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UFC 215 is finally here, and just when you thought the fight world is back to normal in a post-May/Mac world, the hurt business surprises you yet again. The injury bug strikes again!
This week’s UFC PPV has a more than decent card filled with excellent combatants, however, the card has been robbed of quite a bit of its allure, so to speak, given the cancellation of its original main event matchup -- Demetrius Johnson vs Ray Borg -- owing to the latter falling ill.
Also Read: UFC 215 Edmonton Press Conference
Nevertheless, UFC 215 gets the same headliner that UFC 213 promised us, i.e. Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko -- The Rematch!
Also on the card is perennial Welterweight contender Neil Magny, taking on former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Meanwhile, ‘Li’l Heathen’ opens up the pay-per-view main card opposite the returning ‘El Nino’. Besides, the undercard boasts a few important fights as well. So, without further ado, here’s our preview for UFC 215.
Indian fans can watch UFC 215 on September 10th Sunday, 7:30 am, only on Sony ESPN & Sony ESPN HD.
# Main Card
#1 Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko
Amanda Nunes cuts a ton of weight and often outweighs her foes when the cage door closes on fight-night. While that definitely helps her in the strength and power department. But if she fails to demolish her opponent within the first couple of rounds, Nunes is essentially a sitting duck.
Her fight against Cat Zingano exposed that chink in her armour, as did Nunes’ first fight against UFC 215 foe, Valentina Shevchenko.
Nunes vs Shevchenko is a considerably straightforward fight from a technical perspective, given that both are well-rounded. The only significant disparity between the two is the fact that Val is much smaller than Amanda.
That said, if Amanda fails to overwhelm and finish (submit/TKO) the smaller ‘Bullet’, Valentina will establish her rhythm and coast to a decision win. However, I don’t see that happening as Nunes is the bigger fighter here, and while the skill disparity isn’t much, ‘Size’ does matter.
Prediction: Amanda Nunes def. Valentina Shevchenko via TKO
#2 Neil Magny vs Rafael Dos Anjos
Neil Magny suffered a bad loss to Lorenz Larkin -- one that exposed several defensive flaws in his striking. And that is a bad, bad chink to display when going up against someone as aggressive as RDA.
I see Magny keeping Dos Anjos at the end of his strikes for the first half of the matchup, with RDA eventually finding his range and picking apart the lanky Magny.
The fight will likely end in a late-TKO or decision victory for Dos Anjos.
Prediction: Rafael Dos Anjos def. Neil Magny via Decision
#3 Henry Cejudo vs Wilson Reis
Henry Cejudo is the better fighter in this matchup, and come fight-night, it’ll show
I see Cejudo dominating Reis in the grappling exchanges, and while the latter may have his moments on the feet, the Olympian will shut down Reis, for a clean sweep on the judges' scorecards.
Prediction: Henry Cejudo def. Wilson Reis via Decision
#4 Ilir Latifi vs Tyson Pedro
Ilir Latifi is one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA today. He’s an explosive wrestler and a risk-taking striker.
However, he’s also one of the most defensively-flawed combatants to have ever competed at this level of the sport. Against Pedro, that’ll hurt him.
Pedro is powerful on his feet as well as the mat, and I see him rocking Latifi in the standup, and following him to mat for a Submission finish.
Prediction: Tyson Pedro def Ilir Latifi via Submission
#5 Jeremy Stephens vs Gilbert Melendez
What a fight this is going to turn out to be!
Melendez is returning from a steroid suspension, whereas Stephens has remained active throughout.
I see Jeremy landing hard and often on Gilbert, and either scoring an early finish or winning a clear-cut decision on the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Jeremy Stephens def. Gilbert Melendez via Decision
# Preliminary Card (Fox Sports 1)
#1 Sara McMann vs Ketlen Vieira
Sara McMann has all the tools to be a top player at 135, but never seems to get it together, per se.
Regardless, Vieira isn’t unbeatable, and I see McMann using her superior wrestling and heavy hands to stun her foe, eventually finishing Vieira with a barrage of ground and pound.
Prediction: Sara McMann def. Ketlen Vieira via TKO
#2 Sarah Moras vs Ashlee Evans-Smith
Sarah Moras has not been as active as a high-level fighter ought to be.
Although Evans-Smith isn’t as dangerous, as say a Cris Cyborg, she is still crafty and knows how to win fights.
I see Evans-Smith winning exchanges both on the feet as well as the mat, and taking home the win on the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Ashlee Evans-Smith def. Sarah Moras via Decision
#3 Gavin Tucker vs Rick Glenn
Gavin Tucker is extremely talented and has all the tools to make it as a top player in the UFC.
I see him running through Rick Glenn and making a huge statement in this UFC 215 showdown -- stunning Glenn on the feet and then moving in for the kill.
Prediction: Gavin Tucker def. Rick Glenn via Submission
#4 Mitch Clarke vs Alex White
Mitch Clarke is a run-of-the-mill MMA competitor, and while he still has ways to go in the UFC, I fully expect him to get through Alex White.
Clarke would likely out work White on the ground, and while the stand up would be somewhat competitive, Clarke would do enough to take home the decision.
Prediction: Mitch Clarke def. Alex White via Decision
# Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Luis Henrique vs Arjan Bhullar
History will be created at UFC 215 as former Canadian Olympian Arjan Bhullar makes his Octagon debut.
Bhullar will be the first man of Indo-Canadian descent to ever compete in the UFC. I expect Bhullar to have a huge advantage in the wrestling department, and while his striking remains relatively untested, I believe he can hold his own on the feet against someone like Luis Henrique.
Once Bhullar gets him to the ground, he’ll pound away at Henrique until the referee steps in and waves it off.
Prediction: Arjan Bhullar def. Luis Henrique via TKO
#2 Kajan Johnson vs Adriano Martins
Kajan Johnson is a true talent, and while his best is yet to come, I think UFC 215 is the night his skills will truly shine.
This isn’t a knock on Martins, who is also an incredible athlete; but Johnson is on another level, and would most definitely dominate Martins, out-striking as well as out-grappling the latter.
Prediction: Kajan Johnson def. Adriano Martins via Decision
