Predictions: 6 of 13 Winners, 0 Perfect, 315 Points
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Tied for 3202nd
I have to agree with everything Ayy said about Nunes v Chandler though. Chandler can match Nunes in aggression and brawling and she is the bigger more physical of the two. She is also a much better grappler. Nunes TDD is listed at 70% but I just watched her fight with Ramona Pascual which is the only fighter that attempted to take her down and Pascual landed 3/3 all of them with ease. So Nunes real TDD is 0%.
I can see Nunes winning in the striking which to me is a 50/50. Both fighters will throw a lot and trade in the pocket. I just don't see how Chandler loses anytime they're grappling though, be it in the clinch where she uses her knees well or if she takes Nunes down. She will be able to engage in the grappling any time she wants because Nunes refuses to ever take a step back. Even when she's getting lit up she'd rather ride it out so that she can continue to press forward. I really have to lean towards Chandler here, the line is very off to me.
I had a bet on Fairn vs Nunes at +450 which would not have been a robbery if judges gave Fairn 1st and 2nd round. Maybe I get it back on this one.
* Edited at 03.10.2024, 5:17 PM ET *
"She’ll go there and smash her. She’ll get a title shot, become a UFC champion. We have a Ronda Rousey on steroids. This is what we have.” - Ali Abdelaziz on Kayla Harrison
"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, 2 Perfect, 415 Points
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Tied for 1294th
Davis vs. Levy Mike Davis, TKO, R2 The Levy fade spot is finally here, I've been years for this. Levy looks and smells like a karate guy but he's really a wrestler with about 1 round of gas. Davis doesn't fight enough for my liking but he is great wherever the fight goes and besides a spinning wheel kick from Levy in the first 30 seconds, Davis beats this man badly.
Nunes vs. Chandler Chelsea Chandler, TKO, R2 I think Nunes is going to take a beating, The size difference is going to be huge (As it always is in Nunes fights). I don't know how Nunes is going to jump into range, her superman punch wont work as it's southpaw v southpaw and she has no servicable jab. Chandler will happily engage in the clinch, dirty box and she arguably has huge TD upside too. Can't believe she's the underdog.
Moisés vs. Ramirez Thiago Moisés, SUB, R1 Going to pick Moises by Submission but I have a weird feeling about this. Moises is the better fighter everywhere, excellent BJJ and has a good enough single leg to initiate the grappling, where they should be worlds apart and Moises should win Sub/1. I'm not sure on Ramirez TDD but he appears the much bigger fighter here and we've seen Moises struggle when he is outmuscled (Think Alvarez and BSD). Now Ramirez isn't anywhere near that level but he appears to fight for your money, he looks as slow as molasses on the feet but will press forward and if it does stay on the feet, it's 50/50 as Moises has no output and I don't think he likes being hit. I'd probably be bettering Fight Not to Go distance rather than a ML.
Culibao vs. Silva Josh Culibao, SUB, R2 Good fight for Culibao I think. He does play with his food a bit on the feet and tends to fight close in most of his fights, but he's very skilled, tough and great cardio. Culibao will have a big speed advantage and invest in the leg kick, which I think he will have sucess with as Silva is very boxing heavy. Silva appears to be a one trick pony in that he likes to pocket box, appears to be durable, but very hittable and also shells up alot during fights which is not a good look for the judges. I actually think the Culibao Sub might be a good option, he appears to have been competing in Australian BJJ tournaments between his last fight and now.
McKenna vs. Amorim Cory McKenna, DEC Mckenna is at a high reach disadvantage on the feet but watching tape, her boxing combinations are actually pretty good (Good speed and doubles up her jab). She probably has a cardio upside here too, especially if she keeps it standing because Amorim to me reminds me of early UFC Rodolfo in that if she doesn't get it to the mat, she has an anxiety attack. I think Amorim is sub/bust and I wouldn't be surprised if Mckenna follows her to the ground later in the fight when Amorim's gas-tank is on empty and has success.
Anheliger vs. Grigoriou Charalampos Grigoriou, DEC Close fight. Anheliger looks okay to me, I like his pocket boxing and he seems to have takedowns in his arsenal (Body lock and double leg sequence). Also appears to have great cardio, but the knock on that is he is 37 so he could fall off a cliff at anytime. Grigoriou is quite dynamic on the feet from the limited tape i've seen but questions for me are the cardio/grappling, which I'll give the benefit of the doubt in his favour if he's training at Serra-Longo. Picking Grigoriou, mainly because I feel he is going to have size and physicality advantage, also the UFC know what they are doing here and he seems like a real celebrity in Cyprus judging by his socials so I think they will try and push him.
Predictions: 6 of 11 Winners, 2 Perfect, 415 Points
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Tied for 1294th
Tuivasa vs. Tybura Tai Tuivasa, TKO, R1 I'm very 50/50 on this fight. I originally though Tai would look good early and then Tybura would take over late with his grappling and top control as he appears to have the much steadier cardio. Tybura has good movement on the feet but if Tai gets his leg kicks going he could negate that very quickly. I have concerns on the Tuivasa side, mainly about whether his heart is in the game anymore (See similarities to Tyson Pedro, who's is his good mate and business partner). I'm near certain he hasn't taken his camp over to Thailand/Dubai, which would be the first time in years and coming off a knee injury there questions that have to be answered. More a heart than head decision as I'd love to see Tai win but pretty binary fight (Tai Round 1/2 or Tybura 2/3)
Nzechukwu vs. St. Preux Kennedy Nzechukwu, TKO, R1 Not much to say here, OSP is a walking punching bag, old and is here for a paycheck. Kennedy does have flaws but when he can dictate the pace of the fight on the feet with his boxing, he is a sniper This should be an easy kill for him. Don't know whether he finishes in Round 1 or stay's safe early and gets the KO in round 2 but one of those options makes sense.
Kianzad vs. Chiasson II Macy Chiasson, DEC Kianzad is not really good anywhere besides being tough in my view. She has no paths to win except for out-voluming her opponents on the feet and even then she generally fights close. Secret's out on her though I think and that's she very low level when she has her back to the floor. Chiasson is someone you need to see at weigh ins because she can pull a stunt on the scales but she has huge upside with cage pushing and top control here. I think her team at Fortis will come with a grappling heavy gameplan and expect her to win a decision.
Meerschaert vs. Barberena Gerald Meerschaert, SUB, R2 GM3 is probably going to have nearly 20 pounds on 185 Barbarena, who looks like he walks out of the buffet and straight into the octagon at this weight division. This looks an easy win for GM3 but I have a seriously hard time laying chalk on GM3, as he's more a counter wrestler and gets his BJJ going off a scramble. Barberena is not going to do that. My pick is GM3 by submission but I guess if you don't think he's going to initiate the wrestling it has to be Barberena by decision?
Predictions: 5 of 13 Winners, 0 Perfect, 280 Points
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Tied for 3782nd
McKenna vs. Amorim Cory McKenna, DEC If Amorim had better cardio she'd be the easy pick here. She's got a great ground game and is going to be extremely dangerous in the first round, but as this fight goes on and Amorim gasses McKenna is going to start to take over. 29-28 UD
Anheliger vs. Grigoriou Charalampos Grigoriou, DEC Be careful with this one. Grigoriou doesn't have wins over any solid competition. His Contender Series win is his best win by far. I'm not sure if he's UFC level, but watching his tape he has good top control when he gets you on the ground and has some power in his hands. Anhelinger should be a winnable fight for him. He's 37 and one of the worst fighters on the roster at 135. Grigoriou should be able to use his wrestling to take a decision here.
Predictions: 6 of 13 Winners, 0 Perfect, 315 Points
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Tied for 3202nd
My reaction when Dustin knocked out BSD
"She’ll go there and smash her. She’ll get a title shot, become a UFC champion. We have a Ronda Rousey on steroids. This is what we have.” - Ali Abdelaziz on Kayla Harrison
Predictions: 5 of 13 Winners, 0 Perfect, 280 Points
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Tied for 3782nd
Culibao vs. Silva Josh Calibao, DEC
This has potential to be fight of the night. Silva had an absolute war in his contender series win and we know from Culibao's fight with Choi that he's capable of putting on a war too. Both of these guys have confidence in their hands and I think we're going to see them in a phone booth trading from bell to bell. Give me the guy with more experience against higher level competition to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if Silva pulled this off.
Predictions: 2 of 4 Winners, 0 Perfect, 130 Points
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Tied for 4736th
Battle vs. Loosa Ange Loosa, TKO, R1 Bryan Battle does not push the pace, waits for his opponent to engage, and he does not have the boxing pedigree necessary to beat Ange Loosa. He is facing a much better opponent in this fight.
Predictions: 2 of 4 Winners, 0 Perfect, 130 Points
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Tied for 4736th
Tuivasa vs. Tybura Marcin Tybura, SUB, R2 Tybura is going to want to take down tuivasa because he sucks at grappling, and tybura is too old to give a **** about being entertaining
Predictions: 5 of 13 Winners, 0 Perfect, 280 Points
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Tied for 3782nd
Moisés vs. Ramirez Thiago Moisés, SUB, R2 I'm honestly surprised Mitch Ramirez is in the UFC after getting knocked out on the Contender Series. Moises is a legitimate top 25 fighter at 155 and he's gonna strangle this dude.
Predictions: 7 of 13 Winners, 1 Perfect, 405 Points
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Tied for 1345th
I think CeeRod is a good fighter and can absolutely win fights at 145 in the UFC but I don't think this will be one of them. I'm oddly confident in Dulgarian here.
