The Ultimate Fighting Championship stays in Abu Dhabi for UFC 254, Justin Gaethje vs Khabib Nurmagomedov. Its Aight… Ofcourse they put a bunch of new guys on the card, so they can pay the guys at the top more. I’d like to see more co-promotions in MMA, I’ve been playing around with this idea in my head -Bellator and the UFC are going to have the same number of XXX shows, in other words UFC 2XX and Bellator 2XX will be equal, wouldnt it be cool to have a UFC/Bellator 260 or something like that. That would be so cool. They dont even really need to have any title fights, just a big main event. loads of people would watch. -But maybe the UFC doesnt wanna give Bellator that clout.
| Khabib Nurmagomedov | vs | Justin Gaethje |
This is such a rough call to make. Khabib hasnt fought since last year, and Gaethje doesnt really use his wrestling when he’s fighting. I like this new Justin Gaethje a lot. He has footwork and head movement now, and he doesn’t just eat shots to the dome. I have to admit, I never saw Gaethje in WSOF, so I dont even know how much his game has evolved since then. Khabib is looking to do that thing, that thing that he’s always done. I’m taking Khabib, but I dont think anyone should bet on this fight
| Robert Whittaker | vs | Jared Cannonier |
Bobby Knuckles has had some injuries, and he’s really been an injured champion that kinda got the belt in a weird way. He’s only been fighting Yoel Romero until Israel Adesanya beat him, and he had a weird fight against Darren Till. I think Cannonier gets it done Why? Cannonier has fantastic fundamentals and great coaching. Cannonier wins by KO
| Alexander Volkov | vs | Walt Harris |
Harris personal tragedies have kinda stunted his rise. If he comes in this fight in shape, I dont think he’s going to lose. If he’s out of shape and slow, he’ll get beat. I predict Harris to get the win here
| Phil Hawes | vs | Jacob Malkoun |
Both guys are new. I like Malkoun in this one
| Lauren Murphy | vs | Liliya Shakirova |
Calvillo pulled out of this fight. Murphy should be able to pick up the win here
| Magomed Ankalaev | vs | Ion Cutelaba |
Ankalaev by finish. Ankalaev will be champ, its just a matter of how fair the UFC treats him
| Stefan Struve | vs | Tai Tuivasa |
I dont care about this fight, but I’ll pick Tuivasa
| Alex Oliveira | vs | Shavkat Rakhmonov |
Rakhmonov is new. Oliveira to get this win
| Da Un Jung | vs | Sam Alvey |
Sam Alvey needs to change something. If Da Un Jung can just avoid the left hand, he should get the win
| Liana Jojua | vs | Miranda Maverick |
Miranda Maverick FTW
| Casey Kenney | vs | Nathaniel Wood |
This fight should’ve been on the main card. I dont think Wood has anything for Kenney. Casey Kenny by KO
| Joel Alvarez | vs | Alexander Yakovlev |
I got Alvarez here
The Miranda Maverick call will be unbroken at UFC 254