mrpickem
SDQL Badass Stat Boss
HUGE card today, wish it was later as there's so many good football games going
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Prelims
AMANDA RIBAS -165 (10-2) VS VIRNA JANDIROBA (17-2)
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.
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.
