MMA is a sport based on opportunity and split second decision making. The breakdowns that we try to focus on here will be looking at stylistic differences between fighters and how they will impact the card. Although the breakdowns won't usually be long, they'll have info on fighter strengths and weaknesses and how we expect them to be exploited. Towards the end of the article there will be the five best bets on the slate for you to tail!
All my information is from https://fightodds.io/ and https://paydirtdfs.com/mma-ranks-and-leverage-model/
Joseph Holmes (Striker/Grappler) vs Claudio Ribeiro (Striker)
Holmes is going to need to rely on his grappling if he wants to win this one. Ribeiro is an explosive striker. If Holmes can keep him down, I like for him to win.
Ikram Aliskerov (Grappler) vs Phil Hawes (Wrestler)
Will Hawes be able to keep up with Ikram’s grappling? I don’t think he can. I think Phil will want to try to stay standing in this one.
Aliskerov -195
Parker Porter (Striker) vs Braxton Smith (Striker)
Smith is going to look to take Parker's head off in the first round. I think he can do that and get the dub here. If it goes late, I see this going the other way.
Smith +145
Marina Rodriguez (Striker) vs Virna Jandiroba (Grappler)
We haven’t seen Virna lose to a striker yet in this matchup of grappler vs. striker. I think the streak continues. Give me the crazy eyed lady.
Jandiroba +110
Khaos Williams (Striker) vs Rolando Bedoya (Striker)
Yeah, this is a fight Khaos should not be losing. He gets a new contract and they give him someone he should easily KO.
Devin Clark (Wrestler) vs Kennedy Nzechukwu (Striker)
Clark is going to make this fight very ugly. He is going to control him at the fence and on the ground. I expect this one to go to the judges and be a Clark win.
Clark +150
Drew Dober (Striker) vs Matt Frevola (Striker/Wrestler)
Drew has an iron chin that will start to crumble here soon. I hope this one isn’t the fight because this will be an intense fight. I like both of these men to throw a ton of strikes and get all bloody. VIOLENCE.
Kron Gracie (Grappler) vs Charles Jourdain (Striker)
How weird is Kron? These embeddeds are really showing him off as a total weirdo.. LOL. I am not picking this one because Kron has been off for such a long time. Charles just needs to stay away from Kron’s BJJ.
Movsar Evloev (Well Rounded) vs Diego Lopes (Grappler)
Was super excited for Evloev v. Mitchell. Not so excited for this one. I think Movsar destroys him.
Jessica Andrade (Striker/Grappler) vs Xiaonan Yan (Striker)
Jessica just doesn’t lose these. She is always winning these fights and then losing the big ones. I don’t think this one is any different. Give me Jessica.
Andrade -175
Belal Muhammad (Well Rounded) vs Gilbert Burns (Grappler)
I am a Belal BELIEVER. I have been for quite some time now. This one is going to be mega tough though.. Belal is going to need to make this fight ugly. Get him in the clinch and wrestle him, but watch out for Burn’s submissions. It’s going to be a fun one to watch!
Muhammad +120
Aljamain Sterling (Wrestler) vs Henry Cejudo (Wrestler)
Such an interesting fight here. I think everyone thought that Cejudo would be back, but no one thought it was going to be this long of a layoff. Aljo has such a wonky style of striking and it’s tough to prepare for. If he gets you on the ground, then it’s most likely over for you. The question is, will he be able to get Henry down? I think he can… Henry is going to want to keep this standing. I believe his striking is much better than Aljo and he needs to use that to his advantage.