UFC 222 Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya: UPDATED Fight Card, Half-Assed Musings + Odds

March 3, 2018

T-Mobile Arena

Las Vegas, Nevada

Fight Card:

Featherweight Champion Cristiane Justino (19-1, 1) -1400 vs. Yana Kunitskaya (10-3,1) +1100

"Cyborg" steps in to try and save this disaster of a PPV card and we appreciate that. The "Greatest Female Fighter of All Time" has won 19 fights in a row and has finished 16 enemies! 

"Foxymophandlemama" is a talented kickboxer and all, but she isn't as good as "Cyborg" in any area. That is not to say that Kunitskaya isn't a talented fighter because she is, but, best of luck. 

WINNER-Cristiane Justino by Rd.3 TKO

Frankie Edgar (22-5-1) -165 vs. Brian Ortega (13-0,1) +155

Featherweight Champion Max Holloway returned the favor to Frankie and has bowed out of a proposed matchup between the two men that seems destined to never be. 

God love ya Frankie but fucking sit down and wait for your title shot dammit. Edgar is a fighter's fighter and refuses to take the easy path as he puts his already earned title shot on the line against the next generation. Frank is a young 36, but hasn't lost a step and can run against anyone (save for Jose Aldo) at 145. The New Jersey native has every tool in his arsenal and no man has finished him in 28 professional fights!

"T-City" is surfing Jiu-Jitsu fighter who has been improving his hands, but is known for being a submission monster who has proven he can make the comeback in competitive matches.

It's a shame that this is only scheduled for 15 minutes because there is a lot to see here. Frankie is smart enough to push the pace early with his superior hands. Edgar has the feints and strong takedowns to mix up Ortega's mind and not allow him enough openings to land meaningful offense. Mr. Edgar spanks the youth yet again finding at the very least, 2 rounds in a competitive and telling bout.

WINNER-Frankie Edgar by Decision

 https://www.instagram.com/sugaseanmma/?hl=en

Sean O’Malley (9-0) +110 vs. Andre Soukhamthath (12-5) -120

"Sugar" Sean is a slight 23 years of age, and the long limbed MMA Lab(er) who is always moving and feinting to keep foes from getting comfortable as O'Malley is willing to throw about anything about anytime. The marijuana advocate has that creative offense without defense style.

"Tutankhamun" is a man at 29 who is happy to take a punch to give one. "Sookemtath" cuts a high volume and depends upon his chin holding up to everything. 

O'Malley should be able to build a lead and then control things. With Sean, eventually, somebody is going to catch him with his dangerous style, but it's not Andre. The flamboyant youth styles his way to victory.

Upset Pick WINNER-Sean O'Malley by Decision

Stefan Struve (28-9) -170 vs. Andrei Arlovski (26-15,1) +160

Wait, what? What are we doing here and why? Two of the most brittle Heavyweights of all time are going to shatter in the center of the Octagon instead of being retired as they should be! C'mon, are we trying to get people hurt here? 

"The Pit Bull" has been finished 11 times in his career while "Skyscraper" has bee downed 8 times! Arlovkski is 39 and Struve has a heart condition. MMAFO doesn't like this and doesn't think it's the smartest decision to let both of these men keep fighting. Good luck gentlemen, and may you end the evening healthy.

WINNER-

Cat Zingano (9-2) +170 vs. Ketlen Vieira (9-0) -185

Soo, "Alpha" Cat is a nice lady and she has had a rough couple of years, but also, she's not a smart fighter. Zingano somehow convinced herself she is a grappler and continues to run out-of-control at opponents. Perhaps she has been training control in her lengthy absences (a single fight a year for the last 6 years!), but her improvements have been slow in appearing.

"Fenomeno" has been turning heads in the Bantamweight division by continuing to work in fights she was losing, only to turn the tide late. Vieira is developing her game but all the fundamentals are there.

Cat is facing a rival 9 years younger and we're sorry, but you just cannot pick this lady having seen her fight in recent years. Zingano has the power to finish anyone without notice, but she so consistently makes the wrong choice in a fight you cannot ride with her. Ketlen by default.

WINNER-Ketlen Vieira by Decision

https://www.instagram.com/mackenziedern/?hl=en

Mackenzie Dern (5-0) -420 vs. Ashley Yoder (5-3) +375

It is the highly anticipated debut of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist who is the muse of every keyboard warrior, and is overrated as fuck! Prepare to be underwhelmed.  

"Megaton" is a highly decorated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who tends to take her training camps lightly, struggles continually with making weight, and her striking is rudimentary at best. So why you ask, is she so surrounded by fame? She has a phat ass. Phat not fat. Some men enjoy such things and her inexperience in MMA has shown itself multiple times but the UFC wants to reward the fanboys with their muse. 

"The Spider Monkey" has been in the game for a minute now but her skills are at a level to give Dern a bit of a test, but not too much.

MMAFO is rooting for the veteran Yoder to stay on her feet and steal one away here, but likely Mackenzie grounds her and submits her early.

WINNER-Mackenzie Dern by Rd.2 Submission

Beneil Dariush (14-3-1) -385 vs. Alexander Hernandez (8-1) +345

Alex is taking opportunity on a week's notice and good on him for that. 

The King's MMA fighter is coming off the always satisfying Draw with Evan Dunham and trying to find some consistency in the ultra-competitive 155 division. Dariush is a very smart fighter and about as well rounded as they come. 

As the great Daniel Cormier said, "there are levels to this game."

WINNER-Beneil Dariush by Rd.2 Submission

John Dodson (19-9) -165 vs. Pedro Munhoz (15-2) +145 

The "Monchhichi" is going to peck, pop, and ride his bike around touching up Munhoz as he pleases to an annoying victory.

* Let's be professional and make the weight this time Mr. Munhoz.

WINNER-John Dodson by Decision

Hector Lombard (34-8-1,2) -125 vs. CB Dollaway (16-8) +105

This is a bizarre matchup and makes complete sense.

That is to say, Lombard, the biggest "bust" of all time in coming with major hype to the UFC, has lost 4 in a row and has a promotional record of 3-6-1, was finished in 3 of his last 4, and he fucking lost to Johny Hendricks! The wheels have completely come off for Hector and he must win or face the unemployment line. Now at age 40, "Showeather" (?) is in a desperate situation.

CB is just CB. The guy is okay and he's got some wrestling skills to win against lower level fighters, but he also has a chin of glass and a fear of elevators. 

If Hector can get going 1st and connect with a few punches, he should be able to put CB away fairly easily. The problem is that Lombard hasn't looked even like a shell of his former self and CB can annoy opponents into a loss. We're giving Lombard one last chance but if he blows it here he's dead to us.

WINNER-Hector Lombard by Rd.1 KO

 https://twitter.com/mike_pyle?lang=en

Mike Pyle (27-13-1) +260 vs. Zak Ottow (15-5) -290

After what will be his 42nd professional bout, and a successful 17 year career, Mike "Quicksand" Pyle is retiring. The longtime Xtreme Couture fighter is an adept submission specialist and timely hands though they don't get as much run as they used to.

Ottow is going to give Pyle a chance here as he will gladly grapple and isn't threatening standing where Mike is weakest these days.

This is a close call but one of the main items people are not taking into account here, is that the MMA Gods are cruel and they rarely let deserving veterans go out on a "W." MMAFO expects Mike to make it a fight, but he'll lose down the stretch in heartbreaking fashion.

WINNER-Zak Ottow by Decision

Bryan Caraway (21-7) +125 vs. Cody Stamann (16-1) -145

C'mon guys, everyone go easy on little Caraway. The guy lost Miesha Tate a couple of years ago and now she's all happy and pregnant with a new fella. Now Bry, who averages a single fight a year and is known for being a guy that turns down fights, "Kid Lightning" needs to decide if he wants to make a run for the belt or not. The generally disliked Caraway has proven a solid Bantamweight in his UFC career, amassing a 6-2 record only losing to our boy Takeya Mizugaki and perennial contender Raphael Assuncao, while downing a decent resume of foes.

"Daisy Penis" is on a 9-fight bounce and uses a barrage of kicks which will allow Caraway in for the takedowns on Stamann's already porous defense.

The hated sad man-boy keeps the haters fueled and uses his superior grappling skills to get to the cards where he excels.

Upset Pick WINNER-Bryan Caraway by Decision

Jordan Johnson (8-0) -245 vs. Adam Milstead (8-1,1) +205

"Travis Browne Jr." comes in undefeated and looking to take the head of the prospect "Prototype." Just a couple of 205ers trying to build a name in a weak division and Milstead is making the move down in weight. JJ uses the wrestling to win on the cards as the crowd files in.

WINNER-Jordan Johnson by Decision