OK, so the atmosphere was fire. The name recognition was there, and the fights were good. I think it was a successful UFC. Tough guys were 0 for 4 on this card, and boy, were my picks wrong 🙁 worst of the year
Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz
Tough guy no. 4 The fight started out like I thought it would, it didn’t end like I thought it would, but, I think all that is academical. Masvidal was going to beat Nate Diaz to a bloody pulp, and if they fight in Vegas, for a rematch, gamebred would paint the canvas red with Nate’s blood. I think Masvidal wants the fight, because its a very easy paycheck for him. That is all. This was my unbroken pick, and I missed the round call, but eh… it wasn’t bad.
Kelvin Gastelum vs Darren Till
Tough guy no. 3 Gastelum has a hell of a chin, but, you gotta be able to do a little more. Gastelum has some problems getting on the inside. It was a close fight, but I think the right guy got the win. I think this loss sets Gastelum back a little bit, and Till can accept challengers while he’s in his new top 10 position. Shahbazyan vs Till? Too early?
Stephen Thompson vs Vicente Luque
Tough guy no. 2 Luque had some success in the first round, but he just couldn’t get his own game going. Thompson is such a good defensive fighter, and moves around so well. Luque was just getting countered. You almost have to fight Thompson defensively, then, counter him when he attacks. Walking into a shot, to give one of your own didn’t work out for one of my favorite fighters on the roster
Derrick Lewis vs Blagoy Ivanov
Tough guy no. 1 Ivanov is the toughest dude in the UFC, but he just didnt have the horse power to deliver much damage to Derrick Lewis. I got the pick wrong, because I thought that Lewis was going to gas himself out earlier
Kevin Lee vs Gregor Gillespie
I told you guys to NOT bet on this fight. Lee had a game plan in this fight. He stayed low to combat the takedowns and he threw great punches, and when the kick came, it was devastating and unexpected. I do think that Lee has those Tri-Star GSP tools, so I’m excited to see where he goes from here. I got this call wrong.
Corey Anderson vs Johnny Walker
Anderson did some homework on Johnny Walker. He surprised a lot of people and I think his stock is pretty high. I think Anderson is ready for Jon Jones. I think Reyes should fight another legit title contender before he can fight for the title, but I think Anderson is ready. Needless to say, I got this fight wrong.
Shane Burgos vs Makwan Amirkhani
Amirkhani decided to gas himself out in the first round, trying to finish Burgos. I do think that Amirkhani is more talented than Burgos, but I just think that Burgos hit Mr. Finland with some intimidation, and got him to try to rush the finish.
Brad Tavares vs Edmen Shahbazyan
I called round 2 here. Shahbazyan finished Tavares in Round 1. He’s been finishing fights very early. I think he needs a real test. If the UFC wants to put him on the fast track they should give him someone like Jack Hermansson. Antonio Carlos Junior could be an awkward test for him.
Andrei Arlovski vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
I called this one so well. Arlovski was just a little over-confident. Yes, Arlovski has great striking, but Rozenstruik’s striking is educated. There’s a little difference there. Bigi Boy is in the mix, and he should look to crack into the top 15 in his next fight.
Kaitlyn Chookagian vs Jennifer Maia
This fight played out just like I thought
Lyman Good vs Chance Rencountre
Rencountre couldn’t get on the inside enough to make the glue stick. Lyman Good hits hard. I got this one wrong
Julio Arce vs Hakeem Dawodu
Arce seemed more concerned with touching gloves than fighting his fight in the one. I feel bad that I picked him. Dawodu is very hittable, but he had urgency and was looking to win this fight.
The Rozenstruik call was unbroken
5 of 12 right Eck… I’ll do better next time