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.
| Dominick Reyes | vs | Jan Blachowicz |
Reyes is a very smart fighter, and now he’s a very confident fighter. He knows he’s suposed to be here. Blachowicz is super experienced and has a solid stand up game, However I do think that Blachowicz is fortunate to be in this position. Reyes wins by TKO
| Hakeem Dawodu | vs | Zubaira Tukhugov |
I think think is close, but I think Tukhugov takes it. Im just not impressed with Dawodu’s striking
| Kai-Kara France | vs | Brandon Royval |
Its so interesting that two fights before this, Royval was fighting in the LFA, and now he’s in Abu Dhabi, fighting on a Pay-per-view card. The boy is talented. He switches his style up so much and he’s so fluid, its hard to pin point what he’s going to do. France is the opposite. France is rigid in that kickboxing style. I think Royval gets the nod here
| Diego Sanchez | vs | Jake Matthews |
The UFC is looking to launch Matthews here.
| Brad Riddell | vs | Alex Da Silva |
Brad Riddell by KO
| William Knight | vs | Aleksa Camur |
This is a weird fight to pick. I haven’t seen a lot of Camur. I’ve never seen any fights in the Honor FC promotion, and his opponent on the Contender Series couldn’t strike at that time. Camur also beat Ledet, and Ledet is….limited, in everything. Knight has fought on the Contender Series twice, and won both those fights. I see Knight getting the win here. By the way here are both their Contender Series grades Knight 1, 2 & Camur
| Jeff Hughes | vs | Juan Espino |
Juan Espino is new, he’s was on The Ultimate Fighter. I do not watch that show. I expect him to beat Jeff Hughes
| Khadis Ibragimov | vs | Danilo Marques |
I know that Ibragimov is on the verge of getting cut. Dabuki Maques is brand new. I’ll just go ahead and blindly pick Marques
| Ketlen Vieira | vs | Sijara Eubanks |
Ketlen Vieira is kinda stiff in the stand-up and good on the ground. Eubanks is stiff in the stand-up and a little less than Vieira on the ground. I’ll take Vieira here
| Shane Young | vs | Ludovit Klein |
young has had some favorable matchups, and I’ve been hearing great things about Klein. I’ve never seen Klein, but I’ll pick Klein
The Brad Riddell Call will be unbroken at UFC 253