This is awesome. We waited a good amount of time for these fights and they are finally here. Yoel Romero is a true gentleman and made weight. Joanna is a true gentlewoman and made weight even with the fake tits. I don’t know what good I have done recently for God to give me such a blessing like this. 2 PPVs in a row with 2 title fights and all 4 fighters show up and make weight. Of course there have only been 3 fighters ever to miss weight for a title bout, but Romero was one of them, so I was sweating this out with just around 20 min to spare. Outside of the Main Events this isn’t a crazy stacked card, but it is well rounded. We have the return of Sean O’Malley, Deron Winn made weight, Neil Magney and Alex Oliveira’s ears are huge, and a whole bunch of other fun fighters to keep an eye out for.
Israel Adesanya is one of the most electric fighters to pop onto the UFC scene since an Irish lad by the name of Paul Felder Conor McGregor. Yoel Romero is 42 and I used to hate him. There is no fighter in the history of combat sports that I have ever done such a 180 on. I would die for Yoel now, my soldier of God, I luh ju. Joanna Jedrzejczyk is my queen and always will be, she was great for this weight class and there has only been one fighter in the division to stop her. Weili is a champion of circumstance and has the ultimate chance to prove she belongs on top, this is a win that will cement her as a real deal. I am excited to make a disgusting amount of money off these fights so I am gonna finish up this stupid intro part and get into the juicy stuff.
Let’s move on to my picks for UFC 248
Main Card
Israel Adesanya vs Yoel Romero Middleweight Championship
I am not sure there have ever been less complaints about a guy coming off 2 losses getting a title shot. Not only that, he has lost 3 out of his last 4 and missed weight for 2 different title bouts. No one cares because he is a freaking monster. People want to see Romero, an olympic wrestler, go out there and not use one ounce of his wrestling ability and just swing for the fences. Watching him fight is just pure good ole fun, the man is 42 years old and leaves it all out in the octagon.
Israel is the future. One of the most prolific kickboxers of our generation, decides to move to MMA to prove he can do it all. He has done just that so far. 18-0 to start his career with only one close decision in the UFC (not counting Kelvin almost finishing him), he has been tearing through competition at the highest level. He made Bobby Knuckles look like an amateur in a title bout, like he had absolutely no business there in the first place. I was for sure an Issy doubter before that fight, thought he had the luck of the draw and got a title shot way too early. He proved me wrong and every MMA Twitter dirtbag made sure to rub it in.
Now I am going to do something pretty stupid. I do not know why I am doing this, but I am going to pick Yoel to win this one. If he is able to land, like many others have been able to before him, this shouldn’t actually even be too tough for him. Issy vs Bobby was a stylistic nightmare, Bobby is a brawler and Issy was able to pick that apart with his range and speed. Yoel is a bruiser, he only needs one shot to really wobble Issy and could go in for the kill right after. I do not think Issy has any right being as big of a favorite as he is as well which is also pushing me towards taking Romero. I am locking this in, I luh ju.
Yoel Romero by 5th Round TKO +205 1 unit (Take over 3.5 Rounds -125 also!)
Weili Zhang vs Joanna Jedrzejczyk Strawweight Championship
I have been kind of confused by MMA Twitter lately in deciphering if people love or hate Joanna. Some people make it seem like she wasn’t one of the most dominating champions in UFC history because there has been one strawweight who has her number. Others are like me and would kneel before Joanna Champion and let her rain down elbows on us with glee. Her confidence can sometimes teeter on arrogance but she toes that line with grace and poise. She is incredibly fun to watch fight, and creates great drama for fight week.
Weili Zhang showed up out of nowhere and is a force to be reckoned with. She got a title fight after only 3 UFC bouts and has only one loss on her record (her very first fight). Everyone had that feeling she was gonna beat Andrade and grab the belt. It was the perfect setup, UFC comes to china and has the chance to crown its first chinese champion. Fortunately for Weili, Andrade was an undeserving champion. Ok that is shitty to say, she deserved it, she won that belt fair and square, but she isn’t at the same talent level as those that normally hold the belt.
That being said, I am riding the Joanna train into the fucking ground. Weili has the power in this weight class to do anything and has a ton of finishes for someone who weighs the same amount as one of Francis Ngannous legs. She still doesn’t have what it takes to keep up with the volume that Joanna is able to produce. Joanna looked incredible against Michelle Waterson in her last bout, and has sured up a lot of those areas where she was lacking in her losses to Rose. She is going to show why she is Joanna Champion and get back onto her throne.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk by Decision +170 1 unit
Beneil Dariush vs Drakkar Klose Lightweight Bout
Wowwy was this a tough one to pick between. These guys are both coming off 3 consecutive wins against opponents with comparable talent levels. Beneil has incredible BJJ having 8 submission victories, including his last two wins. Drakkar is a phenomenal wrestler, unfortunately for him, that usually leads to grinding out decisions. Drakkar may have the slight advantage in wrestling ability, Daruish’s submission game will be able to catch him making a mistake and not let this get to the judges.
Beneil Dariush by 2nd Round Submission -170 2 units
Neil Magny vs Li Jingliang Welterweight Bout
Big Ear Neil Magny is one of my favorite gatekeepers in MMA. Always the bridesmaid never the bride. Anytime he is able to string a couple together, he loses to the guy that would put him right where he needs to be in title contention. Li Jingliang is on the rise, stringing together 3 straight, putting him on the verge of breaking in to the rankings. I think Li will be the more talented fighter in this bout, having destroyed Elizeu *rest of name here* in his last outting. I am giving this one to the Leech.
Li Jingliang by 3rd Round TKO -180 2 units
Alex Oliveira vs Max Griffin Welterweight Bout
These fellas have not been great lately. They both have been getting killed by pretty crappy competition, not really sure what they are doing on the main card of a PPV. Don’t have too much analysis but if you are going to bet on this, might as well take the dog.
Max Griffin by Decision +112 1 unit
Prelims
Sean O’Malley vs José Alberto Quiñónez Bantamweight Bout
Suga Sean is back! No idea what was up with all that steroid business but that man has like maybe 3 muscles on his body, so I don’t hold much weight to it. Jose is a fine fighter, but he is not ready for this smoke. Sean gonna take this one no problem.
Sean O’Malley by 2nd Round TKO -357 3 units
Mark Madsen vs Austin Hubbard Lightweight Bout
Mark Madsen was an Olympic wrestler who was just unfortunate enough to always be the second best. Now he has joined the UFC and is here to show that he has the tools to get gold in the octagoned circle. I don’t want to be mean, but Austin Hubbard is someone they are putting up to fight Madsen to pretty much just lose to him. Hubbard doesn’t have the talent to beat this man unless he manages to somehow catch him, but that’s any fight. Lock in Madsen on this one.
Mark Madsen by Decision -225 2 units
Rodolfo Vieira vs Saparbek Safarov Middleweight Bout
This line is freaking nuts. I usually like betting against the heavy favorites like this but Rodolfo Vieira has one UFC fight under his belt and is a 6-1 favorite, Vegas isn’t stupid. I suggest stay away since its such a bridge jumper line, but I am taking Rodolfo.
Rodolfo Vieira by 1st Round Submission -617 1 unit
Gerald Meerschaert vs Deron Winn Middleweight Bout
I only gots one thing to say here. Fuck Deron Winn, can’t get over him missing weight last fight. You are a midget dude, how can you not make 185.
Gerald Meerschaert by Decision +107 1 unit
Early Prelims
Emily Whitmire vs Polyana Viana Strawweight Bout
Polyana Viana by Decision -125 1 unit
Giga Chikadze vs Jamall Emmers Featherweight Bout
Jamall Emmers by 3rd Round TKO -180 1 unit
Danaa Batgerel vs Guido Cannetti Bantamweight bout
Danaa Batgerel by 2nd Round submission -132 1 unit
That wraps up what should be a fun night of fights! I really think we get 2 “AND NEW”s to end the evening which should make for some nice mixups. I just want some carnage, Invicta last night was bloody as hell so why not cover this canvas in crimson and leave it all out there for the fans. Emily Whitmire was the only scumbag to miss weight so there will be no cheap victories this evening for the most part, just some wholesome good ole fashion UFC violence. That’s all I gotta say and as always, may luck be your lady tonight.
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