267

mrpickem

SDQL Badass Stat Boss
HUGE card today, wish it was later as there's so many good football games going

UFC 267: Prelims
AMANDA RIBAS -165 (10-2) VS VIRNA JANDIROBA (17-2)

Prediction: Ribas Decision …A well-rounded fighter, Ribas’ could simply opt to close the distance with her furious hooks before body-locking Jandiroba to the mat. Ribas has a proven ability to control opponents from the top, but is it worth the risk after Jandiroba proved her submission chops after snapping Kanako Murata’s arm off her back? Ribas’ superior physicality and crisp jab may well prove the difference in this fairly even affair.

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ZUBAIRA TUKHUGOV -165 (19-5-1) VS RICARDO RAMOS (15-3)

Prediction: Tukhugov …Tukhugov is a freakish athlete with heavy hands and an exceptional wrestling, but his aimless direction in the octagon leaves opponents with opportunities to get back into the fight. Ramos hasn’t yet shown the ability to employ a consistent game plan. Worse yet for Ramos, it is unlikely he can deal with the larger Featherweights. Not only will Ramos struggle to showcase his dangerous offensive grappling, he will also fail to stuff Tukhugov’s takedowns.



ALBERT DURAEV -350 (14-3) VS ROMAN KOPYLOV (8-1)

Prediction: Duraev by sub / ITD…If Kopylov can keep his fellow Russian off the mat, Kopylov’s voluminous power-punching will expose Duraev’s luke-warm boxing. We are yet to see how Duraev reacts when unable to dictate the pace of a fight, and I’m banking that he panics. Unfortunately, Duraev’s power wrestling will likely prove too much.



ELIZEU ZALESKI -240 (22-7) VS BENOIT SAINT-DENIS (8-0)

Prediction: Zaleski KO …Zaleski has reigned in much of the explosiveness that made him such a threat on his seven-fight streak throughout 2016-2019. Patient single-shots, however, still carry the freakish power that made Zaleski’s name. With Saint-Denis never having faced power on such a scale, it most likely halts the Frenchman’s aggressive pursuit of takedowns that has served him well on the regional scene.



MICHAL OLEKSIEJCZUK (15-4) VS SHAMIL GAMZATOV -125 (14-0)

Prediction: Oleksiejczuk …Damn, this could be either be a barn-burner or the ugliest fight in recent memory. I’m opting for the latter. Gamzatov has notoriously struggled with his gas tank, which will be severely drained if he opts to ground and grind out the Pole. The pocket-sized power puncher isn’t woeful off his back and should be able to take control of the fight if he gets through a torrid first round.



MAKWAN AMIRKHANI (16-6) VS LERONE MURPHY -270 (10-0-1)

Prediction: Murphy by decision …Amirkhani may find himself on a poor run, but his power and early-round submission threat remain lethal weapons. Murphy is a hot prospect, especially considering his high-risk high reward style, but his leaky TDD leaves this fight a little closer than comfort for the Brit. Thankfully, John Kavanagh’s awful game-planning for the Finn over the past couple of years will likely prove the difference.



YAOZONG HU (3-2) VS ANDRE PETROSKI -220 (6-1)

Prediction: Petroski Sub Round 1-2 …Unathletic, a career weight ballooner, and having fought last in 2018 – Yaozong’s only real hope is to wait out Petroski’s short gas tank. The American’s wrestling superiority and sub game should be more than enough for the TUF competitor to continue building against the dregs of the roster.



TAGIR ULANBEKOV -380 (12-1) VS ALLAN NASCIMENTO (18-5)

Prediction: Ulanbekov Decision …Ulanbekov’s fast-paced, relentless grinding deserves the considerable hype it drew when he debuted last year. While Nascimento’s grappling threat will test Tagir’s top game, especially considering the mistakes he made against Bruno Silva, the Russian should still coast to victory.
 
UFC 267: Main Event

JAN BLACHOWICZ (28-8) VS GLOVER TEIXEIRA (32-7)

UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Prediction: Blachowicz KO …Blachowicz is a rarely composed fighter at 205, who is capable of trading with Tex in the pocket but will likely frustrate from distance with his jab. While Tex’s chin has held up incredibly well since Gus damn near killed him back in 2017, the Brazilian was on wobbly legs against Thiago Santos. With Jan’s greater focus on counter-striking, it could be a shot that an elderly Tex doesn’t see that switches off the lights. On the mat, there is an interesting dynamic. Teixeira has continued to prove himself one of the greatest top threats. The scattering of Smith’s teeth over the mat is statement enough. It wasn’t that long ago that Jan was rag-dolled by Patrick Cummins with a gameplan that Tex could technically replicate. Unfortunately, Teixeira is also one foot into the retirement home and cannot rely on speed to close the distance. Unless Blachowicz is conned by Tex’s durability and closes the distance himself, the Brazilian’s physical deficiencies will stop him from finding the necessary takedowns.


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UFC 267: Co-Main Event

PETR YAN (15-2) VS CORY SANDHAGEN (14-3)

UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship

Prediction: Yan sub / ITD …Power will prove king in this match. In almost every fight during his UFC tenure, Yan has stunned his opponent. When combined with consistent low kicks, fired against an opponent notorious for switching stances, Sandhagen needs to earn Yan’s respect early. Of course, Sandhagen’s penchant for bodywork (liver shots/intercepting knees) creates an interesting dynamic considering Yan’s high guard. If Sandhagen pours out a constant stream of volume, his creativity creates a huge hurdle for Yan to close the distance. The wrestling differential will likely prove the difference, however. Even if Sandhagen pours out an insane volume to maintain distance against Yan, the Russian’s incredibly durability can be relied upon in dire circumstances. By the later rounds, Yan’s wrestling will emerge with Sandhagen’s tendency to offer his back and neck eventually stinging him.



UFC 267: Main Card

ISLAM MAKHACHEV (20-1) VS DAN HOOKER (21-10)

Prediction: Makhachev …As much as I love Hooker as a fighter and would love to see a win, Makhachev is as direct a counter as he will find. Hooker’s extended combinations and powerful yet loose knees create opportunities for the Dagestani to shoot on the hips. Additionally, Hooker’s timid approach on the feet against Chandler could well re-appear against a similar wrestling threat in Makhachev. There is the possibility that the ultra-defensive, risk-averse Makhachev allows Hooker to immediately set a furious early pace – but it wouldn’t be a safe backing.



ALEXANDER VOLKOV (33-9) VS MARCIN TYBURA (22-6)

Prediction: Volkov KO …Volkov’s takedown defense isn’t perfect, but the Russian has consistently proven his ability to get back to his feet. Against a grinder like Tybura who looks to run out the clock laying in top control, Volkov can effectively deny the Pole his main path to victory. On the back of Volkov’s crisp jab and chipping low kick, the Russian may eventually set up the big head kick that finishes this fight against a rugged Tybura.


JINGLIANG LI (18-6) VS KHAMZAT CHIMAEV (9-0)

Prediction: Chimaev ITD …Despite all the warning signs, I am admittedly fully onboard the Chimaev hype train for the time being. BEWARE, however. After a terrible bout of COVID, attempts to retire and troubles on the scales – Chimaev may be physically and mentally unprepared for Saturday’s fight. Still, Jingliang’s tendency to be bullied by bigger fighters is too difficult to overlook. Chimaev is a powerhouse at this weight and if fully fit (aside from ring rust) should crush this match-up.


MAGOMED ANKALAEV (15-1) VS VOLKAN OEZDEMIR (17-5)

Prediction: Ankalaev ...This isn’t a clear-cut result just yet, Ankalaev’s low output and lack of dynamism could be quickly read by Oezdemir – but the Russian’s technical superiority should offer him the edge. It would take Oezdemir to frustrate from the outside, forcing Ankalaev to test himself on the feet, if the Swiss fighter is to have his hand raised. If Oezdemir ends up on his back, a beating will be delivered similar to DC’s whoopin’ back in 2018.

 
Well shit, missed the prelims...I thought it started at 2pm but it's the main card at 2 which is the best fights by far. Loved this Ribas spot but missed it.

On to the main card

[0-0 0u]

  • 1.62/3 MAGOMED ANKALAEV DEC/TECH DEC +185
  • 1.72/2 VOLKAN OEZDEMIR vs MAGOMED ANKALAEV o2½ +116
  • 5/1.57 MAGOMED ANKALAEV -318

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[4-0 +9.27u]
  • 4/1.51 ALEXANDER VOLKOV -265
  • 2.10/2 ALEXANDER VOLKOV KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -105
  • 2/1.98 MARCIN TYBURA vs ALEXANDER VOLKOV under 2½ -101
The Leech would not give up, but he did go to sleep.

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[5-2 +6.68u]
  • 2/2.00 ISLAM MAKHACHEV KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +100
  • 3/1.11 DAN HOOKER vs ISLAM MAKHACHEV over 1½ -270
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[7-4 +6.26u]

  • 2.30/2 JAN BLACHOWICZ KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -115
  • 4/1.53 JAN BLACHOWICZ -262
  • 1/1.04 GLOVER TEIXEIRA vs JAN BLACHOWICZ under 2½ +104


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