Last Event Winner: Ben Kohn (6-5)
Yearly Standings:
Lucas Bourdon: 9-4 .692
Ben Kohn: 158-79 .667
Josh Hall: 35-21 .625
TC Engel: 87-53 .621
Nolan Howell: 166-109 .604
Luke Irwin: 243-160 .603
Earl Montclair: 116-77 .601
Naomi Kamornick: 6-5 .545
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455
Featherweight Bout: Cub Swanson (21-5) vs. Frankie Edgar (17-4-1)
Luke Irwin: Cub’s only gone the distance in a five-round fight once, and that was his very last fight. Five rounds is where Frankie lives. I think Cub gets to Frankie early and often, as many do, but Frankie wears Cub down in the later rounds where he thrives to get a close-knit win. Edgar via SD.
Earl Montclair: This is such a glorious fight that is not getting anywhere near the love or attention that it deserves. Frankie Edgar has not fought elite competition in 21 months. Beating Charles Oliveira and BJ Penn doesn’t mean a whole lot in regards to his standing in the division. The last time 3 times he fought top level guys, he lost. He has been hit A LOT. For someone who gets praised to the heavens for his footwork and movement, he has been hard and often. Gray Maynard is an incompetent fight finisher and Benson Henderson hasn’t shown a lot of prowess in that department either. Cub Swanson will not let Frankie off the hook when he hurts him. This is Cub Swanson’s time and the beginning of the decline of Frankie Edgar. Cub Swanson, TKO, Round 3.
TC Engel: This should be okay. Frankie Edgar via UD.
Nolan Howell: Cub Swanson’s versatile striking has some flashy, dangerous techniques combined with crisp, technical boxing. On the feet, while Frankie Edgar’s speed could present some trouble, I’d think Swanson has a slight advantage. On the mat, it’s night and day for Swanson. He sometimes looks great, with a really solid judo throw he uses to get the fight to the mat. Others, he looks completely outclassed and if there is a guy who can present trouble, it’s Frankie. I anticipate a close fight with Swanson winning early and losing steam as Edgar comes on. It’ll be close, but I tihnk Swanson is the more dangerous fighter and he should have enough to win the first three rounds. Cub Swanson by split decision.
Ben Kohn: People seem to have forgotten just how good Edgar is. He’s a faster fighter than anyone Cub has faced in recent memory and is the best wrestler he’s faced since Chad Mendes fought him. Cub is a really good fighter and deserved a title shot but his run ends here. Cub fails against really good wrestlers. I have not forgotten that Dennis Siver controlled him on the ground with ease. Frankie will run circles around Cub and it will be close only if Edgar doesn’t use his wrestling and I think he will. Oh and his chin will be fine. Frankie Edgar by UD.
Lightweight Bout: Bobby Green (23-5) vs. Edson Barboza (14-2)
Luke Irwin: Barboza doesn’t do well against a striker that will throw hands against his kicks. I think Bobby will box him up good, bloody his face, and get the win. Green via UD.
Earl Montclair: This is quite the step down for Bobby but everyone else was booked so they made the best choice that was available. This basically comes down to Green’s boxing versus Barboza’s kicking game. Barboza has certainly wilted under pressure before but Bobby Green isn’t really a pressure fighter. That not withstanding, I think Green is on a higher level than Barboza and he will cleverly batter him for 15 in what should be a slower paced but still excellent matchup. Bobby Green, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: The most likeable guy in this shitty sport. If this is it for you, thanks Bobby. You’re an amazing role model and amazing person. Bobby Green via FOTN UD.
Nolan Howell: If Bobby Green is active on the feet and on his bike, his boxing should be enough to stifle Edson Barboza, who seems to struggle with his boxing. If Green doesn’t and allows Barboza to get his kicks going, it could be ugly. Still, all signs point to the more mobile striker taking this. Bobby Green by second-round TKO.
Ben Kohn: Green is going through some rough times in his personal life and I hope it doesn’t affect his in ring performance. That being said, this will come down to Edson’s leg kicks vs. Bobby’s boxing. Bobby is a counter fighter and that’s not the style Barboza really struggles against. I see him being able to hurt Green with leg kicks and control the fight from range. Edson Barboza by UD.
Flyweight Bout: Brad Pickett (24-9) vs. Chico Camus (13-5)
Luke Irwin: Pickett isn’t what he was, but he’s certainly still much better than Chico Camus. Pickett via UD.
Earl Montclair: Pickett is nowhere near the fighter that he once was, but I still think he has what it takes to fend off a guy like Camus. Brad Pickett, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Pickett via TKO3.
Nolan Howell: Brad Pickett has looked shot the past few fights, but this still shouldn’t be too much trouble for him. Brad Pickett by first-round submission.
Ben Kohn: This won’t be a competitive fight at all and I’m not sure what the point of it is. Pickett is on the downside of his career and Chico doesn’t really have much upside. But whatever, Pickett should easily beat him. Brad Pickett by submission round 2.
Heavyweight Bout: Jared Rosholt (11-1) vs. Oleksiy Olinyk (49-9-1)
Luke Irwin: Olinyk is a submission whiz, but he tends to fold against even a mediocre wrestler. Friends, if you can’t submit Chael, you’re not getting a Rosholt. Rosholt via UD.
Earl Montclair: I don’t know man. I keep flip flopping on this one. I guess I’ll go with smothering top game in a clunker. Jared Rosholt, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: That’s quite a record you have there, My. Olinyk. I’m afraid it’s bullshit. Rosholt via UD.
Nolan Howell: Jared Rosholt should be too active from the top here for Olekiy Olinyk to get anything going. Wrestling will be the story here. Jared Rosholt by unanimous decision.
Ben Kohn: Rosholt is a far better wrestler than Olinyk obviously and his striking is developed enough that he could stand and be ok. I see this fight being another boring one on Rosholt’s run through the bottom of the HW barrel. Jared Rosholt by UD.
Flyweight Bout: Dustin Ortiz (14-3) vs, Joseph Benavidez (20-4)
Luke Irwin: Ortiz is tough as hell, he’s Tachi to the bones, but JoeB is top-five at two different weight-classes. He’s just too damned good. Benavidez via UD.
Earl Montclair: Dustin Ortiz is tough as hell and a great guy to have on the roster. That being said, Joseph is going to dumptruck him. Joseph Benavidez, Submission, Round 1.
TC Engel: lol. JoeB via TKO2.
Nolan Howell: Yeah, not much to say here. Dustin Ortiz is game, but that’s about all I can give him. Joseph Benavidez by first-round KO.
Ben Kohn: Ortiz is a reliable action fighter with good wrestling, scrambling, and decent striking. However, Joe-B is far better in every aspect of the fight game and while Ortiz is too tough to be finished imo, he will be dominated by Benavidez. Joseph Benavidez by UD.
Lightweight Bout: Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-5-1) vs. Matt Wiman (15-7)
Luke Irwin: Ike is aggressive, but mediocre, but Wiman is coming in with a shitload of ring rust. This could be ugly or amazing. Wiman via SD.
Earl Montclair: I think Wiman should have enough here. Matt Wiman, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Fun fight between two scrappy vets. I think IVF has a few less miles on his chin, so: IVF via UD.
Nolan Howell: Don’t really see a place where Matt Wiman is at a disadvantage here. Trying to put away Issac Vallie-Flagg on the feet can be a tough test, so I’ll say he uses his underrated grappling to pick up the win here. Matt Wiman by second-round submission.
Ben Kohn: IVF just has nothing left at this point and if Wiman returns to anywhere near top form, he will smoke the Strikeforce vet. Matt Wiman by UD.
Heavyweight Bout: Josh Copeland (9-0) vs. Ruslan Magomedov (12-1)
Luke Irwin: Jan Jorgensen is a quality win, but Magomedov has been in with the best of the best and also has a UFC win on his belt. Magomedov via UD.
Earl Montclair: As much as I want to pick a man nicknamed “Cuddly Bear” (and I really do want to, a lot) Magomedov is more of a proven commodity at this stage. That being said, WAR CUDDLY BEAR. Ruslan Magomedov, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Magomedov via UD.
Nolan Howell: Actually a decent matchup of relatively new UFC fighters. Ruslan Magomedov seems to be the more polished fighter and that should show here. Ruslan Magomedov by unanimous decision.
Ben Kohn: Ruslan Magomedov by UD.
Middleweight Bout: Luke Barnatt (8-1) vs. Roger Narvaez (6-1)
Luke Irwin: Narvaez will have the size advantage, but Barnatt lost to a sneaky-good Sean Strickland, and I think will bounce back. Barnatt via R2 TKO.
Earl Montclair: I sure as shit ain’t picking against The Bigslow here. Luke Barnatt, TKO, Round 2.
TC Engel: Barnatt via SUB1.
Nolan Howell: Got TKO’d by Patrick Cummins? Yeah, I’ll pick that guy’s opponent. Luke Barnatt by first-round TKO.
Ben Kohn: Barnatt is a fun fighter who’s also developing into a damn good one. I expect him to win this fight handily. Luke Barnatt by TKO round 3.
Lightweight Bout: James Vick (6-0) vs. Nick Hein (11-1)
Luke Irwin: Just about a coin-flip here, but I always take the guy with more UFC experience. Vick via SD.
Earl Montclair: I mean…..sure. James Vick, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Vick via UD.
Nolan Howell: Considering the abortion that was James Vick’s last fight, I’m going to assume the pressure and grappling skills of Nick Hein will be enough here. Nick Hein by unanimous decision.
Ben Kohn: Vick is pretty good but I do hope he leaves Lloyd Irvin out of his corner this fight. James Vick by UD.
Lightweight Bout: Akbarh Arreola (22-8-1) vs. Yves Edwards (42-21-1)
Luke Irwin: Sorry, Admiral Akbarh, your fight is a trap, and I never bet against Thugjitsu. Edwards via R1 KO.
Earl Montclair: C’mon, Yves. Yves Edwards, Submission, Round 1.
TC Engel: Edwards via TKO2.
Nolan Howell: Yves Edwards is really, really bad lately. Akbarh Arreola still probably isn’t good enough to beat him. Yves Edwards by second-round TKO.
Ben Kohn: I love Yves but I hope he considers retirement as his body seems to be failing him in the cage nowadays. That being said, they are giving him the softest of softballs right here. Yves Edwards by TKO round 2.
Women’s Strawweight Bout: Kailin Curran (3-0) vs. Paige VanZant (3-1)
Luke Irwin: VanZant. Always VanZant. VanZant via R1 TKO.
Earl Montclair: Should be a good one. Paige VanZant, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: I love you, PVZ. VanZant via split.
Nolan Howell: Not really sure if Paige VanZant has her head in the game, as it seems she’s more concerned with modeling as of late, in addition to spur of the moment camp changes. Still, her skill set is enough here to take the win. Paige VanZant by unanimous decision.
Ben Kohn: Paige VanZant by UD.
Featherweight Bout: Doo Ho Choi (11-1) vs. Juan Manuel Puig (11-3)
Luke Irwin: This is a very, very, very interesting fight. Yes, I’m serious. We have two fights that came up regionally, Puig in Central America’s Xtreme Kombat and XFL, and Brazil’s Jungle Fight, and Choi’s DEEP and Gladiator. This will be a great culture test. But Asian fighters making their UFC debut have a worse history than land wars in Russia. Puig via R1 Submission.
Earl Montclair: Doo Ho Choi is going to fuck this dude up something nasty. Choi, Massive KO, Round 1.
TC Engel: #PUUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG
Nolan Howell: Asian MMA vs. Latin American MMA. Yikes. I’ll go with Do Ho Choi’s body of work here. Doo Ho Choi by first-round KO.
Ben Kohn: Do Ho Choi should merc Puig. Doo Ho Choi by KO round 1.
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