WSOF 34 Fight Card: Picks & Prognostications

December 31, 2016

The Theater at Madison Square Garden

New York City

Main Card (On NBC):

Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje (16-0) vs. Luiz Firmino (19-7)

"The Highlight" trains out of the Grudge camp and has never tasted defeat. Justin is an "action" fighter who loves to go for broke throwing any and everything at his foes. Only 2 enemies have survived to see the judges against this wild man.

"Buscape" has won 6 of his last 7 (though his last outing was a sub loss) and is a part of the slowly dying Blackzilians. Firmino is stepping in for the injured Joao Zeferino who suffered an injury.

Luiz is a nice test and all, but one Justin can pass with flying colors. Gaethje just has too much offensive power to fall to Firmino. The real question is how good will Justin look and when will he go to the UFC already?

Winner-Justin Gaethje by Rd.3 TKO

Welterweight Champion Jon Fitch (28-7) vs. Jake Shields (31-8)

It's a grappler's dream as Fitch and Shields meet in a match true MMA fans have wanted to see for eons. 

Fitch finally found gold defeating Joao Firmino in April. The 38 year old has been as durable as they come and was the #2 Welterweight in the world until around 3 years ago. Now as his career winds down, he faces a man similar in skill while trying to wipe away a PED failure, a couple recent submission losses, all while balancing a class-action lawsuit against the UFC, and helping form the MMAAAAAAAA (terrible name) union for fighters.

Shields is a single year younger and hasn't competed in a year since he lost to Rousimar Palhares (whom Fitch also fell to). Jake has been a longtime contender to the elite and has won a Strikeforce title.

Fitch has been on a more obvious decline while Shields has been steady as always winning some, and losing others. Jake is about as tough as they come in this business MMAFO believes the better grappler as well. We're crowning a new champion as Jake Shields takes Jon into deep waters before finding the tap.

WINNER-Jake Shields by Rd.4 Submission

Bantamweight Champion Marlon Moraes (16-4) vs. Josenaldo Silva (25-4)

Marlon has come into his own winning 12 fights in a row and establishing a firm grasp on his title. Moraes is a finisher with lightning reflexes and skills everywhere! "Naldo" is getting the call up as the newest lamb to the slaughter. Much like Justin Gaethje, the only real question is when will Marlon go to the UFC?

WINNER-Marlon Moraes by Rd.3 Submission

Prelims (On NBCSN):

Middleweight Champion David Branch (19-3) vs. Louis Taylor (13-1)

We're just not going to be able to drum up interest for this one so we'll just move along.

WINNER-David Branch by Decision

Yushin Okami (32-10) vs. Paul Bradley (23-6)

It seems as though "Thunder" is having a bit of trouble with getting the enthusiasm necessary to compete outside the UFC. Okami has gone 0-2 for WSOF but went back to Japan for recent back-to-back wins. Yushin was once a perennial contender, but now is coasting in the wind.

"The Gentleman" has craaaazy power in his hands and uses his aggression to catch fools unaware. The guy is a powerhouse but struggles with fundamentally sound opponents.

Okami should win this bout based upon skill though the guy can get caught and was always a bit passive. Bradley will push the action allowing "Thunder" to do his countering thang and get a "w."

WINNER-Yushin Okami by Decision

Jared Rosholt (14-3) vs. Caio Alencar (9-1)

Nobody wants to watch Jared fight as he's earned the title of "Most Boring Man in all of MMA." But he wins this with his wrestling.

WINNER-Jared Rosholt by Decision

Shane Kruchten (11-4) vs. Jeremy Mahon (5-4)
WINNER-Shane Kruchten

Smealinho Rama (9-2) vs. Jake Heun (9-4)
WINNER-Jake Heun by Decision

Bruno Santos (14-2) vs. Vagab Vagabov (18-0)
WINNER-Bruno Santos by Decision

Andrew Harrison (0-1) vs. Bruce Boyington (14-9) 
WINNER-Andre Harrison by Rd.2 TKO