UFC 249 was nearly a month ago and we’ve now hit another major landmark in the 250th UFC PPV. The card is a decent card, but I’m not sure if it’s major landmark worthy if I’m being honest. Let’s get into the predictions.
Eddie Wineland vs Sean O’Malley – Bantamweight division
O’Malley goes into this fight 11-0 coming off a first-round stoppage against Jose Alberto Quinonez. O’Malley and Wineland are both good on strikers but from watching Wineland, his striking defence is nowhere as good as his offence and if it doesn’t improve vastly, he’ll get knocked out by O’Malley. I think this fight will be another stepping stone for O’Malley in his career as he is projected for big things in the future. Wineland has finished 6 of his 7 UFC fights so he is not to be undermined but I’ve got ‘Sugar’ for this bout.
Neil Magny vs Anthony Rocco Martin – Welterweight division
One key factor in this fight is the reach of Magny in comparison to Martin, Magny has a 6.5-inch reach advantage over his opponent and if he’s able to keep his distance and avoid Martin’s takedown attempts he has a good avenue to win this fight. He’ll also need to avoid the leg kicks of Rocco which I think will be instrumental in this fight. Martin has great BJJ so it wouldn’t make much sense for Magny to attempt to take him down as we know he’s comfortable on his feet. Looking at how both styles will clash, I’m going to go with ARM but this could play out in many other ways.
Aljamain Sterling vs Cory Sandhagen – Bantamweight division
Another close one here, Sandhagen has the advantage on the feet and I expect him to have an advantage where the fight starts, however, if Sterling is able to take him down, which he should be able to as Sandhagen’s takedown defence is around 30%, he has the advantage on the ground if he can keep him down which is the most important factor. Sandhagen is an excellent scrambler and knows how to fight from his back if necessary, so I think the winner of this fight is the person who wins in the takedown battles. It’s definitely going to be tight but I’m going with Sterling. I think he’ll be able to do damage in at least one of the takedown attempts if he goes for it and wins by decision.
Raphael Assuncao vs Cody Garbrandt – Bantamweight division
Another Bantamweight fight here in the co-main and the question lies, can Cody’s chin hold up against Assuncao. In my opinion, Cody is marginally the better striker, but if you can’t hold a punch it makes it hard for me to pick you because one clean hit and you’re out. For this reason and this reason alone, I’m going for Assuncao even if he is the underdog.
Amanda Nunes (c) vs Felicia Spencer – Women’s Featherweight Championship
I like Spencer a lot and seeing an upset would be fun but I can’t pick against the GOAT. I can see this fight being like the Ronda Rousey fight as Spencer’s stand up really isn’t that good. I don’t think it will happen this way but it’s definitely a possibility. We also have to consider that this is Spencer’s fourth fight in the company and we have to ask the question is she overhyped due to the lack of talent in the division? If Spencer is able to survive the blitz from Nunes in the regular rounds, she might be able to take advantage in the championship rounds and take her down using her excellent BJJ, but I do think Nunes will finish her within two rounds.
This events card doesn’t have many big names on it but it does have some nice fights in there. Hope you enjoyed and have a good day!
TheWrestlingFallacy 