Ok, this UFC card feels a little more special. Maybe its because of the wait, maybe its because of the match-ups, but for some reason there is a little more juice to UFC 253. I’m guessing that I’m going to have to amend some of the fights mid-week with so many fights falling out recently. Then again, Its in Abu Dhabi, and everything seems to run a little smoother there.
Israel Adesanya
vs
Paulo Costa
OK, I’ve gone back and fourth with this fight. A month ago, I wouldve told you that Adesanya is going to dominate Costa and win by TKO in the 3rd round, but now I’m not so sure. Costa has been having some good coaching recently, and he’s been adding more finesse to his game. I still see Adesanya winning this one, but this is not a runaway.read more
One particularly memorable fight on the card. Its a shame that the Judges got the winner of this fight wrong.
Israel Adesanya vs Yoel Romero
I said that Romero was not a worthy title contender. I was right. Romero threw everything away in this fight, because nothing was earned. Do you think if Romero was on a 5 fight win streak and was grinding out victories, he’d do this? Not a chance. Romero was fighting like a title wasn’t on the line. Garbage.
Zhang Weili vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk
I got this wrong, but I also think the wrong lady won. I had Joanna winning this fight. I was scoring each round. I tell you what though. If this was a Muay Thai fight with Thai rules, I think Zhang wins, but I think Jedrzejczyk should have got the victory here. One thing is certain, when people reference UFC 248, this will be the fight that they look back on. Rematch…read more
I’m not thrilled about this UFC 248. You know what? It kinda seems like a fight night card. This one to me kinda feels like a UFC XXX money grab, but that’s what they do now. Bellator needs a ranking system so people can keep up with what’s in the mix, and the LFA needs a bigger platform, and it needs to differentiate itself from all of the other smaller promotions. -Those are the two biggest US competitors, with the UFC IMO.
Anyway….
Israel Adesanya
vs
Yoel Romero
OK, so Yoel Romero is NOT a worthy challenger. Of course he’s good, he’s tough, He’s a physical specimen, but he lost his last two fights. Losing gets you a title shot? Jeeze-louise, I mean, at least feed him a lower ranked guy and let him get a win before challenging for the title. I think this fight came around because of Joe Rogan. Rogan has certain UFC perks, and one of them is calling for fights that he wants to see, on his big platform. I think this is what happened here. OK, since I have no power, no say, and I have to accept that this fight is going to happen, here’s how it’s going to go: Adesanya will beat the hell out of Yoel Romero. From Round 2 – onwards, Adesanya will out-strike Romero and batter him and he will make it look easy. Now Romero is super tough, so he might not get finished, but, he will get his ass worked. In the end it will be a comprehensive victory for Adesanya. Why is this going to happen? Mobility, Adesanya has it and Romero does not. Its just a bad matchup for Romero, again, NOT a worthy title challengerread more
Well Eh. We kinda left this UFC 243 card just finding out more about some young fighters.
Robert Whittaker vs Israel Adesanya
Whittaker was trying to not get picked apart on the outside, so he was trying to rush in. He got caught several times doing that, but he continued, tried his luck and got knocked out. If I’m in the Cannonier camp I’d be trying to fight Whittaker. Adesanya will likely face Borrachinha next. Got this pick right
Al Iaquinta vs Dan Hooker
I forgot about the physical tools that Hooker has in his arsenal. He used those physical tools to keep Iaquinta away, and just out-pointed himread more
I’m trying to think of worst Pay-per-view cards. I care sooo little about most of these fights on this show that I debated whether I should put my picks up or not. Other than both main events, this card is lacking. Like seriously lacking. Many of the other fighters are having their first or second fights in the UFC, or they’re coming off long lay-offs. I have no problem with them putting these fighters on a “Fight night” but I always thought the “UFC XXX” cards were special. Guess notread more
So I didnt think that UFC 236 would be that good and I got pleasantly surprised. I made some bad calls. But its all good, some of the calls that I made were absolutely sublime.
I thought that Max would be big enough to handle Poirier. I thought he would actually have some power at this weight class. Turns out that it takes a little bit of time to develop that power. He also fought a very dangerous game and he ate a lot of shots in this fight. I know that he wants to stay in this weight class, so he’s stuck in a weird limbo right now.read more
Holloway has the best footwork in the division. He is going to put the pressure on Poirier and get the TKO victory. I see him taking this in the championship rounds. I expect a lot of “sprawl and brawl” from Holloway
Kelvin Gastelum
vs.
Israel Adesanya
Stylebender should win this one. It should be a boring affair for the casuals. It will go all five rounds. Adesanya has the reach, Gastelum has the chin.
Eryk Anders
vs.
Khalil Rountree Jr
Anders has terrible technique, but has a hard head. I see Anders eating a lot of shots, but I don’t see him getting finished. Rountree should win this one easilyread more
UFC 234 came and went. I’ll get into how the fights played out, whats next for them, and how I did on my picks.
Kelvin Gastelum vs Robert Whittaker
Oh, the fight that didnt happen. I am a little bit happy, because I made a bold prediction, picking Gastelum. Whittaker is a very smart fighter and his hit and run style could’ve beat Gastelum. I still love Gastelum’s chin though, which is his best weapon, and I think that he can beat Whittaker more easily now, knowing his injury. Can you say, push-kick to the gut?
Israel Adesanya vs Anderson Silva
This fight didnt end the way I thought it would, and I’m happy it did not end the way I thought it would. What we saw was a modern day Kung fu fight, and it was delightful. We really needed to see these guys for five rounds, but it seems as if the MMA Gods hate Australia. Adesanya will dismantle Gastelum if he faces him, and as for Anderson Silva, I see he’s still playing with his consciousness by intentionally taking shorts to the head.read more
Sure Whittaker is krafty, and he’ll try to hit and run, but Gastelum has a solid chin and will look to get in close. I see him sinking in the RNC in the championship rounds
Middleweight
Israel Adesanya
vs.
Anderson Silva
Style bender will showcase how much speed kills. Silva is old and passed. A changing of the guard type fight. Adesanya wins by Rd. 2 stoppage
Bantamweight
Rani Yahya
vs.
Ricky Simon
Yahya is all technique. Simon is all piss and vinegar, a la Uriah Faber variety. Simon wins by Unanimous decison
Women’s Flyweight
Montana de la Rosa
vs.
Nadia Kassem
Nadia Kassem should take this one by decision
Light Heavyweight
Jim Crute
vs.
Sam Alvey
Jim Crute will stay away from the left hand and get the win over Alvey
Lightweight
Devonte Smith
vs.
Dong Hyun Ma
This should be show time for Devonte Smith. Rd.1 KO
Featherweight
Shane Young
vs.
Austin Arnett
Shane young should be able to grind this out. I think its gonna be a close match. Split decision win.
Flyweight
Kai Kara-France
vs.
Raulian Paiva
Kai Kara-France should take this one
Bantamweight
Teruto Ishihara
vs.
Kang Kyung-ho
Ishihara should win by UD. Even though Ishihara has a bad losing streak going, he’s faced more talented competition
Lightweight
Lando Vannata
vs.
Marcos Rosa
Groovy Lando should get the finish in the 2nd Rd
Lightweight
Jalin Turner
vs.
Callan Potter
This should be showtime for Jalin Turner, who will look to show-off his immense physical tools
Bantamweight
Wuliji Buren
vs.
Jonathan Martinez
Martinez should get the win here, by first round stoppage
