The UFC continues its Fight Pass series this weekend with UFC Fight Night 37. Live from the UK in the late morning-early afternoon, the card boasts an exciting main event and some interesting prospects throughout the card.
Alexander Gustafsson and Jimi Manuwa meet in the main feature at light heavyweight, with both men looking for title considerations with a win. For Manuwa, this bout represents the biggest of his career, while Gustafsson looks to earn his second title shot.
There are three bonuses up for grabs as usual. Let’s predict who will win each, with the two “Performance of the Night” bonuses likely going to the best knockout and submission.
Performance of the Night #1: Alexander Gustafsson
Let’s be honest here. Gustafsson is arguably the second-best light heavyweight in the world, especially after his performance against Jon Jones.
He now has a striker in front of him who has never been tested on the ground. As Gustafsson showed in his fight with Jones, he has vastly improved his wrestling and can take his opponent down.
If he does that in this fight, he will out-grapple Manuwa in dominant fashion. He is superior in the submission game, and if he pulls one off, he could be $50,000 richer.
Also in the running: Brad Pickett, Gunnar Nelson
Performance of the Night #2: Melvin Guillard
Co-main event participant Melvin Guillard has some nasty power in his hands. That has been proven in the fights he wins.
He has also improved his takedown defense, which will come in handy against Michael Johnson. While Johnson can indeed strike, he is a wrestler by nature and knows that will come in handy against Guillard.
However, this is a fight that Guillard has been getting for years, and this will go no different than most of his previous encounters that resemble this situation. He will touch Johnson’s chin, which the The Ultimate Fighter 12 vet will not like. It may be a fantastic knockout that earns Guillard another bonus.
Also in the running: Cyrille Diabate, Davey Grant, Luke Barnatt
Fight of the Night: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jimi Manuwa
Yes, Alexander Gustafsson may double up come Saturday. His matchup with Jimi Manuwa looks to be a fun bout with good striking and nice back-and-forth action.
Manuwa swings for the fences with every strike. Gustafsson is tough as nails and is rarely in a boring fight.
There are some other intriguing bouts on the card, but this will be the best one of the night. Add in that the headliner is usually always in the running no matter what and you have pretty much a shoo-in for Fight of the Night, assuming this isn’t a sub-minute bout.
Also in the running: Brad Pickett-Neil Seery, Michael Johnson-Melvin Guillard, Phil Harris-Louis Gaudinot
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