Cannonier vs Strickland Prediction: Cannonier TKO Round 2
After a crushing first-round loss to Alex Pereira, Strickland has been the butt of much ridicule, not least for his comedically shoddy pressure – broken high guard, zero entries on angles, pumping a consistent limp jab. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a one-off but instead has been the core of Strickland’s game since returning to the UFC in 2020. On the face of it, it feels silly not to back Jared Cannonier’s explosive bursts of clubbing power against a fighter who will walk onto it. Don’t be surprised if Strickland’s relentless volume grits out a fairly dull decision, however. We’re backing a bit of highlight reel action to cap off the year.
Tsarukyan vs Ismagulov Prediction: Tsarukyan Decision
Damir Ismagulov’s reach advantage, superb jab and TDD could create a frustrating night’s work for Tsarukyan. If Tsarukyan can keep the 31-year-old pinned to the mat, it would be a huge statement. Even though the Armenian’s striking tends to devolve into predictable single shots by the championship rounds, Tsarukyan tends to have an advantage in speed early on. This stinks of a controversial split decision – shout-out to Paddy Pimblett.
Albazi vs Costa Prediction: Albazi Submission Round 1
What was supposed to be Amir Albazi’s breakout weekend has devolved into another case of ‘keep warm’ opposition. The fans deserve top match-ups featuring the freak submission artist and explosive wrestler. Alessandro Costa enters off the back of a twelve-second KO over Carlos Gomez for the Lux League Flyweight Championship two months ago. A little further back in the timeline, however, Costa barely scraped through his DWCS debut. Costa’s TDD isn’t on the level to keep this fight competitive for long.
Caceres vs Erosa Prediction: Erosa Decision
A fighter reborn since he started his second UFC stint in 2020, Julian Erosa appears to have pieced together his puzzle. A heavy-handed pressure fighter, Erosa has just enough cage-cutting know-how to keep Caceres locked in the striking trenches. It won’t be pretty, it never is with Erosa, but we should see some exciting fireworks between the two.
Dober vs Green Prediction: Dober Decision
Green has owned up to his mistake during the build-up and offered a relatively believable excuse for unknowingly using an over-the-counter substance – any drop in athletic performance is unlikely, therefore. The veteran remains one of the slickest counter-punchers in the division, but his high-risk defence and low output often leave him sacrificing decisions. Considering Dober’s unbreakable chin, he will catch the judge’s eyes with his relentless work off the front foot.
Brundage vs Oleksiejczuk Prediction: Oleksiejczuk TKO Round 2
Middleweight Michal Oleksiejczuk is a mythical fighter that has flown way under the radar this year. Granted, his one victory has come against Sam Alvey, but he carried his power down with an extra edge of speed at 185lbs. Brundage is a bulky wrestler who has started to better utilise the pop in his hands, but he will struggle to clean out the Pole early. Oleksiejczuk, for all his flaws, is unchanging in his 0-100mph approach in the octagon.
Vlismas vs McKenna Prediction: Vlismas Decision
McKenna’s bread and butter is her technical wrestling, yet seems to have fallen in love with her limited boxing since transitioning to the UFC. The Welshwoman was pieced apart on the feet by Elise Reed yet returned to winning ways with a second-round Von Flue choke over Miranda Granger. If McKenna remains deadset on striking with Vlismas then she will struggle, the latter is capable of finding her range and timing immediately.
Matthews vs Semelsberger Prediction: Matthews Decision
Matt Semelsberger, for all his improvements, represents the exact prototype of a fighter that Matthews’ can style on. Semelsberger carries early-round lights-out power but lacks the tools or traps to lead craftier opponents onto the knockout. The Aussie is static in defence but he also rarely walks himself onto blind shots. There is also a wrestling outlet if Matthews feels as though he needs to put his stamp on the round.
Nurmagomedov vs Kakhramonov Prediction: Nurmagomedov Decision
A true toss-up between two of the biggest prospects in the Bantamweight division. If Kakhramonov can get inside of Nurmagomedov’s kicks, he can cause the Dagestani real issues with his heavy flurries in the pocket.Nurmagomedov will be the first opponent in the UFC to match Kakhramonov’s physicality, however. Kakhramonov to go 0-2 against fighters named Nurmagomedov.
Maheshate vs Garcia Prediction: Garcia Decision
Garcia is more than capable of matching Maheshate’s early intensity and has proven his chin is more than capable of handling heavy artillery. If Maheshate is able to switch Garcia’s light off, we have a real talent on our hands. More likely is that Maheshate struggles with Garcia’s ability to adapt over the three rounds.
Battle vs Fakhretdinov Prediction: Fakhretdinov Decision
Fakhretdinov carries an impressive amount of power in his hands but he tends to rely on chain-wrestling his way to decision victories. The latter is certainly a viable gameplan against Battle, who will be happy to work off his back. It’s hard to see a repeat head kick KO ala, Takashi Sato.
Dvorak vs Kape Prediction: Kape TKO Round 3
Kape is a phenomenal athlete who has finally started to find the right amount of ringcraft and pulling the trigger. Starboy carries unreal power for the division, but he may be kept quiet under the unrelenting barrages from Dvorak.
Morozov vs Newson Prediction: Morozov TKO Round 1
Technically, there isn’t much to flag up with Journey Newson – he proved that in his routine victory over Fernie Garcia. Unfortunately for the American, there are major durability issues that can’t really be papered over in a division dripping with his talent. Morozov certainly packs enough of a punch to prove this theory.
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