We’re back with another UFC PPV this month and after this card has been changed multiple times, we’ve got a main event with two fighters who just fought at UFC 255. Even though we’ve had two title fights removed from the card due to injuries, the card still has some exciting fights. Let’s get into the predictions.
Junior Dos Santos vs Ciryl Gane – Heavyweight Division
To start the card we have the old guard vs the next big thing, which is weird because JDS is only six years older than his opponent. Nevertheless, the former champion, comes into this fight 21-8 in his MMA career and is still a excellent boxer. He has lost his speed and power though which puts him at a huge disadvantage against a man like Gane. Gane is a muay thai fighter and is currently 6-0 in his career so far. For a big man, he moves as if he’s in the middleweight division and has devastating knockout power. I think JDS has the boxing skills to beat Gane over 15 minutes, but his chin has been absolutely torn to shreds, especially in his last three fights, losing all of them via KO. I’ve got to go with Gane here by TKO. I think he’ll get it in round 2.
Kevin Holland vs Jacare Souza – Middleweight Division
Holland comes into this bout 7-2 in the UFC. His striking has improved vast amounts since his debut and his ability to hurt opposition with kicks is extremely impressive. Souza comes into this fight, 9-5 in the UFC. Although Jacare is primarily a jiu-jitsu fighter, he’s developed a decent stand-up striking game. I expect Jacare to go back to his roots and try and grapple with Kevin, to which he’ll respond with trying to control the distance using his 9 inch reach advantage. This is a tough fight to predict because if Jacare is able to take Kevin down, I’m certain he’ll win, however, if they stay on the feet, it’s much closer but Holland has the advantage. This one is a toss up. I’m going with Holland by decision. This will definitely be a fight to keep an eye on.
Mackenzie Dern vs Virna Jandiroba – Strawweight Division
We have two of the best grapplers in the women’s strawweight division going at each other in this fight. Dern comes into this fight 9-1 in her MMA career. Her jiu-jitsu is phenomenal, winning her last two fights by submission and I expect her to use that in this fight. Jandiroba is also a jiu-jitsu specialist and she comes into this fight 16-1. Both women are very similar in the terms of the way they fight. The aim is to grapple, takedown, control and submit. The winner of this one is simply who does it better. I’m really not sure about this one as both fighters are so similar and evenly matched, but I’m leaning towards Dern by decision.
Tony Ferguson vs Charles Oliveira – Lightweight Division
Co-main time and we have a really exciting fight on our hands. Tony Ferguson returns to the octagon after his brilliant fight with Justin Gaethje which he came out on the losing side, which was a shock to many. He took some serious damage in that one so it’ll be interesting to see how strong his chin still is against a man as dangerous as Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ comes into this fight 29-8-1NC in his career so far. His jiu-jitsu is incredible as he has the ability to pick out submission from practically anywhere. Just like the last fight these two are very similar, yet I think Tony is better than Charles as he is more well rounded. I’m expecting a Ferguson win by decision, because I respect Oliveira’s toughness. However, I won’t be surprised if Tony comes out and blitz’s Charles in the first round as he is a mad man.
Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs Brandon Moreno – Flyweight Championship
It’s crazy to think both men just fought a few weeks ago and they’re now both here fighting each other for the title. The champ comes into this fight 20-1 in his MMA career. He’s well rounded and as I said in my previous predictions, I think he’s up there in terms of being pound-for-pound the strongest man in the UFC. His win over Alex Perez three weeks back proved that as his guillotine wasn’t fully applied yet Perez still had to tap. His boxing is incredible as well. Taking apart Joseph Benavidez twice although missing weight the first time. He’s simply a scary fighter. Moreno is a jiu-jitsu fighter, however his striking is not to be underrated. He’s very fast and can catch Deiveson sleeping if he’s tactical. The takedown option is there for the challenger because the champion holds a wide stance, but we’ve seen Deiveson comfortable fighting on his back on a few occasions now. Moreno will be Figueiredo’s toughest challenge yet. If we go over three rounds, this favours Moreno. However, I do think the champion will get this done before then. I’m going with a Figueiredo retention by TKO in round 3.
So not the huge card we were expecting a month ago, but still some interesting fights to say the least. It’ll be a fun one to watch tomorrow that’s for sure.
TheWrestlingFallacy 