May 12, 2018
Jeunesse Arena
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Main Card on Pay-Per-View (9pm/CT):
Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes (15-4) -900 vs. Raquel Pennington (9-5) +600
Meanwhile, the "Lioness" has had a nice go of things wiping out Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey before narrowly squeaking by Valentina Shevchenko for the 2nd time last September. Nunes has been looking like the queen of the jungle so much as of late that she's in need of new challenges.
Congratulations for “Rocky” for sitting out for a year and a half, and was given a title shot for her inactivity. What the actual fuck? Well, before her recent absence, Pennington was on a roll winning 4 in a row and climbing, but how the hell can anyone earn a title shot by being inactive (sorry, MMAFO is having trouble letting it go)?
It's a nice loving friend affair as Raquel's significant other Tecia Torres became friends with Amanda Nunes and her significant other Nina Ansaroff back in her American Top Team days, so there's no bad blood only the spirit of competition. It should also be noted, this is the 1st time two openly gay fighters will be competing in the Main Event atop a UFC card which is pretty cool.
We're seeing a boxing match here as Raquel isn't going to ground with anyone. So in a striking assault, you can't really go against the "Lioness." Nunes' offense is so technical it's beautiful to watch, and that's before she brings the power. Gas, ground, you name it, Amanda is better. Not that she won't be given issues by Raquel. "Rocky" isn't an undeserved nickname. Pennington is an old school fighter. She's tough as hell and won't go quietly, but it's Amanda's night to roar.
WINNER-Amanda Nunes by Decision
Middleweight is slowly sorting itself out these days. Ronaldo "Ronald" proved he's too damn old in January when he humbled Derek Brunson in a single round.
Kelvin "Kevin" got off the schneid in November wrecking former Middleweight Champ Michael Bisping to make us sad Pandas.
Both men are finishing monsters looking to ply their trade to get into the on deck portion of the title hunt. The percentages lean toward the experience and overall skills of "Jacare" over the 1-punch lack of discipline kiddo. Should be a great co-main at any rate.
WINNER-Ronaldo Souza by Decision
Mackenzie Dern (6-0) -245 vs. Amanda Cooper (3-3) +225
As if to further prove MMAFO’s point that Dern is not taking this whole MMA thing seriously, Mackenzie missed weight by and inexcusable 7.4 pounds! That’s her 3rd professional miss and her opponent predicted it.
Cooper is a gamer and accepted a catchweight because she wants some o’ Mackenzie. Props to her and she’s no dummy but Amanda doesn’t put her skills together well and is at a major disadvantage on the ground.
Well, Dern should be well rested since she didn’t attempt a weight cut, and with Cooper’s porous takedown defense, it’s another sub win for the chubby girl.
WINNER-Mackenzie Dern by Rd.1 Submission
#10 John Lineker (30-8) -255 vs. Brian Kelleher (19-8) +215
“Whitey Mouse” is very confident and can “Boom” the mic like a prime Paul Buentello (“Don’t fear me…”), but we can’t say we’re truly believers.
Lineker’s true opponent is the scale, but he made the limit so as long as there are no lingering effects that cause him to be pulled late, he’s in! John is a power puncher’s dream and even with a broken jaw will stay in the pocket bombing on common sense.
“Let’s just bang bro!” These guys are going to trade in a fun ass slaughterhouse throw down. We expect Kelleher just a step slower than Lineker and eat too many to win on points.
WINNER-John Lineker by Rd.2 TKO
Vitor Belfort (26-13, 1) +235 vs. Lyoto Machida (23-8) -255
It’s a dream match, if you currently reside in 2009. Ugh.
Machida has lost 3 of his last 4 and at 39, the speed he has so relied upon his entire career, is fading. The karate style doesn’t age so well in MMA much like the “Machida Era” (eh, Joe Rogan) but boy can Lyoto faint and stare.
What can MMAFO say about Vitor Belfort that we haven’t already said? Lifelong cheater? Check. One of the most overrated of all time? Check. Lying hypocritical christian arrogance? Check. Seriously, fuck this guy coming and going. It’s the same old tired story with Vitor. Belfort comes out scary for 30 seconds and either gasses out or straight quits when things don’t go his way.
WINNER-Lyoto Machida by Rd.1 TKO
Prelims on FX (7pm/CT):
Cezar Ferreira (12-6) -105 vs. Karl Roberson (6-0) -115
You can hide it, you can ignore it, but the glass chin never heals. It's MMA law. "Baby-K" bring the finish.
WINNER-Karl Roberson by Rd.1 TKO
Alexey Oleynik (55-11-1) +140 vs. Junior Albini (14-3) -150
“Baby Bini” should be absolutely embarrassed at his last performance when he let 482 year old Andrei Arlovski
outwork him while wearing a diaper. Seriously Reebok should put out some affiliated diapers and make a dime. Albini is a kid in this game but has skills though we doubt his seriousness in the sport at this time. Junior is badly out of shape (even for a heavyweight) but if he applied himself, there are things to like.
Our boy, “The Boa Constrictor” is bringing the Ezekiel Choke and the pain to the upstart children! Alex is 100 years old, with but a single working leg, 67 professional fights in, and is still gonna win! People overlook Oleynik all the time but the dude is crafty as they come. Alex slowly finds a way to get you close, and while they are unconcerned and feeling safe from subs, suddenly they are gasping for air and tapping out. Oleynik is one of those guys you just don’t see coming. The Russian tends to get touched up early and often, but is secretly waiting for that opportune moment when he is going to snatch your soul.
Albini is the safe pick here, but he’s not the naturally athletic Curtis Blaydes type, so MMAFO is calling the Upset when a bloody and swollen Oley peers up from the depths of hell and pulls man baby to the darkness.
Upset WINNER-Alexey Oleynik by Rd.1 Submission
Davi Ramos (7-2) -145 vs. Nick Hein (14-2-1) +125
Ramos is a solid brick BJJ world champion who has some sneaky good hooks. Davi also has a nice jab and though his takedowns may not be best, he will be aided by Nick dangerously leaping in and out to stay as far away as possible.
Injuries spoiled Nick’s drop to Featherweight so he’ll do at this scrap at Lightweight and then decide his future. Hein’s is okay but he’ll struggle to get going to his detriment.
WINNER-Davi Ramos by Decision
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (18-5) -130 vs. Sean Strickland (19-2) +110
“EZ DoeSant” has won 4 in a row since dropping his promotional debut. Santos is going to bring the spinning, dancing, floppy shit.
Sean’s losses came to beast Kamaru Usman and the tactical Santiago Ponzinibbio which is no shame. “Tarzan” is very well rounded but he has trouble deciding when to attack and instead tends to freeze in stasis. It’s frustrating that this guy can’t release some combination assaults.
Strickland won’t ever be out of this fight. The guy is solid but the “Capoeira” bluster is going to keep Sean’s eyes wide as he enjoys the show, but forgets to offense back.
WINNER-Elizeu dos Santos by Decision
Prelims on UFC Fight Pass (5:15pm/CT):
Warlley Alves (11-2) -250 vs. Sultan Aliev (14-2) +210
Warlley was the man to beat back in ’15, then he got beat twice and returned to win in October turning nobody’s head. Alves has a plethora of confident striking to throw your way and has learned to take a moment in the heat of battle, rather than gas himself out. Signs of improvement.
Aliev is a winging power puncher and he doesn’t have the speed or technique to hang with Alves but does possess the “puncher’s chance.”
WINNER-Warlley Alves by Decision
Thales Leites (27-8) +135 vs. Jack Hermansson (16-4) -155
Did you now, Thales Leites has competed in the UFC 19 times with a 12-7 record? It’s hard to imagine he’s been around that long even with a 2nd UFC run, and had so little impact. Leites earned (sort of) a title shot back in 2009, then made his return to the UFC in 2013 and suddenly thought himself a striker. It didn’t take long for the Thales to return to his slower more consistent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu roots, and has had inconsistent results. Basically, Leites has hit his ceiling, isn’t trying to evolve anymore, and you know what you get with him, a serviceable but beatable 185er.
The “Joker” is pretty good everywhere but he can’t beat 2nd tier fighters which tells you his ceiling. Jack is a kickboxer who will surprise you with some ground game.
This bout is rather even but it’s hard to tell how much Leites really cares anymore, while Hermansson seems at least as though he’s going to give you all he’s got. We expect a nip and tuck battle but Jack has more offensive weapons to get the slight nod after 15.
WINNER-Jack Hermansson by Decision
Alberto Mina (13-0) +170 vs. Ramazan Emeev (16-3) -185
Well, hello “Soldier of Dog,” we didn’t know you were still around. Looking at Mina’s record, he averages around a single fight a year and this time was off for two years. That is hardly any way to build momentum for a 36 year old, but perhaps the journey of learning is what Al is about. Anywho, the Brazilian trains with King’s MMA and is pretty well rounded but it’s hard to gauge him when he is seen as frequently as the The Great Pumpkin, but we digress.
The Russian “Emcee” is dropping down from Middle to Welterweight while on a 5-fight winning streak. Ramazan will look to bully Mina around in the clinch brawling while wearing down the often unseen Alberto.
WINNER-Ramazan Emeev by Decision
Markus Perez (9-1) -280 vs. James Bochnovic (8-2) +255
Bochnovic trains with Ben Rothwell (okay, enjoy that) and is trying to obtain his mentors body type. James will try to play some grappling and enters “Maluko’s” world with disastrous results.
WINNER-Markus Perez by Rd.2 Submission
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