Weeeeeeeeell, MMAFO could not pass up the opportunity to peruse the UFC 253 card with all the stacked talent and important fights. We've been dismayed by the direction of the sport, but 2020 is a bust so let's just reset and enjoy some high caliber MMA!
Main Card:
Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya (19-0) -175 vs. Paulo Costa (13-0) +165
MMAFO loves us some "Stylebender" and not just because he has backed up everything we have been saying about the kid for the last 3 years. Israel has been a great ambassador for the sport and a great role model for kids which is a rare thing in MMA these days. The Nigerian superstar is not only the undefeated UFC Middleweight Champion, but he has only fought a murderers row of warriors and when wounded he has responded in fights with unflappable confidence.
Oluwafemi "flows like water" ala modern day Anderson Silva with a stellar kicking arsenal and underrated defense.
"Borrachinha" has been erasing foes all the way to a #1 contendership. Costa is actually 2 years younger than the champ and brings ridiculous power and never, ever, stops plodding forward. Worries about his endurance were lessened when he went a full 15 minutes with freak of nature Yoel Romero, but the Brazilian has never seen the "championship rounds."
If we're just going to kickbox, Adesanya is the smart pick, but if Costa would just put his ego aside and throw some grappling into the mix, he could cause some real problems. Prolly just a banger though and "The Last Stylebender" shines again.
WiNNER-Israel Adesanya by Decision
Vacant Light-Heavyweight Title Bout:
Dominick Reyes (12-1) -245 vs. Jan Blachowicz (26-8) +225
Jon Jones retired, relinquished his title, and then decided to return at Heavyweight to avoid the dogs nipping at his heels. Good riddance for 205 as we move onward and upward with a tested veteran defying the odds and getting his day in the sun against the guy who arguably should be the champ had the 3 blind judges not cheated him in February, but we digress.
Reyes is back from an impressive showing 7 months ago which was his first professional loss. His stock still rose and after some injury issues he's ready to rock as he comes into his prime. "The Devastator" is just good everywhere and hungry for the title.
Ya gotta root for the veteran as he's done the time and put in the work for 13 years in every corner of the globe. The Pole even struggled for a bit when he entered the UFC but stayed true and rebounded even knocking Corey Anderson out of the UFC with a 1st round finish in February. Blachowicz is steady on the feet but slow for the division which usually earns him some damage.
It's hard to see a path to victory for Jan here as the younger fighter is just more talented everywhere the fight could potentially go. We know the MMA Gods laugh at those statements but Dominick is the pick to win stacking up points for a clear victory.
WiNNER-Dominick Reyes by Decision
Kai Kara-France (21-8) -215 vs. Brandon Royval (11-4) +195
It's a Flyweight fiesta forcasting fun fighter festivities. Eh, we're not really interested by respect is due to the lil fellers. We like "Raw Dog" (insert juvenile snicker) to surprise KKF with a slick submission over the safe Kiwi.
Upset Pick WiNNER-Brandon Royval by Rd.2 Submission
Ketlen Vieira (10-1) -185 vs. Sijara Eubanks (6-4) +160
"Sarj" is still unlikeable, she just is. The sins of her arrogant past still linger as she tries to build some momentum on her back-to-back wins.
"Fenomeno" suffered her 1st career loss last out with a rough 1st round knockout to Irene Aldana. Ketlen was returning from a 2-year layoff due to injury, so perhaps rust was a factor. Vieira is still the better grappler and should be able to wear on Sijara's suspect gas tank if not tap her.
WiNNER-Ketlen Vieira by Decision
Hakeem Dawodu (11-1-1) +125 vs. Zubaira Tukhugov (19-4-1) -135
The Russian "Warrior" has done well in the promotion going 4-1-1. He's also the douche that jumped the cage wall in a cowardly attack on Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Zubaira served 3 years of an initial lifetime ban and really, fuck this guy.
"Mean" Hakeem has won his last 4 finding his rhythm behind nasty kickboxing.
Obviously, MMAFO are rooting for Dawodu, the better man, but he really should finish the reckless opponent.
Upset Pick WiNNER-Hakeem Dawodu by Rd.2 TKO
Prelims:
Brad Riddell (8-1) -290 vs. Alex Da Silva (21-2) +260
New Zealand City Kickboxing represent! Israel Adesanya's teammate is 2-0 in the UFC and on a 5-fight winning streak.
"Leko" is a young 24 fighting out of the Astra Fight Team in Brazil. He's awight but not as dynamic as Riddell.
WiNNER-Brad Riddell by Decision
Diego Sanchez (30-12) +550 vs. Jake Matthews (16-4) -675
C'mon, seriously.
WiNNER-Jake Matthews by Decision
Ludovit Klein (16-2) -120 vs. Shane Young (13-4) +110
WiNNER-Ludovit Klein
Aleksa Camur (6-0) -160 vs. William Knight (8-1) +150
Really curious to see how the 2nd coming of __ plays out. Knight is a genetic freak of nature but
WiNNER-
Prelims on Fight Pass:
Juan Espino (9-1) -290 vs. Jeff Hughes (10-3) +260
WiNNER-
Khadis Ibragimov (8-3) -172 vs. Danilo Marques (9-2) +162
WiNNER-
No comments:
Post a Comment