Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 6 Perfect, 655 Points
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Tied for 1745th
Makhachev vs. Poirier Islam Makhachev, SUB, R2 Hopefully Poirier leaves it all out there as this is his last chance, he doesn't really have anything left to lose. It'll be interesting to see Islam in the closed stance again, his openside kicks will largely be negated. I just don't see how Poirier stops Islam from dominating him on the ground. The single leg will be there for Islam and even if Poirier manages to stuff the first shot, Islam is going to mince him in the clinch and with his chain wrestling. Islam subs him with an arm triangle or rnc.
Predictions: 8 of 10 Winners, 4 Perfect, 530 Points
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Tied for 4317th
Almeida vs. Romanov Jailton Almeida, TKO, R1 Romanov is in trouble here. The only tape I could see of Romanov in a fight where both sides wanted to grapple was against Daukaus in a BJJ match. He won that by being heavy and even thought Daukaus says his a BJJ black belt, he looked below average in that fight. Additionally Romanov looked gassed after 2 minutes pure grappling so he is not going to maintain it against an explosive grappler like Almeida. Almeida kind of lets you pick your poision on the ground and will either king kong GNP you and you wither cop those shots and get the referee to stop or alternatively roll to your stomach and give up the neck. Romanov has always had that bit of quit in him so Almeida finish is an easy play
Dawson vs. Solecki Grant Dawson, DEC Wrestler Vs BJJ nerd. This could be a bit of an awkward fight. I feel this fight all depends on how Dawson gameplan. If he decides to keep it on the feet I can see him winning a boring decision by practically jabbing Solecki to death and sprawling and brawling. If he engages in the grappling this could get a bit hairy as I probably give a 60/40 advantage Solecki in a pure BJJ match. Both fighters like to get to the body triangle and have questionable durabilty so good match making as I feel they will be able to negate most of each others offense on the ground. I'll pick Dawson just because he might be able to get off more damage which will look favourably with the judges but line is very wide.
Rowe vs. Matthews Jake Matthews, DEC I quite like Matthews in this spot. Rowe has all the tools to be successful in the UFC, great length, straight combinations and good power. My biggest flaw on Rowe is he can be autistic and choose the grappling route. I think he does this because he doesn't like getting hit. If I knew Matthews was going to come out and forward pressure I'd be more confident because Roew seems to struggle on the back foot. I also trust Matthews to throw in combinations in the pocket where rowe will look to throw one punch at a time. My biggest worry with Mathews is he potentially gets rocked and falls into a front choke, he has been caught a few times in the UFC with either the RNC or some front choke series.
Kopylov vs. Almeida Roman Kopylov, DEC Southpaw v Orthodox kickboxing fight. I would have loved to have watched more Glory tape on Almeida but he seems like he doesn't use a lot of movements and prefer to stand in the middle and trade punches/kicks. He seems like he won a fair few decisions in Glory although I think his power has translated to MMA with the smaller gloves. I kind of worry about him here against Kopylov, especially if he wants to stand at kickboxing range where Roman can tee off with body kicks/high kicks. Kopylov is also the dagi so maybe he can implement some offensive wrestling as Almeida is still a very inexperienced grappler.
Price vs. Morono Niko Price, TKO, R3 I don't feel confident in either side but I think I saw Morono at -300 which seems a bit wild to me. Morono seems like he fights to a game plan quite well for the most part. He does prefer to stand and exchange on the feet and kind of get into a sparring contest and wish he would blend in the wrestling but it is what it is. I also question his chin and somewhat his cardio, particularly against a pressure fighter on short notice over 3 rounds (Ponzinibbio fight). I have no doubt Niko is washed and this could even be his retirement fight for all I know so interviews? I know Niko will forward press and make you fight which will be interesting here. I also think if he invests in the leg kick he will have success because Morono's game is all about movement. Give me the upset at the price and even may consider late round props for Niko on a full camp
Tumendemberel vs. Lima André Lima, TKO, R2 Pretty confident in LIma winning here. I don't quite trust fighters coming out of the road to UFC and watching Nyam go to war with old mate from Thailand who punches a pack of cigarettes a day doesn't give me confidence he can buck the trend. I'd expect Lima to sit on the outside and counter strike effectively and also blast the lead leg with kicks. Whether he gets the KO/Decision I'm not 100% sure but I'll see what price the props are to that when they come out.
Predictions: 11 of 12 Winners, 7 Perfect, 765 Points
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Tied for 113th
Makhachev vs. Poirier Islam Makhachev, SUB, R3 Poiriers already shown that he has quit in him, if youre gonna fight with Islam youve gotta be like Volk in the first one, not an ounce of quit in you.
Strickland vs. Costa Sean Strickland, DEC Heres the thing guys, Stricklands gonna break his face.
Almeida vs. Romanov Jailton Almeida, SUB, R1 Very quick turnaround for Almeida
Holland vs. Oleksiejczuk Kevin Holland, TKO, R2 I swear they just feed Oleksiejczuk to more popular fighters when they need a win
Edwards vs. Perez II Ailin Perez, DEC Nap time methinks
Gall vs. Hafez Bassil Hafez, TKO, R1 Anyone who can take JDM to a split is decent
Kopylov vs. Almeida Roman Kopylov, TKO, R1 Kopylov by headkick
Tumendemberel vs. Lima Nyamjargal Tumendemberel, SUB, R3 Im not going against the Mongolian with the long name
Predictions: 9 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 595 Points
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Tied for 2947th
Strickland vs. Costa Sean Strickland, DEC Strickland is just too high level on the feet but i have a feeling that Costa has the perfect style to KO Strickland but i dont know its kinda tricky.
Almeida vs. Romanov Jailton Almeida, SUB, R1 ****** wet blanket leather face lookin ahh juicer ref should have let Blaydes keep going. Fr tho i hope Romanov can win.
Brown vs. Zaleski Elizeu Zaleski, TKO, R2 such a cool matchup but zaleski is a crazy explosive fighter when he wants to be and i think he can wheel kick brown outta there. Brown can still play the range game for 3 round and potentially tko zaleski but nu uh.
Holland vs. Oleksiejczuk Kevin Holland, TKO, R2 Good layup for Holland i hope he dosent **** around in this fight though i swear.
Gall vs. Hafez Bassil Hafez, TKO, R1 RIGHT HOOK OUT COLD.
Dawson vs. Solecki Grant Dawson, SUB, R1 Dawson's grappling is so ******* slept on. Elite Jiu Jitsu.
Rowe vs. Matthews Jake Matthews, DEC Bro Jake did better than i thought he would against Morales and i think he is better than Phil Rowe.
Kopylov vs. Almeida Roman Kopylov, TKO, R1 Actually a really sick fight but Kopylov is him on the feet with his left kick.
Predictions: 8 of 12 Winners, 5 Perfect, 540 Points
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Tied for 4180th
He wants to show his daughter that dreams do come true if you follow your dreams. He always fights better when the odds are against him and I truly believe he will get his hand raised.
Predictions: 11 of 12 Winners, 8 Perfect, 790 Points
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Tied for 39th with 13 others
Bisping DC and Fitz thought giving this round to Edwards was one of the worst judging decisions they'd witnessed. Always make me chuckle whenever I watch that fight back, especially as I was enjoying my +300 livebet win at the time.
Predictions: 11 of 12 Winners, 4 Perfect, 665 Points
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Tied for 1338th
If Dustin wins the belt, how many times yall think he’s gonna defend? Like I’m not totally sure to be honest. I think if he wins it he’s gotta defend it at least once but ya never know.
Predictions: 11 of 12 Winners, 6 Perfect, 730 Points
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Tied for 347th
Guy guys guys. Cmon. Stop fantasising about what Poirier could or couldn't do with a belt. Just tell me you guys don't understand MMA without telling me you don't under MMA.
He is fighting Makhachev. Did you forget?
He isn't getting anywhere near the belt. The closest he will get is sitting near it at the press conference or if Makhachev slips in the cage, lands on his head and knocks himself out.
Middle Easy :
Dana White Says Dustin Poirier ‘Can Stay’ In The UFC ‘As Long As He Wants To’, Blasts Judge For ‘Insane’ Scorecard In Sean Strickland Vs. Paulo Costa
MMA Junkie :
Dana White: After UFC 302, Dustin Poirier can stay as long as he wants
MMA Mania :
UFC 302, The Morning After: The Gloves Still SUCK!
MMAFighting.com :
Khabib Nurmagomedov: Islam Makhachev ‘grew a lot’ in UFC 302 win over Dustin Poirier
Middle Easy :
Dana White Refuses To Hail Islam Makhachev No. 1 P4P Over Jon Jones; Islam, ‘Bones’ Respond
MMA Junkie :
No surprise: Jon Jones stands by Dana White's claim he's MMA's all-time P4P great
MMAFighting.com :
Dana White rips judge scoring fight for Paulo Costa at UFC 302: ‘It was f*cking nuts’
MMA Junkie :
Islam Makhachev prefers UFC welterweight title shot over Arman Tsarukyan: 'It does not make sense when you have rematch'
MMAFighting.com :
Dustin Poirier explains what went wrong against Islam Makhachev and where he goes from here
MMA Junkie :
Dustin Poirier reacts to UFC 302 loss, ponders future: 'What else am I fighting for?'
Watch UFC 302 on Pay Per View
