UFC 230 Cormier vs. Lewis: Fight Card & Some Predictions (Since We're Out of Time)

November 3, 2018

Madison Square Garden

Manhattan, New York City

"MMAFO, why did you go?" asked the beloved masses. Well baby birds, the UFC Fight Night 138 was a shit show save for the humble and soon to be "Most Improved Fighter of 2018" Anthony Smith. "Lionheart's" awesomeness aside, we could't be bothered and even MMAFO needs a break every now and then. UFC 230 has had it's struggles as no less than 8 bouts fizzled and we haven't even had the dreaded weigh-ins yet. Anywho, we's back ya'll to witness our idol Daniel Cormier versus the lovable and hilarious Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis, a nice Middleweight tilt, the grudge match with Derek Brunson and Israel Adesanya, our girl Roooooooooxanne Modafferi, and our boy "Killa-B" Ben Saunders. Lots of fan favorites so let's play the game of pickers.

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

Heavyweight & Light Heavyweight Champion #1 Daniel Cormier (21-1,1) -700 vs. #3 Derrick Lewis (21-5,1) +500

MMAFO enjoys both of these fighters but let's not get it twisted. "DC" is a superstar and one of the greatest fighters of all time! Cormier is going to run game on the "Black Beast" and then hone in on Brock Lesnar.

WINNER-Daniel Cormier by Rd.1 Submission

#6 Ronaldo Souza (25-6-0,1) +165 vs. #7 Chris Weidman (14-3) -190

"Jacare" has struggled when reaching the apex of 185, but, and MMAFO has a shock for you MMA fans, Weidman isn't the elite anymore. Chris and original opponent Luke Rockhold are the most fragile Middleweights of all time! Weidman cannot stay healthy people seem to have forgotten that he has lost 3 of his last 4 all by TKO finish! 

The Gator is going to shock New York by hurting Weidman and then subbing him. Bet.

Upset Pick WINNER-Ronaldo Souza by Rd.2 Submission

#8 David Branch (21-4) -370 vs. Jared Cannonier (10-4) +310

Yeesh. "The Cannon's" time is limited and Branch is going to bore him to sleep for the win.

WINNER-David Branch by Decision

Karl Roberson (6-1) -280 vs. Jack Marshman (22-7) +240

WINNER-Karl Roberson by Decision

Israel Adesanya (14-0) -335 vs. #9 Derek Brunson (18-6) +275

Have you seen Brunson fight? He has one of the worst fight I.Q.'s in all of MMA. That, and the fact "Stylebender" has him on tilt, leads to an exciting ass whooping for Adesanya.

WINNER-Israel Adesanya by Rd.2 Submission

Prelims on FS1 (7pm/CT):

Jason Knight (20-5) -260 vs. Jordan Rinaldi (13-6) +220

Upset Pick WINNER-Jordan Rinaldi by Decision

http://roxannemodafferi.net/RBlog/store/books/

#4 Roxanne Modafferi (22-15) +400 vs. Sijara Eubanks (4-2) -500

The women's Flyweight division is a disaster. Eubanks botched her weight cut and was unable to compete in the TUF Finale and thus Modafferi stepped in only to lose in a competitive effort. Then Nicco was stripped of the belt for an inability to make weight sending things into chaos. Sijara was momentarily tapped to face Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant belt but then smarter heads prevailed as that would be moronic. Now, Modafferi and Eubanks compete to see who will face the winner of Shevchenko versus Joanna Jedrzejczyk if that actually happens. Jesus.

Rooooooxanne just seems to continually be improving and she brought her elbows down upon Barb Honchak in an impressive effort in July. The Syndicate star is one of the more positive people in the world and a great example for women everywhere. 

Sijara seems to have an entitled heir about her that is annoying, but she is talented and smart. Eubanks can grapple and is tough as a $2 steak.

Sijara is the favorite but Roxy has some vet skills and never-say-die attitude. If Modaferri can be competitive on the mat, and get her striking going, she might just surprise some people. We're "Happy Warrior" fans so know we're biased but we feels an upset.

Upset Pick WINNER-Roxanne Modaferri by Decision

Julio Arce (15-2) -340 vs. Sheymon Moraes (10-1) +280

Julio down by the Octagon has been rolling graduating from ROC to The Tuesday Night Contender Series and into the UFC. Arce is a quick, crisp striker who can avoid the ground rather well. Interesting note, Julio has only lost in his career to fellow card competitor Brian Kelleher (twice).

The Brazilian is strong.

WINNER-Sheymon Moraes by Rd.3 TKO

https://www.instagram.com/bensaundersmma/

Ben Saunders (22-10-2) +500 vs. Lyman Good (19-4,1) -700

"Killa-B" has been a MMAFO favorite since 2007 and we're not abandoning him now. Saunders splits time between ATT & 10th Planet honing his skills, but at 35, the clock is ticking a bit. Just a bit. In his 2nd run with the promotion, Ben has gone 6-4 and has been finished in all his losses. Even so, the "B" is a crafty submission grappler who can also do damage in close with elbows and knees. 

"Gyborg" is a fucking brute. The inaugural Bellator Middleweight Champion is primarily a power striker who gets his subs after hurting foes. He has never been finished in 24 fights!

Dammit. We hate to pick against "Killa-B" but it looks bleak and coming in on short notice doesn't help. Saunders is gonna need to get creative and pull some crazy shit out here on the mat where he's got the best chances. It's doubtful though and more likely Lyman works him over as we cover our eyes and weep like babies. We'll always love ya though Ben.

WINNER-Lyman Good by Rd.3 TKO

Prelims on UFC Fight Pass (5:30pm/CT):

Matt Frevola (6-0) +225 vs. Landon Vannata (9-3-1) -265

Remember when "Lando" entered the UFC on short notice against Tony Ferguson and put on a helluva performance? Everyone had high hopes and they have not transpired. Vannata has gone 1-3-1, taken a lot of damage and high risks, without the rewards. Now he's in a "must win" situation and one has to wonder if he can follow the semblance of a game plan to actually get a win.

"The Steamrolla" is a Serra-Longo fighter who got knocked out in a minute in his debut. Not a good start. 

This smells like a "get right fight" for "Groovy Lando." 

WINNER-Landon Vannata by Rd.1 TKO

Shane Burgos (10-1) -310 vs. Kurt Holobaugh (17-5,1) +255

The word "prospect" is thrown around quite liberally these days and we're not sure what the hullabaloo is with Holobaugh and Burgos (we're never going to stop making that joke btw). These guys are alright and should have a good get down, but let's pump the brakes a tiny bit. So, these guys will fight, and yeah, so, eh. 

WINNER-Shane Burgos by Decision

Brian Kelleher (19-9) +105 vs. Montel Jackson (6-0) -125

"Whitey Mouse" is a fun watch even though his ceiling is gatekeeper at best. He's a little big hitter.

"Yo, a day in the life of a player named Quik, he's a stubborn kind of fellow with a head like a brick." Montel lost his debut and he'll be happy to box it up.

It's gonna be a fun scrap but ya gotta like Brian to lower the "Boom" and play to the crowd like a mini-Paul Buentello. 

WINNER-Brian Kelleher by Decision

Adam Wieczorek (10-1) -225 vs. Marcos Rogerio De Lima (15-6-1) +185

"Siwy" has won 9 bouts in a row and is 2-0 in the UFC. The Pole rarely needs the judges and prefers the sub game.

"Pezao" has been up and down going a paltry 4-3 in the promotion. He's a kill or be killed kinda guy but nothing special really.

De Lima is returning to big heavy and nobody cares. Likely and hopefully, Adam wins just to rid the roster of a nothing Marco and inject more life into the big boy division.

WINNER-Adam Wieczorek by Rd.2 Submission