UFC 189 Main Card

Featherweight: Chad Mendes vs Conor McGregor

I’ve seen the odds flip flop on this one and now McGregor is favored. I think Conor is going to win here. I’m not concerned about the takedown. I am concerned about the reach advantage for McGregor.

Welterweight: Robbie Lawler (Champion) vs Rory MacDonald

Such a tough call here as Lawler has been incredible in his career resurgence. Rory is a dangerous robot with precision, while Lawler is a technical boxer with serious power. I want Robbie to win, but I’m seeing Rory taking this fight. MacDonald is favored.

Featherweight: Dennis Bermudez vs Jeremy Stephens

I always bet with Stephens, but my guy has me thinking Bermudez is going to win this.

Welterweight: Gunnar Nelson vs Brandon Thatch

I don’t know if Nelson will be able to deal with the onslaught that Thatch brings.

Bantamweight: Brad Pickett vs Thomas Almeida

Everytime I pick Pickett, I lose. Pass as Almeida is insanely favored.

Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)

Welterweight: Matt Brown vs Tim Means

Matt Brown

Welterweight: Mike Swick vs Alex Garcia

Swick on the comeback – Pass

Welterweight: Cathal Pendred vs John Howard

Cathal is pretty relentless as a fighter and John Howard has shown that he tires in later rounds. However, John Howard has more weapons to win this and like him to win here.

Probably the most anticipated fight that I can remember, pits the imho, the current best p4p and certainly one of the best ever in history, Jon Jones, vs the dangerous and elusively strong wrestler, Daniel Cormier. The odds have Jon Jones favored -165 at Intertops, but most Pros have been picking Cormier to come out on top. In fact, from my research most fans think Cormier will be victorious as well.

There is no doubt, Cormier is unlike anyone Jon Jones has faced previously. The only one close to similar skills would be Rashad Evans, who has fought at heavyweight, had a great wrestling game, and Jones won that easily. HOWEVER, Cormier is a different beast. He stands in the pocket better, he throws tighter punches, and his wrestling is undeniably much better. Cormier wrestles effortlessly. It is different. Plain and simple. There is barely a struggle. Its all in his hips and where he places his base. It is second nature.

Cormier has gone the distance with fighters several times against fights with lesser fighters – much lesser. I have to think this one will at LEAST go the distance against one of the greatest fighters ever even in a Jon Jones loss. Those decisions were also very lopsided fights all unanimously in Cormier’s favor. Jones on the other hand has finished more fights, but also has a few unanimous decisions. The ONE fight that is questionable was against Gustaffson, which I think Jones lost a close one there, but it really was so close, Gustaffson didn’t take it away from the champ, so the judges didn’t it score it in Gustaffson’s favor. I understand that.

With the odds favoring Jones, I think this is a pass, however, I have been thinking Cormier will win this fight for a long time and now I’m switching it and think Jones will pull off an amazing win. As much as people are talking about Jones not facing a wrestler of this caliber, conversely, Cormier has not fought against a striker of Jones caliber. Nor has he fought someone with this reach. If Jones can sprawl and brawl plus avoid the takedown, I think Jones will win this. If either gets on top, I think its going to be problems for either fighter, but I think Jones survives more top damage, than Cormier will.

Chris Weidman (c) vs Anderson Silva Prediction

Silva will come out and do what he did to Weidman in the first round of their meetup without all the fanfare and clowning. Expecting big knees that will end this fight in the third.

Ronda Rousey (c) vs Miesha Tate Prediction

I don’t think Tate can do anything against Rousey. Rousey can take her down at will and keep her there. She is -700 though and its not worth playing.

Josh Barnett vs Travis Browne Prediction

Browne is a tough fighter, but Barnett will have the size to pin him up against the cage, dirty box a bit and then ultimately get Browne on his back. Barnett has a tough chin so I don’t expect him to get lucky against Josh. Expecting Barnett to control most of the fight and probably get the decision.

Jim Miller vs. Fabrício Camões Prediction

Pass

Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao

This one is going to come down to cardio or if Brandao and connect his power punch. Can Poirer submit Brandao? Maybe, but not likely. Brandao is very good at jiujitsu, but you rarely see it. He is also great at submission defense and instead likes to stand up and trade. I like Brandao here if he’s got his cardio together.

Chris Leben vs. Uriah Hall Prediction

Should be a good fight, but I think Uriah Hall will bring what he needs to in this fight. He has looked horrible his last two outings and he knows he can get cut here with one more shitty performance. They know this the UFC and that is why they put in the terminator Leben, who always walks forward and will make Hall fight.

I got Uriah in this one winning.

Gleison Tibau vs. Michael Johnson

Johnson

Dennis Siver vs. Manny Gamburyan

Siver is always fun to watch, but I’m, taking Manny here because I’m a fan. Siver is the busier fighter with more ways to win and is more powerful.

John Howard vs. Siyar Bahadurzada

Siyar

William Macario vs. Bobby Voelker

Bobby Voelker

Robbie Peralta vs. Estevan Payan

Pass