UFC Fight Night 65 Hunt vs. Miocic: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

May 9, 2015
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Adelaide, Australia


Main Card on UFC Fight Pass:
Stipe Miocic (12-2) -240 vs. Mark Hunt (10-9-1) +190

The “Super Samoan” is fighting in his adopted homeland and looking to rebound from the Interim title fight loss last November. The “Rally for Hunt” was unnecessary as “Hunto” stepped in for the oft injured Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez on short notice, but fell short of the gold. Now the 41 year old brings his never fading power to bear against “Cro Cop’s favorite student. 

“Steepay” lost to former Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos after an absolute classic 5 round war that MMAFO actually scored for the Ohioan. Miocic is a strong style boxer and former Division I wrestler at Cleveland State. Stipe doesn’t generally put foes away with a single blow, but rather by combinations and stellar takedown defense.

Who couldn’t see “Hunto” KOing Stipe into a living death in front of the Aussie crowd? And yet, the odds say that will not happen. Mark’s age is certainly a factor but the once iron jawed warrior has been knocked out clean in the last two years and he has only become more hittable as his career has progressed. We envision Miocic putting together more tools and using his speed advantage to take this on the cards in fun boxing match that entertains unlike Mayweather and Pacquiao.
WINNER-Stipe Miocic by Decision


Brad Tavares (13-1) -160 vs. Robert Whittaker (13-4) +130

Well there’s a whole lotta who gives a shit on this “co-main event.” Tavares is a durable boxer who is technically proficient but honestly unimpressive. He doesn’t have power or flash in his repertoire, instead working behind a steady jab, a few leg kicks, and the strong heart of a Hawaiian.

The equally unimpressive Whittaker is basically the same damn guy only he’s the hometown hero.

Go with the crowd favorite who does possess a better ground game a perhaps a touch more power than his doppelganger.
WINNER-Robert Whittaker by Decision


Anthony Perosh (15-8) -155 vs. Sean O’Connell (16-6) +125

The beloved old “Hippo” returns home having gone 5-2 since dropping down to Light Heavy and each win was a finish! Perosh is a known Jiu-Jitsu specialist but he has actually put his 42 year old mitts on fools recently as well. If ole Tony gets Sean down he’s fooked.

O’Connell is a brawler who doesn’t have much to offer on the canvas.

And thusly, Sean will be undone. Perosh will have zero reason to stand with the man 11 years his junior and once we get to the ground, he’ll be tapping so fast you’ll think he’s sending Morse code.
WINNER-Anthony Perosh by Rd.1 Submission

Jake Matthews (8-0) -185 vs. James Vick (7-0) +150 

Its a battle of the undefeated youths as Team Rape, led by Lloyd Irvin (Google it if’n you don’t understand) guides Vick against the uber-young 20 year old upstart.

Vick, who is trained by a rape cult leader named Lloyd Irvin, is a tall 6’ 3” who uses his length with a blistering front kick, constant high kicks, and counter knees as he puts the pace on rivals for the entire fight.

The Australian Matthews is a natural athlete with raw power who needs to get on top of an opponent as his striking is still very green at this time. Once he does gain top position, and he will using double or single leg takedowns or a nice knee tap, this kid is an absolute monster. 

This is an excellent pairing and the most intriguing fight on the card. Either man could pull the win but with Vick coming in at a sometimes out of control pace, Jake should be able to work his ground game more often than James can avoid it.
WINNER-Jake Matthews by Decision

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:
Hatsu Hioki (27-8-2) -300 vs. Daniel Hooker (11-5) +230

When Hioki came to the UFC in ’11, he was touted as a title contender. Now, having gone 3-4 he is looking to save his job. Hatsu has struggled to get his grappling game going against much stronger opponents but he shouldn’t struggle too much with “The Hangman” who is prolly not a UFC level fighter.
WINNER-Hatsu Hioki by Rd.2 Submission


Kyle Noke (20-7-1) -115 vs. Jonavin Webb (8-0) -108

Aussie favorite Noke is a big puncher who is decently well rounded by obviously declining physically after a very long MMA career. 

The undefeated Webb almost purely a grappler but he is quite slick in that skill.

Kyle will be taken down again and again for a boring 15 minute bathroom break.
Upset Pick WINNER-Jonavin Webb by Decision


Daniel Kelly (9-0) +300 vs. Sam Alvey (25-6, 1) -400

The painfully annoying “Smile’n” Sam KO’d both of his last opponents as he tries to build some steam in the Middleweight division. Alvey is essentially a 1-trick pony, but that 1-trick is a deadly powerful counter hook.

The undefeated Kelly is a Judo specialist rocks in the clinch but is also a decent southpaw striker.

Sam's biggest weakness is that he is very slow. Well, meet the glacial Kelly.
WINNER-Sam Alvey by Rd.2 TKO

BEC'S NEW BOOBS

Bec Rawlings (5-4) -185 vs. Lisa Ellis (15-9) +150

Well this little matchup got ugly real quickly as these ladies took to Twitter to comment on each other’s vagina odors prior to the bout. At any rate, neither lady is highly skilled but Lisa seems to be heading out while Bec is getting new boobs and growing a bit as a fighter. Whatev’s.
WINNER-Bec Rawlings by Decision


Dylan Andrews (17-6, 1) -110 vs. Brad Scott (9-3) -120

Who gives a shit?
WINNER-Brad Scott by Who Cares?


Alex Chambers (4-2) +175 vs. Kailin Curran (3-1) -225

Aussie “Astro Girl” looks to get her 1st UFC win against he cracking Curran. Kailin ran into the then unproven Paige VanZant but she’s a staunch athlete and should out muscle and out strike the ground oriented Chambers.
WINNER-Kailin Curran by Decision


Vik Grujic (7-4) -120 vs. Brandan O’Reilly (5-1-1) -110

Its a bitter war for the love of Australia. Vik wears a Spartan helmet while Brandon wears a Cowboy hat. Pick your favorite bygone era.
Upset Pick WINNER-Brendan O’Reilly by Decision


Alptekin Ozkilic (9-3) -190 vs. Ben Nguyen (13-5) +155

“The Turkish Delight” Flyweight has had a tough go in the promotion dropping his 1st two bouts but he’s not that bad. Ozkilic mixes punches with leg kicks well and is a nasty clinch fighter. 

Ben is making his Zuffa debut on a 7 fight winning streak. Nguyen is a big power puncher at 125.

This fight could steal the show and should not be buried under the 5 prior fights on the card. The Turk is more well rounded but the power of Ben shocks everyone.
Upset Pick WINNER-Ben Nguyen by Rd.2 TKO

UFC Fight Night 61 Start Times
Main Card on UFC Fight Pass: 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT
Preliminary Card on UFC Fight Pass: 7:45 p.m. ET/ 4:45 p.m. PT