Lightweight Bout: Benson Henderson (21-3) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (21-7)
Luke Irwin: Death, taxes, and Bendo by decision. No controversy here, as Bendo is better, but I doubt he gets the finish. Henderson via UD.
TC Engel: RDA is a rad, rad dude. I like watching him do fighting. But Bendo is a pound for pound top 15 fighter. RDA is a fringe top 8 lightweight. The talent gap is far too large for me to be comfortable with picking anything but a dominant Henderson win. Bendo by 50-44×3
Earl Montclair: I love this fight so much and I am a huge fan of both of these guys. I’m not gonna do what everyone thinks I’m gonna do and just PICK BENSON HENDERSON BY A FINISH, MAN!!! LOL, yeah I am. Benson Henderson, TKO, Round 3.
Ben Kohn: Bendo by UD.
Welterweight Bout: Jordan Mein (28-9) vs. Mike Pyle (26-9-1)
Luke Irwin: For whatever reason, the only thing Mike Pyle seems to take any joy in whatsoever is putting young up-and-comers on their back. He’s still a wily veteran who can terminate a push on contact. Pyle via R2 TKO.
TC Engel: JORDAN MEIN. I like watching him do fighting too. Mein by TKO, round 2.
Earl Montclair: Jordan Mein was given a pardon from whatever Canadian God they worship up there (I’m assuming John Olerud) when Bradon Thatch ripped his toe off his body, thus giving us the Pyle matchup. Mein has underwhelmed as of late so I am going to pick Pyle. Tennessee Waterfall, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Mein by KO round 2.
Middleweight Bout: Francis Carmont (22-9) vs. Thales Leites (23-4)
Luke Irwin: Now that Carmont’s magical, farcical trip up the middleweight ladder has come to an end, it’s time to start milking his status to get other guys up to contender status, and that’s what he’ll do here. Carmont can spend an inordinate amount of time on his back, and that’s prey for Thales. Leites via R2 submission.
TC Engel: This is an abomination.
Earl Montclair: Fuck Francis Carmont. The only good thing about his fights is that I get to see GSP and when Thales Leites strangles him. Thales Leites, RNC, Round 2.
Ben Kohn: Leites by UD.
Featherweight Bout: Clay Collard (13-4) vs. Max Holloway (9-3)
Luke Irwin: Collard is a last-second fill-in. Holloway had a rough patch, but since then has finished Will Chope and Andre Fili, not a short order. Holloway is re-emerging himself as a contender, and will continue here. Holloway via R1 submission.
TC Engel: Max Holloway is better than Clay Collard Greens. Holloway, 30-25.
Earl Montclair: I love to watch Max Holloway. I love it when he wins. I will be happy here. Max Holloway, TKO, Round 2.
Ben Kohn: Holloway by UD.
Lightweight Bout: James Vick (5-0) vs. Walmir Lazaro (12-2)
Luke Irwin: Vick is a nasty dude, but Lazaro isn’t a classic Brazilian can-crusher. However, I like what I’ve seen from Vick a lot more than Lazaro and Chris Wilson can’t be your best win. Vick via UD.
TC Engel: Vick, UD.
Earl Montclair: James Vick, Unanimous Decision because sure.
Ben Kohn: Vick by Sub round 2.
Featherweight Bout: Chas Skelly (11-1) vs. Tom Niinimaki (21-6-1)
Luke Irwin: I had such high hopes for Niinimaki, but he seems to have sputtered. I think this fight is key to keep the UFC’s European Vacation afloat. Niinimaki via UD.
TC Engel: Niinimaki, UD.
Earl Montclair: Bono, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Niinimaki by UD.
Welterweight Bout: Alex Garcia (12-1) vs. Neil Magny (11-3)
Luke Irwin: I like this matchup. Don’t look now, but Neil Magny was won three in a row, and Garcia, while looking like a monster against Ben Wall, escaped with a SD over Sean Spencer. I think Magny does enough to keep Garcia grounded. Magny via SD.
TC Engel: Garcia, TKO.
Earl Montclair: Magny, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Magny by UD.
Lightweight Bout: Beneil Dariush (7-1) vs. Tony Martin (8-1)
Luke Irwin: No, not THAT Tony Martin, but Tony Martin v2.0 is solid, but he’s about on the same level on Dariush. Boring fight that could go either way. Dariush via SD.
TC Engel: Dariush, UD.
Earl Montclair: Dariush, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Dariush by Sub round 2.
Bantamweight Bout: Aaron Phillips (5-1) vs. Matt Hobar (8-2)
Luke Irwin: Phillips couldn’t get by Sam Sicilia, Hobar couldn’t get by Pedro Munhoz. Neither of these guys will have gold, but Hobar is a gamer, is tough as nails, and I like him to grind this out. Hobar via UD.
TC Engel: Hobar, TKO.
Earl Montclair: Matt Hobar, Unanimous Decision.
Ben Kohn: Hobar by UD.
Welterweight Bout: Ben Saunders (16-6-2) vs. Chris Heatherly (8-1)
Luke Irwin: Welcome back, Ben. Time to dish out some knees. Saunders via R2 KO.
TC Engel: ITS YA BOI KILLA B BY KO.
Earl Montclair: FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH. Saunders, Knees To The Dome, Round 1.
Ben Kohn: Saunders by knees, round 1.
Flyweight Bout: Joby Sanchez (6-0) vs. Wilson Reis (17-5)
Luke Irwin: Joby isn’t a nobody, he has a good professional pedigree. KOTC, XFC, and forcing Antonio Banuelos’s corner to throw in the towel in Tachi are legitimate and I think he starts to make his name right here. Sanchez via R1 TKO.
TC Engel: Sanchez, UD.
Earl Montclair: Joby Sanchez, TKO, Round 3.
Ben Kohn: Reis by UD.
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