BUFFALO, New York– Tonight is a night in which the Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier can move one step closer to facing his demons. Jon Jones awaits the winner of this fight once he is reinstated by the UFC, so this should be interesting. If Cormier wins, the rematch between the rivals is there. If Rumble wins, the fight that never happened is there. Either way, excitement will be in the air at the Keybank Arena in Buffalo, New York.
Here are my picks for tonight’s card, a card that features prominent names and matchups.
Jenel Lausa vs. Magumed Bibulatov– Bibulatov is a monster and can finish anyone at any point in time. I look for him to finish Lausa in the second round by submission.
Winner: Bibulatov via second-round submission
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Irene Aldana- Chookagian is a very skilled fighter who didn’t get to show that against Liz Carmouche at UFC 205. That changes here with a dominant performance over Aldana.
Winner: Chookagian via Unanimous Decision
Josh Emmett vs. Desmond Green– This could be a case of the home state motivation for Green, as most of the time fighters perform well in front of their home. Green should win this fight, but will not look overly impressive.
Winner: Green via Split Decision
Gregor Gillespie vs. Andrew Holbrook- Gillespie will dominate this fight on the ground. Big showing for Gregor tonight.
Winner: Gillespie via Unanimous Decision
Patrick Cummins vs. Jan Blachowicz- Two guys looking for a win in a fight overshadowed by other fights on the card. I’ll take Blachowicz.
Winner: Blachowicz via Split Decision
Shane Burgos vs. Charles Rosa- Burgos will look to shut down the ground game of Rosa and will succeed by finishing him in the second.
Winner: Burgos via Second-Round TKO
Kamaru Usman vs. Sean Strickland– Usman is super impressive and can really impress here against Strickland. He’ll do that.
Winner: Usman via First-Round Knockout
Myles Jury vs. Mike de la Torre- Jury will have to turn it around eventually, right? I think so.
Winner: Jury via Unanimous Decision
Will Brooks vs. Charles Oliveira– Brooks is looking to rebound after a tough loss against Alex Oliveira in a fight where Oliveira overpowered him after missing weight. Brooks will break down Oliveira and force him to tap.
Winner: Brooks via Third-Round Submission
Thiago Alves vs. Patrick Cote- Probably the least appealing fight on the card, Cote and Alves will duke it out and somebody will get finished.
Winner: Alves via First-Round Knockout
Cynthia Calvillo vs. Pearl Gonzalez– This fight wasn’t expected to happen after Gonzalez got pulled from the card due to an NYSAC regulation regarding breast implants. The fight is back on and Gonzalez will get to fight in her debut. Unfortunately for her, she takes on Cynthia Calvillo. Calvillo will take her down enough to limit Gonzalez’ game, thus securing a razor-sharp victory.
Winner: Cynthia Calvillo via Split Decision
Chris Weidman vs. Gegard Mousasi– Two tremendous fighters who are trapped in the Middleweight shuffle right now, a division being occupied by Michael Bisping and GSP. I think the winner has a good chance of being third in line for the title shot, if that sounds like it’s worth anything.
Winner: Weidman via Split Decision
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson– The winner of this fight will take on Jon Jones- no if’s, and’s or but’s. I think this is an eerily similar situation to the first fight. Rumble is an excellent striker who carries bombs in his fists. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to detonate the bombs while on his back getting pummeled by Cormier. Cormier forces Johnson to surrender again, setting up the long overdue rematch.
Winner: Cormier via Third-Round Submission
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