UFC 239 Jones vs. Santos: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications + Odds

July 6, 2018
T-Mobile Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada

Fight Card:

Light Heavyweight Champion #1 Jon Jones (24-1) -690 vs. #4 Thiago Santos (21-6) +495

A "puncher's chance." That is all Thiago has here. He's wasn't that good at Middleweight and MMAFO has news for ya, he ain't that good at Light Heavy either. "Bones" will win this when he feels like it, with disgusting amounts of illegal substances coursing through his body. Why aren't we getting updates on this habitual cheater's drug tests and why hasn't that pesky (illegal) "pulsing" thing returned? Hmm. It's almost as if they whole thing was a lie so the business of MMA could be pursued without adhering to the rules. Shocker. 

WiNNER-Jon Jones by Rd.2 Submission

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

Featherweight & Bantamweight Champion #1 Amanda Nunes (17-4) -380 vs. #4 Holly Holm (12-4) +315

Goddamn we love the "Preacher's Daughter!" She's an amazing person, gorgeous, and only seems to take the hardest bouts MMA has to offer. Girl has courage for days and will take any challenge. Holm equated herself well against the frightening Cristiane Justino but Nunes just ruined "Cyborg." Yeesh! This is the toughest task Holly has had, and that is saying a lot.

There is no debate as Amanda Nunes is the best female fighter of all time to date. She just is. The UFC Female Featherweight & Bantamweight Champion is almost perfect with her strikes, but she also has sick power behind them. The "Lioness" is just gangster and we just want Holly to stay away as much as possible and not get hurt.

WiNNER-Amanda Nunes by Decision

#5 Ben Askren (19-0) -225 vs. Jorge Masvidal (33-13) +185

"Gamebred" is one of the most overrated fighters ever. Sure he talks a big game like an illiterate thug, be he's a moron who has a history of just disappearing in fights. If you think this guy is going to be able to stop Askren's takedowns and get offense going, you are mistaken. This is a much easier bout for Ben and he takes this sooner rather than later with the only real question being, when does Jorge quit and look for a way out? 

WiNNER-Ben Askren by Decision

#6 Jan Błachowicz (23-8) +190 vs. Luke Rockhold (16-4) -230

Rockhold has to be one of the most hated men in all of MMA as he just conducts himself as an arrogant cunt better than everyone else even though this guy can't stay healthy for more than five minutes, or compete more than once a year. Luka is finally making the move up to 205 but he has had a litany of injuries throughout his career may have already ruined his body. When Rockhold is on point and healthy, he has it all. A great striker and grappler but you have to wonder if he can walk into the Octagon without maiming himself. 

Janet isn't impressive but he's solid and comfortable in his skin. He is glacial but there are skills and he's a decent test for a guy coming up.

This is a tough one, but we expect Luke to be very careful and just doing enough to get the win without highlight or flavor. Then, Anthony Smith can fuck his world inside out!

WiNNER-Luke Rockhold by Decision?

Diego Sanchez (29-11) +295 vs. Michael Chiesa (15-4) -355

Wake the fuck up! Diego beats a couple of nothings and suddenly people think he's relevant again. He's not. Chiesa is a cunt of a person but he's going to maul this old man.

WiNNER-Michael Chiesa by Decision

Gilbert Melendez (22-7) +285 vs. Arnold Allen (14-1) -345

Ladies and gentlemen, "El Nino" has returned. There is no way to pretend Giblert's (sic) UFC run has been anything other than a disaster (1-5) but he has only faced the best. The Skrap Pack leader is now 37, fighting infrequently, and honestly, doesn't seem to be about this life anymore and that is okay. Melendez is a multi-time champ and has had a storied career, but his jaunt to the UFC just came too late.

"Triple-A" is 5-0 for the promotion, fighting out of Tristar, and only 25. The youngster is going to control this fight through wrestling and careful planning as he doesn't take risks.

Sign, it's another bad decline from a great fighter who needs to let go or go somewhere he can be more competitive. We love ya Gil but it's just not gonna happen in the UFC.

WiNNER-Arnold Allen by Decision

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

#6 Claudia Gadelha (16-4) -235 vs. Randa Markos (9-6-1) +195

We always root for the "Quiet Storm" as she just efforts herself to wins despite a lack of athleticism or striking skills. She's gonna need to work close, and though Claudia has been struggling, let's not forget who she is just yet.

"Claudinha" must improve her boxing and defense skills. Gadelha has really faltered against strikers but she won't face one here. The Brazilian is a better wrestler and far more athletic and fast to enable a much needed victory.

WiNNER-Claudia Gadelha by Decision

Yadong Song (13-3) -225 vs. Alejandro Perez (21-7-1) +185

The UFC is still desperately pushing their Chinese fighters with few results. Song isn't bad but he's facing the exact type of fighter to beat him. Perez is tough as nails, well rounded, and isn't going to wilt. This has Upset written all over it.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Alejandro Perez by Decision

Edmen Shahbazyan (9-0) -650 vs. Jack Marshman (23-8) +475

Shahbazyan is known for being managed by Ronda Rousey but he has shown to be an adept striker as well as showing some grappling skills which we were not aware of.

Marshman is an average fighter on his way down. Jack has always been decent, but he has plateaued and isn't looking to improve his game as he coasts to the end of his career just cashing checks.

WiNNER-Edmen Shahbazyan by Rd.2 TKO

Ismail Naurdiev (18-2) -525 vs. Chance Rencountre (13-3) +415 

The "Australian Wonderboy" entered the UFC in February and got a solid Upset win over Michel Prazeres! Naurdiev is a creative striker and being a relative unknown, opponents have not scouted his work. 

Chance is an Alliance fighter therefore he is harmless. Nah, we kid but the "Black Eagle" moves around like his teammates looking like they are busy but actually accomplishing little.

WiNNER-Ismail Naurdiev by Decision

Julia Avila (5-1) -220 vs. Pannie Kianzad (11-4) +180

The "Raging Panda" (hilarious) seems to be a bit overvalued here by the oddsmakers but Kianzad has a history of failure. Granted, Pannie has faced much better competition but faltered each time. However, Avila is a wild woman and "Banzi" can exploit that to win on the cards.

Upset Pick WiNNER-Pannie Kianzad by Decision