UFC 193 Rousey vs. Holm: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

November 14, 2015 

Ethiad Stadium

Melbourne, Australia

Main Card on PPV:

Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey (12-0) -2000 vs. Holly Holm (9-0) +900

It comes down to this. Can the "Preacher's Daughter" fight at distance and keep this fight off the deck? Short answer, no. Holly is very athletic, long, and a talented striker. However, she lacks power  and though quite adept at keeping range, she can't avoid Ronda's takedowns forever. Eventually, Rousey flips Holm to the mat and the Jackson-Wink fighter just doesn't have the ground game of the "Rowdy" one. 

This bout could go longer than normal because of Holm's instincts on the feet, but the time in the Octagon doesn't change the outcome and this fight really comes down to how Ronda looks and how the PPV sells. That and does coach Edmond Tarverdyan steal any press with his ridiculous bankruptcy claims. 
WINNER-Ronda Rousey by Rd.3 Submission

Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (10-0) -2250 vs. Valerie Letourneau (8-3) +950

ATT's "Trouble" is on a four fight bounce and is a lovely Canadian lass. She's about to get throttled in violent fashion. Valerie just isn't on "Joanna Champion's" level and when your best asset is striking and you're facing a superior striker, its gonna be a long night. Hopefully, Jedrzejczyk doesn't make a blood splatter out of Letourneau like she did to Jessica Eye.
WINNER-Joanna Jedrzejczyk by Rd.2 TKO

Mark Hunt (10-10-1) -280 vs. Antonio Silva (19-7-1) +220 [Rematch]

Its the return bout from December 7, 2013 which was one of the best UFC Heavyweight fights of all time. Unfortunately, Silva ruined it by violating the PED policy and marring the whole thing. 

Since the fight, "Hunto" has gone 1-2 losing his last two in vicious fashion to Stipe Miocic and Fabricio Werdum. They were brutal TKO's and at 41 you have to begin to wonder how much time he has left.

"Bigfoot" has also gone 1-2 since that night getting KO'd by Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski before rebounding against Soa Palelei in August. The 36 year old is a former cheater who has been (T)KO'd 6 damn times in his career! 

These guys are going to swing big and hard and this comes down to chin strength. MMAFO has far more faith in the "Super Samoan" and despite their records, Hunt is a much better fighter.
WINNER-Mark Hunt by Rd.2 TKO

Uriah Hall (12-5) -145 vs. Robert Whittaker (14-4) +115

Hall stunned the MMA world back in September when he threw a spin kick that rocked Gegard Mousasi, and then put on the finishing touches with a flying knee and strikes. It was an amazing performance to say the least but MMAFO isn't going to mince words when we say this guy isn't that good. Hall may put on a spectacular performance every once in a blue moon, but he's not got the head for MMA. Uriah is tentative to say the least and has shown time and time again he doesn't have the killer instinct to match his athleticism.

The Aussie is a more well rounded and consistent opponent. The "Reaper" has won three in a row the last two by finish. Robert is a heavy handed striker with a deadly left hook, elbows, and he's getting more comfortable in the cage.

Both men have good takedown defense but only Whittaker might look to work in some takedowns just to mix things up. We'll ride with the hometown hero all day as he closes the distance and touches up Hall en route to the judges nod.
Upset Pick WINNER-Robert Whittaker by Decision

Stefan Struve (26-7) -125 vs. Jared Rosholt (13-2) -105

The "Skyscraper" returned form a yearlong absence in August to defeat the aged Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. It was a step in the right direction for the seven footer who has had his share of struggles both professionally and personally. All the best to the big guy who has always seemed like a pretty good dude. Struve is actually pretty well rounded for a Heavyweight but he allows himself to get hit far too often which has been the kink in his career thus far.

The "Big Show" is about as boring as they come. He's a wrestler with rudimentary striking that is only used to get close enough for the takedown. Rosholt allows himself to get hit far too often as well.

This is the toughest fight to predict on the card. Normally we'd like Struve all day but with his recent issues its hard to know if he's his former self. Our gut says Rosholt will get a lot of takedowns and simply ride his way to an uneventful decision.
Upset Pick WINNER-Jared Rosholt by Decision

Prelims on FOX Sports 1:

Jake Matthews (8-1) -1100 vs. Akbarh Arreola (23-9-1) +650

The "Celtic Warrior" is coming along quite well at the tender age of 21. He's got decent striking and a potent grappling game.  Matthews also cuts a crazy hard pace which will have Arreola on his heels the entirety of the evening. It'll be difficult for Jake to tap his foe but Akbarh isn't long for the UFC.
WINNER-Jake Matthews by Decision

Kyle Noke (20-7-1) +145 vs. Peter Sobotta (15-4-1) -175

Noke, the Aussie fan favorite is beloved down under but he peaked a while ago and if he can't win standing he's at a loss on the mat.

Ze German has won 7 in a row and is a very submission heavy fighter tapping out fools 10 times. Sobotta can hang on the feet here just fine but when he takes Kyle down its going to be curtains.
WINNER-Peter Sobotta by Decision

Anthony Perosh (15-9) +325 vs. Gian Villante (13-5) -450

Yay, its the "Hippo." We likes us some Perosh and how could you not be cheering for the guy at 43? Anthony is a great Jiu-Jitsu player but time is a bitch.

Nobody has faith in the inconsistent Gian but he should come out on top here. Villante's athleticism should keep the elder Australian at bay, and his power might earn him a TKO. However, how many times have we seen Gian give away a fight due to poor decisions in the cage or just come in out of shape? This guy could get lamped by Perosh but if you're playing the percentages, you have to side with Villante though don't be shocked if he shits the bed yet again.
WINNER-Gian Villante by Rd.2 TKO

* And now this card falls off a damn cliff!

Richie Vaculik (10-3) -110 vs. Danny Martinez (16-7) -120

Neither of these guys impress often but Danny is on a 3 fight slide and Richie should be able to use his grappling skills to win on points.
WINNER-Danny Martinez by Decision

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Daniel Kelly (9-1) +215 vs. Steve Montgomery (8-3) -275

What can one say about Kelly? He's slow.

The "Creepy Weasel" (interesting nickname) is a better striker and if he loses to Daniel he doesn't belong here.
WINNER-Steve Montogmery by Decision

Richard Walsh (8-4) -335 vs. Steve Kennedy (22-7) +255

Coin flip here. And the coin says...
WINNER-Richard Walsh by Decision

James Moontasri (8-3) -335 vs. Anton Zafir (7-1) +255

Now the "Moonwalker" is fun to watch even though, or especially when he makes crazy decisions in the cage. Still, James trains at Black House which is nice to have in your back pocket.

The "Professor" has won 5 in a row but we don't know much about him and you rarely take the guy making his Zuffa debut.
WINNER-James Moontasri by Decision

Ben Nguyen (13-5) -135 vs. Ryan Benoit (8-3) +105

Nobody cares about this fight including us.
WINNER-Ben Nguyen?