Relax everyone
— Dana White (@danawhite) June 23, 2015
Those were the words of Dana White earlier this week when news broke that Jose Aldo had been injured ahead of his huge UFC 189 main event against Conor McGregor. Relaxation has not been easy for any of us, but now it seems the fight will take place and we can all calm down, can’t we? Besides, there is more UFC action this weekend from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
As usual the LWOS MMA team are on hand to provide you with our staff picks and predictions. Here’s what we think is in store for UFC Fight Night: Machida vs Romero.
Lyoto Machida vs Yoel Romero
Picking Machida: Michael Hutchinson, Carl Johnson, Matt Creed, Daniel Marino, Joey Garner
Picking Romero: Travis Mounphosay, Stephen Rivers
Rivers: “I always find it tough to back fighters when they’re coming off the sort of loss that Machida is to Luke Rockhold. Remember when Dan Henderson knocked Michael Bisping out cold? Yeah, I backed Dennis Kang to beat Bisping off the back of that. I’m trying not to do the same again. Easy to forget as well that during the Rockhold fight, Machida looked really good right up until the point where he didn’t, no matter how much of a beating he eventually took. While Yoel Romero has a different frame and skillset, there is no reason why he can’t do something similar though. He’s physical and explosive with versatile striking, and works angles really well. His wrestling is outstanding too. People suggested the Rockhold fight was the one where we found out Lyoto Machida isn’t a contender anymore, but I think it’s a loss to Romero on Saturday night that really makes that point clear once and for all.”
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Lorenz Larkin
Picking Ponzinibbio: Carl Johnson, Travis Mounphosay, Matt Creed, Joey Garner
Picking Larking: Michael Hutchinson, Daniel Marino, Stephen Rivers
Johnson: “This for me could be the fight of the night. Lorenz Larkin is coming into the fight on the back of a great TKO victory over ‘Doomsday’ John Howard that cannot be ignored. Santiago Ponzinibbio on the other hand earned a decisive decision victory over Sean Strickland, handing his opponent his first loss in 15 pro bouts. Neither fighter is adverse to standing and trading, Larkin particularly, and this could lead to fireworks. If Ponzinibbio gets the fight to the ground however, then it could be an early night for Larkin. All of this adds up to what should be a compelling watch.”
Antonio Carlos Junior vs Eddie Gordon
Picking Carlos Junior: Michael Hutchinson, Carl Johnson, Stephen Rivers
Picking Gordon: Travis Mounphosay, Matt Creed, Daniel Marino, Joey Garner
Rivers: “It’s really, really hard to scratch the image of Eddie Gordon wilting against Chris Dempsey back in April out of my head. In a fight he was absolutely given to win, he looked terrible. That said, it’s hard to work out what to make of Carlos Junior’s potential at this point either. He won TUF Brazil at heavyweight, fought Patrick Cummins at light-heavy, and is now fighting at 185 pounds against Gordon. I like “Cara de Sapato” to get it done here, possibly even by submission late in the fight.”
Thiago Santos vs Steve Bosse
Picking Santos: Carl Johnson, Travis Mounphosay, Matt Creed, Daniel Marino, Joey Garner, Stephen Rivers
Picking Bosse: Michael Hutchinson
Rivers: “Speaking of hard to work out, Steve Bosse ladies and gentlemen. Signs with the UFC, retires before taking a fight, then out of nowhere elects to stand in for “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 186, then gets pulled out again when Jackson is cleared to fight. He hasn’t fought in over two years, and I find it really hard to back him here. That’s not to say that Thiago Santos is some sort of world beater but he’s got really good muay thai, and some powerful kicks that I can see him utilising, either with a quick and violent finish, or simply breaking Bosse down over the course of three rounds.”
Hacran Dias vs Levan Makashvili
Picking Dias: Michael Hutchinson, Carl Johnson, Travis Mounphosay, Daniel Marino, Joey Garner, Stephen Rivers
Picking Makashvili: Matt Creed
Rivers: “At this point it feels like we’ve not seen the best of either fighter inside the octagon. While Hacran Dias should feel no shame in losing a decision to Ricardo Lamas, there should be more to come when you consider the level of ability he has. Similarly, Makashvili’s performance in his UFC debut in May was every bit as underwhelming as Dias’ 2-2 octagon record. There are times where Makashvili simply has not had a high enough output offensively and if that is the case again on Saturday then I expect Dias to outwork him and get a decision.”
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