Main Card Predictions
Amanda Nunes vs Julianna Pena
The Lioness Amanda Nunes is the most dominant female fighter in UFC history. She has destroyed former Champions, and some of the most feared fighters in Mixed Martial Arts including Cyborg, Rousey, Shevchenko, and Tate.
Everyone was surprised when Julianna Pena stopped her to win the Bantamweight Title last December. Pena's gritty style defied Nunes' exceptional skill, and forced Amanda into a brawl. A brawl that she lost in dramatic fashion.
Julianna Pena is determined to prove her win wasn't a fluke. She will once again look to make this a gritty fight, and force Amanda Nunes out of her comfort zone. It was her long jab that made the difference in the last fight. That's what I expect her to lean on now.
This time around I expect to see a far more patient and more calculated Amanda Nunes. This will be a very different fight. I don't expect it to go the distance, but the winner won't be as surprising this time around.
PREDICTION
Amanda Nunes to Win
BETS
Level 1 - Fight to go the Distance: NO
Level 2 - Nunes to WIN
Level 3 - Nunes to Win by KO, TKO, or SUB
Brandon Moreno vs Kai Kara-France
This is a rematch from 2019 where Moreno won a close Decision. The biggest difference between that previous fight and this one is the number of Rounds. This will be a 5 Round Title fight.
Brandon Moreno is looking to regain his Title, and it's important to remember that his last 3 fights were scheduled for 5 Rounds. Two of those fights went the distance. Moreno will be well prepared to go all 25 minutes if need be.
Kai Kara-France is known for maintaining a rapid pressure pace. Of course that's much easier to achieve when your fights are only scheduled for 3 Rounds. Having never been in a 5 Round fight. It will be interesting to see if Kara-France slows his pace a bit.
Personally I believe that Kara-France's best route to victory is to pressure Brandon Moreno. He has the combinations to potentially knock him out. Easier said than done though because Deiveson Figueiredo hasn't been able to stop him.
PREDICTION
Brandon Moreno to Win
BETS
Bet Level 1 - Brandon Moreno to Win
Bet Level 2 - Fight to go the Distance: YES
Bet Level 3 - Kara-France by KO, TKO, or SUB
Magomed Ankalaev vs Anthony Smith
On paper this looks like a mismatch. Magomed is on an 8 fight Win streak and only has 1 loss. Smith has 16 losses on his record, although he is on a 3 fight Win streak. Having seen many of Anthony Smith's fights though. I understand why the UFC Matchmakers set this fight up.
Anthony Smith is an opportunist. He finds ways to Win. Whether it's by Rear Naked Choke, or a vicious Knee up against the cage. Smith is always dangerous.
Magomed Ankalaev is a Dagestani style Wrestler who can sometimes look to grind out victories against strong opponents. He has some vicious Ground and Pound but against Smith that could leave him exposed to a Submission.
This should be a wrestling clinic, but don't be surprised if Smith threatens Ankalaev with some Knees or Elbows in the clinch, and Submission attempts on the Ground.
PREDICTION
Magomed Ankalaev to Win
BETS
Bet Level 1 - Magomed Ankalaev to Win
Bet Level 2 - Ankalaev by KO, TKO, or SUB
Bet Level 3 - Smith by KO, TKO, or SUB
Sergei Pavlovich vs Derrick Lewis
The young vs the old. Does Derrick Lewis at 37 years old have anything left. Derrick Lewis has lost 2 of his last 3 fights. Pavlovich is on a 3 fight win streak.
What stands out to me is the Level of competition each fighter has faced. Lewis has faced the best in the Division. Pavlovich only has 1 loss on his record but that's against the only Heavyweight star he has faced. Lewis represents a true test for Pavlovich to prove he has developed since losing to Overeem.
I don't believe Derrick Lewis is done yet. His last loss was the result of underestimating Tai Tuivasa's chin. He was still plenty dangerous in that fight.
Pavlovich is on a 3 fight first Round knockout streak. His opponents weren't especially dangerous so he took the fight to them. If he attempts to take the fight to Derrick Lewis, he will get slept.
The longer this fight goes, the better it is for Pavlovich in my opinion. Pavlovich has showcased some good movement in previous fights. He can frustrate Derrick Lewis from the outside, and make him make a mistake. I have a feeling though that the recent knockouts will have Pavlovich coming forward from the get go. If he does that it could mean disaster.
PREDICTION
Derrick Lewis to Win
BETS
Bet Level 1 - Fight to go the Distance: NO
Bet Level 2 - Derrick Lewis to Win
Bet Level 3 - Lewis by KO, TKO, or SUB
Alexandre Pantoja vs Alex Perez
This is one of those fights that is brutal to pick. Both of these fighters have Title aspirations, and possess similar skills.
Alexandre Pantoja had his last lost against current Champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Alex Perez had his last loss against Figueiredo as well.
Both fighters are equally at home Standing or on the Ground. I would give Pantoja a slight advantage Standing, and Perez a slight advantage on the Ground.
So how do you pick this? In situations like this I prefer to play the Odds. I will always bet the Underdog when it's basically a Pick'em.
PREDICTION
Alex Perez to Win
BETS
Bet Level 1 - Alex Perez to Win
Bet Level 2 - Fight to go the Distance: YES
Bet Level 3 - Perez by KO, TKO, or SUB
WHO ARE YOU BETTING ON THIS WEEK?
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