UFC keeps pushing these cards out and we eat them up...no matter how crappy they are. :rofl:
Down to 9 bouts with Yahya/Kang cancelled
prelim thots... (one of these likely gets moved to main, but not sure which)
Cosce ...Rowe has a 10″ reach advantage with solid striking and surprisingly adept wrestling. While it can be difficult to get inside Rowe’s length early due to the wild volume he throws, his preference for short shots on the inside means he negates one of his greatest advantages. Moreover, as Rowe tires over a contest, Cosce maintains a harsh pace throughout the whole bout. Artem Lobov 2.0 is at risk when he shells up in the pocket, especially to one of Rowe’s punishing uppercuts, but he likely wrestles his way to victory after a scary round 1.
Frey/Yoder over ...Despite a 4″ height and reach advantage, Yoder will struggle to keep herself on the feet long enough to make the most of her physical advantages. Both women have a horrendous volume on the feet, yet blown-up Atomweight Frey is perhaps the weaker of the two. Still, Yoder will be more than happy for this to make its way to the mat. Predicting a lot of scrambles in a strangely messy fight with Frey just about coming out on top.
Kamaka III ...A lightning-fast kicker, Chavez tends to bank on his power landing to secure rounds or the win. Unfortunately, Chavez also surrenders his own space while passively waiting for the perfect counter shot(s). Kamaka III hasn’t exactly made a splash in the UFC, but the wrestle-boxer has the more diverse tools to win this. While Kamaka does linger at range, leaving himself open to a Chavez kick, his aggressive volume and bodywork can outwork Chavez on the cards. That’s even without considering if Kamaka can get his wrestling firing. Prolly an ugly decision...
Garcia ITD ...Despite being called as a live body for Haqparast, Rafa Garcia impressed far more than expected. Flying out in the first round, Garcia showcased decent front foot boxing in a horrendous stylistic match-up. While Garcia’s grappling found him great success in Combate Americas, it is yet to be seen whether it can be carried over to the UFC Lightweight division. What better time to pull it out the bag than vs an over the hill Gruetzmacher. Once a durable pressure fighter, ol’ Gritz looked awfully stiff against Alexander Hernandez as he plodded forward with arm punches and without a guard.
Baghdasaryan by early KO ...Between the two prospects, Anglin represents the more well-rounded yet thoroughly average fighter. So far, Anglin has shown a solid chin, but it hasn’t really faced the nuclear power of Baghdasaryan. Although Anglin isn’t the strongest grappler, it may be enough to drag Baghdasaryan into the later rounds. While Baghdasaryan relentless first-round pace and power may prove too much for Anglin, he realistically could fall off a cliff by the later rounds, so it's imperative he makes it happen early.
Barberena KO ...It has to be noted, Barberena may enter Saturday night a changed fighter. It was just last November that Barberena needed four litres of blood drained from his stomach. As long as Barberena isn’t a changed fighter on his return, this sets up perfect for him. Despite a clear athletic ceiling, Barberena pushes an insane pace and volume which couples nicely with his heavy hands. Witt has a clear advantage in the grappling department, but he will struggle to keep Barberena down. The "Blood God" can drag Witt into an ugly war in which Barberena comes on top during extended onslaughts in the pocket.
Benoit ...Super durable and insanely consistent every fight, Ryan Benoit is a fun fighter to watch regardless of his record. Often failing due to a size disadvantage, he will find no such worries against the stubby 65″ reach of Adashev. Adashev has struggled in the UFC as he failed to close the reach differential with his counter-striking. While Adashev is heavy-handed and can time a counter, Benoit’s durability and aggression are safer to back imho. May get a finish late.
Stolze decision ...This fight could easily boil down to Gooden aimlessly chasing Stolze all night as the German attempts to set up hard counters. While Stolze can operate behind the take one to give one style, it is only really viable when a fighter owns wicked power. If Stolze was to stay busier on the back-foot, probing with his jab more regularly, he would bleed fewer rounds and force opponents to walk onto counters. Big boi, Jared Gooden, is a powerful striker
but ridiculously susceptible to being wobbled. Keeping his head on the center line and hands low at range, Gooden banks on landing first in exchanges.
Buys ...Hopefully returning this Saturday with a counter to the head and arm throw, Buys can showcase her solid boxing and top game. A pressure boxer who seeks to wade into the pocket and throw volume, Buys’ leaky striking defense is papered over by her heavy hands. With a 2″ height and 3 1\2″ reach advantage, however, Gloria de Paula is primed to engage in the clinch. Although de Paula occasionally uses his length well on the outside, it will be the knees and elbows from the clinch that will cause Buys’ the most trouble. Unfortunately for de Paula, she is susceptible to trips and was taken down far too easily by Pauline Macias during their DWCS showdown.
Strickland and over ...Just when the Uriah Hall hype train had appeared to be fully derailed in 2016, the explosive counter puncher has compiled a 5-1 streak. Although the quality of opposition, and indeed the methods of victory, are rife for criticism – Hall remains a lethal stoppage artist. Strickland’s tendency to stand tall at striking range plays directly into Hall’s hands, who will be gifted enough space to unleash his spinning attacks. While biding his time to set up the perfect counter, Hall can pepper Strickland with a solid jab benefitting from a 3 1/2″ reach advantage. Despite owning a snapping jab himself, Strickland would be best advised to call upon his grappling and wrestling advantage. By no means a superb grappler, Strickland’s chops were evident vs Brendan Allen, wisely using the body lock to avoid the prospect’s telegraphed power shots. Even without going to grapple, Strickland can win a decision on the basis of volume and activity alone. While a Bevon Lewis fate will always remain lurking in the shadows, if Strickland can keep Hall’s back pressed against the fence, it nullifies the most explosive aspects of his opponent’s game. If Sean survive he likely trumps the scorecards.
