UFC 174 Staff Picks

Staff Standings:

Ben Kohn: 70-26 .729
TC Engel: 69-35 .663
Josh Hall: 33-18 .647
Earl Montclair: 51-31 .622
Luke Irwin: 117-72 .619
Lucas Bourdon: 3-2 .600
Nolan Howell: 68-52 .567
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455

Last Event Winner: Ben Kohn (11-0)

UFC Flyweight Championship: Demetrious Johnson (c) (19-2-1) vs. Ali Bagautinov (13-2)

Luke Irwin: Bagautinov is very, very well-rounded, which is why he won’t get finished. But DJ is one of the Top-3 fighters in the world. Johnson via UD.

Ben Kohn: I don’t see how Ali can take this one honestly. I generally try and break down title fights but to waste one here is pointless. Johnson is literally better in every facet of MMA. He’s a better techincal striker, better wrestler, way faster, smarter, and really is only at a power disadvantage. His cardio is always top notch and he will most likely dominate Ali but not finish him. Demetrious Johnson by Unanimous Decision.

Nolan Howell: Demetrious Johnson by unanimous decision.

Welterweight Bout: Rory MacDonald (16-2) vs. Tyron Woodley (13-2)

Luke Irwin: Two of the most maddeningly inconsistent fighters on the roster. As I said on the podcast, I have no idea what to expect, but at their absolute best, Rory beats Woodley. MacDonald via SD.

Ben Kohn: I…cannot pick either of these fighters with full confidence because both are so inconsistent in their performances. Woodley has the wrestling and power to make this a terrible night for Rory while Rory has the ability bust Woodley up from the fringe and make this a slow, tedious fight, like his fight with Ellenberger. I’m gonna go and pick Woodley because I think he can finish him while Rory cannot do so. Tyron Woodley by TKO Round 2.

Nolan Howell: Tyron Woodley by unanimous decision.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Rafael Cavalcante (12-4) vs. Ryan Bader (16-4)

Luke Irwin: I think this is one of those times where Bader tries to trade with his opponent instead of wrestling, and if he tries that, Feijao will muay thai him to death. Cavalcante via R2 KO.

Ben Kohn: Ugh. I have a really tough time with this one. Bader showed off his best and worst qualities in his last two fights. Against Glover, he looked the best he has with his standup in his career with solid footwork, fluid combinations, and the use of kicks as well. He also showed off his worst quality; his god-awful fight IQ/brain farting. Spamming right hands until he got blasted, after rocking Glover twice, and it was just sad. So close from the biggest win of his career and gone within a few moments. His fight with Perosh, that was a massacre and he looked great. Feijao is an enigma with incredibly powerful striking, a bad gas tank, and as questionable a chin as Bader has. Bader cannot brain fart against Feijao or he will sleep and Feijao needs an early KO or he will get hurt. I gotta go with my heart on this one. Ryan Bader by TKO Round 3.

Nolan Howell: Rafael Cavalcante by first-round TKO.

Heavyweight Bout: Andrei Arlovski (21-10) vs. Brendan Schaub (10-3)

Luke Irwin: I realize a whole lot of my picks on this card are based out of hope. Both of these guys have awful chins anymore, but I trust Arlovski, who was mere seconds away from dethroning Fedor in his prime, before losing his goddamned mind, to take Schaub down here. Arlovski via R1 KO.

Ben Kohn: Andrei has more power, a better chin, and is a far better striker. His grappling is just fine as well and he can stop Schaub’s takedowns. Schaub will not be able to take the shots Arlovski will surely land. Andrei Arlovski by KO Round 1.

Nolan Howell: Andrei Arlovski by first-round TKO.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Ovince St. Preux (15-5) vs. Ryan Jimmo (19-3)

Luke Irwin: Good matchup for both guys here. Logical booking is fun. Ovince will pressure Jimmo and his striking and chin is too crisp. St. Preux via SD.

Ben Kohn: Jimmo is going to do what he always does when facing someone dangerous, grind them out. Jimmo will take it. Ryan Jimmo by Unanimous Decision.

Nolan Howell: Ryan Jimmo by unanimous decision.

Welterweight Bout: Daniel Sarafian (8-4) vs. Kiichi Kunimoto (16-5-2)

Luke Irwin: Sarafian is such a marginal talent, but marginal talents usually prevail over Japanese MMA newbies. I’m calling a reversal on this, but barely. Kunimoto via SD.

Ben Kohn: Daniel Sarafian by Submission Round 2.

Nolan Howell: Daniel Sarafian by unanimous decision.

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Elizabeth Phillips (4-1) vs. Valerie Letourneau (5-3)

Luke Irwin: Phillips is really, REALLY late-notice on an already late-notice opponent in Letourneau, but I like Valerie here. Her three losses have been to literally three of the top-10 fighters in the world. Letourneau via R2 TKO.

Ben Kohn: Valerie Letourneau by TKO Round 2.

Nolan Howell: Valerie Letourneau by unanimous decision.

Bantamweight Bout: Mike Easton (13-4) vs. Yves Jabouin (19-9)

Luke Irwin: Ugh, Easton. Enough of him in the UFC. But Jabouin is marginal and I think Easton escapes with another gift decision, as he does. Easton via SD.

Ben Kohn: Mike Easton’s grappling is far better than Jabouin’s and his striking is good enough for him to hang on the feet with him. I think he will ground him though as he badly needs an impressive win. Mike Easton by Submission Round 2.

Nolan Howell: Mike Easton by second-round submission.

Lightweight Bout: Kajan Johnson (19-10-1) vs. Tae Hyun Bang (16-8)

Luke Irwin: Sorry, Asian fighters, you’ve let me down too many times, even though you’re usually infinitely more entertaining than your North American counterparts. Johnson via UD.

Ben Kohn: Tae Hyun Bang by KO Round 1.

Nolan Howell: Kajan Johnson by unanimous decision.