UFC 226 Fight Picks
As of right now, everything is looking good for the fights tomorrow night, except that Michael Chiesa weighed in at 157.5, if I'm not mistaken. Other than that, the weigh-ins have been successful. Now, for the picks.
Jamie Moyle vs Emily Whitmire: First fight of the night with the two most inexperienced fighters on the card, as far as I can tell. Being the more experienced fighter though, I'll give this one to Moyle. Moyle via Decision
Dan Hooker vs Gilbert Burns: Okay, this is where UFC 226 officially begins. Dan Hooker is certainly the more well-rounded fighter, but Burns is such a wild-card. Burns has great Jiu-Jitsu and can sleep people with his overhand right. Hooker is a savvy guy who can typically avoid the big shots, and I was very impressed with how he dismantled a talented striker in Marc Diakese a couple fights ago. Hooker via Decision
Curtis Millender vs Max Griffin: I'm on the Curtis Millender hype train for sure. And if there isn't really a hype train for him right now, there will be soon. For those who don't know, Millender essentially beat the shit out of Tiago Alves in his last fight, and finished him. Millender is tall and has long reach, making him really tough to deal with. Max Griffin isn't much of a wrestler either, so I anticipate this one largely being contested on the feet. Millender via TKO, Round 2
Lando Vannata vs Drakkar Klose: Groovy Lando is back, but I'm not sold on him. He's really only known for his losses and draws, but has one highlight KO over perennial can John Makdessi. Lando is an exciting striker, but his striking defense is actually horrible. Klose likes to come forward, and while he may get caught with some big shots here and there, I think he'll slowly wear Vannata down. Klose via Split Decision
Raphael Assuncao vs Rob Font: Credit to Assuncao for consistently accepting fights when he's basically been on the doorstep of a title shot for like the past four years. He's one of the most well-rounded guys in the division, Font has been nice as of late, but Assuncao has been at the top for a while for a reason. Assuncao via Decision
Uriah Hall vs Paulo Costa: I don't think this is going to be as big a blowout as some others, but Costa is probably going to erase Hall too. I only give Hall some semblance of a chance because he obviously likes to strike, and same goes for Costa, so Hall will certainly have his chances. I just think Costa will walk Hall down pretty quick and finish him. Plus, Hall is a VERY slow starter, which is gonna hurt him here. Costa via TKO, Round 1
Gokhan Saki vs Khalil Rountree: Finally Turkish Tyson is back, but I don't think his opponent is gonna consent to being a punching bag like the last guy. Also, I worry that if this fight doesn't finish in round one, we could be in for a slow affair. These guys' cardio is pretty bad, to say the least. I would expect Rountree to be diving at Saki's legs as soon as the bell rings, but I'll give Saki the nod here. Saki via KO, Round 1
*Michael Chiesa vs Anthony Pettis: As of now, I'd assume the this fight is still on, so here goes. Another horrible match-up for Pettis. Not only is Chiesa the antithesis to Pettis' style, Chiesa is going to come in to this one heavy too. Chiesa will be willing to eat some shots in order to get close to Pettis, who is one of the smaller lightweights out there. Chiesa will take Pettis down, slowly pass his guard, and sub him. Chiesa via Submission (RNC), Round 2
Paul Felder vs Mike Perry: I was surprised to see the size difference at media day yesterday. Perhaps it's Perry that should be at lightweight. Regardless, I think Felder is a bad match-up for Perry, much worse than Medeiros would have been. Yancy would have been happy to brawl with Perry, which is right up Perry's alley, but Felder is too smart for that. I know Perry changed camps, but he's still pretty raw and he's been fighting some guys who simply have too much experience for him. Felder via TKO, Round 3
Francis Ngannou vs Derrick Lewis: This one hurts. My heart says Lewis, but my brain says Ngannou. Nothing would make me sadder tomorrow night than to see Derrick Lewis get iced, but I think he will. Ngannou is going to have the fastest hands Lewis has ever seen in the octagon, and it's not close. Plus, Ngannou looks like he shed a little muscle, so maybe he'll be able to last a little longer than Lewis, God forbid this one lasts too long. I'll be rooting for Lewis, but give me Francis here. Side note: if either guy shoots for a takedown, do we riot? Ngannou via KO, Round 1
Daniel Cormier vs Stipe Miocic: Little nugget, DC weighed in heavier than Stipe this morning lol. In all seriousness, I haven't been this excited for a fight in a while. THIS is a super fight. We all know DC is undefeated at heavyweight, but Stipe isn't like other heavyweights. I believe DC mentioned this yesterday, that Stipe is a smaller, but much quicker and athletic heavyweight than the guys he's faced in the past. That said, Stipe brings the same devastating KO power that any heavyweight does. Stipe is special. Now that I've gassed up Stipe, I'll explain why Cormier will win on Saturday night. Wrestling, Wrestling, some speed, and Wrestling. Stipe was D1, but DC is just different. Outside of Jones, DC has smothered everyone. He can close the distance faster than anyone Stipe has faced, and all he needs is a single leg to get Stipe down. And I'm not terribly confident that Stipe can get tubby DC off of him consistently over 25 minutes. I don't know about you all, but I was not overly impressed with Stipe's cardio against Francis Ngannou. As for DC, I can't recall any issues with his cardio, which will be another huge factor in this fight. DC will eat some stiff shots coming in, but I'm confident his big head can take them. I mean, Rumble literally sent DC flying across the cage in their first fight, and DC survived. DC has only ever lost to the GOAT, while Stipe has lost to Stefan Struve. I can't ignore that. Cormier via Submission (RNC), Round 3
I very excite. (Borat voice)