UFC on FOX 22 Predictions: Will PVZ Keep Rising?

The UFC returns with their second-to-last card of the year with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. While it may not be receiving the attention of Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited return in the main event of UFC 207 on December 30, UFC on FOX still presents a

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The UFC returns with their second-to-last card of the year with tomorrow night’s (Sat., December 17, 2016) UFC on FOX 22 from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

While it may not be receiving the attention of Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited return in the main event of UFC 207 on December 30, UFC on FOX still presents a packed main card featuring the potential rise of two women’s strawweight stars, two more young welterweight talents, the final bout of longtime top contender Urijah Faber, and an opening bout set to feature all-out fireworks between Alan Jouban and Mike Perry.

All in all, it’s set to be an action-packed night that sets the stage for the massive curtain-closer on what has been a groundbreaking year for the sport of MMA.

Find out whom we picked to win the main and co-main below.

Paige VanZant vs. Michelle Waterson:

Mike Drahota:

This is a bout that’s perfect for a FOX card, as either VanZant or Waterson will be made into one of MMA’s major future stars in front of a large audience, and a back-and-forth fight will boost both women’s popularity exponentially. I think ’12 Gauge’ is one of the toughest outs in the 115-pound division, although that can lead her to take too much damage, like in her bout with Rose Namajunas. She showed some flashy knockout ability in her most recent win over Bec Rawlings, yet the victory masked some deficiencies in her game.

It’s true Waterson has the experience edge on VanZant overall, however, “The Karate Hottie” still has much to prove after only UFC win over Angela Magana in July 2015. Injuries seem to be the only thing holding the former Invicta champion from rapidly climbing the rankings, and she clearly has all the tools to do just that. While she needs to shake the rust of only two fights in over two years, I think Waterson has the fight smarts and well-rounded technique to outlast the brute assault of ’12 Gauge.’ Waterson by unanimous decision.

Rory Kernaghan:

In this strawweight main event, I have to say I really like Paige VanZant’s chances. She’s really starting to grow as a fighter, and what we saw in her last fight was nothing short of incredible. She’s proved to be durable in the past too. Michelle Waterson undoubtedly has her chops in the striking, and has showed rapid improvement in the submission game too. It’s more of a gut pick for me, and I’m taking PVZ by decision.

Mike Henken:

A key factor that went into my prediction for this fight was Waterson’s injuries and lengthy layoff, as she hasn’t competed since July 2015, while VanZant has competed three times during that time. I feel as if “The Karate Hottie” is undoubtedly the more polished striker and she comes from one of the best camps in the world in Jackson’s MMA. I simply feel as if “12 Gauge” will look to push the pace and attempt to out grapple Waterson, which is why I see her securing a victory in her adopted home of Sacramento. VanZant by unanimous decision.

Mandatory Credit Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit Joshua Dahl for USA TODAY Sports

Sage Northcutt vs. Mickey Gall:

Mike Drahota:

It seems like there’s a trend for this card, as the co-main event also features a match between two highly marketable potential future stars. Northcutt has been groomed to be just that ever since he cam into the UFC on the heels of his discovery n Dana White’s “Looking For A Fight,” and Gall was famously CM Punk’s first opponent in the UFC, decimating the former WWE champ with a brutal first-round submission at September’s UFC 203.

Each fighter will become a sudden big name in the incredibly talented welterweight division, but they won’t necessarily quite be contenders just yet. Regardless, I see Northcutt possessing a distinct edge in the striking here, because even though Gall often talks about his striking, he’s a grappler at heart. That are is Northcutt’s one weakness we’ve seen, with his only UFC loss coming to an arm-triangle choke from Bryan Barberena that seemed barely locked in, also at welterweight. I believe Northcutt could end this with a vicious flurry, but ultimately Gall will be too smart to get tagged and take the fight to the ground for a submission attempt. Gall by second round submission.

Rory Kernaghan:

Sage Northcutt’s only loss in the UFC so far came in the welterweight division, so it’s surprising to see him move up from lightweight again here. Mickey Gall, well we’ve really only seen him against CM Punk, which doesn’t say much in terms of how he’ll fare against someone who can fight. 3-0 as a professional, I can’t help but think Northcutt is a little too much to chew at this stage in Gall’s career. Both men are very likeable, but I expect a war in this bout. Northcutt with a grizzly third round TKO.

Mike Henken:

In my opinion, this fight could go either way. Both fighters are rising talents and both have a chance to win this fight. Gall likely has the grappling advantage and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him tap Northcutt out. Gall will also be the bigger man, although “Super Sage” will undoubtedly have the striking advantage. I expect to see Northcutt stick and move and if he can keep the fight standing, I see him taking this one. Northcutt via unanimous decision.

 

 

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Video: “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson’s UFC On FOX 22 Media Scrum

https://youtu.be/XPCBTw3X43k

Ahead of her showdown against emerging superstar Paige VanZant in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC event on FOX, “The Karate Hottie” took part in a scrum with members of the MMA media.

Featured above from the USA…

michelle-waterson-ufc-fox-22-scrum

https://youtu.be/XPCBTw3X43k

Ahead of her showdown against emerging superstar Paige VanZant in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC event on FOX, “The Karate Hottie” took part in a scrum with members of the MMA media.

Featured above from the USA TODAY Sports YouTube channel are highlights of Waterson’s media scrum from Sacramento, California.

UFC On FOX 22 takes place live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California on Saturday, December 17, 2016.

Predictions: UFC On FOX 22 “VanZant Vs. Waterson”

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgV0Bu-Z1XU[/embed]

Before we get to UFC 207 and the return of Ronda Rousey, we’ve got to get through UFC on FOX 22 this Saturday night.

But honestly, the card is really a pretty pleasant surprise for this…

ufc-on-fox-22

Before we get to UFC 207 and the return of Ronda Rousey, we’ve got to get through UFC on FOX 22 this Saturday night.

But honestly, the card is really a pretty pleasant surprise for this late in the year.

In the main event, strawweight contenders Paige VanZant and Michelle Waterson will square off, while the co-main pits Sage Northcutt against Mickey Gall.

Add in the likes of Urijah Faber, Cole Miller, Bryan Barberena and Eddie Wineland scattered throughout, and Saturday should be a fun night.

Here’s a quick look at predictions for each fight and a guess on the “Fight Night” bonuses, as well:

UFC Fight Pass Prelim Card

Bojan Velickovic over Sultan Aliev via split decision
Fredy Serrano over Hector Sandoval via second round TKO
Takeya Mizugaki over Eddie Wineland via first round submission

FOX Sports 1 Prelim Card

Irene Aldana over Leslie Smith via unanimous decision
Josh Emmett over Scott Holtzman via second round TKO
Alex Morono over James Moontasri via split decision
Colby Covington over Bryan Barberena via first round submission
Cole Miller over Mizuto Hirota via third round submission
Luis Henrique da Silva over Paul Craig via first round TKO

FOX Main Card

Mike Perry over Alan Jouban via second round KO
Urijah Faber over Brad Pickett via first round submission
Mickey Gall over Sage Northcutt via third round TKO
Paige VanZant over Michelle Waterson via second round TKO

Fight of the Night: Irene Aldana and Leslie Smith
Performance of the Night: Paige VanZant and Urijah Faber

Michelle Waterson Isn’t Talking Smack Towards Paige VanZant

the-karate-hottie-michelle-waterson

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_oY5jBdvak[/embed]

Some might have twisted Michelle Waterson’s comments towards Paige VanZant as “trash talk.”

But that isn’t the case.

The “Karate Hottie” explained that she was just re-stating comments made by VanZant herself. The two headline Saturday’s UFC on FOX 22 card from Sacramento.

“I’m not talking smack. I’m just speaking the truth,” Waterson said. “She said it herself after she fought Rose. She said she’s still learning.”

A former Invicta FC atomweight champion, Waterson has been training in karate since she was 10 years old. She has developed a sound plan of attack under the guidance of her coaches at Jackson-Wink MMA.

“She comes forward and is very aggressive. She’s sporadic and unpredictable. The key is to be ready for any of it and to slow down the momentum,” she said. “If she wants to wrestle, that’s fine. I’m perfectly comfortable anywhere we go.”

the-karate-hottie-michelle-waterson

Some might have twisted Michelle Waterson’s comments towards Paige VanZant as “trash talk.”

But that isn’t the case.

The “Karate Hottie” explained that she was just re-stating comments made by VanZant herself. The two headline Saturday’s UFC on FOX 22 card from Sacramento.

“I’m not talking smack. I’m just speaking the truth,” Waterson said. “She said it herself after she fought Rose. She said she’s still learning.”

A former Invicta FC atomweight champion, Waterson has been training in karate since she was 10 years old. She has developed a sound plan of attack under the guidance of her coaches at Jackson-Wink MMA.

“She comes forward and is very aggressive. She’s sporadic and unpredictable. The key is to be ready for any of it and to slow down the momentum,” she said. “If she wants to wrestle, that’s fine. I’m perfectly comfortable anywhere we go.”

Michelle Waterson Finds Family, Fighting Balance Ahead Of UFC On FOX 22

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZK6Q4xNaWw[/embed]

While Paige VanZant is the “hot, young thing” in the UFC’s strawweight division, Michelle Waterson sees no reason that she cannot move to the top of the pecking order.

Waterson, also kn…

michelle-waterson

While Paige VanZant is the “hot, young thing” in the UFC’s strawweight division, Michelle Waterson sees no reason that she cannot move to the top of the pecking order.

Waterson, also known as the “Karate Hottie,” meets VanZant Saturday night in the main event of UFC on FOX 22 from Sacramento.

The former Invicta FC champion has experienced just about everything there is in MMA and life. She is a wife and mother, but has found her ability to balance out fighting with family.

PVZ: I’ll Fight Ronda Rousey On One Condition

No. 8-ranked UFC strawweight Paige VanZant will headline her second ever UFC event this Saturday night (December 17, 2016), when she takes on No. 12-ranked ‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson from Sacramento. Despite having quite the challenge ahead of her in the form of the 30-year-old finisher Waterson, ‘PVZ’ could be thinking about one day

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No. 8-ranked UFC strawweight Paige VanZant will headline her second ever UFC event this Saturday night (December 17, 2016), when she takes on No. 12-ranked ‘The Karate Hottie’ Michelle Waterson from Sacramento.

Despite having quite the challenge ahead of her in the form of the 30-year-old finisher Waterson, ‘PVZ’ could be thinking about one day stepping into the Octagon against one of the greatest female mixed martial artists (MMA) to have ever fought, Ronda Rousey. During a recent interview with TMZ (courtesy of Bloody Elbow), VanZant stated she’s open to throwing down with ‘The Rowdy One’, if the bout is at a catchweight of 125 pounds:

“If she wants to meet at 125, (I’d fight her),” VanZant said. “I’d have to go up (from strawweight). I would consider going up to 125. It’s not that big of a weight gain for me. We’ll see if we meet at 125.”

Rousey will be making her Octagon return against current 135-pound women’s champion Amanda Nunes, after Rousey suffered the first defeat of her professional MMA career just over a year ago. VanZant predicts that the former Olympic judoka will get the job done against the Brazilian in her return, utilizing her signature armbar to recapture the bantamweight crown:

“I don’t believe in ring rust – I believe it’s 100 percent mental,” VanZant said. “So if she’s 100 percent mentally focused on that night, then she’s going to win it. I would say Ronda by armbar.”

Before she can think about a flyweight contest with Rousey, Van Zant must first get through Waterson who is coming off of an impressive third round submission victory over Angela Magana in July. In a think strawweight division currently ran by Polish knockout artist Joanna Jedrzejczyk, this bout could have serious title picture implications in the near future.

VanZant and Waterson will meet in the main event of UFC on FOX 22 live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California this Saturday (December 17, 2016).

You can check out VanZant’s interview with TMZ here:

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