UFC 184 Rousey vs. Zingano: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

February 28, 2015
Staples Center
Los Angeles, California

Main Card on PPV:
Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey (10-0) -800 vs. Cat Zingano (9-0) +500

The bitch we love to hate is back! The undefeated superstar brings her highly touted Judo skills and vastly improved stand up game to bear against the Cat. We know the strengths and there have yet to be any weaknesses, so we shall focus on the challenger. 

The "Alpha" Cat is also undefeated and very strong/durable for the division while trying to trap you in a clinch position where she can unload the powerful knees that did ion Miesha Tate. Zingano is heavy in top position and has the determination and cardio to fight through bad positions and grow stronger as the night progresses. 

The rub here is that Zingano wants to work in the clinch where Rousey excels and murders women. Cat has also not shown herself to be effective off her back where Ronda is looking to throw her. Maybe a direct hit rattles the "Rowdy" one but short of a well placed strike, Rousey is Zingano's better in about all areas of the fight. Cat's best chance is to survive the early attacks and hope the lady who has never seen a judge's decision tires. Best of luck with that.

WINNER-Ronda Rousey by Rd.3 Submission

Raquel Pennington (5-4) +475 vs. Holly Holm (7-0) -750

This is the perfect opponent for Winkeljohn's adopted daughter. Mike has been honing Holm's skills for 17 years in boxing and MMA. Holly is a ridiculous boxer as all know, its just a matter of how her ground game has come along.

Luckily for Holm, Raquel is basically a boxer in MMA as well and loves to brawl. Pennington wants to stand and trade with the newest UFC blonde bombshell and she will not find success. Hoping the UFC jitters curb Holly's technical skill is her best bet. Ain't gonna happen. 

The interesting parts of this bout will be if Holly calls out Ronda Rousey and how does she look in her freshman appearance for the UFC.
WINNER-Holly Holm by Rd.3 TKO

Jake Ellenberger (29-9) -210 vs. Josh Koscheck (17-8) +170

Two welterweights that are waining in their careers collide here to see who goes home for good, and who clings to life in Zuffa's organization.

Back in his day, "Kos" became the #1 contender falling short against Georges St. Pierre but fighting and defeating the likes of Matt Hughes, Paul Daley, Anthony Johnson, Frank Trigg, Diego Sanchez, and many more. Josh is a stellar wrestler who learned to have quite effective stand up though he does not like to get hit and his chin has become questioned as he was finished in the 1st round of his last 2 fights. Josh has lost 3 in a row but a narrow Split Decision loss to Johny Hendricks brings no shame. It has been 15 months since we've seen Koscheck who rightly took time off to allow his body to heal at age 37. 

The "Juggernaut" may be 8 years his junior, but he is also in a free fall losing his last 3 bouts and doing so by looking dreadful. Ellenberger is a power striker who hasn't been able to let his strikes go as of late. 

Josh should easily have the takedown/wrestling advantage, but damned if his chin isn't finished. Jake is going to sprawl early and often avoiding the ground at all costs, and when that hand does land for the "Juggernaut," "Kos" will be going to sleep.
WINNER-Jake Ellenberger by Rd.1 TKO

Alan Jouban (10-3) -315 vs. Richard Walsh (8-2) +245

The model turned fighter Jouban came into the UFC destroying Seth Baczynski but then losing a competitive decision last out to Warlley Alves. Alan is a creative and adept southpaw striker who cuts a blistering pace and is very tough. Jouban is also good in the clinch but his weakness is the ground.

The Aussie is also 1-1 for the UFC and an absolute beast. The guy is very powerful and technically solid while also being aggressive.

This is gonna be a fun fight! Both of these guys are skilled and bring the game to their opponents. MMAFO predicts this as the "Fight of the Night" but we've been more impressed with Jouban so we'll side with him.
WINNER-Alan Jouban by Decision

Tony Ferguson (17-3) -260 vs. Gleison Tibau (33-10) +200

Do people even realize that "El Cucuy" is 7-1 for the UFC on a 4 fight winning streak finishing 3 of those 4? Already a natural at the sport, you can see the improvement each time out as Ferguson hones his skills with Team Death Clutch. The guy has very long arms and a beautiful jab. The guy has slick submissions and decent power for the division. We are very high on this kid.

Tibau is Tibau. We know what the Brazilian is going to bring. Gleison is an enormous Lightweight and has probing, not necessarily impressive boxing, and staunch top game, and obvious brawn.

This is a nice test for Ferguson, but that is all that it is. Tibau is taking this fight on short notice and last fought just over a month ago! Ferguson should be able to keep Gleison at the end of his jab while mixing in low kicks and clean angles. We like Tony here to avoid the ground but be able to hold his own if taken there and take at least 2 of 3 rounds against the veteran. 
WINNER-Tony Ferguson by Decision

Prelims on FOX Sports 1:

Mark Munoz (13-5) -300 vs. Roan Carneiro (19-9) +230

Munoz is a wrestler at heart but does have a powerful punch though he leaves himself wide open for counters and takedowns. Mark, though a beloved figure in MMA, has been finished in 3 of his last 4 losses though to be fair, they were to Gegard Mousasi, Lyoto Machida, and Champion Chris Weidman. 

Roan has won his last 5 fights outside the UFC as he steps back in the Octagon for a 2nd run with Zuffa. The Brazilian is a natural grappler and that's about it.

At 37, time is ticking for "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" (though Carneiro is 36) and his recent destructions gives one pause. Even so, Mark should have all the tools to win this on the cards since Carneiro just isn't all that good.

WINNER-Mark Munoz by Snoozer

Roman Salazar (9-3) +160 vs. Norifumi Yamamoto (18-6) -200

Holy shit the "Kid" is back. The Japanese legend returns after a 3 year absence! Yamamoto a once feared fighter has lost 5 of his last 6 (Jayzus!) and at 37, has looked like a shot fighter since making the move to fight in America way back in '11.

"El Gallito" lost his UFC debut to the gritty Mitch Gagnon last October and yeah, he's a fighter.

So, a far past his prime Yamamoto is back again as the UFC throws another tomato can his way in hopes he can earn a goddamn win so they can book him in Japan where his popularity is still solid. While once, but no longer believers in Norifumi, if he can't win this he really does need to hang up the gloves for good. This match was made for him to win and with much trepidation we take the ahem, "Kid," for the last time.
WINNER-Norifumi Yamamoto by Decision

Dhiego Lima (10-2) +115 vs. Tim Means (22-6-1) -145

The younger and less talented of the Lima brothers is quite well rounded but has of yet established a "go to" move or talent of his own. He's well trained at ATT bringing leg kicks and a nice jab with him.

Tim is a fun fighter to watch as he is out of control half the time and doing crazy shit.

Lima should be better and if he grounds the "Dirty Bird" on the mat, Means will get tapped out.
Upset Pick WINNER-Dhiego Lima by Decision

Derrick Lewis (11-3) -550 vs. Ruan Potts (8-3) +375

"The Black Beast" called out MMAFO's prodigal son Matt Mitrione and got knocked the fuck out in 41 seconds for his trouble. The Texan is vastly more powerful than his opponent and hits like a freight train thanks to his boxing skills.

Potts is a, okay, let's just cut the shit here. Ruan is going to get slaughtered on the feet just like he was in his last 2 fights. This is a get-back-on-track fight for Lewis who crushed Potty sooner rather than later. This is the closest thing to a shoo-in as you can get in MMA.
WINNER-Derrick Lewis by Rd.1 KO

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:
James Krause (21-6) -185 vs. Valmir Lazaro (12-3) +150

James "The James Krause" Krause (we love his nickname :) is a talented striker who is ginormous for the Lightweight division but lacks wrestling in his game. That is where Valmir could take over the fight if he can avoid being enticed into a brawl. James "The James" is a massive fighter but its his work rate that punishes foes. We ever so slightly take the favorite in a scrappy affair.
WINNER-James Krause by Decision

Masio Fullen (9-4) -165 vs. Alexander Torres (2-1) +135

Both of these guys suck and don't deserve to be in the UFC. Flip a coin cause we don't care.
WINNER-Masio Fullen by Whatever.

UFC 184 Start Times
Main Card on Pay-Per-View: 10 p.m. ET /  7 p.m. PT
Prelims on FOX Sports 1: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

Odds from Bovada.