April 8, 2017
KeyBank Center
Buffalo, New York
Do you notice anything strange about MMAFO's picks for this PPV? Lots of decisions abound and we stick by that. Not a lot of finishers on the card but that does not mean a lack of talent. We loves us some great human champ Daniel Cormier especially against woman beater "Rumble." Gegard Mousasi has been "our boy" for quite some time and we await his ascension to greatness Saturday. Cynthia Calvillo is a true prospect and Pearl Gonzalez is one to watch, for sure (ahem). Will Brooks and Myles Jury are making returns and we welcome Flyweight sensation Magomed Bibulatov to the big dance.
Main Card on PPV:
Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier (18-1) +100 vs. Anthony Johnson (22-5) -120 [Rematch]
"Rumble" has won 12 of his last 13 bouts, the lone loss coming to Mr. Cormier. The last 3 men who fell before Johnson were all knocked into the nether worlds. We all know Tony brings the thunder whether its in the cage or in domestic situations with women (let's not forget this dude has a horrible track record with the females though everyone tends to ignore his past). Johnson either wins early or "Crumble's" as per his true nickname. Anthony has been training with a new focus on speed and endurance which is frightening.
"DC" has also run off 3 in a row and is still the captain of AKA. Cormier is now 38 so time is ticking but he is also an Olympic level wrestler with experience and discipline. MMAFO also has a bias towards Daniel as he is a true American hero and role model.
Not much has changed in the 3 years since these two competitors met. Both have maintained their primary skills and honed their natural tendencies while rarely straying from their comfort zones. So why would things be any different now? Well, besides father time lurking behind Cormier, "DC" easily has the better camp and cornermen. Daniel has the heart of a champion while Anthony's corner is yelling out helpful insights like, "don't quit." That's as embarrassing as it is sad. Nothing changes as Danny outlasts the early storm and drowns Tony in the championship waters via judges nod.
Upset Pick WINNER-Daniel Cormier by Decision
* "DC" made weight on his 2nd attempt with help from a little towel trick and "Rumble" came in under the limit. This is scary my friends.
Chris Weidman (13-2) -105 vs. Gegard Mousasi (41-6-2) -115
This is the moment "Sweet Sassy" Mousasi breaks into the title hunt or becomes relegated to dreaded "gatekeeper" forever. Gegard is in his prime, he has the best boxing in all of MMA, has rounded out his game with proper training, and has the momentum of his longest winning streak (4) since his DREAM/Strikeforce days. Homie is rolling.
Weidman has fallen on hard times losing his belt in a shellacking against Luke Rockhold and was then kneed into oblivion in his own New York backyard against Yoel Romero. The "All-American" is a solid boxer with power and wrestling in his game. However, coming off back-to-back losses does not instill confidence.
Chris' keys to victory include getting the takedown and employing his wrestling. Gegard is notorious for not always having great takedown defense and relying on his submission game, but in 3 rounds, that can prove to be a way to lose in the judges eyes. Weidman is slow for a Middleweight and never was that more apparent than against Romero and now he will be facing the basically perfect jab of Mousasi. Who employs their skills wins the night. We believe in the "Dreamcatcher" who MMAFO has been hyping him since 2006. We've come to far to jump off now and Gegard is about to send Chris to 205 in hopes of a new start. But more on that another time.
WINNER-Gegard Mousasi by Decision
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| https://www.instagram.com/pearlgonzalez/?hl=en |
Pearl, is the girl, we'd like to give a whirl. We mean no disrespect, but dayum grrl! Gonzalez is a kickboxer and in her future movie she'll be played by Michelle Rodriguez.
Calvillo is the new "it" girl at Team Alpha Male with Paige VanZant's departure, only this girl has some real contender skills. Cynthia is a great wrestler and is working on her striking game.
At some point in this contest, Calvillo is going to take Gonzalez down and that is where the contest will swing. Pearl cannot hang with Cynthia on the mat and at any sign of trouble the Team Alpha FeMale will employ wrestling at will.
WINNER-Cynthia Calvillo by Decision
* This bout has been cancelled by the NYAC upon discovering Pearl had breast implants even though they let Miesha Tate fight in NY in the past. Hmmm.
** Aaaand, the fight is back on. The NYAC is a joke.
Thiago Alves (21-11) +130 vs. Patrick Cote (23-10) -150
Well, the "Pitbull" gave it a shot at 155 and failed, so he returns to 170. The Brazilian has been alternating wins and losses for quite some time now and hasn't been relevant '10. Alves has been plagued with injuries throughout his career but he has incredible leg kicks and power.
The "Predator" found new life returning to the UFC for another run going 6-3 and looking better than ever at age 37. Cote is also a striker with power.
We've got ourselves a kickboxing match here even though Patty has been incorporating the ground into his game. This is just too good of an opportunity to pass up as both of these strikers should be throwing serious leather to please the "Just Bleed" crowd. The difference will be Thiago's superior technique and Patrick's fading chin though you can expect Cote to give all he's got.
Upset Pick WINNER-Thiago Alves by Decision
Will Brooks (18-2) -240 vs. Charles Oliveira (21-7, 1) +200
Get the fuck outta here Oliveira. "Do Bronx" has failed to manage his career like a professional missing weight multiple times and being unable to get a winning streak together. Chuck has lost 3 of 4 and moving up to 155 ain't changing anything.
"Ill" Will was in a lose/lose situation when he accepted a bout against the incredibly overweight Alex Oliveira and suffered a broken rib in the fight. Now, the former Bellator Lightweight Champion looks to right the wrongs committed against him against another notorious fatty. The UFC is really booking Brooks into a corner. It still won't matter as the superior wrestling and striking of Will takes over against a guy who acts like he just doesn't want "it" anymore.
WINNER-Will Brooks by Decision
Prelims on Fox Sports 1:
Myles Jury (15-2) -440 vs. Mike De La Torre (14-6) +350
Oh look, Myles Jury has returned (yawn). "Frat Boy Fury" has been M.I.A. since the end of 2015 when he suffered his 2nd career loss and moved to Power MMA to, "try and find his smile."Jury is good at everything, great at nothing.
MDLT fights out of the MMA Lab and is a striker with, eh, ability.
Neither guy is setting the world on fire anytime soon and really this fight holds little interest. Myles should be better and good enough to win at least 2 rounds if not all 3.
WINNER-Myles Jury by Decision
Kamaru Usman (9-1) -325 vs. Sean Strickland (18-1) +265
"Marty" has won 8 in a row (4-0/UFC) all by decision. Usman has been training under Henri Hooft for his striking but he likes to use control to win rounds.
"Tarzan" upset Tom Breese last out and has found a groove going 5-1 for the promotion. Strickland can do a bit of everything but sometimes sits back waiting for the fight to come to him which can lose rounds.
Should be a decent enough scrap but the activity of Kamaru should hold him over Sean for the majority of the night. The wrestle-boxing of Usman will keep Strickland on the back foot and unable to score enough points.
WINNER-Kamaru Usman by Decision
Shane Burgos (8-0) -240 vs. Charles Rosa (11-2) +200
AKA's "Boston Strong" is a physical specimen who needs to slow things down on the canvas to be effective.
The "Hurricane" loves to bang it out and has no fear. Shane's chin has held strong thus far and his left hand is deadly. As long as Burgos can stay off his back most of the time, he'll touch up Rosa.
WINNER-Shane Burgos by Decision?
Patrick Cummins (8-4) +100 vs. Jan Blachowicz (19-6) -110
When Cummins gets hit he swells up like Hasim Rahman. Not only does he not wear damage well, he gets hit, a lot, and has to fight on the ground or he's toast.
Blasoffachankowitz showed much improvement in a losing effort against Alexander Gustafsson incorporating some grappling into his game to go along with his boxing. Jan isn't one to finish foes but he can hang in there and offense is his strength.
Pat may have the advantage early but he always gasses out and then Blachowicz will take over roughing him up.
WINNER-Jan Blachowicz by Decision
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:
Gregor Gillespie (8-0) -245 vs. Andrew Holbrook (12-1) +205
"The Gift" brings glorious hair and horrible tattoos and a good jab with him to the Octagon.
Holbrook got caught against Joaquim Silva last July but got back in business upsetting Jake Matthews in November. Andrew likes him some submissions and controls from top position.
Upset Pick WINNER-Andrew Holbrook by Decision
Josh Emmett (10-0) -225 vs. Desmond Green (19-5) +185
Emmett lucked his way into the UFC on short notice but homie has been putting in work while repping his Team Alpha Males. Josh doesn't have much power but he never stops throwing or bringing the pressure.
Green did well in Bellator and has been a longtime veteran of Titan FC. Desmond is a wrestle/boxer but less technical than his opponent.
Josh is looking strong so far and there isn't much doubt that he'll continue his run here. We do like that Desmond is getting a run in the UFC after all these years as he has earned it.
WINNER-Josh Emmett by Decision
Katlyn Chookagian (8-1) -140 vs. Irene Aldana (7-3) +120
"Chookie" may have lost her last bout against the awesome veteran Liz Carmouche, but it wasn't by much. The Renzo Gracie student can mix up her kickboxing and well and has more to offer than the singular boxing of Aldana. Provided Katlyn can avoid getting hit so damn much, she'll get the judges nod and has a real future in the division.
WINNER-Katlyn Chookagian by Decision
Jenel Lausa (7-2) +425 vs. Magomed Bibulatov (13-0) -550
This is what MMAFO likes to call a "showcase" fight where the UFC wants to build one guy over another. The Russian "Gladiator" is making his promotional debut with a lot of hype around him. Unlike some of his cautious countrymen, Magomed isn't afraid to get jiggy wit it throwing spinning shit and the kitchen sink just before he taps you. This is Bibulatov's fight to win and he does so before the final horn.
WINNER-Magomed Bibulatov by Rd.2 Submission
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