MAIN CARD
Khabib Nurmagomedov v. Dustin Poirier
I’ve been racking my brain over this fight for weeks. I’m a Dustin Poirier mark. I believe in his boxing and ability to find a way to win. Poirier’s current winning streak includes wins over current featherweight champion Max Holloway, former lightweight champions Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis, and former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. That is an impressive run of wins for Poirier.
Everyone knows Khabib is an animal that has seemed unbeatable. The guy is 27-0 and has won nearly every round he has fought. He wrestled a bear when he was a kid and it shows. He mauls fighters like they’re a training dummy. His takedowns and ground and pound are legendary. He will go down as one of the best to ever do it.
All this being said, there have been tiny holes in Khabib’s fights. I think the holes in his game match up with Poirier’s strengths. Poirier is a great boxer, and is good at stringing together combinations. His stamina has never been questioned. He finds openings in his opponent’s defense and makes his shots count. Khabib has been touched before. Conor and Raging Al caught him in their fights. So it is possible. I’m also pretty high on Poirier’s team at American Top Team. They have some excellent coaches and excellent training partners. They’ve trained for some excellent wrestlers this year, and have won those fights. This fight has 2 outcomes, Khabib domination or Poirier catches some magic.
Dustin Poirier by 4th round TKO
Edson Barboza v. Paul Felder
This is a rematch from a couple of years ago. A lot has changed since that initial encounter. Barboza has had a tough stretch of fights that have seen him lose to Justin Gaethje, Kevin Lee, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Tony Ferguson. Those are losses you can’t be too upset about. We know what Barboza will try to do this fight. Stay at a distance and pick Paul Felder apart. Barboza’s kicks are incredibly fast and powerful. He is a dangerous striker. Intelligent pressure and movement will be Felder’s key to victory. When Dan Hooker blindly pressured Barboza, Barboza rewarded him with a TKO. Felder has been a smart fighter, and his striking game is kind of unpredictable with a mixture of spinning strikes and elbows thrown into his game. Felder is going to want to make this a dirty fight if he wants to get the W. Which Barboza will show up? The dynamic striker? Or the guy that gets taken down and dominated.
Edson Barboza by decision
Islam Makhachev v. Davi Ramos
This is a matchup of two strong grapplers. Makhachev is a Khabib training partner, so you know the strength of wrestling he brings to the table. Davi Ramos is one of those grapplers that fell in love with his striking. It might not be the healthiest relationship, but Ramos has a lot of upside in but hasn’t been able to put it together consistently. Makhachev is the more well rounded fighter. Hopefully this delivers an exciting fight. When two grapplers are matched up, boring ass kick boxing matches can occur.
Islam Makhachev by decision
Curtis Blaydes v. Smail Abdurakhimov
Curtis Blaydes is one of the most underrated heavyweights in the UFC. His only two losses come from Francis Ngannou. Can’t really fault him for losing those fights. Blaydes has been great outside of his Ngannou fights. He’s hoping to work his way toward a title shot. A win here could help his cause. Blaydes is better than Abdurakhimov in most aspects of MMA. Blaydes’ wrestling is one of the strongest in the UFC heavyweight division. He has power. Abdurakhimov has good power, and decent wrestling. But he doesn’t have the takedown defense to survive a battle with Blaydes.
Curtis Blaydes by 3rd round TKO
Mairbek Taisumov v. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Mairbek Taisumov is a heavy handed counter puncher. Carlos Diego Ferreira is a strong grappler that has fallen in love with striking. Who’s strength will dominate this fight is the big question. Ferreira can be too aggressive in trying for a takedown, which can leave him open for a power shot by Taisumov.
Mairbek Taisumov by decision
PRELIMS
Joanne Calderwood v. Andrea Lee
Andrea Lee is coming off of a big, dominant win over Montana De La Rosa. Joanne Calderwood is coming off a tough decision loss to Kaitlyn Chookagian. These two are both are on the outside of the top of the division. Winning this fight could put them in line for an opportunity to earn a title shot. Both of these fighters are well rounded but would prefer to keep the fight standing and moving forward. I expect this to be a fun fight. Andrea Lee is quicker and more athletic. I think she will be able to keep the fight at her distance and establish the pace of the fight.
Andrea Lee by decision
Zubaira Tukhugov v. Lerone Murphy
Zubaira Tukhugov is making his first trip to the Octagon since May 2016, when Stipe beat Werdum for the heavyweight title. His time off wasn’t injury related. He had a flagged drug test and was suspended. Then he was involved in the Khabib v. Conor post fight brawl. Lerone Murphy is a British prospect making his UFC debut. He has speed and decent power. He will have the reach advantage against Tukhugov. Tukhugov is mainly a counter puncher, with strong wrestling background. I think this will be a tougher matchup for Tukhugov than he expects.
Lerone Murphy by 2nd round TKO
Liana Jojua v. Sarah Moras
Sarah Moras is 2-4 in the UFC and is riding a 3 fight losing streak. Liana Jojua is making her UFC debut. Both of these fighters are grapplers. This might not be the prettiest fight to watch, but there is potential for entertaining grappling scrambles.
Liana Jojua by 1st round submission
Ottman Azaitar v. Teemu Packalen
Ottman Azaitar is making his UFC debut, coming in with an 11-0 record with 7 KO/TKO, 3 submissions, 1 decision. He is a power puncher and this is a big step up in competition for him. He is facing off with Teemu Packalen, 8-2 with 2 KO/TKO, 6 submission. But he is 1-2 in the UFC. Packalen hasn’t fought since early 2017, when he was knocked out in 30 seconds by Marc Diakiese. I’m not really sure what to expect from either fighter. It will come down to who dictates the pace and terms of the fight. Can Ottman keep the fight on the feet? Or will Packalen take him down and get another submission?
Ottman Azaitar by 1st round TKO
EARLY PRELIMS
Belal Muhammad v. Takashi Sato
Belal Muhammad is 6-3 in the UFC, his 3 losses coming to Geoff Neal, Vicente Luque, and Alan Jouban. Not the worst losses a fighter can have in a stacked welterweight division. Takashi Sato won his UFC debut with a 2nd round knockout of Ben Saunders. Muhammad is a volume puncher that will keep going forward. Sato is a powerful counterpuncher.
Belal Muhammad by decision
Nordine Taleb v. Muslim Salikhov
Nordine Taleb is reaching the end of his career, and he has not been fighting to his strengths in his recent fights. He has an advantage on the mat, he is a strong wrestler. Muslim Salikhov is an electric striker and will be hoping to keep the fight on the feet. Whoever can dictate the fight will win.
Muslim Salikhov by 3rd round TKO
Zak Cummings v. Omari Akhmedov
A matchup of two experienced strikers that have not always had the best cardio. This is a matchup that could lead to a very exciting fight. Akhmedov is a bit more powerful, Cummings has a bit more cardio and prefers counter punching.
Zak Cummings by 3rd round submission
Don Madge v. Fares Ziam
Don Madge by decision
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Paul Felder v. Edson Barboza