The UFC not having an off season can lead to shows that are filled with unknown fighters. These cards usually deliver because the fighters are hungry and willing to risk it all to get a shot. The key to cards like this are an anchor main event. A fight that will draw people to watch even if they don’t know a majority of the fighters on the card. That being said, the UFC could not have picked a better fight to main event, a card filled with a bunch of debuts and lesser known talent, than Francis Ngannou v. Junior Dos Santos.
This is a dream matchup I didn’t know I needed to see until I saw it on the schedule. Two heavyweights that prefer to stand in the middle of the octagon and try to knock their opponent’s head off their shoulders. This is the most exciting type of match up in MMA. Now, onto the business at hand.
MAIN CARD
Francis Ngannou v. Junior Dos Santos
As excited as I am for this fight, there isn’t really much to say. These guys are both big, badass, motherfuckers that want to put the other guy to sleep. Junior Dos Santos has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but never uses it. JDS is proud of his boxing, and he should be since he has been very successful in the stand and trade game. JDS is one of the best heavyweights of all time. His losses in the UFC have come to Cain Velasquez (2), Alistair Overeem, and Stipe Miocic. That’s some good competition.
Which Francis Ngannou will we get? The absolute killer, or the hesitant, tentative, shell of himself. He’s looked like the absolute killer in his two wins since losing to Derrick Lewis. All of Ngannou’s wins have been finishes. The guy is a monster. If you want to stand in front of him and box, you are crazy. Ngannou has his eyes set on another title shot. I can’t imagine he doesn’t want a rematch with Stipe.
This will be a clash of excellent heavyweights. The winner should be in line for the next title shot. JDS should use his BJJ skills to tire Ngannou out and use a similar gameplan to Stipe. But JDS never uses his BJJ and is going to try to stand and trade with Ngannou. They say the heavyweight champion is the baddest man on the planet. Well, I think Francis Ngannou is the scariest man on the planet.
Francis Ngannou by 1st round TKO -185
Jussier Formiga v. Joseph Benavidez
This has been a rematch years in the making. Benavidez got the win with a knee to the body and punches. Both fighters have been near the top of the flyweight division for years. Neither have been able to capture the UFC gold. Benavidez has had two opportunities and lost to Demetrious Johnson both times. He has to be salivating at the thought of potentially fighting someone other than Demetrious Johnson for the title. He has to get past Formiga before he can dream of a title shot.
Benavidez has fought some of the best. His only losses have come to Dominick Cruz (2), Demetrious Johnson (2), and Sergio Pettis. He does have a split decision win over the reigning champion Henry Cejudo. Benavidez has solid all around game. He has made it to the big fight, but hasn’t been able to come through and win the big fight. He is looking to get one more title shot.
Formiga has seemingly been around forever, has been near the top of the rankings forever, yet has never fought for the title. Benavidez can’t seem to win the big fight, Formiga hasn’t been able to win the fight to get to the big fight. Formiga is probably going to try for the takedown and use his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to get the finish.
These fighters know a title shot is on the line with this fight. They will look to make a statement. As they say with every flyweight fight, they are fighting for the division. Dana shockingly put them in the co-main event slot. He must expect them to bring it. It should be a good fight.
Joseph Benavidez by decision -170
Demian Maia v. Rocco Martin
Demian Maia is heading into his 30th UFC fight. It feels like he’s been around forever. At 41, he has been around forever. Maia’s first professional fight occurred when his opponent Rocco Martin was 11 years old. Maia is the last true specialist in the UFC. He is a master at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It makes him predictable, but Maia still finds ways to get his submissions. He has a tough opponent in front of him.
Rocco Martin brings an impressive grappling resume to the octagon. He has won by submission 9 times in 16 wins. He has a black belt in BJJ. He is younger and hungrier. He is going to show up to get the biggest win of his career. Rocco used to fight at lightweight, but switched to his more natural weight class. He is 4-0 since the move to welterweight. He knows he has a huge opportunity ahead of him.
This should be an exciting grappling match. Both guys are submission specialists. Can Maia hold off the young, hungry Rocco? Maia has one of the most impressive lists of opponents. His last three losses: Tyron Woodley, Colby Covington, Kamaru Usman. The last 3 welterweight champions. His other losses include Rory MacDonald, Chris Weidman, Anderson fucking Silva. Maia has lost to champions and #1 contenders. Rocco is neither of these.
Demian Maia by 1st round submission -140
The rest of the fights are by young, up and coming fighters. There are a lot of new names. The rest of these picks are buyer beware.
Roosevelt Roberts v. Vinc Pichel
Roosevelt Roberts is an interesting prospect. He got to the UFC by winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He’s 8-0 (2-0 UFC), with 7 of those wins not reaching the judge’s score cards. No wonder Dana gave him a contract. This is a big step up in competition for Roosevelt. It’s his first test, and he’s hoping to finish early.
Vinc Pichel is the first gate keeper Roosevelt will face if he wants to eventually crack the rankings. Pichel has been in the UFC since 2012 and has had a respectable career. He likes to brawl and he will bring the fight to Roosevelt. There is a reason his nickname is “From Hell,” and it’s because he is a vicious and wants to finish. Can Roosevelt take his first step up in competition?
Roosevelt Roberts by decision -208
Drew Dober v. Marco Polo Reyes
These are two guys that have been in the UFC for years and haven’t been able to put it all together. They’re looking for a win to hopefully build some momentum. Both guys prefer to stand and strike. It should be an exciting fight. In Reyes’ 13 professional fights, only one has gone to decision. Reyes has some heavy hands. I think both of these guys are going to come out and finish this fight early. This fight is going to come down to who can withstand more punishment.
Marco Polo Reyes by 2nd round TKO +265
Paul Craig v. Alonzo Menifield
Menifield won a contract on Contender series, and won his first UFC fight in January. He is coming in for his second UFC fight against Paul “The Bear Jew” Craig. I am partial to the Bear Jew, but he has not been able to string wins together. He hasn’t won 2 matches in a row since joining the UFC. In 22 combined professional fights, neither of these guys have made it to the judge’s scorecards. That is a good sign for an exciting fight. This is Menifield’s first fight against an established UFC fighter. Will his heavy hands knock Craig out? Or will Craig pull off another miracle submission?
Paul Craig by 2nd round submission +197
PRELIMS
Ricardo Ramos v. Journey Newson
When I first saw the name Journey Newson, I thought the UFC used a random name generator to name a generic fighter. Nope, just his UFC debut on a couple of days notice. These guys are both BJJ experts. Ramos is the better striker. He’s a little more polished.
Ricardo Ramos by decision -305
Eryk Anders v. Vinicius Moreira
Eryk Anders is coming in on a 3 fight losing streak, and has lost 3 of 4 since starting 2-0. They pushed him to top talent way too quickly. His 4 losses have come to Lyoto Machida, Thiago Santos, Elias Theodorou (split decision loss because Theodorou kept running away like a bitch), and Khalil Rountree. Thiago Santos was the only one to finish him. So we know Anders is tough.
Vinicius Moreira is another winner of a contract from the Contender series. He lost his UFC debut to Alonzo Menifield. Moreira is not much of a striker, he is a BJJ guy. He is going to look for some takedowns and wear Anders down and get a finish. It’s going to come down to Anders’ defense and if he can keep Moreira on his feet.
Eryk Anders by decision -235
Jared Gordon v. Dan Moret
This is a match up of two young guys trying to establish themselves. They’re both coming in on 2 fight losing streaks. All 3 of Gordon’s professional losses have come by way of knockout. He must be happy to be facing another grappler who has only 1 knockout on his resume. Gordon is a Renzo Gracie BJJ blackbelt.
Jared Gordon by decision -263
Dalcha Lungiambula v. Dequan Townsend
Both guys are making their debuts. Dalcha is a world champion in judo and has won BJJ tournaments. His ground and pound is dangerous. Townsend took this fight on short notice. He usually fights at middleweight and has gone down to welterweight before. Dalcha is going to be using his strength to his advantage.
Dalcha Lungiambula by 1st round TKO -221
Emily Whitmire v. Amanda Ribas
Emily Whitmire is looking to get another win and get into the rankings. Amanda Ribas is making her UFC debut and it is her first fight in 3 years. They’re both grapplers. RIbas is a better striker.
Amanda Ribas by decision +237
Maurice Greene v. Junior Albini
Last week we had the battle of the best nicknames, Meatball Molly McCann (fuck yeah) v. The Violence Queen Ariane Lipski. This week’s battle of the nicknames is a bit sad for a heavyweight clash. Maurice “The Crochet Boss” Greene v. Junior “Baby” Albini. I was embarrassed just typing that.
Albini is riding a 3 fight losing streak to Andrei Arlovski, Alexey Oleynik, and monster from last week Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Not exactly the easiest stretch of fights. It’s hard to take a guy seriously when he comes to the octagon to fight in a diaper.
Maurice Greene had an impressive run on The Ultimate Fighter. He didn’t win, but got a shot at the UFC, and has started going 2-0. He knew this fight was a step up in competition, and he trained at other gyms to get more experience and round out his game. Greene is a tough fight for Albini because Albini won’t be able to read where Greene is looking. Greene is looking at a win that could carry him to rankings and better competition. Greene is from Minnesota and is hoping for a win in his homecoming fight.
Greene by decision -149
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
I’d like to say I was right last week. But I don’t think a 9 second knockout can qualify for fight of the night. Plus, MEATBALL MOLLY MCCANN was the fight of the night. I’m a big fan if you can’t tell.
Paul Craig v. Alonzo Menifield