Title fights!! We have title fights tonight!! Feel like it has been so long since we got to see some belts on the line, nice to have some gravity for this card. Now that I faked excitement, it does suck that neither of these matchups are sexy in the slightest. 2 challengers who seemingly do not belong being challengers at all. I hope that we can get something competitive for these fights (especially since I am hammering the overs) but I am not going to hold my breath. The rest of the card is ok. For the first PPV in a month, you would think they could have put a little more effort make a card worth buying. Well that is enough of me bitching and moaning, let’s get into these picks.
Main Card
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Alex Perez Flyweight Bout
I want to be excited about this fight. I really really want to be excited about this fight. Something about a guy fighting for a belt that has no business being in a title fight takes a little juice out of everything though. He has rattled off 3 straight wins, 2 over guys coming off a loss or more, and one guy that has lost 3 fights since. Brandon Moreno or Askar Askarov should be getting the shot here, but whatever I’ll evaluate the fight that is happening. Deiveson is an absolute killer, you do not see KO power like this at 125 pounds and he is dropping guys consistently. He killed Benevidez twice and has only seen the judges 3 times in his 9 fight UFC career (unreal for a flyweight. I don’t see anywhere in this fight the Figgy loses, Perez might have the slightest grappling advantage but I don’t think it will even show in this bout. I hate how much of a favorite Figgy is so I am just going to take over 1.5 rounds because I don’t think he will put him away that fast.
Deiveson Figueiredo by 3rd Round TKO -270 2 units (Taking over 1.5 Rounds -170)
Valentina Shevchenko vs Jennifer Maia Flyweight Bout
My favorite part of a Valentina fight card is seeing how much of a favorite she is. Now I was a bit of a jerk about Perez getting a title shot before, but DAMN does Maia not belong in this octagon with Valentina. Coming off a nice 1 win streak against another lady who almost got an undeserved title shot. This division needs fresh blood on the top badly and it looks like its coming. Maia will get absolutely destroyed in this bout, but it won’t be a finish. Valentina is going to play with her food and pick her apart on every level until I cash that beautiful over 2.5 rounds.
Valentina Shevchenko by Decision -1450 (Not taking that shit, lets ride over 2.5 Rounds -150)
Mike Perry vs Tim Means Welterweight Bout
I really wanted to pick Tim Means here because Mike Perry is a psychopath and is losing his mind, but I kinda think Mike Perry is gonna win. He has the heavier hands, he looks like he fixed a lot of holes in his game, especially training with Yoel a bit. He is going to have a solid weight advantage because he is a little bitch. The line -105 is just really pretty for a guy who is just a little better but missed weight. Let’s just have fun and cheer for the nutjob with his pregnant fiance in his corner.
Mike Perry by 2nd Round TKO -105 1 unit
Katlyn Chookagian vs Cynthia Calvillo Flyweight Bout
I hate this pick but it is an underdog shot I really like. Katlyn Chookagian has done fairly well for herself against the up and comers in this weight class, a real mean gatekeeper that has stopped a lot of talent from a chance to get a shot at gold. Unfortunately, that is exactly what I think happens tonight. Calvillo is a very good fighter and has been incredible at flyweight, but against the 5’9 Chookagian, she is going to have some issues getting inside and getting her grappling going. This will really hurt the division because no one wants to see Katlyn make another run for the belt, but it is almost always how these things shake out. Probably one pick I hope I am wrong about.
Katlyn Chookagian by Decision +210 1 unit
Maurício Rua vs Paul Craig Light Heavyweight Bout
My guy Paul “Bearjew” Craig is reborn after that dogshit draw he had against Shogun in their last match. He is going to look for the submission fast and he will find it against this old fuck. I am being very disrespectful, but anyone that is nicknamed Bearjew needs to prove they are here to compete. I have been pulling for Craig since he debuted, so many last second wins and beatings and just nightmares to watch, I think he is ready to put that behind him and just dominate his opponent this evening.
Paul Craig by 2nd Round Submission -175 2 units
Prelims
Brandon Moreno vs Brandon Royval Flyweight Bout
This is your number 1 contender fight. I do not care if Cody comes back healthy, you give the winner of this fight the title shot regardless, they deserve it. Now on my pick, Royval is as good if not better in the BJJ department, and has a big height advantage. Brandon Moreno has bigger wins over great opponents, but Royval has hit his stride and his value is just too good to give up here.
Brandon Royval by Decision +160 1 unit
Joaquin Buckley vs Jordan Wright Middleweight Bout
Joaquin Buckley is a certified monster. I wish his fight against Holland wasn’t so short notice because he would have had a much better showing. KO of the year, maybe history a little over a month ago. Jordan Wright is making his second UFC appearance after a Doctor’s Stoppage win in August. He has not done enough for me to think he will be able to beat a real opponent, especially a guy with Buckley’s power and ability. Going to ride the over and hope for some great old violence.
Joaquin Buckley by 2nd Round TKO -235 (Gonna take over 1.5 Rounds +135 because I am a dangerous man)
Antonina Shevchenko vs Ariane Lipski Flyweight Bout
Going to be brief here, Antonina stinks, Ariane is a badass.
Ariane Lipski by Decision +130 1 unit
Daniel Rodriguez vs Nicolas Dalby Welterweight Bout
I fucking love Daniel Rodriguez. This guy is at such a high level with his boxing and grappling, he is an absolute pleasure to watch. His line here is very steep against a good fighter in Dalby, but I never want to see him lose so I am picking him but betting on the over.
Daniel Rodriguez by 3rd Round TKO -325 (Take over 1.5 Rounds -175)
Early prelims
Alan Jouban vs Jared Gooden Welterweight Bout
Jared Gooden by 1st Round TKO +130 1 unit
Kyle Daukaus vs Dustin Stoltzfus Middleweight Bout
Dustin Stolzfus by 2nd Round TKO +255 .5 unit
Louis Cosce vs Sasha Palatnikov Welterweight Bout
Louis Cosce by 1st Round TKO -500 (Not touching anything here)
DraftKings Lineup:
That is all I have for you on this evening of fights. As I am writing this, I am already down money from football so I have a lot riding on these being good picks. As always, follow WasserMMA on twitter to see some live picks as we go through the night. As always, may luck be your lady tonight!