June 9, 2018
United Center
Chicago, Illinois
Main Card on Pay-Per-View (9pm/CT):
Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker (19-4) -255 vs. #3 Yoel Romero (13-2) +215 [Rematch]
Middleweight is a bit of a mess right now, but hopefully with the champ back, the division can move on in proper order and we can file in some deserving challengers instead of a rerun.
We all saw the 1st fight. "Bobby Knuckles" used superior striking and stamina to run game on the Cuban with only an in-cage injury slowing him down. But now, Rob will have two wheels. Whittaker had a far, far superior gas tank and there is nothing in Romero's career that would lead us to believe that will ever change. The game for Bobert does not change. Stuff takedowns and make Yoel pay for them with stiff close range strikes. Bide your time and Romero will do the rest, cheating to gain moments to rest, but ultimately fading embarrassingly and losing yet again.
WINNER-Robert Whittaker by Decision (again)
* Yoel Romero missed weight and the title fight/main event is in jeopardy. MMAFO will report in when we find out if Robert Whittaker will take the bout in a non-title affair.
Interim Welterweight Title Fight
#2 Rafael dos Anjos (28-9) +110 vs. #5 Colby Covington (13-1) -130
RDA has quietly become a perennial UFC all-star and is closing in on history and a 2nd title in a 2nd weight class. Colby is a douche and everyone can see through his fake demeanor.
Dos Anjos' move to 170s has proved fruitful as he has won 3 in a row, while looking much healthier and stronger without such a devastating weight cut. If anyone was unsure about Raf's ability to hang at Welterweight, all of those doubts were put to rest last December when RDA brutalized Robbie Lawler putting together one of (if not) the longest combinations in memory. The Brazilian is a gifted striker and intelligent veteran who knows the moves to make in the heat of battle.
Covington doesn't deserve a title shot as the only win of note on his record is a decision win over 89 year old Demian Maia last October. The ATT fighters striking is basic and he'll prefer to lay atop another man waiting on time to expire. As for the notorious trash talking, it's so painfully bad and forced that even Jon Jones cringes. There is nothing new or special about what Colby does in or out of the cage. After he is dismantled here, stop giving the cunt press. He's nothing.
Upset Pick WINNER-Rafael dos Anjos by Rd.4 Submission
#3 Holly Holm (11-4) -170 vs. Megan Anderson (8-2) +150
This is a bit of a dream match for MMAFO. We've been big fans of Holly before she arrived in the UFC, and have taken a similar path with Megan. Both are crazy athletic and gifted strikers who match up for a really intriguing bout.
"The Preacher's Daughter" lost her last bout to Cristiane Justino but put on the best effort of anyone to face "Cyborg." The last two years haven't yielded much success for Holm, but consider, she should have been given the victory over the fan hated Germaine de Randamie in the inaugural Women's Featherweight title fight, and was the 1st to take "Cyborg" to the judges since Yoko Takahasi in 2009! Holm is as tough as they come and can use those mile long legs to devastating effect. Her issues come when she gets in her own head, becoming too careful, and forgetting to trust in her offensive skills. Countering only works when you actually counter back.
The Aussie has zero fear in the cage and loves to bring the fight to her foe. Anderson trains in Missouri with MMAFO friendly James Krause, and brings natural athleticism and aggression.
That attack 1st style will allow Holly to get comfortable and counter comfortably by taking the waiting and thinking out of the game. Holm will be forced to react with the muscle memory she has honed over many years of fighting. Anderson will find herself outgunned and unable to know what to do against superior footwork and a Jackson-Wink plan.
WINNER-Holly Holm by Decision
Andrei Arlovski (27-15,1) +205 vs. Tai Tuivasa (7-0) -245
"Mark Hunt 2.0" is shoe-ing (see what we did there?) himself into the big boy division with heavy power and youth (25).
"The Belarus Vampire" is thousands of years old and yet he's won 2 in a row! Fucking two in a row!! Cray cray shit.
Tuivasa is shoe-in (still going) to knock Arlovski silly.
WINNER-Tai Tuivasa by Rd.1 KO
Phil Brooks (0-1) +185 vs. Mike Jackson (0-1) -225
We cannot be bothered to give a shit about this. Nothing against "CM Punk," do your thang and take your opportunities, but MMAFO doesn't care about this and it should NOT be on a UFC card let alone the "Main Card!" Fuck off with this bullshit.
WINNER-Mike Jackson by Decision
Prelims on FS1 (7pm/CT):
Alistair Overeem (43-16,1) +160 vs. Curtis Blaydes (9-1,1) -185
Isn't it hilarious that "CM Punk" is on the main card while this important Heavyweight tilt is on the prelims? WTF UFC. You are single handedly ruining your business with these moves that just make the sport look unprofessional.
Anywho, "Ubereem" is returning from a 1 round knockout loss to frightening Francis Ngannou last December. "The Reem" has been to the pinnacle many times in his career but just falls short in obtaining UFC gold. Alistair is still a talented striker who has learned caution and motion can extend his career.
"Razor" Blaydes has amassed a 4-1-1 record in the UFC only losing to aforementioned Ngannou. Curtis has been showing obvious improvements each time out backed by his stalwart wrestling and improving, though still in process, striking.
Overeem has pretty solid takedown defense so it's going to take time for Blaydes to get his wrestling going. In the meantime, can Curtis survive the striking battle on the feet in order to get to his area of expertise? Maybe not yet. "Reem" should be able to get on his bike when necessary, and pick and paw his way to the judges hearts.
WINNER-Alistair Overeem by Decision
This was a mean thing for the UFC to do to the "Cookie Monster." Both women have similar games but Gadelha's is just many levels higher and with far more powerful force behind her attacks. This just wreaks of murder for Esparza as a motivated and angry "Claudinha" puts the demons from the Jessica Andrade bout to bed in violent fashion.
WINNER-Claudia Gadelha by Rd.2 TKO
#8 Ricardo Lamas (18-6) +210 vs. Mirsad Bektic (12-1) -250
"The Bully" has always been in the title hunt as a respected and feared veteran. Then, Josh Emmett missed weight and Lamas made the mistake of taking the fight anyway and getting knocked out cold! Now Ricardo is looking to inch his way back into Featherweight relevance backed by a grueling brawl style.
Bektic has had that "prospect" tag for some time now and rebounded with a win last January after that now famous last second defeat against comeback kid Darren Elkins. A loss is generally good for a young up and comer and the ATT competitor improving is a scary thought. Mirsad has power whether it be in striking form or takedowns into G&P hell.
Lamas isn't ready to go out to pasture just yet and he's a tough out for everybody making this a perfect test for Bektic. Mirsad should be better almost everywhere but don't be surprised if Ricky makes things ugly early forcing Bektic to ground his opponent for a safer victory.
WINNER-Mirsad Bektic by Decision
Rashad Coulter (8-3) -135 vs. Chris de la Rocha (4-2) +115
A couple of heavy nobodies collide in belly shaking violence. CDLR has been M.I.A. for a couple of years and will get wrecked by the "Daywalker."
WINNER-Rashad Coulter by Rd.1 TKO
Rashad Evans (19-7-1) +240 vs. Anthony Smith (28-13) -280
For fucks sake Rashad. Just fucking retire already. It's so hard to watch a former champ just frozen in the cage and completely unable to do a damned thing on offense. It's awful and sad to watch. "Suga" has lost his last 4 (!) and just makes us all depressed.
"Lionheart" is no contender, but he is all offense/no defense blitz attack. That's not smart and not effective generally, but when your opponent is a statue of stares, you should be fine.
Evans wins this battle every time if it occurs 5 years ago, but it's 2018. Tony crushes Rashad into retirement in pitiful fashion.
WINNER-Anthony Smith by Rd.1 TKO
#2 Joseph Benavidez (25-4) -245 vs. #7 Sergio Pettis (16-3) +205
"Joe-B Wan Kenobi" returns after a two-year hiatus to try and make a final run at the gold. Benavidez has been the stalwart #2 guy at Flyweight who just can't get past Demetrious Johnson. "Jobama" is good everywhere and a seasoned veteran who is in his prime at 33. The question, is how can he maintain his level of excellence when he knows he'll never get another title shot until "Mighty Mouse" falls?" Is the longtime Team Alpha Male deteriorating, or is there more left in the tank as he bides his time in the wastelands?
As for "Anthony Pettis Jr.," it's been hard to get out from under the shadow of his more successful (though currently flailing) older brother and he hasn't established himself as a real threat at 125s. Sergio has great footwork and nice striking but not much power and a suspect chin. "Pillow Fist" Pettis needs to out point opponents and move, move, move.
It'd be easy to pick the younger cat who many want to be a success, but he's badly outgunned here provided Benavidez isn't a shell of his former self. People have short memories and Joe being gone a couple of years, the UFC angering him by placing him so low on this card, and we think "Jokozuna" is well motivated. That being said, "Beefcake" finds the chin of younger Pettis and shatters it!
WINNER-Joseph Benavidez by Rd.1 TKO
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| Art by Justin Mcallister |
"The Carpenter" has won a couple in a row and is just enjoying his life as a MMA competitor with title hopes long gone. Guida is a fan favorite and a fun bizarre watch, but we know what he do at this point. Bob, weave, dance, jab, and look for takedowns while having the energy to run to the sun and back.
However, this is the nightmare matchup that has plagued Guida his entire career. A long Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who can get to him standing before he sneaks in a choke for the sad tap.
WINNER-Charles Oliveira by Rd.2 Submission
Mike Santiago (20-11) +105 vs. Dan Ige (8-2) -125
So, who wants to keep their job? These two future PFL fighters will entertain, but few will care, and neither will be successful at 145.
Upset Pick WINNER-Mike Santiago by Decision
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