UFC Fight Night 90 Dos Anjos vs. Alvarez: Picks, Prognostications, & Odds

July 7, 2016

MGM Grand Garden Arena

Las Vegas, Nevada

UFC Fight Night 90 Fight Card

Lightweight Champion Rafael dos Anjos (25-7) -375 vs. Eddie Alvarez (27-4) +285

The "Underground King," the former multi-time Bellator Lightweight Champion, has earned his shot at the UFC king. The Blackzilian is a time tested winner who brings excellent cardio, underrated wrestling skills, and some slick ass striking to the table. 

RDA lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov in April of '14, and since, he's demolished a who's who of the elite Lightweights. Benson Henderson, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, and Donald Cerrone have all fallen to the King's MMA standout. Raf has evolved into an absolute murderer who can devastate opponents in every facet and on every level. Bet.

We likes us some Alvarez but he's got a tall order ahead of him. Coupled with the fact that Ed gets rocked and or cut open in every single bout, and he's in trouble. Dos Anjos has power in his hands and if he uses it to drop Alvarez, he'll pounce on him with a snappy submission before Eddie can realize it. RDA is just too good and could be a dominant champ in the volatile 155 division.

WINNER-Rafael dos Anjos by Rd.2 Submission

Roy Nelson (21-12) -140 vs. Derrick Lewis (15-4, 1) +110

Bangin' wit the big boys wit the bulging bellies. So both heavies have decided to go blow for blow but you know how that goes in MMA. If'n one guy gets hurt, they'll look for the takedown. Even so,  this bout comes down to who lands the big shot 1st. Sure "Big Country" is more technical and experienced, but we doubt he survives the "Black Beast." Lewis hits like a sonic boom and Nelson is now 40. We know ole Roy has a strong chin but he's fading fast and Derrick is going to "blast, and blast til he can blast no mo. Call a muthafucka John Doe." Eazy-E y'all  Of course, if Lewis doesn't get the job done quick he's gonna tire out, but we still believe he'll crush 1st.

Upset Pick WINNER-Derrick Lewis by Rd.1 TKO

Alan Jouban (13-4) -130 vs. Belal Muhammad (9-0) +100

Man-crush alert! MMAFO has been quite smitten with Jouban ever since he entered the UFC and not because of his dashing looks. "Brahma" is a win at all costs or die fighter and we respect that. Alan has amassed a 4-2 Zuffa record behind just vicious striking and he's been working on his Jitz at 10th Planet with Jiu-Jitsu hero Eddie Bravo.

The undefeated Illinois native with the nickname of, "Remember The Name" (awful), is a good (not great) striker with little power in his mitts.

Best of luck new guy. Jouban is going to murk this fool. We don't know Belal and don't need to. Alan is 33 and improving every time out. The new guy in school isn't going to stop him.

WINNER-Alan Jouban by Decision

Joseph Duffy (14-2) -380 vs. Mitch Clarke (11-3) +290

Aw Joey, wha happened? We had "Irish Joe" pegged as a future champion and then Dustin Poirier exposed his bad ground game and beat his ass. Duffy is a good submission fighter but off his back he's in real trouble. The Roy Jones Jr. boxing looks good but allows him to get hit with the hands low stance. 

Canadian Clarke, by way of the Arizona MMA Lab, is a tough grappler but he's not going to try and strike with Joe.

So, we sound a little negative on Duffy but we're not out on his potential yet. There's still a lot to like in the Irishman and Mitch doesn't have the stand up game to threaten much. This is really a test of Joe's takedown defense and if he learned to survive off his back. We think he rights the ship staying afloat enough to win at the very least, a couple of rounds.

WINNER-Joseph Duffy by Decision

Mike Pyle (27-11-1) -120 vs. Alberto Mina (12-0) -110

"Quicksand" is the consummate veteran fighter. Dude has skills everywhere but at age 40 the clock is ticking for Mr. Mullet. 

Mina is a well rounded King's MMA student who has yet to taste defeat. MMAFO would like the old fella to find the "w" one last time but its probably not going to happen. Al can keep Mike at the end of his punches and use his speed advantage to garner more points.

Upset Pick WINNER-Alberto Mina by Decision

John Makdessi (13-5) -170 vs. Mehdi Baghdad (11-4) +140

The Mak attack is back and trying to rebuild his career after going a paltry 1-3 in his last 4. Tristar's "Bull" is a good technical boxer but he doesn't have any real power in his hands to keep foes honest. 

The "Sultan" of France can throw a bit as well but he's also got some submissions skills recently while training with Black House.

We feels us an Upset here. John has peaked and just can't seem to evolve as a fighter. It's time for new blood.

Upset Pick WINNER-Mehdi Baghdad by Decision

Anthony Birchak (12-3) -260 vs. Dileno Lopes (18-2) +200

God this card really has some "who gives a shit" fights. This is one of em. Birchak should win this as long as he doesn't do something dumb like trying to grapple while sticking his neck out. Tony has more quality in his resume and don't let Lopes inflated stats fool you.

WINNER-Anthony Birchak by Decision

Russell Doane (14-5) +180 vs. Pedro Munhoz (11-2) -230

Doane has lost 2 in a row but there is some scrap in the Hawaiian. 

The Black House fighter is a darn good grappler and his 2 UFC losses came to Jimmie Rivera and Raphael Assuncao who are pretty talented in their own right. Munhoz is a better fighter all over but Russell isn't going to go away easily. Even so, Pedro controls the fight and should easily win at least 2 rounds.

WINNER-Pedro Munhoz by Decision

Felipe Arantes (17-7-1) -170 vs. Jerrod Sanders (15-2) +140

Arantes is an up and down fighter on the scorecards with some good striking out of Chute Boxe.

Sanders is your standard American wrestler but he happens to be strong in Felipe's weakest area. It may not be pretty or entertaining, but its Jerrod's fight to lose. For "Reazie."

Upset Pick WINNER-Jerrod Sanders by Decision

Gilbert Burns (11-1) -240 vs. Lukasz Sajewski (13-1) +190

"Durinho"suffered his 1st career loss last out but he's a very handy Jiu-Jitsu player. Burns splits time with Vitor Belfort's camp and the Blackzilians. The guy has a lot of upside in his game and is a physical specimen. 

"Wookie" is okay and all but he's prolly not even a UFC level fighter. 

WINNER-Gilbert Burns by Rd.3 Submission

Marco Beltran (7-3) +150 vs. Reginaldo Vieira (13-3) -185

The "Psycho" is 2-0 in the UFC and another in a long line of terrible Mexican fighters being employed these days.

Vieira is a brick house of a grappling machine out of Brazil. He shouldn't have a whole lotta trouble here. 

WINNER-Reginaldo Vieira by Rd.1 Submission

Vicente Luque (8-5-1) -450 vs. Alvaro Herrera (9-3) +325

Luque is a Blackzilian fighter with a 1-1 record for Zuffa. He's got some good technique in the striking department and some submission skills. Herrera is a big hitter with a suspect chin.

WINNER-Vicente Luque by Decision

4-0 last out on the Bellator: Dynamite 2 picks. Not that its a real feat of any kind.