob the God of Gambling has promised me that 2023 will be the year. And after seeing this how can I doubt? Praise and blessings to Goob! 

If our picks fail today, unthinkable though that is then it is a problem with the system. A hole in the Matrix. Not us. And it needs fixing. But the chances of that happening are the same as Duck spelling a sentence properly. A mathematical impossibility. 

Good luck to you and everyone this year! 💰💰💰🔥🔥🔥

I think this is going to be a rough night of picks

The entire main card has pick'em odds with the exception of Umar/Barcelos while all but one of the fights on the prelim card have massive favorites.

I think Hernandez has the most realistic path to victory of all the dogs. What does everyone else think?

Robbery? A bit dramatic 

Edit:

* Edited at 01.14.2023, 3:59 PM ET *

Not really super excited for any particular fights tonight, and I'm in return excited about that because generally that is when the cards exceed in quality unexpectedly.

The worst thing about Bet365 closing their MMA section is now I don't have a live clock to know how far behind I am on stream.

And we are back