In the first fight, we get 2 ladies making their UFC debut, both seem to be grappling centered with Dos Santos the more experienced fighter at 14-6 with 10 finishes. Alencar has only 5 fights but is 4-0-1 and is 5 years older. Coin toss, may as well back the dog.
Taira is 14-0 and once again a huge favorite. Hernandez is pretty durable so I would expect a sub tonight...and that's the only way to play it with such odds
I do like Egger's chances once she secures a takedown, as she is the much better grappler. She has finished 7 of her 8 wins, 4 by sub. She may have trouble standing with Santos but should be able to use her size, strength, and grappling to secure the takedown and control the fight.
Costa will look to maintain distance work his kicks(calf, body or head), he's not particular. Garcia is gritty and hits hard but should be outclassed by the Brazilian's striking.
Park doesn't have lots of experience but still appears a polished prospect. He has shown good striking defense, better-than-average striking, and a top-notch ground game. I see this one over pretty quickly. Of course, Ross has his back against the wall having lost his first 3 UFC bouts, and will probably get cut with another loss.
Jousset is Aussie tough with excellent reach, but his aggressiveness may prove his downfall tonight. Song is well-rounded and should hold his own while standing and be able to take over when the fight hits the mat. Jousset is dangerous though, know that. Likely over as well.
3/3.93 TALITA ALENCAR +131 3/2.03 TATSURO TAIRA INSIDE DISTANCE -148 2/1.74 HERNANDEZ VS TAIRA ENDS BY SUBMISSION -115 3/4.05 Stephanie Egger +135 4/1.80 MELQUIZAEL COSTA -222 3/2.61 HYUN SUNG PARK IN ROUND 1 -115 3/1.81 ROSS vs PARK u1½ -166
[3-4 -4.24u]
3/3.81 KENAN SONG +127
3.82/2 SONG vs JOUSSET o1½ -191
Main Card:
3/1.57 JUN YONG PARK -191
3/1.60 NASRAT HAQPARAST -187
2/1.26 TIM ELLIOTT -159
Park's a grappler with good sub-skills. Muniz had been on a solid run but has dropped the last 2. Probably not the most exciting fight but more of a technical grappling match.
Elliot steps in on short notice, but he will bring the game that has given Sumudaerji the most trouble...sub grappling, Although Tim does other things well, he'll be smart to lean in on the grappling and go for a sub.
Mullarkey's main defense is a granite jaw. Not so sure it holds up tonight versus the technical striker Nasrat Haqparast.
Don't understand the Smith line as Anthony is the bigger, more durable, better gas, better ground game, higher ranked, etc... I know it's short notice but I do like this spot.
3/3.93 TALITA ALENCAR +131
2/1.74 HERNANDEZ VS TAIRA ENDS BY SUBMISSION -115
