By Josh Hall
@josh_hall66This weekend the UFC returns to US soil, with a Womens Bantamweight title affair the headline act at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles this Saturday night. The main card looks very interesting, including the debut of a much talked about, and potential future title challenger, for the very title defended on this card. Let's take a look!
Tony Ferguson (17-3) v Gleison Tibau (33-10)
Ferguson is currently tearing through the lightweight division, with eight of nine wins inside the Octagon, and only two of those were decisions. Tibau, meanwhile, has three straight decision wins. Considering he went the distance with Norman Parke last month, I can't see an upset for the Brazilian. Ferguson just looks unbeatable at the moment. Everything is clicking into place. Hard and fast hands, a terrific submission game (although Tibau's no slouch on the mat). If he's victorious, I can't see why he wouldn't be in the title picture.
Prediction: Ferguson by Third Round TKO
Alan Jouban (10-3) v Richard Walsh (8-2)
There's a few similarities heading into this fight: both will be their third UFC fight, both come off decision losses last time out. And both like to knock people out. Unfortunately both have durable chins, so I fear this maybe a turgid affair with plodding jabs. Prove me wrong chaps!
Prediction: Jouban by Unanimous Decision
Jake Ellenberger (29-9) v Josh Koscheck (17-8)
This is simple: I fear the loser of this fight will be released. Two stalwarts of the UFC, there recent records are identical (no win in three, lost four of last six) and in a stacked division like welterweight there is no way you can get away with four straight defeats. Look for Koscheck to try and drag this to the floor and use his wrestling to smother Ellenberger. I don't believe 'Kos' wants anything to do with Jake's striking. This really is a toss up.
Prediction: Ellenberger by Split Decision
Holly Holm (7-0) v Raquel Pennington (5-4)
You'd be forgiven for thinking that with all the hype surrounding Holm that this fight is as good as won. Granted, Pennington doesn't have the best record, but she's a very capable fighter, particularly on the mat. Like Koscheck above, she really doesn't want to try and outstrike Holm, because her boxing is elite level. That's the advantage of being a former 18 time boxing World champion. There's only one outcome here.
Prediction: Holm by Second Round TKO
Womens Bantamweight Championship
(c) Ronda Rousey (10-0) v Cat Zingano (9-0)
For nearly 2 years, Cat Zingano has been waiting for her shot at Ronda Rousey and the Womens Bantamweight Championship. After 18 months out after knee surgery she finished Amanda Nunes last time out. Her striking is excellent, and also has a very good ground game. But will that be enough to stop Rousey? Undoubtedly the best out there. 'Rowdy'seems to get better every time she fights. Olympic-level Judo, striking that is getting better and better. And then there's that armbar... I'm really looking forward to this fight. This really will be the biggest test of arguably the UFCs brightest star.
Prediction: Rousey by Second Round Submission
This is a short description in the author block about the author. You edit it by entering text in the "Biographical Info" field in the user admin panel.
0 comments:
Post a Comment