December 10, 2015
Las Vegas, Nevada
The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan
Main Card on UFC Fight Pass:
Rose Namajunas (3-2) +160 vs. Paige VanZant (6-1) -185
Rose doesn't want to be called "Thug" anymore and sheds the moniker like she shed her long locks. Namajunas has a new air of confidence about her as she improves at Grudge Training Center. Rose is a deadly Jiu-Jitsu player who has been working on her striking game with trainer Trevor Wittman. Her record is a bit misleading as she has the experience of the TUF fights (considered amateur bouts) and a nice mean streak.
"12 Gauge" is a relentless attacker who may lack the technical side of boxing, but she makes up for it with tenacity and the cardio to outwork a cheetah. VanZant has some grappling skills but its her smothering style that breaks opponents.
This has slobber knocker written all over it. These ladies are going to throw down with abandon and its gonna be fun. We just don't see Rose being able to stay at distance long enough to do any real damage. Paige should be able to rough up Namajunas in the clinch and outwork her with non-stop attacks and stay safe enough on the ground to amass points. In the end, the grind wears on Rose and VanZant pulls away on the cards.
WINNER-Paige VanZant by Decision
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| "JUST KISS!" SAID DANA WHITE. |
Jim Miller (25-6, 1) +105 vs. Michael Chiesa (12-2) -125
Jimmy has been struggling as of late as a long career of MMA seems to be catching up to him as more durable and younger talent catch the New Jersey native. Miller is about as well rounded as they come and his standing forearms/elbows are a thing of beauty. MMAFO has watched and cheered for Jim for a long time now and we hate to see the beginnings of his career slide.
Chiesa is the opposite of Jim. The "Maverick" is 5 years younger and has been developing into a good fighter. The Sikjitsu fighter is a submission magician who loves to smother foes while softening them up. Chiesa has rudimentary striking but he's tough as hell.
We just think Miller has lost a step and that's a shame. He's a good guy and has done a lot in the UFC but Chiesa is just the game opponent to beat him. It'll be close because Jim never says die, but Mike will win the grappling exchanges that occur more than the boxing game.
WINNER-Michael Chiesa by Decision
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| A DOUCHE BAG |
There is just something completely unlikable about this Sage kid. Whether its the 90's spike hairdo, the jutting chin, or his indomitable positivity, we just don't like the lad. That being said, he's quite talented, a natural athlete who has been competing in combat sports since the age of 4, and is an explosive striker. We know Northcutt has been wrestling for a long time as well but his ground skills are still yet unproven. We're are also suspicious of his fitness regimen and hope he is extensively drug tested before this bout.
Pfister has won 5 of his last 6 bouts backed by aggression.
We're hoping for a Holly Holm sized upset but its doubtful. Sage just has too much speed and power for Cody who prolly gets blasted out sooner rather than later.
WINNER-Sage Northcutt by Rd.2 TKO
Elias Theodorou (11-0) -250 vs. Thiago Santos (11-3) +210
The undefeated Canadian is a supposed world beater but we have yet to see it. He's a good striker and really has his hair game on lockdown.
"Marreta" is a big time striker out of Brazil who has stopped 7 men with his hands. He's alright but not amazing or anything.
We just don't buy into the hype of Elias and think Santos' power is poised to surprise the coiffed Canadian
Upset Pick WINNER-Thiago Santos by Decision
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:
Tim Means (24-7-1) -330 vs. John Howard (23-11) +270
The "Dirty Bird" is back after stumbling in his last appearance which was a submission loss to Matt Brown. Means has looked much better at Welterweight going 6-2 for Zuffa with brutal striking especially those standing elbows that would make Jim Miller proud.
Howard has gone 3-3 since his return to the UFC and seems to be slowing physically. Boston's "Doomsday" has strong hands but at times he is too inactive.
Timmay is going to buts up Howard. Means needs to be careful to not end up on his back where John can amass points while being complacent, but we fully expect the "Dirty Bird" to win the bout and probably earn the stoppage.
WINNER-Tim Means by Rd.3 TKO
Omari Akhmedov (15-2) -140 vs. Sergio Moraes (9-2) +120
Moraes is a 4 time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and came oh so close to winning the inaugural TUF Brazil. If this hits the floor the "Panther" will have this all day.
However, Omari has crazy power whether it be from leg kicks or pressure strikes. The caveat is that the guy tends to gas out badly. If Akhmedov has beaten his endurance issues, and can remain vertical, he'll pound Sergio out.
This bout has too many factors that make it difficult to pick. We lean slightly toward the Russian but won't be surprised if he's tapped out figuratively, or literally before the end of the night.
WINNER-Omari Akhmedov by Decision
Antonio Carlos Junior (5-1) -275 vs. Kevin Casey (9-3,1) +235
"King" Caseys is hardly that. Kevin is a solid Jiu-Jitsu fighter but that's it. He also struggles mightily with cardio issues.
"Cara De Sapato" is an ATT fighter who has only lost to Patrick Cummins in his short career. Antonio should have this easily and not just because we think Casey is awful.
WINNER-Antonio Carlos Junior by Decision
Aljamain Sterling (11-0) -700 vs. Johnny Eduardo (27-9) +500
The Serra-Longo upstart has been begging for competition and he's got it in Eduardo.
Johnny opened a lot of eye KOing former WEC Champion Eddie Wineland. "Pretinho" has won 13 of his last 14 only stumbling to top contender Raphael Assuncao.
The "Funk Master" got his biggest scalp last April when he tapped Takeya Mizugaki. Eduardo is a nice well rounded veteran for Sterling to take on but "Al-J" will pass in spades. Aljamain is just far too skilled in grappling will do his thang shutting Johnny down for 15.
WINNER-Aljamain Sterling by Decision
Santiago Ponzinibbio (20-3) -190 vs. Andreas Stahl (9-1) +165
"Gente Boa" has finished 17 fools who have stepped to him. Ponzinibbio is just at a higher tier than the Swede and should finish Stahl with a big right hand.
WINNER-Santiago Ponzinibbio by Rd.2 TKO
Danny Roberts (11-1) -155 vs. Nathan Coy (14-5) +135
Coy is 37 years old, coming off a KO loss in Bellator, and is taking this opportunity on barely over a week's notice. Roberts is going to smash this guy.
WINNER-Danny Roberts by Rd.2 TKO
Zubaira Tukhugov (17-3) -330 vs. Phillipe Nover (11-5-1) +270
Once dubbed the "next Anderson Silva," Nover fell apart for a while losing all 3 of his UFC bouts in his 1st go around. Since, Phillipe has rebounded going 6-2 including his 1st win for Zuffa last May.
The Russian "Warrior" has won 8 in a row and fights out of Mike Swick and company's Tiger Muay Thai club. Tuk isn't afraid to throw some spinning shit and generates a lot of power with it. We expect Zub to win as he's more talented but this could be closer than expected.
WINNER-Zubaira Tukugov by Decision
We'll take Curran all day here. Kailin has ten years of youth on "Kegels."
WINNER-Kailin Curran by Decision
UFC Fight Night 80 Start Times
Main Card on UFC Fight Pass: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass: 6:45 p.m. ET / 3:45 p.m. PT
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