DETROIT, Michigan- The UFC heads on into Detroit, Michigan for UFC 218 which features a Featherweight Title clash between current titleholder Max Holloway and former 145-pound champion Jose Aldo. Holloway will be making his first title defense after claiming the title from Aldo at UFC 212 in the ex-king pin’s home country via third-round stoppage. Holloway is riding an eleven-fight winning streak that boasts wins over Aldo, Cub Swanson, Anthony Pettis, Charles Oliveira, and Ricardo Lamas. Aldo has lost two of his last three fights and will try to turn it around.
With a beautifully-aligned main card of violence, let’s take a look at the entire card’s worth of predictions from yours truly.
PRELIM QUICK HITS:
Justin Willis vs. Allen Crowder
Jeremy Kimball vs. Dominick Reyes
Sabah Homasi vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
Amanda Cooper vs. Angela Magana
Felice Herrig vs. Cortney Casey
David Teymur vs. Drakkar Klose
Alex Oliveira vs. Yancy Medeiros
Charles Oliveira vs. Paul Felder
MAIN CARD:
Tecia Torres vs. Michelle Waterson- This is a nice opener to what is an enticing main card to purchase for fans. Torres is performing really well and could position herself for a UFC Women’s Strawweight shot against newly-crowned champion Rose Namajunas. Waterson on the other end is looking for a bounce-back fight after being finished by Karolina Kowalkiewicz in her last outing. I think the latter gets a much-needed victory on the ground.
Winner: Michelle Waterson via Second-Round Submission
Eddie Alvarez vs. Justin Gaethje- It’s interesting that Eddie Alvarez is now in his third fight against a perennial powerhouse on the feet. After being finished by Conor McGregor to lose his UFC Lightweight Championship and having a no-contest end his fight against Dustin Poirier, Alvarez runs into heavy-handed warrior Justin Gaethje. Gaethje is a decorated wrestler and if he chose to, could easily utilize his ground game to finish off opponents. Instead, he chooses to wage war standing up and determine who the better man is by whoever crumbles first. Alvarez cannot get sucked into that trap as it would be a nearly identical fight to when he took on “The Notorious”. If Alvarez takes Gaethje to the ground, he can at least test the waters. It might not be ideal, but neither is trading shots with a guy unafraid to be hit.
Winner: Justin Gaethje via Second-Round Knockout
Henry Cejudo vs. Sergio Pettis- Cejudo is the second-best flyweight in the world behind Demetrious Johnson. He was embarrassed by Johnson in his only crack at the title and has been grinding to improve his all-around game ever since. Though he suffered a loss to Joseph Benavidez that was controversially scored, he has since won two straight by dismantling his foes. Pettis hasn’t faced anyone like Cejudo and will have to step up his game immensely from his matchup against Brandon Moreno. Cejudo will handle business on the mat after showing off some of his newfound striking.
Winner: Henry Cejudo via Unanimous Decision
Alistair Overeem vs. Francis Ngannou- Overeem is not the same man that won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Championship. He is not the same man that disposed of a returning Brock Lesnar. Instead, he is a former shell of himself that is trying to remain relevant by getting one more shot at current UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. At this point, Francis Ngannou may be the scariest man in the sport that is not a champion right now. He is still fairly raw in areas, but his power makes up for it. He will absolutely control Overeem until he wants the fight to end. Point blank.
Winner: Francis Ngannou via First-Round Knockout
UFC Featherweight Championship: Max Holloway vs. Jose Aldo- What a fall from grace for Jose Aldo, who was once known as the most dangerous fighter amongst the lighter weight divisions. He is reeling right now and besides a unanimous decision victory for the Interim UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 200 back last July against Frankie Edgar, he has not been his explosive self. On the other hand, Max Holloway has put it all together. Where Aldo has fallen off since losing to Conor McGregor, Holloway has grown and bettered himself. He is riding an eleven-fight winning streak and is the man at 145-pounds, clearly improved in all facets of his game. Is Aldo just soaking in what could be his last ride or is he just that confident that he will reclaim his title on Saturday? Time will tell.
Winner: Jose Aldo via Unanimous Decision
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