MAIN CARD
Daniel Cormier v. Stipe Miocic
This fight is close to my heart. My favorite light heavyweight of all time v. my favorite heavyweight of all time. The first fight didn’t make it out of the first round. I don’t think Stipe respected Cormier’s power.
I don’t think he’ll make that same mistake. Other than height, these guys match up well. Both are strong wrestlers with boxing skills. DC is an Olympic level wrestler, so I can’t imagine Stipe wanting to wrestle. I think DC’s boxing is very underrated, especially when he isn’t cutting 40-50 pounds to get ready for the fight.
I think DC is one of the smartest fighters in UFC history. Stipe is one of the toughest heavyweights in UFC history. Stipe has been dying for this fight. I’m curious to see if he’s added any weapons to his arsenal. DC’s biggest weaknesses has been A the head kick. Stipe’s never been much of a kicker. Has he added this? Has DC fixed his kicking defense in anticipation of a third fight with Jon Jones?
Daniel Cormier by 3rd round TKO
Anthony Pettis v. Nate Diaz
I don’t care what anyone says, everyone has been eagerly waiting for Nate Diaz’s return. This fight has legendary fight written all over it. Both guys are tough motherfuckers that want to put their opponent out. They’re both excellent strikers. Pettis is the more explosive, KO power striker. Diaz is the volume striker. Diaz has great BJJ skills and is probably stronger than Pettis, but not by much. Diaz has one of the best gas tanks in UFC history. He does triathlons in his free time. Pettis has been fighting 5 rounds for years, butthis is only a 3 round fight.
Diaz hasn’t fought in 3 years, will he be the same fighter he was before? He definitely won’t gas out though. Will Pettis KO Diaz like he did Wonderboy? I can’t see this fightkc going to the ground.
Anthony Pettis by decision
Yoel Romero v. Paulo Costa
I’ve been waiting for Romero’s return since he pulled out of his fight in Fort Lauderdale. I was going to go to that event until he pulled out. This is a fight with heat, both fighters have talked shit to each other. This is going to be an explosive fight. I don’t think it’s going to last very long. These guys are both finishers. They’ve both won a lot of fights. Costa is undefeated and looking to get the biggest win of his career and work closer to a title shot. Romero is making his first trip to the octagon since losing to Robert Whittaker in that awesome fight last year.
Romero is a slow starter and likes to get his opponent’s timing down. Then he finds his opening to put his opponent out. Costa is a pressure fighter and if he takes advantage of the slow start, he’ll get a quick finish.
Paulo Costa by 1st round TKO
Gabriel Benitez v. Sodiq Yusuff
This is a matchup of guys that are willing to stand and trade in the pocket. There’s a lot of hype around Sodiq Yusuff. He will stalk Benitez around the cage. Benitez is going to try to keep Yusuff at distance with his strong left kick. This fight will either be a barn burner or a dud with both guys hesitant to take a risk and move into striking range. I think it’ll be the former since they’re both on the outside of rankings and trying to make a statement on the main card. I think this is going to be a fun brawl.
Sodiq Yusuf by decision
Derek Brunson v. Ian Heinisch
Derek Brunson is the gatekeeper to the top of the middleweight division for Ian Heinisch. Heinisch has a decent amount of hype behind him after a couple of wins over Antonio Carlos Jr. and Cezar Ferreira, who are both BJJ specialists and Heinisch out grappled him. Brunson is a wrestler and is hard to take down. He has powerand Heinisch hasn’t faced a striker like Brunson yet. Brunson has quick finish power, but sometimes overthinks too much and he gets in his own head.
Brunson will be the first test for Heinisch. Brunson tends to beat the guys he should beat. Heinisch could get his biggest win yet and move up the rankings.
Derek Brunson by 2nd round TKO
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Anthony Pettis v. Nate Diaz