UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux Staff Picks

Staff Standings

Lucas Bourdon: 9-4 .692
Ben Kohn: 98-47 .676
TC Engel: 77-42 .647
Josh Hall: 35-21 .625
Luke Irwin: 156-97 .617
Earl Montclair: 77-52 .597
Nolan Howell: 84-74 .532
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455

Last Event Winner: 6-Way Tie (2-3)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Ovince St. Preux (16-5) vs. Ryan Bader (17-4)

Luke Irwin: I think Bader almost gets caught with a guillotine, but adjusts and rides his way to a UD. Bader via UD.

Ben Kohn: Bader is among my favorite fighters but I think he should have this fight in the bag. He’s the far better wrestler and his ground and pound is really powerful and slick. His striking and footwork have really come along and he looked better than ever against Feijao. OSP is an awesome athlete with power and decent grappling but he just doesn’t really blend his skills well. He also has sub-par TDD against decent wrestlers (Mousasi took him down 4 times) and Bader is finally driving through his takedowns and was able to get Feijao down consistently. Bader also has excellent cardio while OSP is a question mark. I see this going late, possibly a decision, but I think Bader can pull off a finish late. Bader by TKO round 4.

Nolan Howell: Ryan Bader by…uh…I don’t fucking know, but he somehow wins.

Lightweight Bout: Gray Maynard (11-3-1) vs. Ross Pearson (15-7)

Luke Irwin: I couldn’t trust Maynard’s chin any less at this point. Pearson via R1 KO.

Ben Kohn: Maynard has all the tools to win this fight, excellent wrestling, power, and some good boxing. The problem is his chin, which appears shot beyond repair. It’s sad considering just how good Maynard was but he looks to be near the end of his career. Pearson’s slick boxing and combinations could spell trouble for Maynard but if he gets grounded, he may not be able to unground himself. I’m picking Maynard based on nostalgia at this point. Maynard by UD.

Nolan Howell: Ross Pearson by UD.

Middleweight Bout: Brad Tavares (12-2) vs. Tim Boetsch (17-7)

Luke Irwin: Boetsch will be summoning the POWER OF MAINE to right his ship! #MaineStrong. Boetsch via UD.

Ben Kohn: Boestch looks like he’s on the verge of complete irrelevancy. After overperforming for so long, he’s dropped really far down the ladder and desperately needs a win. If he remembers to strike at range with those front kicks, he may have a chance but Tavares is strong, with good boxing and TDD and can probably sprawl and brawl to decision. Taveres by UD.

Nolan Howell: Brad Tavares by UD.

Welterweight Bout: Alan Jouban (9-2) vs. Seth Baczynski (19-11)

Luke Irwin: Jouban is an intriguing prospect and I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him so far, but Baczynski tends to pull out wins when you don’t expect him to, so I’m expecting to see that here. Baczynski via SD.

Ben Kohn: I straight up don’t trust Seth to perform well anymore, and his chin worries me too. His only win in the past 2 and a half years is Neil Magny and I don’t think he can sub Jouban. Jouban by TKO round 2.

Nolan Howell: Alan Jouban by UD.

Heavyweight Bout: Jack May (7-1) vs. Shawn Jordan (15-6)

Luke Irwin: 1930s Noir Private Detective Jack May is going to fall here and hard. He couldn’t defend against Derrick Lewis’s slow-ass Godzilla swipes, Jordan is going to put him out on the real quick. Jordan via R1 KO.

Ben Kohn: May’s opponents win/loss record is hilariously appaling. Jordan by KO round 1.

Nolan Howell: Shawn Jordan by first-round KO.

Featherweight Bout: Robbie Peralta (18-4) vs. Thiago Tavares (18-5-1)

Luke Irwin: Peralta is aggressively mediocre, and Tavares is just better all around. Tavares via R2 TKO.

Ben Kohn: I see Tavares grinding out a decision here. Tavares by UD.

Nolan Howell: Thiago Tavares by UD.

Flyweight Bout: Jussier da Silva (16-3) vs. Zach Makovsky (18-4)

Luke Irwin: Formiga’s the last stop on the Fun Sized Championship Shot Tour. Makovsky via R2 submission.

Ben Kohn: This fight is going to be an awesome scramblefest. I love Fun Size (MG represent!) and his quick and fluid striking on the feet blends flawlessly into his really good takedown game. His BJJ rank is a purple belt but his wrestling will bridge the gap with the blackbelt tied around Formiga’s waist. Makovsky may get put in a bad spot or two if Formiga can get the back but I expect him to win a comfortable and fun decision. Makovsky by UD.

Nolan Howell: Zach Makovsky by UD.