Brian Mazique | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

UFC Fight Night 26: Preview, Predictions, Fight Card, Highlights and Start Time

Simply put, the card for UFC Fight Night 26 is stacked. It’s funny that an event without a title fight could possibly offer the best MMA card this year. On Saturday night, this historic event will take place live from TD Gardens in Boston, Mass.
Becaus…

Because this event will help launch the Fox Sports 1 network, the grocery list of compelling fights couldn’t come at a better time. Putting Chael Sonnen—the promotion’s No. 1 mouthpiece—opposite the legendary and understated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua creates a nice balance for the feature bout.

What Dana White and the UFC have done is compiled an event filled with bouts that could be co-main events—or at least main-card bouts—on most cards. Assembling them should make for an excellent night of MMA action.

Here’s how you can watch the action as well as my predictions for each bout. The highlighted predictions will feature a deeper analysis below. Check out the Fight Night Bonus section as well for my predictions on the fighters whose performances will earn them extra cash.

Diego Brandao Will Edge Daniel Pineda in a Thriller

I expect the event to produce a good number of entertaining bouts, but this featherweight clash is my pick as the Fight of the Night. When you match two solid submissions artists who have both shown the ability to do damage in the stand-up game, the fighters will usually deliver a well-rounded display of MMA action.

Both men have won Submission of the Night in their UFC careers. Pineda took home the honor at The Ultimate Fighter 17 against Justin Lawrence. Brandao won it against Dennis Bermudez at the Ultimate Fighter 14 finale.

Because this fight figures to be a stalemate on the ground, expect to see matters settled with striking.

Brandao is a bit more dynamic in this department, and he should have the edge in significant strikes. Fans should be treated to some excellent groundwork from both men and a touch of brawling.

When the dust settles, Brandao will have his hand raised.

Michael McDonald Will Eek Out a Win Over Veteran Brad Pickett

I went back and forth with this bout and the Brandao-Pineda fight as my choice for Fight of the Night. Both have potential to be excellent contests. Pickett is 34 years old, but he has resisted the notion that he is at the end of his rope.

He has won Fight of the Night three times and KO of the Night once in his UFC career. The man they call “One Punch” has tremendous power and is a world-class wrestler. He’s physically stronger than McDonald, but the 22-year-old has the edge in overall athleticism.

McDonald is a dynamic striker who ran into a buzz saw in Renan Barao in his last fight. This one figures to be exciting and bloody. It could easily end in a knockout considering the two fighter’s striking prowess, but both men also have solid chins.

McDonald’s speed will lead to a striking advantage and a decision victory.

Joe Lauzon is Going to Twist Michael Johnson Up Like a Pretzel

This fight couldn’t be better set up for Lauzon to shine. He is one of the best submission artists in UFC history, having won Submission of the Night five times in his career.

Johnson seems to be a sitting duck here. Six of his eight losses have come by way of—you guessed it—submission.

In his last fight against Reza Madadi, he seemed lifeless, reserved and was simply waiting to be made to tap out. Lauzon won’t make him wait too long. Despite his grappling style, his fights only last an average of 6:28, per FightMetric.com.

This is the best bet for Submission of the Night.

Overeem or Browne? Someone is Going to Get Knocked Out

Not only is this fight almost assured of ending in a KO, the climax is probably going to be vicious. With over 510 pounds of beef in the Octagon, something explosive is on the horizon.

Both fighters have histories of dishing and absorbing brutal knockouts. This fight is easily the best candidate for KO of the Night.

Overeem and Browne have felt the wrath of Antonio “Big Foot” Silva, but pitted against each other, it is hard to predict which giant will land first.

It is possible the first man to land a significant shot will win this fight. Browne has shown the better chin in his career, but despite holding a three-inch height advantage, Overeem has the longer arms with a ridiculous 80″ reach.

In what amounts to a toss-up, I’ll take Browne simply because it is hard to believe in Overeem after his embarrassing loss to Silva. The loss was demoralizing and almost a microcosm of Overeem’s big potential, but underachieving existence in MMA.

Browne is also a better conditioned fighter and if the two men survive the initial barrage of strikes, stamina could play a major role.

Sonnen Will Finally Find the Big-Name Fighter He Can Beat

Sonnen has called out the biggest and best in the UFC and failed to deliver a win. That trend will end on Saturday night. In Rua’s most recent fights, he’s looked slow and tired after the first round.

It is almost a given Sonnen will take this fight to the ground and expose Rua’s declining stamina. While Rua is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he leans more towards his Muay Thai background.

At this stage in his career, he doesn’t possess the quickness, reach, athleticism or varied attacks to prevent Sonnen from driving him to the mat.

Chael will win a decision as he dominates positioning in the main event.

Follow me and witness my passion for sports and video games.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 163: Fighters with Most to Lose in Rio

The stakes are high for several fighters scheduled to compete at UFC 163 in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night.
Featherweight champion and proud Brazilian Jose “Scarface” Aldo will have his pride and title on the line against the “The Korean Zombie” Chan…

The stakes are high for several fighters scheduled to compete at UFC 163 in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night.

Featherweight champion and proud Brazilian Jose “Scarface” Aldo will have his pride and title on the line against the “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.

There has been talk that Aldo could move up to lightweight should he win in Rio, vacating the featherweight title. Still, it’s a given that he’d prefer to give up the strap as opposed to being beaten for it.

That would put a huge damper on his potential plans and leave questions as to where he stands amongst the sport’s elite.

In short, Aldo wants a win over Jung badly.

Other fighters on the card who desperately need a win on Saturday aren’t in as good of a position as Aldo.

Rani Yahya Has to Beat Josh Clopton

When a submissions master like Yahya takes on a significantly less-experienced grappler with no striking prowess like Clopton, the expectations are that Yahya should take Clopton to school.

Yahya has had 25 professional fights, he’s 18-7 with 15 wins coming by way of submission. Clopton has had only eight fights in his career. He is 6-1-1, but he’s never won by KO and doesn’t display any notable striking potential.

If Yahya were to lose this fight, there be would serious questions as to where he fits in the UFC. But he should win.

Uncle Creepy Needs a Win Over Illiarde Santos

Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall has faced two of the best flyweights in the world in his most recent fights. He drew with champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in March 2012 and lost a decision in the rematch three months later.

After an eight-month hiatus, McCall returned and dropped a decision to Joseph Benavidez in February.

Illiarde Santos is not as highly regarded yet in the UFC, but he is a formidable striker with 12 of his 27 wins coming by KO. McCall is faced with the possibilities of losing his third-straight fight.

A loss to Santos would clearly send McCall plummeting down the ladder of one of the UFC’s lowest-profile divisions.

What Happens if Phil Davis Can’t Beat Lyoto Machida?

Everyone hungry for a new set of serious challengers for light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones will weep.

Hardly anyone should believe that Davis has a chance to beat Jones—assuming the champion takes care of Alexander Gustaffson at UFC 165—but at least Davis would represent a new face for Bones to punch.

If Davis can’t beat a still-formidable Machida, he’ll have ascended to the cusp of a title shot for the second time only to lose his chance, as he did against Rashad Evans in Jan. 2012.

Davis needs to win to avoid being known as a Michael Bisping-like B-Class fighter.

Follow me for MMA news, results, predictions and spirited opinions.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 163: Highlighting Bouts with Fight Night Bonus Potential

Flyweight isn’t yet a glamour division in the UFC. As skilled as champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and others such as John “The Magician” Dodson and John Moraga are, their fights are too technical for some casual fans.
For the MMA fans who pre…

For the MMA fans who prefer more in-your-face action, the John “Hands of Stone” Lineker vs. Jose “No Chance” Maria bout may be more to their liking. This clash is scheduled to open the main card of UFC 163 on Saturday at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro.

While Lineker and Maria aren’t slow pokes, their primary talents are based on speed and elusiveness. Both fighters want to launch bombs and are more comfortable attacking. Of the two, Maria looks to be the more well-rounded fighter.

The 31-year-old Brazilian has amassed an impressive 33-3 record with 15 wins by KO and 13 by submission. He’s confident and keeps coming forward to apply pressure.

Lineker isn’t the type of fighter who will back down, though. He’s 21-6 with nine of his wins coming via KO. Most recently, he stopped Azamat Gashimov in the second round at UFC on FX 8 in May.

These two men could be set for one of the most exciting flyweight bouts in the division’s history. Because it’s placed on the main card in such a great city for MMA like Rio, the impact of a classic fight could be huge.

This one has clear “Fight of the Night” potential and could help endear the flyweight division to casual fans.

The Women’s Bout Could Produce the KO of the Night

While Lineker vs. Maria has some “Knockout of the Night” potential as well, the lone women’s bout on the card stands out as a possibility for the bonus too.

Amanda “Lioness” Nunes is a strong striker with a noticeable four-inch reach advantage over Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff. The latter was knocked out in her last bout with Sara McMann. She didn’t show much in the way of defense in that fight and dealing with a much bigger fighter like Nunes could spell more trouble.

Nunes had six straight TKO wins from 2008-2011. Take a look at her stopping Julia Budd in Strikeforce.

The Lioness is a major striker matched against a shorter opponent coming off a nasty KO loss. That could get lead to a fat bonus on Saturday night for Nunes.

Which Fight Is a Better Bet for Submission of the Night?

Rani Yahya vs. Josh Clopton

Both Yahya and Clopton are submission specialists, but Yahya is one of the best in the sport. Of his 18 wins, 15 have come by submission. Clopton has far less experience, but he has won two of six fights by tapout.

Attempting to outgrapple Yahya would seem to be a losing proposition for Clopton, but he has yet to display the striking prowess to suggest he can gain an advantage in the stand-up.

This fight seems destined to go to the mat, and Yahya may come up with a submission win that garners him a bonus. He won “Submission of the Night” twice during his days in the WEC (WEC 40 and 42), but Saturday could mark his first time gaining the honor in the UFC.

Thailes Leites vs. Tom Watson

This bout has both “KO of the Night” and “Submission of the Night” potential. Watson is the more powerful and effective striker, but the question is whether he’ll be able to impose his will on Leites.

The 32-year-old Brazilian is returning to the UFC for the first time since 2009 as an accomplished submission artist. He’s finished 13 of his 20 wins with a submission, and he chains and transitions ground attacks well.

Watching him work on the ground can be a thing of beauty. If Watson is overzealous in his pursuit, Leites could lure him into a nasty trap.

If Leites gets Watson to the mat, he’ll make him tap out, but will it be enough to earn the bonus?

Stay tuned.

Follow me for MMA news, results, predictions and spirited opinions.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Phil Davis vs. Lyoto Machida Has Big-Time Snoozer Potential

Two big names don’t always equate to an epic fight. We learned that at UFC on Fox 8 when Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger bored us into submission.
We could be headed for a similar feeling when Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida takes on “Mr. Wonderful” Phi…

Two big names don’t always equate to an epic fight. We learned that at UFC on Fox 8 when Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger bored us into submission.

We could be headed for a similar feeling when Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida takes on “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis at UFC 163 in Rio de Janeiro. There is no disputing the resumes of both of these light heavyweights, but the fighting prowess of both men could be the reason we’re put to sleep by another co-feature bout.

Machida and Davis have different styles, but both men are very cerebral. Machida will rarely put himself in harm’s way and genuinely sticks to his game plan meticulously. This tendency has increased since suffering stoppage/submission defeats to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Jon “Bones” Jones.

Against Dan Henderson, Machida wisely took Hendo to the ground and kept him there to easily take a unanimous decision win. It was the right game plan, but it wasn’t exciting to watch.

Davis is not an exceptionally strong striker, despite his 79″ reach and bodybuilder-like frame. He’s only had two KO wins in his career and those came in 2009 before he joined the UFC.

To beat Machida, he needs to take him to the mat. While the Dragon is no amateur on the ground, he’s no match for Davis, a former All-American wrestler at Penn State University.

So the question is, does Machida strike from the outside exclusively because he is wary of any takedown attempt from Mr. Wonderful? He could possibly win a rather uneventful decision with this strategy.

It is more likely than Davis gaining top position at multiple points during the fight which would send Machida into the guard and on the defensive.

His defensive ground game is probably good enough to survive for stretches, but Davis will likely rack up rounds based on takedowns and top control.

Still, this potential sequence of events doesn’t lend itself to a ton of excitement either.

There is the possibility that Machida catches Davis with something dynamic as Davis attempts to close the distance. But considering Davis is the second-toughest man to hit in UFC history with a strikes absorbed per minute average of 1.08, per FightMetric.com, the odds are slim on that happening.

This fight has lackluster written all over it, but I’d love to be wrong.

Sometimes the most exciting fights are made with two less-calculated fighters who are overly confident. Then again, who am I to pick. I’m not the one getting hit or choked out.

Follow me for MMA news, results, predictions and spirited opinions.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Aldo vs. Jung: Breaking Down Headline Bout at UFC 163

I was a little bummed when UFC president Dana White announced that Anthony “Showtime” Pettis wouldn’t be facing UFC featherweight champion, Jose “Scarface” Aldo as planned at UFC 163 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.
But “The Korean…

But “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung presents a different set of challenges for Aldo, and the bout could still be entertaining.

While Jung is less dynamic than Pettis, his ability to take shots, recover and continue is part of what makes him dangerous.

They Don’t Call Him the Korean Zombie for Nothing

Jung garnered his catchy moniker for his ability to absorb punishment and come-forward style. Don’t take that description to mean he is a battering ram with a lack of sophistication to his attack.

He is one of the more well-rounded offensive fighters in the sport. Highlight reels only show so much, but take a look at some of the best moments of Jung’s MMA career to get a taste of his versatility.

Pettis would have been a tough fight, but Jung will be no picnic for Scarface.

The World’s Best Featherweight Will Aim to Please the Brazilian Crowd

Aldo would be a handful in the Octagon anywhere in the world, but he’s especially tough when he’s charged by fans from his native Brazil.

In Jan. 2012, Aldo scored a huge KO win over Chad Mendes in the same arena where he’ll meet Jung. After Mendes was left unconscious from a precise knee, the champion rushed into the adoring Brazilian crowd.

The win and the aftermath created one of the more memorable scenes in recent MMA history. Aldo will be looking to make a scene again on Saturday night.

The Striking

Jung has had his moments as a striker. Check out his seven-second KO of Mark Hominick at UFC 140.

But Aldo is possibly the most dynamic striker in the UFC. His array of knees, kicks and punches and his use of the cage are unpredictable and dangerous. His leg kicks are among the best in the sport, often setting the tempo of his bouts.

In addition to his varied techniques, he is the superior athlete as well. Not only is he a great striker, he’s hard to hit. Per FightMetric.com, Aldo only absorbs 1.91 strikes per minute.

His quickness on offense and defense could be the difference in this matchup.

Grappling and Submissions

Aldo almost always wants to keep the fight standing. Because of his quickness and excellent takedown defense (92 percent per FightMetric.com), he’s usually able to avoid going to the ground.

He’ll need to do that against Jung on Saturday.

The Korean Zombie’s transitions and arsenal of submission maneuvers are impressive. He can seemingly turn just about any position into a submission opportunity, but he’s especially deadly when he has his opponent’s back.

If Jung can keep this fight on the ground or counter Aldo’s strikes with a takedown-submission combination, he has a chance to pull off the upset.

Weaknesses

Are Tempo and Pace Issues for Aldo?

Aldo’s bout with Frankie Edgar in February caused some to doubt the Brazilian’s conditioning and ability to maintain a frenetic pace. Although Aldo won the fight, Edgar appeared to be the stronger and fresher fighter in the final two rounds.

This could be partially attributed to the fact that Edgar is a machine. However, it is also worth noting—as I’m sure Jung has—that Edgar kept constant pressure on Aldo and wouldn’t allow him to take breaks during the fight.

Because Aldo usually sets the pace with his leg kicks and quickness, he’s able to conserve energy and push the action when he likes. Against Edgar, he was forced to go all out for most of the bout.

Does Jung have the speed to emulate and improve upon Edgar’s strategy? Also, will Jung’s two-inch height advantage allow him to reach Aldo more often than the shorter Edgar could?

Carelessness During Exchanges Could Cost Jung

The Korean Zombie can get carried away during close exchanges with his opponents. He can depend on his long reach, strong chin and good punching power a little too much. When he does, this can happen:

This KO loss came courtesy of George Roop at WEC 51 in 2010. It was the last time Jung lost but not the last time he’s shown a vulnerability to strikes.

Even in some of his signature wins, he threw wide, winging punches with his head straight up. If there is any featherweight in the world capable of making Jung pay for this tendency, it is Aldo.

Jung must be careful on the inside, or Aldo will punish him for his mistakes.

Prediction

This is an intriguing bout for many reasons. The styles could create an exciting fight, and it’ll be interesting to see what Aldo has done to address what could be considered a weakness.

Likewise, we’ll get to see if Jung tries to build on what Edgar accomplished.

Aldo is my pick based on his ability to strike accurately and with flair. His style impresses judges, and his ability to avoid takedowns and strikes bodes well for him.

He’ll win a competitive but clear unanimous decision over The Korean Zombie.

Follow me for MMA news, predictions, results and spirited opinions.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 163: Aldo vs. Jung Fight Card, TV Info, Predictions and More

The crowd at the HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil will be decidedly pro Jose “Scarface” Aldo when the featherweight champion defends his title against the “Korean Zombie,” Chan-Sung Jung at UFC 163.
Aldo is one of Brazil’s greatest fighters, but Ju…

Aldo is one of Brazil’s greatest fighters, but Jung presents a formidable challenge. Previously, Aldo was set to battle Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, but a knee injury forced Pettis out, and Jung stepped up for a shot at the gold.

This bout will headline the card in Rio, but as usual, there’s a plethora of pugilists on tap to do battle in the Octagon. Here’s the fight card with TV/online coverage information and predictions for each fight.

Fights marked with an asterisk feature a more detailed analysis below.

Facebook prelims begin at 6 p.m ET, FX prelims start at 8 p.m and the main card commences at 10 p.m ET.

Records per Sherdog.com

Jose Maria “No Chance” Tome Will Win a Flyweight Slugfest With John “Hands of Stone” Lineker

For all the MMA fans that don’t have a taste for flyweights like reigning champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, this pairing may be more to your liking.

Lineker and Tome like to scrap toe-to-toe, and this could be one of the most explosive flyweight battles in UFC history. The history is short, but this fight should make its mark nonetheless.

Tome’s impressive MMA record also includes 15 wins by KO, and this one should be the 16th. No Chance never takes a step backward and applies pressure from all angles. He’s just as likely to launch a leaping knee as he is to fire punches.

Lineker does punch well, but he can be worn down when the fight goes to the ground. Though neither man will likely stay on the mat, the fighter that has the most energy when the battle resumes in the stand-up will have the edge.

That should be Tome. Take a look at No Chance’s highlight reel if you’re unfamiliar with his talents:

He has the skills to finish on the ground, but in his UFC debut and in front of his countrymen, he’ll want to make a statement. This one has so much potential, it could grab KO of the Night and Fight of the Night honors.

We may look back and say this is the fight that ultimately put over the flyweight division with the masses.

Thailes Leites Will Win Battle of Contrasting Styles

Tom “Kong” Watson wants to overpower his opponent with strikes. He uses hard right hands and lumberjack-like leg kicks to soften his foes, but Leites knows his strengths and plays to them well.

The first chance he gets to take Watson to the ground, he’ll take it. It is doubtful Watson will be able to defend the talented grapplers attempts to take this fight to the mat.

If he can, this entire prediction will be wrong because there is no way Leites can strike with Watson. Here’s Kong demolishing Murilo “Ninja” Rua.

Watson’s takedown defense hasn’t been tested on the level it will be tested on Saturday night.

Leites is relentless once he gains an advantageous position on the ground. The video below is an example of this concept. Though common opponents don’t tell the entire story, take a look at how Leites finished Jesse Taylor, a fighter Watson had dropped a unanimous decision to four months prior:

This will come down to who can control the identity of the fight. I’m betting its Leites will win by submission.

Phil Davis Will Prevail in a Potentially Boring Scrap With the Dragon

Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis is capable of the spectacular finish via submission, but when his fights don’t end that way, they are usually snoozers. Likewise, Lyoto “the Dragon” Machida is capable of spectacular finishes via strikes, but when he’s wary of the skill of his opponent, he can be almost too cautious.

Machida respected Dan Henderson’s power so much, he made his fight with Danimal almost unwatchable, even though he dominated.

This could be a great clash of styles as well, but instead, I expect it to be a safe fight. Machida is far from an amateur on the ground, but he can’t handle Davis’ strength and technique as a wrestler. If Machida can keep the fight standing, he has a chance to win, and we have a chance to see a good fight.

Too bad Mr. Wonderful is going to plant and ride the Dragon for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Scarface is too Athletic for the Korean Zombie

It’s hard not to like Jung. He’s all action, skilled and can take a punch. The problem for Jung with the matchup between he and Aldo is speed.

Aldo changes levels, fires vicious leg kicks and dynamic attacks at a pace that Jung won’t be able to keep up with. To his credit, the Korean Zombie’s ability to counter and transition moves is elite, but he hasn’t faced a fighter as fast as Aldo.

When you mix in the fact that Scarface’s strikes also pack a wallop, the champion has the edge.

Look for Jung to be stunned once or twice, but his magnificent chin will keep him upright. He’ll likely have a few solid moments, but over five rounds, Aldo will land more leg kicks and powerful strikes to earn a decision.

Follow me for MMA news, results and spirited opinions.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com