UFC Vegas 67

[mrpickem]

Finally, we get a fight card after 3 weeks off. Not a good card, but at least some fight action.

 

[mrpickem]

UFC Vegas 67: Prelims​

JIMMY FLICK (16-5) VS CHARLES JOHNSON (12-3) (125)

• Johnson ...Johnson is more consistent and capable of punishing high-risk bursts from Flick. Although lucky to get a decision win vs Zhalgas Zhumagulov, he showed resilience and the ability to force the pace. Flick may be too gutsy for his own good. He's a fun submission artist to watch but lacks the technique to set up his subs.

DANIEL ARGUETA (8-1) VS NICK AGUIRRE (7-0) (145)

• Argueta Decision ...This is Aguirre's 1st real test and I doubt his wrestling base will be enough today. Although Argueta was handled by Damon Jackson while being controlled for over 10 minutes and struggling to keep the fight standing, he did show heart and grit while fighting off Jackson’s aggressive sub-attempts.

First 2

• 3/2.00 CHARLES JOHNSON KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -150
• 2/1.60 NICK AGUIRRE vs DANIEL ARGUETA o1½-125

 

[mrpickem]

UFC Vegas 67: Rest of the Prelims​

ALLAN NASCIMENTO VS CARLOS HERNANDEZ(8-1) (125)

• Nascimento ...Hernandez is a sniper, but still mostly a work in progress. Nascimento is big for the weight and his size/strength can help cover obvious holes in his game. He probably brings enough bullying tactics to hold Hernandez down long enough to garner the judge's nod.

MATEUSZ REBECKI(16-1) VS NICK FIORE (155)

• Rebecki ITD ...Odd matchmaking, even by the UFC’s standards. Fiore is undefeated but has never faced a meaningful test. He has beaten more than one fighter with over 80 losses, yes that's correct...one he beat: Jay Ellis had a record of 15-98 Rebecki has faced solid competition in various European promotions. This one has walkover written all over it.

ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN(11-5) VS CLAUDIO RIBEIRO(10-2) (185)

• Alhassan Early KO ...In the twilight of his career, Alhassan has found it more difficult to set up his one-shot KO power. He mostly lacks the tools to trap UFC-quality opponents into eating his renowned power. However, Ribeiro plays a similar game without the best defense. Ribeiro enters the UFC on a 6-fight stoppage streak, but it's highly doubtful he can match Abdul's power or make it out of the first round. Probably the most exciting 3 or 4 minutes of the prelims, maybe less.

 

[mrpickem]

[2-0 +3.6u]

• 4/1.31 ALLAN NASCIMENTO -306
• 3/1.09 MATEUSZ REBECKI KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -275
• 2/1.32 NICK FIORE vs MATEUSZ REBECKI u1½ -152

 

[DBURGH]

Damn, I was hoping this was later. Good luck.

 

[mrpickem]

[3-2 -0.09u]

• 2/1.74 ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN -115
• 2/2.20 ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +110

Basharat will be quite a step up for Mendonca. Known as McGregor 2.0 for his long, bladed stance, Basharat lacks Conor's electric persona or one-shot power, but he is a technically polished striker that looks good to the judges. Mendonca has the high ceiling of an athletic specimen being only 23 years old, but this will likely prove a learning experience today. I think it's way overpriced so I'll just leave this one alone.

 

[mrpickem]

UFC Vegas 67: Main Card​

UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV(15-0) VS RAONI BARCELOS(17-3) (135)

• Nurmagomedov ITD ...Barcelos may be a nuisance on the mat to control and somewhat explosive on the feet, but he has struggled with high pace in the past. Umar may have a huge hype train behind him, but it's justifiable considering the nature of his wins. His 3-fight rear-naked choke streak was snapped last time out, but he was dominant...eating just two significant shots while landing 74 of his own vs Nate Maness. Without any identifiable chinks in his armor, this is Umar's fight to lose.

KETLEN VIEIRA(13-2) VS RAQUEL PENNINGTON (135)

• Vieira & Over ...Pennington’s volume striking and grinding clinch game continue finding success a decade into her MMA career. Riding a 4-win streak since a decision loss to Holly Holm in 2020, Raquel may have grounds for a title shot on her longevity alone. Aldana is more focused on her wrestling base in her last few outing and has reaped the rewards. Pennington’s athleticism isn't what it once was and Vieira will exploit this angle with repeated takedowns.

PUNAHELE SORIANO(9-2) VS ROMAN KOPYLOV(9-2) (185)

• Soriano KO ...Soriano brings big power and has found several early finishes, yet his poor TDD saw him lose to a mediocre Nick Maximov. Kopylov hasn't shown intent to take fights to the mat in his UFC career and will be relying on his chin to survive early exchanges. If he lasts, Kopylov’s deep gas tank can punish fighters down the stretch.

 

[mrpickem]

[5-2 +3.85u]

• 1/3.56 MATEUS MENDONCA +356
• 2/3.50 UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +175
• 1.50/3 RAONI BARCELOS vs UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV u2½ +200

WTH, at these odds I'll toss a unit at the dog up next

 

[mrpickem]

[7-3 +9.35u]

• 4.20/3 KETLEN VIEIRA -140
• 3/2.14 PUNAHELE SORIANO -140
• 1/1.25 PUNAHELE SORIANO KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +125

 

[mrpickem]

[7-6 1.15U]

• 2.48/3 DAMON JACKSON +121
• 1.50/1 DAMON JACKSON vs DAN IGE o2½ -150

Them body shots were devastating and I don't know what the fucks wrong with Viera, she was just riding it out.

Ige loves to scrap but lacks length or pop in his hands to battle with the top dogs. His underrated grappling is always dangerous, but generally only used for defensive purposes. Jackson’s aggressive pursuit of subs may overwhelm Ige. Otherwise, Jackson’s development standing (especially his control of range) may find him stealing rounds from an opponent who prefers to fight in bursts.

 

[mrpickem]

Solid left hook, got to give it to 50K, he handles everyone but the very top guys

[7-8 -2.83u]

• 3.42/4 SEAN STRICKLAND +117

Imavov is an accurate counter-striker, but he can be overwhelmed under pressure as he struggles to find pockets of space to operate. Partly, he simply refuses to sit into his shots – an option he may consider flipping versus an opponent who will happily walk into the firing line. Since Strickland’s return to the octagon after a motorcycle accident, he unwittingly chooses to ignore the success of his past wrestling performances. Shooting just once (and, successfully) against Jared Cannonier last time out, it’s better to come to terms that Strickland is not going to deviate from his high-pressure, jab-heavy approach. If he doesn't gas, he should be able to out-box Imavov,​

​

 

[mrpickem]

Not a great night, but still it's good to start the year with a winning night.

VEGAS 67 1/14/23
3/2.00 CHARLES JOHNSON KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -150
2/1.60 NICK AGUIRRE vs DANIEL ARGUETA o1½-125
4/1.31 ALLAN NASCIMENTO -306
3/1.09 MATEUSZ REBECKI KO,TKO,DQ,SUB -275
2/1.32 NICK FIORE vs MATEUSZ REBECKI u1½ -152
2/1.74 ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN -115
2/2.20 ABDUL RAZAK ALHASSAN KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +110
1/3.56 MATEUS MENDONCA +356
2/3.50 UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +175
1.50/3 RAONI BARCELOS vs UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV u2½ +200
4.20/3 KETLEN VIEIRA -140
3/2.14 PUNAHELE SORIANO -140
1/1.25 PUNAHELE SORIANO KO,TKO,DQ,SUB +125
2.48/3 DAMON JACKSON +121
1.50/1 DAMON JACKSON vs DAN IGE o2½ -150
3.42/4 SEAN STRICKLAND +117

[8-8 +1.17u]