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Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler – UFC 257 Staff Predictions

Check out the LowKickMMA staff picks ahead of the UFC 257 co-main event between Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler. Jordan Ellis: I’m backing Dan Hooker heading into this one. Despite falling short, he looked good against Dustin Poirier last time out and has been mixing it with the best for several years now. Michael Chandler […]

Check out the LowKickMMA staff picks ahead of the UFC 257 co-main event between Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler.

Jordan Ellis: I’m backing Dan Hooker heading into this one. Despite falling short, he looked good against Dustin Poirier last time out and has been mixing it with the best for several years now. Michael Chandler is perhaps a little bit small to hang with elite level UFC lightweights in my opinion. For these reasons, I predict Hooker will KO Chandler at UFC 257.

Prediction: Dan Hooker

Abhinav Kini: It’s been said by both fighters and I agree — Dan Hooker is a bad matchup for Michael Chandler. Matchup aside, Hooker is undoubtedly the best opponent Chandler will have faced and I just see him being too much to handle especially if the latter is unable to keep him on the ground. Hooker by R2 TKO/KO.

Prediction: Dan Hooker

Alex Lough: Man, this matchup is so hard to predict. The obvious X-factor here is Chandler’s wrestling. In Hooker’s entire UFC career, the only grapplers we’ve seen him go against are Jim Miller and Gilbert Burns. Both of them are known more for their BJJ than wrestling, and he put them both away before we saw his ground game really get tested. On the other hand, we’ve seen Chandler use his all-American pedigree to stifle his opposition, as well as utilize his boxing to put them away. I may be oversimplifying things here, but I’m going with the known commodity. Chandler grinds out a decision.

Prediction: Michael Chandler

Chris De Santiago: I can not state how excited I am to see Michael Chandler in the UFC. I’ve been watching for many years on the Bellator scene. He is incredibly underrated, just for the reasoning that he has not fought in the UFC before. While this is his UFC debut, he has faced UFC-level opponents and future champs like Eddie Alvarez and former champs like Benson Henderson. He’s arguably beat both twice. His wrestling prowess will work wonders against The Hangman, Dan Hooker. He is hard to keep on the ground at times, however, mix the wrestling with a powerful overhand and it will be a long night for Hooker. I predict Chandler via KO.

Prediction: Michael Chandler

Karim Nathan: For the co main I think that Chandler could not have gotten a tougher first match up in terms of whats available. Hooker has been part of wars and so has Chandler, I just have a feeling that Chandler knows he cant strike with Hooker and will look to change levels as fast as possible. Hooker has proved to have good takedown defence as well as being able to get back up quite quickly if he goes down. I feel that Chandler will gas put after going for takedown after takedown and Dan will take advantage of that getting a late third round KO win.

Prediction: Dan Hooker

Harry O’Connor: I feel with Michael Chandler, he’s a champion from another promotion who you look at and think, he can definitely mix it up with the top lightweights in the UFC, noting that with some of his victories in the past, however as Hooker said at the press conference on Thursday, his been built on stuffing takedowns and striking, not that Chandler can only wrestle. I expect a very intense fight with lots of volume from each fighter but I think Hooker will just edge a points decision with Chandler being unable to show any dominance on the ground, therefore resulting in Hooker just edging Chandler on strikes.

Prediction: Dan hooker

Ty Rosson: Dan Hooker is a really tough fight to get for your UFC debut. He has long limbs that are hard to get a read on and a tricky knee up the middle if you decide to go for a takedown on him. That being said, Michael Chandler is a dog that you have to kill to put away. This being a three round fight benefits him the most and coupled with the speed advantage he will have, I predict a Chandler win by second round TKO

Prediction: Michael Chandler

Declan Flahive: Dan Hooker introducing Michael Chandler to the UFC in the co-main is a sensational bout. A tall guy with great takedown defence is probably the worst matchup for Chandler, especially when you throw in the fact that the Kiwi has knees of death that could easily send the ex-Bellator champ into another dimension.
The three-round nature of this bout means both guys will be firing on all cylinders from the start. I feel like Chandler’s speed will allow him to close the distance quickly, taking Hooker’s reach advantage away from him and allowing him to go to work with his heavy hands and really test Hooker’s acclaimed takedown defence. Michael Chandler wins via third-round TKO.

Prediction: Michael Chandler

Ryan MacCarthy Now this is another HUGE fight with major title implications in the Lightweight division. Im more torn on this fight than I am the main event. Michael Chandler might not be as well known since he is a former bellator world champion and making his UFC Debut. But, I am here to say that Michael Chandler is capable of beating anyone in this division. He’s going to come at Hooker and try to stand and maybe go for a few takedowns as well.
But people are forgetting about this BAAAAD man that is Dan Hooker. In my opinion, he has a better stand up game than Michael Chandler and I believe this is a fantastic stylistic matchup for Hooker. I think he can piece up Chandler and win this fight by decision. I do think this will be super close, and possibly fight of the night. Im going to go with Dan Hooker by Split Decision.

Prediction: Dan Hooker

Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny – UFC Fight Island 8 Staff Predictions

In the UFC Fight Island 8 main event, top welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny will square off. Check out who the LowKickMMA staff members think will emerge victorious… Jordan Ellis: This is a true 50-50 fight. I’ve been torn over my pick for days but I’m backing Michael Chiesa heading into this one. […]

In the UFC Fight Island 8 main event, top welterweight contenders Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny will square off. Check out who the LowKickMMA staff members think will emerge victorious…

Jordan Ellis: This is a true 50-50 fight. I’ve been torn over my pick for days but I’m backing Michael Chiesa heading into this one. This is purely based on recent form. Chiesa has looked flawless since moving up to welterweight. He’s easily handled three opponents consecutively. Neil Magny, on the other hand, was great last time out against a past-it Robbie Lawler but prior to that, he looked unconvincing against Anthony Rocco Martin and Li Jingliang. For that reason, I see him losing at UFC Fight Island 8.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa

Ryan MacCarthy: A lot of people are saying Neil Magny is the dark horse in this division. He’s 24-7 and has won 3 straight, but I’m wary of Magny in this one. His biggest weakness in his game is the ground game, and in this fight, he’ll be going against a purple belt in BJJ and one of the best grapplers in the welterweight division. Michael Chiesa is sitting at 17-4 winner of 3 straight as well. In my opinion, I see Chiesa winning this one on the ground, finishing Magny in the 3rd via rear-naked choke.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa

Abhinav Kini: This is a really hard one to call. If Chiesa is able to get it to the ground, he will likely dictate the fight and grind his way to a submission or decision victory. However, if Magny can keep it standing, I give him the edge especially after his improved striking and overall performances last year. Again, it’s so hard to pick but I’ll go with Magny getting the win

Prediction: Neil Magny

Chris De Santiago: It was an unfortunate thing that we couldn’t see Leon Edwards take on Khamzat Chimaev, however, the UFC upgraded this already great fight to the main event, so we’re all winners. I believe Chiesa has the arsenal to ride out Neil Magny for a unanimous decision win. Chiesa is a very crafty jiu-jitsu player and we have seen Magny struggle with BJJ specialists in the past. He was put on his back easily by Demian Maia and was easily taken down by Rafael Dos Anjos. Magny’s key to winning is keeping distance and picking Chiesa apart in the standup exchanges. He can’t let Chiesa close in on him or he will take him down, which I think will happen many times in this fight. Chiesa’s pressure will push Magny into the cage allowing for much Octagon control and high takedown percentage rate. I believe once it gets to the ground, Chiesa will have top position for every round. I believe it goes the distance and Chiesa will get the nod. I would not be surprised to see Chiesa pull off a rear-naked choke though.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa

Ty Rosson: My head says Magny but my heart says, Chiesa. Magny has been a great run, winning three straight over high-level opponents. He will use his long 80-inch reach to his advantage like he always does and use his high fight IQ to keep himself out of bad positions. On the other hand, Chiesa has looked like a new man since coming up to welterweight and his win over RDA was the best thus far in his career. I think he has the advantage on the ground and a slight speed advantage too. Chiesa gets the win by third-round submission after a tough first two rounds.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa

Alex Lough: While I’m excited for this fight between two of the best welterweights on the planet, there’s a reason you’re not going to be seeing this one on ABC. Magny’s game is built around a strong jab from the outside before pinning you up against the cage and working in knees, elbows, and dirty boxing. Chiesa wants to work his jab before grabbing hold of his opponents and taking them to the ground. The end result will most likely be a whole lot of clinch work along the cage with the occasional takedown, with the fighter on top riding out the round. That being said, I think Magny has more ways to find a win here. His striking is better and more versatile, his takedown defense is strong, and his grappling has improved since the Maia and Dos Anjos fights. On top of that, Chiesa is a Sikjitsu guy, and they leave a ton of openings in their striking defense, particularly to the body. Magny is as wily as they come, and I think he finds a way to take the decision.

Prediction: Neil Magny

Frank Bonada: With such talented athletes this one is such a hard pick on paper. Michael Chiesa has incredibly high-level Jiu-Jitsu credentials, having submitted the like of Carlos Condit and Beneil Dariush. Magny is a solid well-rounded fighter, currently riding a 3-fight win streak. Whilst each fight did go to a decision, they all allowed Magny to demonstrate his skills as a complete mixed martial artist. It is in the clinch that Magny does some of his best work however, just ask Robbie Lawler. This is an interesting conundrum because Chiesa’s most used method of taking the fight to the mat is through a body lock takedown. In my opinion, the first round will most likely involve a lot of clinch work, with Magny stuffing much of Chiesa’s attempts to bring the fight to the ground. However, Chiesa will eventually breakthrough, and drag Magny into his wheelhouse. After that, I see Chiesa catching Magny with a submission finish, late round 2 or 3.

Prediction: Michael Chiesa

Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar – UFC Fight Island 7 Staff Predictions

In the UFC Fight Island 7 main event former featherweight champion Max Holloway takes on Calvin Kattar. Check out who the LowKickMMA writers are picking to win this mammoth main event…. Jordan Ellis: I’m backing Max Holloway in this one. In my opinion, he should be the featherweight champion right now, bad judging is the […]

In the UFC Fight Island 7 main event former featherweight champion Max Holloway takes on Calvin Kattar.

Check out who the LowKickMMA writers are picking to win this mammoth main event….

Jordan Ellis: I’m backing Max Holloway in this one. In my opinion, he should be the featherweight champion right now, bad judging is the only reason he is not. Besides that, he is just an elite-level fighter and has been competing/beating the cream of the crop for years. Calvin Kattar is talented and powerful but I just imagine he will be outgunned in the UFC Fight Island 7 main event.

Prediction: Max Holloway

Ryan MacCarthy: I’m a big fan of the greatest featherweight of all time Max Holloway. Calvin Kattar is blossoming before our very eyes, and he’s getting better. I think he’s starting to hit his stride for his team, The New England Cartel. Fighting Dan Ige over five rounds was a huge 5-round experience for him in his most recent fight. Kattar kind of started too slow, but came back in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th rounds. I cant stress enough how important this was for Calvin’s confidence and career progression. We know Max will take some damage in this fight. I think over five rounds, Max is gonna get hit with Calvin’s very dangerous right hand. So, this is gonna be super interesting to see how Max reacts to it when gets hit. This is a very very close high level fight to call. Im almost sure that this will go to a decision. But it will be full of fireworks and both men will walk away beat up after this war. I am so proud and impressed by the Boston based MMA team The New England Cartel and what coach Tyson Chartier has been able to do with Boston fighters Kattar and Rob Font, who had the biggest win of his career last month. So im going with my hometown team and picking Calvin Kattar by decision.

Prediction: Calvin Kattar

Alex Lough: A ‘Fight of the Year’ contender to start off 2021? I’m down. Holloway is coming into this fight off back-to-back losses, meaning he’ll desperately need a win in order to stay in the title picture and quell any naysayers that think he’s past his prime (despite not even being 30). The good news is, historically, Max always looks at his best when his back is against the wall. Kattar has all the tools to give Holloway a challenge; he’s as technical and methodical a striker as there is in the division, if not the UFC. I think the big difference in this fight will be the amount of pressure that Holloway is able to put forward. When he’s on his game, there’s just no way to prepare for what Holloway brings in that department. Kattar has the skill to keep the distance and pick Holloway apart if Max lets him, but Calvin’s only fight against someone near Holloway’s level was Zabit, and we saw he wasn’t able to do that in their fight. Holloway’s pressure and experience carry him to a decision victory.

Prediction: Max Holloway

Julian Pacheco: I cannot wait to start watching again UFC. I expect a great fight from both sides, my heart wants Kattar to win but I think Holloway will be over him constantly in order to avoid the reach advantage. Holloway 3rd round or by the end of second round.

Prediction: Max Holloway

Ross Markey: I‘ve been chopping and changing my prediction all week in regards to Max Holloway vs. Calvin Kattar. Two of the most technical strikers in the featherweight division today, capable of mitigating each other’s styles as well. Holloway always brings his smothering volume and masterful shot selection, while Kattar fails to ever put a step wrong it seems in regards to his movement. As sharp a boxing talent with clean hands at featherweight today, the New England Cartel standout may lack championship experience compared to Holloway, but it’s his comfort and composure when on the back foot which really catch my eye ahead of this one. A fast start and constant work from Kattar is needed in this one or he runs the risk of fate repeating itself following his shortcoming against Zabit Magomedsharipov. Holloway to eek out a decision victory, but Kattar proves himself in an impressive performance nonetheless.

Prediction: Max Holloway

Harry O’Connor: I’m very excited to have UFC back on a Saturday night and what a card to kick us off. For me Holloway won his last fight and should be the champion. That just tells me the that he’s at a level where he can compete and beat anyone in the division. I am a big fan of Calvin Kattar though, his stand up is very exciting and he packs some power in his punch. It’s certainly an interesting match up with Holloway’s impressive chin and volume of punches he throws. I think Holloway will show his class and wear him down with his level of activity, I’m going to go for a Holloway stoppage in round four.

Prediction: Max Holloway

Frank Bonada: The Blessed Express is back! The changes Holloway brought into his game for the Volk rematch were instantly noticeable and brutally efficient. His utilization off a muay thai stance lessened the effectiveness of Volkanovski’s legs kick, whilst also allowing him to employ head kicks, much to Volk’s detriment in the early rounds. Kattar is undeniably one of the most dangerous boxers in the division, and his reach advantage could definitely give him the edge in certain exchanges. However Holloways experience in main events, as well as his more versatile tool set will have him, in my opinion, picking up a unanimous decision victory.

Prediction: Max Holloway

I feel this is the most intriguing main event out of the three we have in Fight Island. Will Max be able to pressure Calvin like he did all other Featherweights prior to Volkanovski? Or will Calvins recent improvement keep going on and make it 3 in a row? I have a feeling that we’ll see a upset, the New England cartel have something special going on over there and I believe it will be a bit similar to the Max Dustin 2 fight where both will land but Calvin will have just a bit more power. Im going Kattar via unanimous decision.

Prediction: Calvin Kattar

Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal – UFC Vegas 17 Staff Predictions

Jordan Ellis: I really fancy Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson heading into this UFC Vegas 17 main event. Last time out he looked sensational against Vicente Luque and I really think he could mount another UFC title challenge. Geoff Neal is a good prospect but is heading into the toughest fight of his career off the back […]

Jordan Ellis: I really fancy Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson heading into this UFC Vegas 17 main event. Last time out he looked sensational against Vicente Luque and I really think he could mount another UFC title challenge. Geoff Neal is a good prospect but is heading into the toughest fight of his career off the back of probably the toughest year of his life. I’m interested to see how he looks tonight after everything but I suspect over five rounds Thompson will just have too much for him.

Prediction: Stephen Thompson

Karim Nathan: I really like this card and I feel like it going under the radar a little bit. For the main event, I feel like we’ll see a fight thats a bit similar to Wonderboy’s last fight where Neal will keep coming forward while Wonderboy will pick his shots, the only difference being that this is a 5 rounder so I think Neal will fatigue and Wonderboy will finish him off in the 4th or 5th round. This fight also has a very good chance of being fight of the night.

Prediction: Stephen Thompson

Ross Markey: Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal could really determine the best technical striking talent at welterweight today. Thompson, a tricky, difficult to time karate practitioner with masterful movement, counters, and ability to distance himself correctly. Neal, a more traditional kickboxer out of Sayif Saud’s family at Fortis MMA – who I’d give the more lethal edge to in this showdown. It’s very difficult to look good against Wonderboy, and even though he’s suffered defeats against Tyron Woodley, Darren Till, and Anthony Pettis of note recently, none of those three had a spectacular showing against the Simpsonville native. I’m siding with Karim on this one: Wonderboy to knock back the surging Neal over a five-round judging win.

Prediction: Stephen Thompson

Ryan MacCarthy: I think Wonderboy Thompson get it done here. I think it might be a little too much too early for Neal here. Im not a fan of this matchup for the very talented Geoff Neal. I think Wonderboy is going to be too savvy for him on the feet, and Neal might underestimate him a little. It’s a five-round fight, and I believe Wonderboy can knock Neal out in five rounds. He won’t do it early, but I think after touching him enough times, he’ll knock him out. I see. Thompson winning this by 4th round KO.

Prediction: Stephen Thompson

Alex Lough: I know we all wanted to see Khamzat, but Wonderboy vs Neal is an absolute banger that deserves to be 5 rounds. Like Karim said, this whole card is great, despite being ravaged by COVID. As for the fight, I think we all know that this is going to be a kickboxing match in MMA gloves. On paper it looks like the young lion in Neal is being sent in to take out the old guard in Thompson, but Wonderboy’s recent stretch isn’t as bad as it looks. The fights against Woodley were weird, the Till decision was razor close, and he was beating the brakes off Pettis until he got caught. That being said, he did get caught, and that’s what gives me concern. Thompson’s game is built around his movement, and that tends to slip with old age. Even losing just a step against someone like Neal, who is just as technical and has more power in his punches, could change things in the blink of an eye. I think the longer the fight goes, the more it favours Thompson, but I also think he gets caught before then. Neal by 3rd round KO.

Prediction: Geoff Neal

Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno – UFC 256 Staff Predictions

Jordan Ellis: I’m really torn heading into this UFC 256 main event. It’s hard to ignore all the hype around Deiveson Figueiredo right now. The Brazilian seems on his way to earning fighter of the year. However, I’m not quite convinced he is the heir to Demetrious Johnson at 125lbs. I’m also a big fan […]

Jordan Ellis: I’m really torn heading into this UFC 256 main event. It’s hard to ignore all the hype around Deiveson Figueiredo right now. The Brazilian seems on his way to earning fighter of the year. However, I’m not quite convinced he is the heir to Demetrious Johnson at 125lbs. I’m also a big fan of Brandon Moreno who has looked brilliant since re-joining the UFC. He’s very capable of causing an upset and will almost certainly provide sterner tests than Joseph Benavidez and Alex Perez. Unfortunately, I think this shot has come a little early against a prime Figueiredo who should win a fun and competitive fight over five rounds.