UFC 257 Poirier vs McGregor: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications, Odds, &

      Just when you think MMAFO is gone, the greatest sport on Earth drags us back in. As it was for everyone in the world, 2020 was a disaster for MMAFO but it's a new year, and the same old us. The way the UFC disrespects the sport and it's warriors bothers us to no end, but we also can't deny that UFC 257 has that "big fight feel" and we were quite surprised how much we really missed it. Despite Dana "Tomato" White doing everything in his power to ruin the legitimacy of MMA, we still love the core of the sport, and we cannot deny this card is stacked with interesting bouts! So, worries and reservations aside, let's pretend it's the old days and enjoy some elite level MMA! Oh, and ignore the loudmouth bald guy and go ahead and pirate this event. He can't do shit.

Main Card PPV (9:00pm/CT):

Dustin Poirier (156) +230 vs. Conor McGregor (155) -300 [Rematch]

It has been six and a half years since these two men met and everything has changed. 

Since their initial meeting, Conor has been to the top of the mountain and back down again in spectacular fashion going 6-2. 

For his part, Dustin has gone 10-2-1 even gaining the Interim Lightweight Championship.

Both men fell to Khabib Nurmagomedov and now are trying to become elite enough to entice back the retired "Eagle," or get their name on the poster to fight for the likely vacant belt.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Though "Diamond" has improved in every facet, he cannot stop himself from being lured into a fire fight removing him from a proper game plan, and that, and the enormous spotlight, is when "Mac" truly shines. For all of the things Conor has done in his personal life and outside of the cage, he has become an embarrassing pariah, but all of that fades away during the time in the Octagon. 

McGregor will prolly starch Poirier in similar fashion to their first meeting. Let's just hope the "Notorious" one can find a proper way to atone for all of his questionable actions.

WiNNER-Conor McGregor by Rd.2 TKO

Dan Hooker (156) -138 vs. Michael Chandler (156) +132

We have become fans of New Zealand's "Hangman" in the last couple of years. At first we admit, we thought him to be a better than average Lightweight but not a title contender. But the dude just works, improves, and does it all with a great attitude of someone enjoying the journey the right way.

The City Kickboxer is long, can finish with strikes or subs, and has heart/durability for days. 

Chandler is finally making the long awaited UFC debut after a stellar career and multiple championships under the Bellator banner. The Mizzou alum is a great wrestler, but let's be honest, he hasn't used it much in recent times instead opting for a kill-or-be-killed striking approach that though exciting to watch, is still dangerous as hell.  

As much as we're rooting for "Hangman," this is a rough matchup for him. Chandler can out-gas him, has more power, and an explosiveness that tends to wear on Hooker. Mike should find success in his debut and it is so much more important to him than to Dan. 

Upset Pick WiNNER-Michael Chandler by Decision

Joanne Calderwood (126) -115 vs. Jessica Eye (126) +105

There is nobody sweeter than "Bad MoFo JoJo" and nobody dumber than "Evil Eye." Seriously, read Jessica's social media. It's a treasure trove of stupidity. 

Anywho, "Dr. Kneevil" made the classic MMA fighter mistake not waiting for her already promised title shot, and instead of waiting for the champ to be healthy, Joanne took a bout in-between and of course, lost. It happens so often you'd think the MMA world would catch on, but we digress. The time is now for the Syndicate MMA student (now 34) to make that title run.

Quite honestly, is Calderwood can't beat the inconsistent and overrated Eye, she doesn't deserve another title shot. Luckily for us Joanne "fannes," Jessica isn't that good and in a likely kickboxing bout, "JoJo" should at the very least, win two rounds. It should also help that Calderwood has a strong dislike for the mouthy Jessica.

WiNNER-Joanne Calderwood by Decision

https://www.instagram.com/amandaufcribas/?hl=en

Amanda Ribas (116) -305 vs. Marina Rodriguez (116) +275 

MMAFO is making the call right now, Amanda Ribas will be a star! The 27 year old Brazilian is charming, talented in the cage, and a stunner. Ribas is on the come up while we've seen as far as Rodriguez will ascend.

The night belongs to Amanda as does our hearts.

WiNNER-Amanda Ribas by Decision

Makhmud Muradov (186) -140 vs. Andrew Sanchez (186) +130

WiNNER-Makmud Muradov

Prelims on ESPN (7:00pm/CT):

What a debacle to get this bout to come together. Ottman Azaitar was supposed to face Frevola, but The UFC President informed BT Sport. “He (Ottman) and his team cut off their wristbands, gave them to somebody else outside the bubble, I don’t know how they even did it. That guy taped them, showed up with a bag, went into a room, shimmied across four balconies, went into his room, dropped the bag off, changed his clothes, and then left. When security tried to stop him, he wouldn’t stop. It’s bad. He’s gone, he’s no longer a UFC fighter.”

So Azaitar has lost his job under bizarre circumstances and meanwhile, Nasrat Haqparast was slotted to face Tsarukyan but Haqparast missed weight and was bounced from the card allowing the two true professionals to meet giving us...

Matt Frevola (155.5) +515 vs. Arman Tsarukyan (157) -680

WiNNER-Arman Tsarukyan

Brad Tavares (185.5) -115 vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (185) +105

MMAFO has never understood the fascination with Tavares. He's an average fighter, with some decent standup, not much power, and in his last 10 bouts he has gone 5-5 which is about right. Brad hasn't evolved at all and just kind of meanders along.

"Cara de Sapato" seemed to be the dark horse of the diviosn as he quickly rose through the ranks, but now the ATT fighter has lost back to back bouts because his stand up skills just aren't that good. Sure, if Antonio can get you to the ground you are in serious trouble, but he just isn't enough of a threat standing to create some fear to open up takedowns. 

We like "Shoe Face" who has finishing skills and we are just not interested in Tavares anymore. 

Upset Pick WiNNER-Antonio Carlos Junior by Decision

Sara McMann (135) -125 vs. Julianna Pena (136) +115 

The Team Alpha FeMale fighter returned last January after having a baby (congratulations) and got back in the win column. 

Julianna returned last October after having a baby (congratulations) but tapped to "The Iron Lady." 

It's a Mom-off!

McMann is a wrestling machine who hasn't shown diminishing skills though she is now 40. "The Venezuelan Vixon" is very talented, kind of an idiot, and still trains with universally despised Sikjitsu camp because she never wants to see her full potential.

WiNNER-

Khalil Roundtree (206) -325 vs. Marcin Prachnio (205) +295

So "The War Horse" loses to Ion Cutelaba last year and suddenly he's dropped to the bottom of the card and Prachnio is sacrificed? What is happening here and why does the UFC hate Marcin? 

Roundtree will roundly defeat Prachnio.

WiNNER-Khalil Roundtree by Rd.1 TKO

Prelims on ESPN+ (6:00pm/CT):

Nik Lentz (150) +495 vs. Movsar Evloev (150) -590

Speaking of sacrificial lambs, Lentz is being fed to Evloev. Best of luck there "Carney."

WiNNER-Movsar Evloev by Decision

Amir Albazi (126) +100 vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (126) -110 

We're just going to be honest here and admit we have no idea who these guys are.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Amir Albazi by Decision

Best MMA Fights For Halloweekend 2020: UFC, Bellator, & ONE - Picks, Prognostications + Odds

 

Bellator 250

Vacant Middleweight Title Bout

Gegard Mousasi (46-7-2) -162 vs. Douglas Lima (32-7) +142

You know MMAFO is picking "Sweet Sassy" Mousasi for the win and his 2nd run with the belt. Lima (Bellator's Welterweight Champion) is a stud but we already tried this experiment with Rory MacDonald moving up to face Mousasi and he took a shit kicking for it. Douglas has a better shot than Rory but it all ends the same with "The Young Vagabond's" hand raised.

WiNNER-Gegard Mousasi by Decision

Jake Hager (2-0) -800 vs. Brandon Calton (2-0) +500

For you crossover AEW fans we have another Bellator sacrifice to build up a pro wrestler.

WiNNER-Jake Hager by Rd.2 TKO

UFC Fight Night 181

Anderson Silva (34-10) +185 vs. Uriah Hall (15-9) -225

The "retirement bout" of Anderson "The Spider" Silva. By that we mean unless he wins and then has to do another fight on his contract, or he heads to Bellator, or and most likely, he fights one last time in front of real people in Brazil at some point. That kind of retiring.

Anywho, the GOAT is faced with the lesser version of his younger self in Hall.

We've spoken about all we need to concerning Uriah and his quit when things get tough attitude. "Primetime" (hilarious) has won a couple in a row but he's never been elite and at 36, his best days are behind him as well.

The MMA Gods have not been kind to Silva in the past and they are notoriously unforgiving to all trying to decamp. Still, MMAFO has to ride or die with Anderson one last time and hope there is a little of that old "Spider" magic left somewhere deep down.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Anderson Silva by Decision??

Bryce Mitchell (13-0) -125 vs. Andre Fili (21-7) +115

This should be fun as hell! "Thug Nasty" finally has his camo shorts and he puts his undefeated streak on the line against "Touchy" Fili who seems to be putting his whole game together recently.

The Team Alpha Male member has won 3 of his last 4 and likes a good scrap. Andre is the longer fighter and more diverse on the feet.

Bryce secured the second successful "Twister" submission win in UFC history and that always puts a lovely feeling in the heart. That and his Arkansas accent in interviews is charming.

Ya gotta like Mitchell to bring things to the ground where he can become a madman and run game. It should be a slobber knocker but with Bryce gets enough points in the end.

WiNNER-Bryce Mitchell by Decision

 

We also hope Maurice Greene beats his opponent so badly that we never see the domestic abuser again. 

ONE Championship: Inside The Matrix

Light Heavyweight & Middleweight Champion Aung La Nsang (26-10) vs. Reinier De Ridder (12-0)

We are finally getting this highly anticipated matchup after cancellations and the whole plague thing. Now "The Burmese Python" faces "The Dutch Knight" for the Middleweight title.

UFC on ESPN 38 Korean Zombie vs Ortega: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications, + Odds!

 

Main Card on ESPN+:

Chan Sung Jung -185 vs. Brian Ortega +160

Since his return from military service in the "land of the morning calm," "The Korean Zombie" has gone 3-1 with the lone loss being a last second hellbow loss to Yair Rodriguez which was bananas. Believe it or not, we think Jung has been overlooked in the division a bit and this is his moment to shine and get another shot at the belt.

"T-City" has been shut down for a couple of years battling injuries and recovering from the shit kicking he received from Max Holloway. Ortega is the stellar Jiu-Jitsu player with heavy hands and has improved the boxing game.

Hey Chan, stay off the goddamn ground! Just a little friendly advice from MMAFO. The more Jung can keep this standing, the better off he'll be. Work, work, work and let the cardio of the "Zombie" wear and frustrate Brian. People have kinda fallen in love with Bry but we stay loyal to the "Zombie" and his ability to do what Holloway did, and expose the slower Ortega, while turning it on late to pull away if not outright stop the Californian, with a few ground scares along the way.

WiNNER-Chan Sung Jung by Decision

Katlyn Chookagian +130 vs. Jessica Andrade -150

Okay, what are we doing here? Chookagian had a nice thing going. "The Blonde Fighter" got a title shot (though she lost to Valentina Shevchenko), got a little revenge defeating champs sister Antonina Shevchenko, and now the UFC tosses her in the Octagon with Andrade?

Dude, this is the type of opponent Jessica feasts upon. Katlyn has zero ground game, and she's pillow fisted. "Bate Estaca" has all the power you can pack into a woman's 115 lb. frame, and is a talented grappler.

Andrade should be a -1000 favorite here. We have no idea what Kate can do to Jessica and this may be a Halloween massacre.

WiNNER-Jessica Andrade by Rd.1 TKO

Jim Crute -310 vs. Modestas Bukauskas

+255

WiNNER-

Thomas Almeida -135 vs. Jonathan Martinez +155

Yaaaay, "Thominhas" is back! MMAFO loves us some old school Chute Boxe and Almeida is as close as you can get in the modern era. Dude just brutes forward slangin' hooks and looks evil as hell.

"Dragon" has done alright for himself going 3-2 in the promotion but make no mistake about it, this is a test for Almeida.

Thomas was cruising his way toward the title back in '15 until he was decapitated by Cody Garbrandt the next year. Almeida has always had a bit of a suspect chin as he seems to get hurt and or dropped in every outing and it finally caught up. A nice win was followed by a loss to Jimmie Rivera and then another (T)KO loss this time to Rob Font. At this point the chin issue is more than a worry but taking a couple of years off was the smartest thing he could do. Now rested, we shall see if he can return to his old form while protecting himself from those disastrous knockouts.

WiNNER-Thomas Almeida by Decision

Prelims on ESPN+:

Mateusz Gamrot -300 vs. Guram Kutateladze +250

WiNNER-

Gillian Robertson -210 vs. Poliana Botelho +175

WiNNER-

Claudio Silva +135 vs. James Krause -155

WiNNER-

Yong Jin Park -260 vs. John Phillips +220

WiNNER-

Jamie Mullarkey -150 vs. Fares Ziam +130

WiNNER-

Gadzhimurad Antigulov +285 vs. Maxim Grishin -345

WiNNER-

Said Nurmagomedov -400 vs. Mark Striegl +325

WiNNER-

UFC 253 Adesanya vs. Costa: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications, It's The Return of MMAFO!

 

     Weeeeeeeeell, MMAFO could not pass up the opportunity to peruse the UFC 253 card with all the stacked talent and important fights. We've been dismayed by the direction of the sport, but 2020 is a bust so let's just reset and enjoy some high caliber MMA!

Main Card:

Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya (19-0) -175 vs. Paulo Costa (13-0) +165

MMAFO loves us some "Stylebender" and not just because he has backed up everything we have been saying about the kid for the last 3 years. Israel has been a great ambassador for the sport and a great role model for kids which is a rare thing in MMA these days. The Nigerian superstar is not only the undefeated UFC Middleweight Champion, but he has only fought a murderers row of warriors and when wounded he has responded in fights with unflappable confidence. 

Oluwafemi "flows like water" ala modern day Anderson Silva with a stellar kicking arsenal and underrated defense. 

"Borrachinha" has been erasing foes all the way to a #1 contendership. Costa is actually 2 years younger than the champ and brings ridiculous power and never, ever, stops plodding forward. Worries about his endurance were lessened when he went a full 15 minutes with freak of nature Yoel Romero, but the Brazilian has never seen the "championship rounds." 

If we're just going to kickbox, Adesanya is the smart pick, but if Costa would just put his ego aside and throw some grappling into the mix, he could cause some real problems. Prolly just a banger though and "The Last Stylebender" shines again.

WiNNER-Israel Adesanya by Decision

Vacant Light-Heavyweight Title Bout: 

Dominick Reyes (12-1) -245 vs. Jan Blachowicz (26-8) +225

Jon Jones retired, relinquished his title, and then decided to return at Heavyweight to avoid the dogs nipping at his heels. Good riddance for 205 as we move onward and upward with a tested veteran defying the odds and getting his day in the sun against the guy who arguably should be the champ had the 3 blind judges not cheated him in February, but we digress. 

Reyes is back from an impressive showing 7 months ago which was his first professional loss. His stock still rose and after some injury issues he's ready to rock as he comes into his prime. "The Devastator" is just good everywhere and hungry for the title.

Ya gotta root for the veteran as he's done the time and put in the work for 13 years in every corner of the globe. The Pole even struggled for a bit when he entered the UFC but stayed true and rebounded even knocking Corey Anderson out of the UFC with a 1st round finish in February. Blachowicz is steady on the feet but slow for the division which usually earns him some damage. 

It's hard to see a path to victory for Jan here as the younger fighter is just more talented everywhere the fight could potentially go. We know the MMA Gods laugh at those statements but Dominick is the pick to win stacking up points for a clear victory.

WiNNER-Dominick Reyes by Decision

Kai Kara-France (21-8) -215 vs. Brandon Royval (11-4) +195

It's a Flyweight fiesta forcasting fun fighter festivities. Eh, we're not really interested by respect is due to the lil fellers. We like "Raw Dog" (insert juvenile snicker) to surprise KKF with a slick submission over the safe Kiwi.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Brandon Royval by Rd.2 Submission

Ketlen Vieira (10-1) -185 vs. Sijara Eubanks (6-4) +160

"Sarj" is still unlikeable, she just is. The sins of her arrogant past still linger as she tries to build some momentum on her back-to-back wins. 

"Fenomeno" suffered her 1st career loss last out with a rough 1st round knockout to Irene Aldana.  Ketlen was returning from a 2-year layoff due to injury, so perhaps rust was a factor. Vieira is still the better grappler and should be able to wear on Sijara's suspect gas tank if not tap her.

WiNNER-Ketlen Vieira by Decision

Hakeem Dawodu (11-1-1) +125 vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (19-4-1) -135

The Russian "Warrior" has done well in the promotion going 4-1-1. He's also the douche that jumped the cage wall in a cowardly attack on Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Zubaira served 3 years of an initial lifetime ban and really, fuck this guy.

"Mean" Hakeem has won his last 4 finding his rhythm behind nasty kickboxing.

Obviously, MMAFO are rooting for Dawodu, the better man, but he really should finish the reckless opponent.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Hakeem Dawodu by Rd.2 TKO

Prelims:

Brad Riddell (8-1) -290 vs. Alex Da Silva (21-2) +260

New Zealand City Kickboxing represent! Israel Adesanya's teammate is 2-0 in the UFC and on a 5-fight winning streak. 

"Leko" is a young 24 fighting out of the Astra Fight Team in Brazil. He's awight but not as dynamic as Riddell.

WiNNER-Brad Riddell by Decision

Diego Sanchez (30-12) +550 vs. Jake Matthews (16-4) -675

C'mon, seriously.

WiNNER-Jake Matthews by Decision

Ludovit Klein (16-2) -120 vs. Shane Young (13-4) +110

WiNNER-Ludovit Klein

Aleksa Camur (6-0) -160 vs. William Knight (8-1) +150

Really curious to see how the 2nd coming of __ plays out. Knight is a genetic freak of nature but 

WiNNER-

Prelims on Fight Pass:

Juan Espino (9-1) -290 vs. Jeff Hughes (10-3) +260

WiNNER-

Khadis Ibragimov (8-3) -172 vs. Danilo Marques (9-2) +162

WiNNER-