Predictions: 8 of 11 Winners, 3 Perfect, 540 Points
|
Tied for 1726th
Definitely think Ankalaev by submission is worth a look tonight. He went for Walker's neck in the last fight and will be looking for a statement win to solidify himself in the title conversation after a couple of rough outings.
It's finally here! Morning of fight day It's upon us!
Predictions: 7 of 11 Winners, 3 Perfect, 490 Points
|
Tied for 2697th
After this long ass break without the UFC, let today be a day where we see some crazy performances, wars, KOs and Submissions.
A great card to start the year off in the right way.
"This is a rat race...but I’m not a rat. I’m a f*ckin’ turtle, ninja turtle. So which one is your favorite? I like Michelangelo....next question - Tony Ferguson"
Predictions: 6 of 11 Winners, 3 Perfect, 455 Points
|
Tied for 3301st
Nah, Ricky Simon is a much better version of what MMA Lab has tried to turn Bautista into: Ricky Simon is a stronger wrestler and has an immense advantage in striking, maybe Bautista can have an advantage in the submission game because his fighting style es more focused on grappling but people woke up after D'Mon was robbed by the judges in UFC 292 Fight.
It is almost 100% certain that Simon will send Bautista to fight Bottom Feeders again like Jay Perrin or Benito Lopez.
Predictions: 8 of 11 Winners, 2 Perfect, 535 Points
|
Tied for 1917th
The match making is lacking some known fighters. This seems more like some housekeeping for contracts expiring ,with new terms of renewing. Depending on how these fights turn out depends on their contracts being renewed. Which could lead to some nasty brawls for that money. I think Jim Miller gets slept either by knee to face or just overpowered by punches and the ref stops it. I have walker losing by submission, Andre getting slept first round k0. SImon DEC (expecting a lot of boring wrestling). This isn't going to be edge of your seat, but its nice to have some new UFC content which was much needed. (I watched all the Gold Rush seasons.)
Predictions: 10 of 11 Winners, 2 Perfect, 605 Points
|
Tied for 594th
I hear you. I'm not even saying Simon shouldn't be the favorite. I just thought the fight on paper was a lot closer compared to the Tap votes.
I dont think Bautista lost that fight personally although it was very, very close. I think that performance showed me that Blackshear is actually a really, really good fighter more than anything else. If the Ricky Simon that fought Jack Shore shows up I think he wins no question. I'm still waiting to see that stand out performance from Bautista but this could be it.
I think if Bautista challenges Simon in the wrestling right from the jump this could be interesting. I wouldn't say there's a drastic size difference between these two, but it's certainly "notable".
I think if Bautista wins this fight its by sub. Ricky showed in his last fight that his loss to Faber was an anaomly and that he actually has a mean chin. Song absolutely lit him up most of that fight but Ricky almost hung in there for all 5 rounds.
Predictions: 9 of 11 Winners, 1 Perfect, 565 Points
|
Tied for 1256th
Ankalaev vs. Walker II Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R1 I think Ankalaev is going to go for it, just like he did against Cutelaba in the rematch. Waiting for another meme KO on Walker
Miller vs. Benítez Jim Miller, SUB, R2 One of the most over rated things I have ever seen in MMA is how hard Benitez kicks. I don't think he has KO'd anyone in the past 5 years. His cardio is poor and his durability is questionable. After Miller found a "cure" for his Lyme disease he has looked great, though against questionable opposition. That said I think he has enough in the tank to take out Benitez who has never impressed me much.
Simón vs. Bautista Ricky Simón, DEC Great fight. That said Simon has a clear advantage in the wrestling, even though his top control is not great he is relentless. Bautista lost to Blackshear, and that was a Blackshear who started to get tired. Simon is relentless and he should be able to grind out Mario.
Hawes vs. Ferreira Brunno Ferreira, TKO, R2 I hear a lot of people talking about how skilled Hawes is, and if not for his chin how he could be champion. Really? I haven't seen it. Sure he has decent wrestling but his power is over rated and he is very hittable. Bad for someone with no chin. Not saying he can't beat Ferreira but we know that Ferreira hits hard and it will only take one to put out Hawes. Fight could go either way but I think at some point Hawes gets slept.
Arlovski vs. Cortes-Acosta Waldo Cortes-Acosta, TKO, R2 Arlovski is just here for a paycheck. He has slowed down and his chin issues are a problem again. Acosta looked switched on at the weigh in and he should pressure Arlovski and get a KO. I just hope he does not try to spend time in the clinch, get taken down and submitted.
Semelsberger vs. Parsons Preston Parsons, SUB, R2 I like Parsons wrestling and his striking is decent too. He is also very tough. One thing I really do not like is his cardio, and if he gets tired he could get clipped. That said Semi's cardio also has never convinced me, and after the first round he always becomes less active and throws a lot less. I do not like his takedown defense and Parsons will get him down. One thing I really like about Parsons is how quickly he passes into mount on the ground and I think there is a good chance he submits Semi. Close fight though.
McGhee vs. Bolaños Marcus McGhee, SUB, R2 I don't rate Bolanos. McGhee looks like a good fighter and has a good team. If he takes Bolanos down he can get the submission fairly easily. Even with striking it's close.
Basharat vs. Lapilus Farid Basharat, DEC I think a lot of people are over rating Lapilus's takedown defense. I am certain that Basharat will have few problems getting him down and he should dominate on the ground, maybe even submit him. Even on the feet I don't think Lapilus has the power to stop Basharat and his volume is low. I really like Basharat here.
Wilson vs. Silva Jean Silva, TKO, R2 Silva looked like an absolute killer in the weigh ins. I think he finishes Wilson, but I have a feeling this gets to round 2
Nolan vs. Motta Tom Nolan, TKO, R2 I like Nolan and I think Motta has lost his confidence. Nolan by finish, either sub or KO
Bunes vs. Van Joshua Van, TKO, R3 This is a much closer fight that maybe people realize. Bunes is very very dangerous and if this hits the ground it could be over fast. Bunes has fought some really tough Russians and he is no pushover. The two problems I have with him is his wrestling which is meh and his cardio which is questionable. Van should get this done and should have success with his body shots. Van by late KO though this is a risky fight
Predictions: 8 of 11 Winners, 3 Perfect, 515 Points
|
Tied for 2259th
marcus mcghee? taking someone down? LOL brother he literally can't wrestle and his only pro submission win is a club and sub of journey newson (lol), who got dropped and gave up his neck in the process of quitting
Predictions: 8 of 11 Winners, 4 Perfect, 590 Points
|
Tied for 801st
Ankalaev vs. Walker II Magomed Ankalaev, TKO, R2 I think Walker stuffs the takedowns early or at least gets back to his feet and then in round 2 he gets taken down and finished with ground and pound. This fight is much closer than the line indicates though and I wouldn't be surprised if Johnny wins via something crazy. I'll be rooting for Walker because I wanna see him fight Hill again in the future.
Miller vs. Benítez Jim Miller, TKO, R1 I think Jim can close the distance and finish Gabriel just because Gabriel has been looking awful with his durability lately. I know Jim isn't a knockout guy and he's more of a grappler but I think he catches Moggly with something. I was tempted to pick Moggly though because hell he's very good despite his durability and his TDD is sharp and he has nasty kicks.
Simón vs. Bautista Ricky Simón, DEC The pace from Simon is gonna break Bautista and I thought Mario lost his last fight to Blackshear anyways. This will be a high paced fight because both guys are talented.
Hawes vs. Ferreira Brunno Ferreira, TKO, R1 Hawes is so talented but if you can't take a punch then maybe it's time to retire. Ferreira is nothing more than an extreme power puncher and I think that's enough here.
Arlovski vs. Cortes-Acosta Waldo Cortes-Acosta, TKO, R1 I'm not high on Waldo and I never was but Arlovski doesn't belong in there. Waldo is gonna rush forward and finish him. Arlovski literally has no patch to victory here. He's not knocking Waldo out and even if he takes him down he's not holding him down or subbing him.
Semelsberger vs. Parsons Matthew Semelsberger, TKO, R1 Parsons is extremely hittable and I think Matt is gonna finish him brutally in round 1. Semelsberger has wrestling skills of his own even though he doesn't show them much. Parsons won't be able to get him down and Semi is gonna knock him out.
McGhee vs. Bolaños Marcus McGhee, SUB, R2 Bolanos is pretty bad with his MMA skills but the guy can strike. McGhee is good all around but if he shoots he will get the takedown with ease and submit Bolanos.
Basharat vs. Lapilus Farid Basharat, DEC I'm taking Basharat to win this just because I think he can take Lapilus down at will but it's gonna be an extreme close fight because both guys have tons of talent.
Wilson vs. Silva Jean Silva, TKO, R1 I don't think Silva is anything too impressive but Wilson is the worst guy on the roster and he will quit anytime it gets tough in there. They're in the small cage too which benefits Silva because Wilson has a wide karate stance like his friend Wonderboy. Should be a quick one. I will say that the UFC is doing Wilson absolutely dirty with his fight matchmaking.
Nolan vs. Motta Tom Nolan, TKO, R1 Nolan is gonna crack the chin of a low confidence Motta. I used to think Motta had skill to be in the UFC but once you lose to Trey Ogden you'll need a miracle to be good at the highest level.
Bunes vs. Van Joshua Van, DEC Van is gonna beat Bunes up with his striking and then he will stuff the takedown attempts from Bunes. Bunes has decent grappling but it's not gonna make up for the volume and speed of Van. I wouldn't be shocked if Van finishes him late.
