UFC 197 Johnson vs. Cejudo: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

UFC 197
Jones vs. Saint Preux

April 23, 2016

MGM Grand Garden Arena

Las Vegas, Nevada

Yes, we are fully aware that people call this the "Bones" card or what have you. We at MMAFO however, do not wish to reward the behavior of one Jon Jones and place the focus on the card where it belongs with one of, if not the best Pound4Pound fighter in the world, Demetrious Johnson, facing an undefeated Olympic challenger.

Main Card on PPV:

Interim Light Heavyweight Title

Jon Jones (21-1) -600 vs. Ovince Saint Preux (19-7) +400

Jon "Nothing Is My Fault & The World Is Against Me" Jones is returning from suspension after injuring a pregnant woman in a hit-and-run accident. The latest in a string of moronic failures from a grown child who refuses to take responsibility. Anywho, this blog is about fighting so let's get to the jump. 

It's been 15 months since Jonny "Bones" has competed in the cage, but if his social media presence is any indication, the guy has been working out like a crazy person. Jones is already one of the best fighters in the world so let's focus on OSP.

St. Preux is a strong technically flawed striker, who has talent, but seems lethargic at times and has never taken that next step  to the elite level.

Jon's gonna do a little dance, OSP will stumble upon his own terrible footwork, and fall into something deadly. And yet, we pray and give offerings to the MMA Gods that Jon's jaw may find OSP's left hand in a timely fashion.

WINNER-Jon Jones by Rd.2 TKO

Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson (23-2-1) -400 vs. Henry Cejudo (10-0) +300

What can one say about this fight? Cejudo is deserving and has a shiny Olympic gold medal on his resume, but he ain't winning this. Henry has zero power in his game and a lucky punch is his best shot here.

"Mighty Mouse" is just criminally underrated by fans and is the most complete fighter in MMA today. Matt Hume's pupil is going to either run game as always, or face a tiny bit of adversity, adjust mid-fight, and then still win. Thats just how Demetrious do. Best of luck to all Flyweights.

WINNER-Demetrious Johnson by Decision

Anthony Pettis (18-4) -160 vs. Edson Barboza (16-4) +130

When "Showtime" loses big to a fully formed MMA fighter who actually knows how to grapple, the UFC gives Tony a guy guaranteed to stand and fight. That would be Barboza. These creative fighters are going to throw some creative combinations out there and Pettis has a far better chin and more heart. Edson will get hurt a bit and happily fade away allowing Tony to pull ahead on the cards late.

WINNER-Anthony Pettis by Decision

Robert Whittaker (16-4) -315 vs. Rafael Natal (21-6-1) +245

Natal has grown a beard but he's still going to catch one on the chin and go to sleep. Rafael is one of the slowest men in the division and Whittaker is going to wreck his face.

WINNER-Robert Whittaker by Rd.1 KO

Yair Rodriguez (7-1) -120 vs. Andre Fili (15-3) -110

"Touchy" Fili has been up and down in his Zuffa career while "Pantera" is on a 4 fight roll. Yair is a bit of a natural in this game who has gotten some legitimate training in recent days. Rodriguez is a gunner though and Fili will be trying to draw him into a brawl where mistakes can be made and Andre's odds increase. These boys are going to go for broke and as the odds makers deemed, this is a close one. Either way, we're in for some fun but ya gotta like Yair in a barn burner.

WINNER-Yair Rodriguez by Decision

Prelims on Fox Sports 1:

Sergio Pettis (13-2) -225 vs. Chris Kelades (9-2) +175

Hey Sergio (nod to Streetlight Manifesto), guard your fragile grill and you're good to go homie.

WINNER-Sergio Pettis by Decision

Danny Roberts (12-1) -400 vs. Dominique Steele (14-6) +300

Well this Steele guy is a strange cat ain't he? Roberts is going to run all over this fool.

WINNER-Danny Roberts by Rd.2 TKO

Carla Esparza (11-3) -200 vs. Juliana Lima (8-2) +160

Lima has never faced a wrestler of this magnitude and Esparza is making her return after losing the title so you know she'll be looking to make a statement. 

WINNER-Carla Esparza by Decision

Glaico Franca (14-3) +155 vs. James Vick (7-0) -190

WINNER-James Vick by Rd.3 Submission

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Walt Harris (7-4) +145 vs. Cody East (12-1) -175

Cody may not look like much but damned if Walt isn't awful. Dude is big but he fights like shit and doesn't like to have to work. East is going to grapple him into the ground.

WINNER-Cody East by Decision

Marcos Rogerio de Lima (13-3-1) -120 vs. Clint Hester (11-5) -110

On a card with very few Upset picks in our eyes, ya gotta roll the dice somewhere and Hester has been our boy for a while though he hasn't developed quite as we had hoped. We'll roll with Clint a bit longer.

Upset Pick WINNER-Clint Hester by Decision

Efrain Escudero (24-10) +325 vs. Kevin Lee (11-2) -420

Oh dear God who made this match? Is the UFC mad at Efrain?
Lee is going to tear this motherfucker up quickly.

WINNER-Kevin Lee by Rd.1 TKO

UFC 197: Johnson vs. Cejudo Start Times
Main Card on Pay-Per-View: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT

Preliminary Card on FOX Sports 1: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

Preliminary Card on UFC Fight Pass: 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT