UFC Fight Night 113 Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications + Odds

July 16, 2017

The SSE Hydro

Glasgow, Scotland

Okay, okay. MMAFO has been slacking hard on the predictions business. Hey, life happens, people get busy, and blogs suffer. Anywho, we've got a "contenders" Main Event, MMAFO's beloved "Bad MoFo JoJo" returns, and tons of hype provided by the raucous Scottish crowd. Let's have some fun.

Main Card on FS1:

Gunnar Nelson (16-2-1) -160 vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio (24-3) +140

Iceland's modern Viking, brings his fists of Mjolnir to Scotland. "Gunni," (7-2 in the UFC) has fared well in his UFC run, losing only a close Split Decision to Rick Story and getting educated by Demian Maia. Nelson is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist as well and durable as the Vatnajokull.

"Gente Boa" (6-2 in the UFC) is the prospect MMAFO has had their eyes on for the last 6 years. "Ponzie" is an aggressive striker who can do a bit of it all. Santiago is in his prime.

Gunnar has a stoic resolve about him that mirrors his game. The man is decisive about his work and each planned maneuver avails him multiple opportunities. Aside from Demian Maia, nobody can touch him on the ground. It is highly likely Nelson cannot get Ponzinibbio to the mat for decent amounts of time within 25 minutes. "Gunni" is adept enough at striking to bide his time before grounding Santiago and finding the sub as is his want to do.

WINNER-Gunnar Nelson by Rd.3 Submission

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRQcQQYgqe_/?taken-by=badmofo_jojo&hl=en

Joanne Calderwood (11-2) +175 vs. Cynthia Calvillo (5-0) -210

"JoJo" is a "Bad MoFo" and looking to defend the Kingdom of Scotland, and get some momentum going in the 115 division. It's been slow going for "Dr. Kneevil" since joining the UFC in '14, as she has found a couple of losses due to an insufficient ground game. Calderwood has been training at Tristar for a while now trying to elevate all areas of her game. Joanne is best known for her aggressive kickboxing game and deadly beauty.

The Team Alpha FeMale has been very impressive in her initial two outings in the UFC, but "CC" has been doing this a long time. Thus far, Calvillo's ground attack has been stellar, placing worries about her relative inexperience to bed. 

"Bad MoFo JoJo" is not a true Strawweight. Calderwood has struggled with the weight cut here and will likely be moving up to Flyweight, that the UFC is adding now, soon. MMAFO loves us some "Dr. Kneevil" but this is a nightmare match up for her. Cynthia is just too damn good on the mats and honestly, Joanne isn't very good there. Calvillo will likely submit Calderwood, but then Joanne can be reborn in a new division. :(

WINNER-Cynthia Calvillo by Rd.2 Submission

Steven Ray (21-6) -135 vs. Paul Felder (13-3) +115

"Braveheart" is rolling the dice in his homeland fighting out his current UFC contract with this bout. The Scot is mostly a striker, and a decent one, but not overly emphatic with his attack.

Felder is the opposite Ray. He's a flashy kicker who throws wild combinations and spinning shit. The "Irish Dragon" prolly picks up a lot of that pizaz from training partner and buddy, Donald Cerrone, but it hasn't been nearly as successful for Paul. Felder is strong, durable, and creative, but he tends to not fight to his advantages, rather looking for the highlight reel brawl.

For all of Paul's faults, he is much more dynamic and likely to force the fight as Ray moves backwards trying to counter. Felder is not to be trusted for sure, but he should get a couple of rounds by sheer aggression while Steven is caught inactive and staring.

Upset Pick WINNER-Paul Felder by Decision

Jack Marshman (21-6) -485 vs. Ryan Janes (9-2) +385

"Hi, I'm Ryan Janes and I like to stand up straight and get hit in the face. My opponent is 8 years younger and I am going to get wrecked."

WINNER-Jack Marshmann by Rd.1 TKO

Khalil Rountree (6-2) -210 vs. Paul Craig (9-1) +175

Both of these men are looking to come in off losses and looking to right the ship.

The "Bearjew" suffered his 1st career loss in March but he is a solid gifted grappler but he is very hittable. The Scot will have the love of Scotland cheering him on and he thrives on the adoration.

The "War Horse" has proven he is not very adept on the ground and striking is really his game. Syndicate MMA is also not a very good school.

Roundtree is too strong and dare we say it, explosive (take a drink), for the slow "Bearjew." Paul won't be able to get Khalil to the ground which leads to him getting put out.

WINNER-Khalil Rountree by Rd.2 TKO

James Mulheron (11-1) +175 vs. Justin Willis (4-1) -210

The British Heavyweight comes in on a 4 fight winning streak and looking to make an impact on the shallow big boy division with his jiggly titties.

AKA's big tubby fat fat has a massive size advantage here and is also making his UFC debut on a 4 fight winning streak. "The Incredible Bulk" will "gong & dong."

Justin is deceptively fast for a water buffalo, and if he can get on top of you, you're done. Willis smashes fools on the ground as long as he doesn't gas himself out.

WINNER-Justin Willis by Rd.1 TKO

Prelims on FS1:

Danny Roberts (13-2) -200 vs. Bobby Nash (8-2) +170

"Hot Chocolate" is a technical boxer. Dan didn't have any fear last out fighting Mike Perry in the pocked though he did lose via KO. Roberts is a good athlete who has cardio for days.

"Nashty" Nash is pretty much going to come at you head up, arms down, and looking to get knocked out.

WINNER-Danny Roberts by Decision

Neil Seery (16-12) +300 vs. Alexandre Pantoja (17-2) -360

It's the swan song for Neil "2Tap" Seery as the 12 year veteran calls it a career. The exciting Irishman is the epitome of a savvy veteran. Neil will wade through hell to strike you which may not be the best of plans, but is fun to watch. 

The Brazilian has won 10 in a row and will have an obvious advantage on the mat. Alex is also 10 years younger than his opponent.

Seery's losses tend to come to grapplers which Pantoja is. You gotta root for the old man and if he can stay on his feet, he might just surprise Alex and amass enough credit in the eyes of the judges to go out on his shield for a curtain call win. It could look a lot like Brad Pickett's final fight, as Neil tries to hang on in the final moments.

Upset Pick WINNER-Neil Seery by Decision

Charlie Ward (3-2) +180 vs. Galore Bofando (4-2) -220

Ward trains in Ireland under the care of SBG and is best known for the death of Joao Carvalho in April of last year. Sad but true. Ward is pretty much a 1-2 striker without much speed or imagination. 

Bofando is going to be fun to watch! This cat has no issues with throwing crazy shit in explosive fashion.

One could see Ward holding Bofando down for 2 rounds especially when Galore's attack is so wild and open to counters, but no. Charlie just has not impressed and seems pretty rudimentary in his game. Bofando will have kicks galore (ha!) and lands something big early.

WINNER-Galore Bofando by Rd.1 TKO

Danny Henry (10-2) +180 vs. Daniel Teymur (6-0) -220

A Scot making his UFC debut, Henry is chinny and tends to get rocked in each outing, though he survives. 

Teymur, brother of UFC fighter David, trains at Allstars Training Center with the likes of Magnus Cedenblad, Nicholas Musoke, and Niklas Backstrom in Sweden. Daniel has better training partners and has faced better competition.

Teymur is going to strike hard with the left hook and disintegrate Henry.

WINNER-Daniel Teymur by Rd.2 TKO

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass:

Brett Johns (13-0) -370 vs. Albert Morales (7-1-1) +310

A nice little "prospect" scrap here in the Bantamweight division. 

Morales has struggled to establish himself in the UFC (1-1-1) but the loss was to killer Thomas Almeida, so no hate there. Al really needs to get things to the canvas where he can work his Jiu-Jitsu.

The "Pikey" won his UFC debut in November and remains unbeaten. Johns uses his superior conditioning, quickness, and striking technique to earn wins. 

As long as "BJ" doesn't get too caught up on the floor, he'll amass enough points to win on the cards.

WINNER-Brett Johns by Decision

Leslie Smith (9-7-1) -190 vs. Amanda Lemos (6-0-1) +165

"Lady Diaz" brings the war and if'n you don't love this lady, you are not paying attention to MMA. Smith is not only a talented veteran fighter, but she is very intelligent and working tirelessly behind the scenes to better the lives of fighters. She good people.

"Amandinha" is making her debut undefeated and unheralded though she was a Jungle Fight Champion. Lemos is a tad small for the division and is likely to move to the oncoming Flyweight class. Amanda has good power in her hands and finishes.

Smith has been improving each time out with good footwork and she has an eye for when to be aggressive. If these ladies clinch up, which is likely as Leslie tries to avoid the big bombs, Smith will overpower Lemos in what should be a good scrap.

WINNER-Leslie Smith by Decision

MMAFO Picks Results:

UFC 213 8-3

  TUF 25 8-3