January 27, 2018
Spectrum Center
Charlotte, North Carolina
Maybe the UFC is not planning to resign with Fox this year because they are giving them a total shit card for TV. The Main Event, the return of Mirsad Bektic, and Katlyn Chookagian are the only points of interest for this slog of a fight card. Enjoy the crap the UFC is feeding you!
Main Card on Fox (7pm/CT):
#5 Jacare Souza (24-5, 1) -120 vs. #9 Derek Brunson (18-5) +100 [Rematch]
These two men last met in 2012 when Strikeforce was still (though barely) a thing. Souza knocked out Brunson a mere 0:41 into the fight. Now some 6 years later, the men meet again as both try to prove they are contenders and still in the title hunt.
Last we saw "Jacare," he was rocked, stumbling, and getting thumped by Robert Whittaker in April of last year. Jacare did the smart thing of taking the rest of the year off to allow the effects of a concussion to dissipate. The gator is a submission magician who has tapped 14 men but at the age of 38, the clock is ticking.
The Jackson-Wink fighter is coming off the biggest win of his career with a KO win over Lyoto Machida. Brunson is a strong striker, but he's seen the darkness 3 times in his career and one has to wonder how many times his lights can go out before real trouble occurs. And yet, for all his mistakes in the cage, Derek has never been tapped.
"Jacare" is the easily more well rounded fighter, but did Whittaker prove that time is up for the Brazilian? After the brutal knockout, Souza is going to waste zero time on the feet instead consistently looking for the takedown. Brunson's takedown defense is going to have to be on point, but if, IF, he can remain standing for enough time to strike back in this contest, we feel that Derek could finish Ronaldo. We have no idea why we are doing this, because Brunson is not one to be trusted and has been so inconsistent his entire career, but we just smell something. Bring on the Upset as Derek shocks the MMA world finishing Ron is devastating fashion early!
Upset Pick WINNER-Derek Brunson by Rd.2 TKO
Dennis Bermudez (16-7) -155 vs. Andre Fili (17-5) +135
It feels like Bermudez has always been around and yet has never even hinted at being a contender. He's a predictable striker without power and works in occasional takedowns to occasionally win.
"Touchy" Fili alternates wins and losses like clockwork and according to his record, it's time to lose. The Team Alpha Male fighter will have a great reach advantage but he is begging opponents to take him down. Andre has some decent kicks but is so wild that he cannot be counted on to do anything.
The fact that this is the Co-Main Event tells you what a garbage card this really is. Neither of these guys will ever contend for shit and neither guy is really "must-see" for their fights. Bermudez could hold Fili down for at least 10 minutes, or Andre is creative enough to keep it striking for the judges favor. Who knows, who cares? We're hoping Andre hits something big just to end this nothing.
Upset Pick WINNER-Andre Fili by Rd.2 TKO
Jordan Rinaldi (13-5) +435 vs. Gregor Gillespie (10-0) -570
"The Gift" is a submission fighter and a four-time All-American wrestler and NCAA champion. Gillespie is working on his hands but honestly, they're pretty good already. Gregor is going to take this to the canvas and just beat the living shit out of Rinaldi. Jordan is really a man to watch to watch at Lightweight!
WINNER-Gregor Rinaldi by Rd.2 Submission
Drew Dober (18-8, 1) -160 vs. Frank Camacho (21-5) +140
"Doberman" is a kickboxer and he's gonna give you an exciting fight no matter what. Even when he inevitably gasses out.
"The Crank" (the crank?, WTF?) hits hard.
This is just going to be wild manic bomb throwing craziness. Good luck picking this one because who the hell knows what is going to happen. We like the power of Camacho and would just like to see an Upset for the sake of an Upset.
Upset Pick WINNER-Frank Camacho by Rd.3 TKO
Prelims on FS1 (4pm/CT):
Erik Koch (15-5) +130 vs. Bobby Green (23-8-1) -150
The "Orange Phoenix" is a natural striker but Clay Guida showed him last June that he doesn't have defensive grappling in his game. The Roufusport fighter can get submissions if the fates align, but mixing it up on the feet is his game.
Bob has lost 3 in a row and last out got a Draw against Landon Vannata so his success rate in the last few years is not so good. Green is a wrestle/boxer who has a lot of trouble focusing in camps as his world is constantly embroiled in chaos.
Both of these men are good fighters, yet are inconsistent when they fight and you never know what you are going to get. However, if we are going to key in on one thing, Green seems far more durable in fights and if he gets touched up, tends to come stronger while Koch dissolves against adversity.
WINNER-Bobby Green by Decision
Mirsad Bektic (11-1) -600 vs. Godofredo Castro (14-5) +450
Bektic was the prospect of all prospects until he ran into the unkillable Darren Elkins in March. Mirsad was bludgeoning Elkins for 12 minutes until Darren shocked the world. Now the ATT rep looks to rebound and put the embarrassment behind him.
"Pepey" likes to come out of control but he can catch people doing so whether with fists or a submission.
Mirsad should win this thing unless crazy unbelievable shit happens again. Lightning doesn't strike twice and Bektic gets back on track.
WINNER-Mirsad Bektic by Rd.2 TKO
#6 Katlyn Chookagian (9-1) -150 vs. #10 Mara Romero Borella (12-4, 1) +130
The "Blonde Fighter" (the most unimaginative nickname on this card) is going to stand and kickbox an was undersized at 135's so moving down here to 125 seems solid.
"Kunoichici" wants to ground Chookagian and look for a sub.
"KC" seems to be a contender folks. Chookagian is decent off her back and has enough to at least stand back up and get to her game. If Kat doesn't get a finish she'll run shop until the finish.
WINNER-Katlyn Chookagian by Decision
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| https://www.instagram.com/randamarkos/?hl=en |
Randa Markos (7-5) -160 vs. Juliana Lima (9-4) +140
Markos has been up and down her entire career and just cannot seem to get any momentum going. "The Quiet Storm" has only fought the best competition on her path and even defeated contender Carla Esparza last February. Randa has zero power but she is a non-stop attacker with good grappling, but no defense.
"Ju Thai" is primarily a striker who cuts a slow pace. Lima like to gain top position and then take a nap.
Based upon how active Markos is, and how little Lima puts out, we have to go with the Canadian. However, Randa does like to make things difficult for herself so you never know.
WINNER-Randa Markos by Decision
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| https://www.instagram.com/justinekish/?hl=en Kish & the adorable Merlin |
Justine Kish (6-1) -280 vs. Ji Yeon Kim (6-1-2) +240
Let's just get this out of the way at the start. Poor Justine pooped herself last out against Felice Herrig which was also her 1st professional loss. As Tim Sylvia and Yoel Romero have shown in the past, these things happen. It was horribly embarrassing but Kish handled it like a complete pro taking to social media, not to shy away from the incident, but to laugh along with the horror of it all. Atta girl. Justine is tough striker who keeps her head straight up but luckily she is quite durable. Kish also has some wrestling in her back pocket which her opponent does not.
Basically, Ji comes forward brawling and that's about it. MMAFO didn't see what the hype was all about in her debut.
As long as Kish uses her kicks to avoid a boxing match and can get in close for the takedowns, it should be her night. Justine only has to contend with a single aspect of fighting from Kim so she should be able to use more tools to get the nod.
WINNER-Justine Kish by Decision
Vinc Pichel (10-1) -110 vs. Joaquim Silva (10-0) -120
"From Hell" Pichel is 3-1 in the UFC and brutally knocked out Damien Brown in his last outing in June of '17. Vinc is not a very active fighter but a decent grinder.
The undefeated Brazilian is a big hitter who has a Jiu-Jitsu nickname which doesn't make sense.
Who fucking cares?
Upset Pick WINNER-Vinc Pichel by Decision
Niko Price (10-1) -320 vs. George Sullivan (17-5) +260
Sullivan has been suspended by USADA twice now and was last seen getting knocked out by Alexander Yakovlev in January of '16. This guy, should not have a UFC contract.
ATT's "Hybrid" loves to be aggressive and is a decent striker. Let's just hope Price gets the win and sends Sullivan out of MMA for good.
WINNER-Nico Price by Decision
Austin Arnett (14-3) +180 vs. Cory Sandhagen (6-1) -220
A whole lotta who gives a shit floating around this bout.
WINNER-Cory Sandhagen by Decision
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