MMAFix writers, Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli and Josh Leduc, compete in their ongoing battle of UFC predictions. The dissension dates back to UFC on FX 6, and it’s been a tight race, especially seeing the two usually disagree on only a couple fights per event. Now sixty five fight in the competition, Ryan leads by one, correctly predicting forty fights and Josh with thirty nine.
Fight Freek breaks down the two fights on the card that they disagree on, and why they differ in opinion. This will give Josh an opportunity to pull ahead in the competition, if both fights go his way.
James Te Huna vs. Ryan Jimmo
Josh’s Toughts : Te Huna’s cardio is in question, so he’s going to win, it has to be in the first round. Jimmo is a skilled striker, and as he showed Anthony Perosh, he has the ability to knockout his opponents early. If he ever feels threatened by the power of Te Huna, his wrestling is good enough to take the fight down and wear out his opponent.
Pick : Ryan Jimmo
Ryan’s Thoughts : Jimmo may have knocked out Anthony Perosh in seven seconds, but Perosh in amateur on the feet at best. Te Huna will have the advantage in power, and his cardio got him through three fast paced rounds in his last fight, so the cardio stab goes out the window here. Jimmo will have to put Te Huna on his back and holds him there all three rounds, and I don’t see that happening. Te Huna knows the takedown could quite possibly come and he’ll be ready to counter with jaw breaking uppercuts.
Pick : James Te Huna
Jimi Manuwa vs. Cyrille Diabate
Josh’s Thoughts : Diabate is an excellent Muay Thai striker, and beaten the likes of Rick Roufus and Michael Bisping in kickboxing matches. Since working with Team Quest, Diabate has improved on his grappling, and won his most recent fight by rear naked choke. Between his technical striking, reach advantage, and improved ground game; the snake should have what it takes to win a decision if not finish his opponent.
Pick : Cyrille Diabate
Ryan’s Thoughts : Training with Team Quest or not, Diabate’s ground game is far from deadly. Even with his technical striking skills, he’s easily bullied and rarely utilizes his reach advantage. Manuwa has serious knockout power, and all but one of his fights have ended in such fashion. If Anthony Perosh, Tom DeBlass, and Chad Griggs have been able to get on the inside of his reach, so there’s no doubt that the physically strong and aggressive Manuwa can do the same, and land the finishing shots it will take to put Diabate’s lights out.
Pick : Jimi Manuwa
Here’s some quick thoughts on the rest of the bouts. It’s unfortunate that we don’t disagree on more fights, making this dissension a little more interesting. If it doesn’t end up being a tie, one of us is going to eat crow.
Ulysses Gomez vs. Phil Harris
Gomez can only win if he finds the submission. With Harris’ wrestling and knockout power, it’s more likely Gomez gets caught like he did against John Moraga. Harris by knockout.
Vaughan Lee vs. Motonobu Tezuka
Tezuka is strictly a ground fighter, and his conditioning is in question. Lee has underated submission skills and has much more proficient striking than Tezuka. Lee by knockout.
Tom Watson vs. Stanislav Nedkov
Watson was taken down by Brad Tavares, so Nedkov should have no issues doing the same. After all, he beat Thiago Silva for two rounds before the professional failed urine sample was able to submit Nedkov. Nedkov by decision.
Josh Grispi vs. Andy Ogle
Ogle can go all three rounds strong, and Grispi has maybe one round to submit him. Sorry, but it’s more likely that Grispi crumbles under the aggression of Ogle rather than securing a submission in under five minutes. Ogle by decision.
Paul Sass vs. Danny Castillo
Castillo will take Sass down, but it’ll backfire as Sass locks up another triangle/armbar. Sass by submission.
Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte
Etim has better striking, a significant reach advantage, and one heck of a guillotine. Forte isn’t ready for this level of competition, and he’ll realize that real quick. Etim by knockout.
Che Mills vs. Matthew Riddle
Riddle has no chance in a striking match with Mills, and he won’t be strong enough to get Mills down. Mills by knockout.
Gunnar Nelson vs. Jorge Santiago
Everything Santiago does well, Nelson does it better. Striking, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu; Nelson has every advantage. Nelson by knockout.
Cub Swanson vs. Dustin Poirier
Swanson’s better on the feet, Poirier’s better on the ground, but the talent gap is bigger on the feet. Between how much damage Poirier takes in his fights, and how much power Swanson has, Swanson emerges victorious. Swanson by knockout.
Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald
McDonald has a puncher’s chance, but Barao is too technical. He’ll keep McDonald on the outside with his kicks and win a decision, but an early submission wouldn’t be surprising. Barao by decision.
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek