Tuesday, September 04, 2018

UFC 228 Woodley vs. Till: Fight Card, Half-Assed Musings + Odds (Update Montano OUT)


September 8, 2018
American Airlines Center
Dallas, TX

Main Card on Pay-Per-View (9pm/CT):

Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley (18-3-1) +120 vs. #6 Darren Till (17-0-1) -140

The self proclaimed "Chosen One" (because God loves arrogance) returns to finally defend his title after 14 months away due to injury. The 36 year old has won his last 5 bouts (Draw excluded), but he has had back to back dreadful bouts and his constant complaining about alleged racism in MMA, continually pretending he isn't properly treated, and his constant hypocrisy about his religion (his words and actions don't match), has made him hated by the fans. Anywho, Tyron is a staunch wrestler with 1-punch knockout power, and seems to be magnetized to the point he just cannot stop backing into the fence. Woodley also has a tendency to look to counter so much that he just stands there and stares for 25 torturous minutes.

Also, did you guys know Woodley has kids? Yup, it's true. You'd never know it since he never shuts the fuck up about it and the Embeddeds never stop showing the kids running around as if anyone gives a flying fuck as to what Tyron's kids are doing. So yes, he breeds. Soapbox over.

Then there's Darren Till. "The Gorilla" is coming off a controversial and god awful boring win against Stephen Thompson. Till loves to brag about how big he is for 170 and missed weight against "Wonderboy" in his own hometown in a grievous error. It's a bad look. Even so, the scouser has never officially lost a fight and is 5-0 in the promotion and gets the shot despite Colby Covington is still the UFC Interim Champion which makes zero sense. Darren is listed as an inch taller than Tyron, but all the face-offs show Till with an incredible size and reach advantage.

So what happens in this Welterweight contest few really care about? As much as we don't like Tyron and the way he carries himself, he's a stud. Woodley has explosive ability when he's properly charged, some of the best wrestling in the game today, much more power than his foe, and quite frankly, Till is a bit overrated and pushed into the title scene because of his loud abrasive attitude, and not because he's ready. Tyron knows how to win rounds when he needs to and plays the game at a much smarter level.

Upset Pick WINNER-Tyron Woodley by Decision

Nicco MontaƱo versus Valentina Shevchenko is CANCELLED!

Nicco was transported to the hospital early Friday morning due to "health concerns" and the fight is off.

Shevchenko was interviewed Thursday and said, "I will not have any doubt when I will see her inside the Octagon. This is only one way when I will be sure this is happening."

Seems as though we have another mystic fighter who can predict the future. MMAFO will not jump to conclusions here nor will we bury Montano until more is known about the situation.

Zabit Magomedsharipov (15-1) -1400 vs. Brandon Davis (9-4) +925

The lanky Zabit has won 11 bouts in a row and damned if he's not entertaining as hell! "Mago" will throw any and everything at his opponents and is skilled enough to do so. The Dagestani has trained Jiu-Jitsu with Ricardo Almeida and can kick you from across the damn cage. Dude can do it all and does it with style.

Brandon steps in for the M.I.A. Yair Rodriguez but he needs to realize there is only 1 "Killa-B," and that is Mr. Ben Saunders! Anywho, Davis came in from the Contender Series but he hasn't done much going 1-2 in the UFC. Yup. He's gonna lose.

All we're looking for is how exactly Zabit decides to style on Brandon. It's gonna be great but "Mago" owns this.

Again, really wide odds and you never know in MMA. 

WINNER-Zabit Magomedsharipov by Rd.2 Submission


#5 Karolina Kowalkiewicz (12-2) +335 vs. #3 Jessica Andrade -420

MMAFO's favorite lady returns and has a really tough test ahead of her. If KK wants to get another shot at the belt, she has to go through the Brazilian tank that is Andrade. The stunning Karolina is a striker but doesn't have the power of her opponent though she may be more technical. Despite being so beautiful, the Pole is quite durable and even aggressive at times. She's technically solid, but she can't afford to take many bombs from her opponent.

"Bate Estaca" is destined for another title shot. Andrade is rugged as hell and has really improved her game since dropping down to 115s. The stout lady has great power and can slam her opponents with a force rarely seen at Strawweight. Jessica is just hard to hurt and she will not stop bombing her way inside.

Geez, it's hard to see KK finding a way to win here and we thinks Andrade is bound for another title shot and likely a win. We'll root hard for our beloved KK but Jessica likely dominates.

WINNER-Jessica Andrade by Decision

Abdul Razak Alhassan (9-1) -135 vs. Niko Price (12-1,1) +115

Somebody getting knocked the fuck out here. Niko is the better fighter but Alhassan is a murderer on the feet. Should be fun.

Upset Pick WINNER-Niko Price by Rd.1 TKO

Prelims on FX (7pm/CT):

#6 Carla Esparza (13-5) +415 vs. #10 Tatiana Suarez (6-0) -525

What, what are the odds makers thinking here? Those are some wide margins with an unproven, though granted, very talented, Suarez, against a former champ whose backbone is also based upon wrestling.

The "Cookie Monster" seemed to have her confidence shattered when Joanna Jedrzejczyk destroyed her back in '15. Esparza returned tentative and unsure of her skill set but slowly rebuilt her game and actually vastly improved her striking and confidence. Though she lost last out against Claudia Gadelha, it was a very close fight and Carla's toughness and durability are on point these days.

Tatiana burst into the UFC in July of '16, and her wrestling game has made her instantly successful and said grappling seems to be levels above everyone else in the division.

Esparza has zero power in her hands for sure, but people seem to discount the fact that landing punches garners points and a well rounded approach gives her many advantages here. Suarez is essentially a 1-trick pony at this point, and though her 1-trick is stellar, that are many more facets to MMA. We see Carla getting trucked in the opening round, and slowly coming back once she and her corner make adjustments, to win narrowly in the judges eyes.

Upset Pick WINNER-Carla Esparza by Decision

Aljamain Sterling (15-3) -140 vs. #9 Cody Stamann (17-1) +120

Is the "Funk Master" a title contender or not? Sterling came in with all the accolades but he hasn't been able to pierce the upper level of the division. 7-3 is nothing to sneeze at in the UFC, but the wrestler has been out grappled by Bryan Caraway, out worked by Raphael Assuncao, and KO'd brutally by Marlon Moraes. "Al-Jo" is a decent striker, but he also enjoys the flash of his attack more than effectiveness. 

"Daisy Dick" has won 9 in a row and has quietly snuck into the title scene. Stamann is a thick fella and has a decent set of skills but nothing special.

Cody lacks that something "special" and we're not completely out on "Al-Jo," unless he shits the bed here.

WINNER-Aljamain Sterling by Decision



#5 Jimmie Rivera (21-2) -155 vs. John Dodson (20-9) +135

Dodson has accused Rivera of ducking him numerous times, and that "this fight is personal." It's difficult to imagine the chirping dancing Dodson actually getting upset about anything, and growing his hair out only makes him look more like a Monchichi, but perhaps a fire has been lit that will force John to actually engage instead of point fighting with a lot of running.

"El Terror" was on a tear and at one point had won 20 fights in a row (!) until he ran into super-contender Marlon Moraes in June when he was knocked cold a mere 0:33 into the fight. Ouch. 

There's going to be a lot of running as always by Dodders, but Rivera will land enough to win on volume.

WINNER-Jimmie Rivera by Decision

Charles Byrd (10-4) -225 vs. Darren Stewart (8-3,1) +185

"Adult Dynamite" by something.

WINNER-Charles Byrd by Decision

Prelims on FX (5pm/CT):

Diego Sanchez (27-11) +190 vs. Craig White (14-8) -230

Oh god, are we still doing this Diego? Jesus. Sanchez last 3 losses were just brutal (T)KO losses and MMAFO thought Matt Brown killed Diego with that vicious "Hellbow." The Jackson-Wink fighter is 36 (99 in fight years) and hasn't looked decent since 2011. That's 7 years people! It's uncool to keep booking this moron at this point because he is too stupid to realize he's long past being remotely competitive. It'd be sad if we didn't despise Diego and didn't enjoy watching him lose so much.

So how exactly does "Thundercat" win this is the real question? Sanchez got triggered when Craig kissed him on the nose at the weigh-ins, and we're hoping for a total implosion and Diego getting finished for his 5th career (T)KO loss.

WINNER-Craig White by Decision 

Jim Miller (28-12,1) +135 vs. Alex White  (12-4) -155

Old man Miller is still doing the damn thing despite being 80 years old and on a 4-fight losing streak. "A10" is as blue-collar as they come and you cannot help but root for the proven veteran.

"The Spartan" is a young inconsistent fighter without the miles on his body. White's poor takedown defense will allow Miller some opportunities.

Fuck it. We're going for the old timer out of love and respect. Let's do this Jim!

Upset Pick WINNER-Jim Miller by Decision

Irene Aldana (8-4) -125 vs. Lucie Pudilova (8-2) +105

Eh, what to say here. Pudilova has a lot of potential but her game is so slow and inactive, you can't bank on her to win rounds. Aldana has been disappointing as well but she has a more well rounded game including a grappling element Lucie doesn't possess.

WINNER-Irene Aldana by Decision

Geoff Neal (9-2) -190 vs. Frank Camacho (21-6) +165

Neal is a great story. Guy is working a full time job, fights and wins on the Contender Series, then defeats Brian Camozzi in his home state to his 1st UFC win and his shot in the UFC. Dude's a little slow but there is power in them hands.

Camacho had one of those rare moments last out against Drew Dober where he knocked himself unconscious. Frank is a big time striker as well.

This should be a fun action fight as it were, but we're not exactly sure why Neal is the favorite. There isn't a lot of structure in Geoff's game but we like the guy so, hey.

WINNER-Geoff Neal by Rd.1 TKO

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