Rosenthal League:
Daniel Galvan: 19-8, .704
Benjamin Kohn: 103-53, .660
Tim Hickey: 109-58, .653
Josh Hall: 119-68, .636
Connor Dillon: 73-43, .629
Winslow League:
Nolan Howell: 148-88, .627
Chris Groves: 30-19, .612
Earl Montclair: 42-28, .600
Lucas Bourdon: 27-20, .574
Luke Irwin: 144-115, .556
TC Engel: 39-35, .527
Main Event Middleweight Bout: Lyoto Machida (19-4) vs. Mark Munoz (13-3)
Luke Irwin: This fight is going to be hideous. These are two former teammates who know each other too well, so this will be Machida avoiding Munoz’s takedowns and Munoz staying at length from Machida’s striking. Seriously, this is going to be hideous. Machida via UD.
TC Engel: I know this fight is going to suck, but I desperately want a vintage Machida knockout, so I’m going to guess that. Machida by KO, round 3.
Daniel Galvan: Although he’s got the wrestling credentials, Mark Munoz hasn’t been super effective with his takedowns. That’ll be troubling against a guy who has stout takedown defense like Machida. On the feet, Machida should control with his usual gameplan of sticking and moving. The only way I see Munoz winning this is if he catches Machida or the judges just give him some of the rounds because of his aggression. Pick: Machida via UD.
Earl Montclair: Whatever gets Lyoto down to 185 is great news for me. I expect this to be a typical Machida clinic where he somehow manages to lose one judges card due to Munoz “pressing the action.” Then again, he may starch Munoz something hilarious but I am not going to get my hopes up. Lyoto Machida, Split Decision.
Ben Kohn: Read the breakdown peasants. Machida via R1 KO.
Josh Hall: I just can’t see Munoz having anything for Machida in this fight. This may not be pretty, and I don’t expect it to be close. The only question for me is if Machida gets the finish or not. I’m going with not. Machida via unanimous decision.
Co-Main Event Lightweight Bout: Melvin Guillard (31-12-2) vs. Ross Pearson (15-6)
Luke Irwin: Pearson is going to turn this into a slugfest in his home country, but he doesn’t have the horses to withstand Guillard. Guillard via R1 KO.
TC Engel: This is the exact kind of fight Guillard pisses away by having the approximate IQ of a pineapple. By all means, he’s a better fighter and should win, hell, I want him to win, but I think Pearson steals it in a decision. Pearson by UD.
Daniel Galvan: If the move in camps doesn’t affect Melvin Guillard, he should take this one. He’s got the wrestling advantage, and he’s too quick and powerful for Pearson standing. Pick: Guillard via 1st KO.
Earl Montclair: You all may want to sit down for this: Melvin Guillard has had more training camp drama. I just think that if Pearson comes into this fight with his head even remotely screwed on straight, he has this in the bag. Also, England. Ross Pearson, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: This is a really difficult matchup to figure out who will win. Each has the tools to win this fight decisively and it’s hard to pick either with real confidence. Guillard has insane speed and power for a Lightweight while Pearson has a chin that can, and has been, cracked badly. Pearson has really crisp and technical boxing to counter Melvin’s porous defense on the feet. Neither of them are slouches in the wrestling department while neither of them are good grapplers. I will stick with superior technique here though. Pearson by Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: Pearson hasn’t submitted anyone in 5 years, and despite having the better technical boxing Guillard hits WAY harder. Guillard via 1st round KO.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimi Manuwa (13-0) vs. Ryan Jimmo (18-2)
Luke Irwin: Dance all you want, Jimmo, Agent J is coming and coming hard. Manuwa via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: Jimmo isn’t allowed to win, and Manuwa has the capability in his fists to do it. Manuwa by KO, round 1.
Daniel Galvan: Jimmo can win by fighting a boring and frustraing fight against Manuwa, but I don’t anticipate that. I expect Manuwa to put the pressure on Jimmo and add another KO to his highlight reel. Pick: Manuwa via 1st KO.
Earl Montclair: Well, I know what I want to happen that is for sure but I think Jimmo is going to Jimmo the shit out of him. Ryan Jimmo, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Jimi’s power can destroy worlds, as anyone who has seen his fights already knows, but can it destroy the vacuum of boredom that is Jimmo? Granted Jimmo’s first two UFC fights were actually awesome but in his last fight against Igor Pokrajac, he returned to his incredibly unfriendly style. I expect him to attempt, and succeed, in his attempts to suck the life out of the fight and decision Jimi Manuwa. Ryan Jimmo by Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: One of two things is going to happen here. Either Jimmo is going to Jimmo his way to a decision or Manuwa is going to hurt him very badly. I think Manuwa gets this done. Manuwa via 1st round KO.
Lightweight Bout: Jon Tuck (7-0) vs. Norman Parke (18-2)
Luke Irwin: Parke is just too good and too well-rounded. Tuck is a fine grappler, but Parke has too many tools to take him down. Parke via UD.
TC Engel: For some unknown reason, I watched all of TUF: Smashes, so I actually know Parke fairly well. He might be one of the most unimpressive TUF winners of all time. That combined with my love for South Pacific fighters is all I need. Tuck by UD.
Daniel Galvan: Tuck is scrappy, both on the feet and on the ground, but Norman Park is my pick because of his takedowns and superior grappling. Pick: Parke via UD.
Earl Montclair: I am quite torn on this fight honestly. Tuck is unbeaten but Parke has a wealth of experience on him. I am just going to take Parke but it would not stun me to see Tuck flatten him. Norman Parke, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Parke is an actual legit prospect that is coming out of TUF smashes and I expect him to “smash” Jon Tuck. Parke is really smooth on the ground and he will submit Tuck. Norman Parke by Submission Round 1.
Josh Hall: Parke is too well rounded for Tuck in my opinion. Parke via unanimous decision.
Middleweight Bout: Alessio Sakara (15-10) vs. Nicholas Musoke (10-2)
Luke Irwin: The easy choice here is Sakara, but he’s on a downward slide like a motherfucker. Musoke is the pick here. Musoke R2 Submission.
TC Engel: Sakara is better than whoever this guy is, I think. I don’t know. Sakara by KO, round 2.
Daniel Galvan: Based on fight history, my money is on this one not happening. Pick: No Fight.
Earl Montclair: In a somewhat related story, Alessio Sakara is still fighting for the UFC. Not for long though. This is going to be rough for him. Nicholas Musoke, Submission, Round 2.
Ben Kohn: Sakara has had a really odd up and down UFC career that has also been plagued by injuries. Musoke is making his UFC debut here and his record indicates he can win in varied ways. However, this is as big a softball as the UFC can throw to Sakara and I think he takes it emphatically. Alessio Sakara by KO Round 2.
Josh Hall: I am stunned to see a couple of my colleagues taking Musoke via submission here. Sakara destroyed Partick Cote in his last fight despite losing by controversial DQ and is a legit BJJ black belt that hasn’t been subbed since 2006. Sakara via 1st round KO.
Flyweight Bout: John Lineker (22-6) vs. Phil Harris (22-10)
Luke Irwin: Future Champion John Lineker by destruction. Lineker via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: Lineker is fun as hell to watch. He rolls here. Lineker by UD.
Daniel Galvan: This is going to be aweesome. As far as whose going to win, Harris has heavy power, but Lineker has some type of metal in his chin. Lineker will outpoint Harris with his speed and angles. Pick: Lineker via UD.
Earl Montclair: The only question is if Lineker can make weight. Everything else is in the bag. I’m just going to call for a clean up on aisle Nolan Howell right now. John Lineker, Death, Round 1.
Ben Kohn: Harris looked awesome against Gaudinot and is unfortunately going to have to face one of the few men at Flyweight with legit KO power in Lineker. Lineker has had some issues with making weight but should he make weight, he will be more than happy to engage Harris on the feet in a brawl and Harris isn’t known for having as hard a head as Lineker is. Lineker by KO Round 1.
Josh Hall: I hope Phil Harris blasts the FLW division’s version of Anthony Johnson straight out of the UFC. 3 times missing weight is an embarrassment to the sport. Lineker via 2nd round KO.
Lightweight Bout: Al Iaquinta (6-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallmann (14-1)
Luke Irwin: This is a really tough fight to call. Hallmann is legit, but Iaquinta does just enough in many areas to withstand. Iaquinta via SD.
TC Engel: Iaquinta by UD.
Daniel Galvan: Both fighters are coming off impressive victories. I give the edge to Iaquanta here. He does a tremendous job of picking his spots with his striking and takedowns. Pick: Iaquinta via UD.
Earl Montclair: Al is not going to gift wrap a victory to Piotr here by gassing out in embarrasing fashion. Al Iaquinta, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Hallman showed toughness through some real adversity in his last fight against Trinaldo, a massive Lightweight who was hurting Hallman bad on the feet. Hallman came back and submitted Trinaldo, who is known for his ground skills and looked quite good in his debut fight. Iaquinta is one of the better prospects to come off of TUF in recent years and is a really well rounded fighter. However, Hallman passed his UFC test with flying colors while Iaquinta’s only win is over Ryan Couture. Hallman by Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: One of the best matchups on the card by far. Iaquinta has really impressed me, and I think he can use his strength advanatage to win a tough fight here. Iaquinta via unanimous decision.
Middleweight Bout: Andrew Craig (9-1) vs. Luke Barnatt (6-0)
Luke Irwin: Barnatt is nasty, but Craig is tenacious. Craig is a survivor, and he’ll remain standing. Craig via SD.
TC Engel: Bigslow by RNC, round 3.
Daniel Galvan: Barnatt is a lanky striker and could use that in his favor against Andrew Craig. Unfortunately for Barnatt, I expect Craig to push Barnatt up against the cage, eliminate the distance, and outgrapple him. My Pick: Craig via UD.
Earl Montclair: I’ll tell you guys the truth for once. I have a soft spot for Andrew Craig. He is far from polished but I like the dude’s heart and moxie. Hopefully he gets another W here. Andrew Craig, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Barnatt is making his first appearance since his unanimous decision victory over Collin Hart. Craig actually has a decent UFC record with wins over Natal and Leben. I expect him to run into a stiff test against Barnatt who will use his long lanky frame to take the victory over Craig. Barnatt by Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: WAR ANDREW CRAIG. I’m not picking against the Houstonian here. Craig via unanimous decision.
Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Jessica Andrade (9-3) vs. Rosi Sexton (13-3)
Luke Irwin: Damn, ANOTHER tough one to pick. Rosi has a fourteen-year advantage on the young Brazilian, but when Rosi tries to take the fight to the ground, I think Andrade’s guillotine will get her. Andrade via R1 submission.
TC Engel: Andrade by UD.
Daniel Galvan: Sexton is the more well-rounded fighter of the two and has experience on her side. While she may control the bout early on, look for Andrade to power her way to a submission win. My Pick: Andrade via 2nd Sub.
Earl Montclair: I am using my heart pick on this fight right here. Let’s go Rosi! Rosi Sexton, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Sexton by Unanimous Decision.
Josh Hall: Rosi Sexton has never been submitted, and that is the strength of Andrade’s game. I’ll take the experience advantage to win here. Sexton via unanimous decision.
Featherweight Bout: Andy Ogle (9-2) vs. Cole Miller (19-8)
Luke Irwin: No. Miller via R1 submission.
TC Engel: Miller by UD.
Daniel Galvan: This is going to be one of those Cole Miller fights were he looks great, getting a finish, and then we all get on the hype train again until he dissapoints in his next fight. My Pick: Miller via 1st Sub.
Earl Montclair: I hate to see either guy lose this fight. Hopefully it is a barnburner and whoever loses gets another shot for sure. I gotta be smart here and say Cole Miller, Submission, Round 2.
Ben Kohn: Miller by Submission Round 1.
Josh Hall: Cole Miller is one of the UFC’s best gatekeepers, and I don’t see Ogle busting through to the next tier. Miller via 1st round submission.
Featherweight Bout: Jimy Hettes (10-1) vs. Robert Whiteford (10-1)
Luke Irwin: As long as Hettes commits to his grappling, I have no fear here. Hettes via R2 submission.
TC Engel: Hettes by d’Arce, round 1.
Daniel Galvan: I’m on the Jimy Hettes bandwagon. He’s just too much for the first Scottish fighter in UFC history. Pick: Hettes via 1st Sub.
Earl Montclair: Duh. Jimy Hettes Strangulation, Round 1.
Ben Kohn: Hettes by Submission Round 1.
Josh Hall: I’m gonna be honest, I don’t know hardly anything about Whiteford except that he hasn’t fought good competition. Hettes via 1st round submission.
Middleweight Bout: Brad Scott (8-2) vs. Michael Kuiper (12-2)
Luke Irwin: Total bounceback fight for Kuiper. Kuiper via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: Kuiper by excellent facepunch, round 1.
Daniel Galvan: Kuiper’s takedown defense should be good enough to keep it on the fight and aid in his goal to outpoint Scott on the feet. Pick: Kuiper via UD.
Earl Montclair: Whatevs. Michael Kuiper, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Kuiper by KO Round 2.
Josh Hall: I’m pretty sure this is a softball the UFC is giving Kuiper here. Kuiper via 1st round KO.
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