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UFC 218 is here and despite an injury to Frankie Edgar causing a big-time change to the main event, this card is as stacked as it gets.
One of the greatest MMA Featherweights of all time Jose Aldo steps in on short-notice to try and avenge a brutal knockout loss he suffered to reigning 145-pound king Max ‘Blessed’ Holloway.
Furthermore, the co-headliner for this event will see a potential number-1 contender matchup for a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship go down as Alistair Overeem tries to derail the Francis Ngannou hype train.
Additionally, the card features several other top-notch matchups. So, without further ado, here are the predictions & preview for UFC 218: Holloway vs Aldo 2:
Indian fans can watch UFC 218 from 8:30 am on Sunday, December 3rd, Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD.
Main Card
#1 Max Holloway vs Jose Aldo
Max Holloway is on a roll, and has a ton of upside, especially considering the fact that this young athlete is yet to even hit his prime.
Holloway obliterated Aldo in their first match, and this fight is likely to go along the same lines. One ought to note that Aldo has worked tremendously on his boxing game after getting slept by Conor McGregor in a matter of seconds.
Aldo has a better jab than Holloway, but the latter is the fresher of the two and puts together better boxing combinations on the feet. Aldo may have his moments in this rematch, however, Holloway is likely to take over a couple of minutes in; outworking Aldo with a frenetic pace and dismantling him for a TKO victory.
The reason this fight will see a TKO finish rather than a Submission is that despite being severely dazed in his last match against Holloway, Aldo still exhibited great awareness on the mat. Irrespective of Aldo’s excellent grappling skills, this fight is Holloway’s for the taking.
Prediction: Max Holloway def. Jose Aldo via TKO
#2 Alistair Overeem vs Francis Ngannou
Overeem is the proven product of the two, however, with experience comes a ton of bodily wear-and-tear as well.
Overeem has taken a ton of damage over the course of his long and storied career. On the other hand, Ngannou is fresh as a daisy, and come fight night, this key distinction will show.
Both fighters have great striking and grappling skills, however, Ngannou is yet to be thoroughly tested in his career. This fight will be his biggest test to date, and Ngannou is likely to win this owing to the fact that he carries otherworldly KO power in both hands as well as possesses a solid chin. Ngannou connects on ‘Reem at boxing range and sleeps him in Round 1.
Prediction: Francis Ngannou def. Alistair Overeem via KO
#3 Henry Cejudo vs Sergio Pettis
Henry Cejudo seems to have improved his clinch striking since his loss to Demetrius Johnson.
On the other hand, Sergio Pettis has indeed made significant improvements to his overall MMA game as well. This matchup has the potential to be the fight of the night, and both fighters are well-matched, to the extent that the chances of this bout ending in a finish seem low.
Cejudo has the edge in striking, while Pettis has the grappling advantage. The safe bet would be Cejudo controlling Pettis on the mat to a safe decision win.
Prediction: Henry Cejudo def. Sergio Pettis via Decision
#4 Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaethje
One of the best UFC fights in 2017 comes in the form of Eddie Alvarez vs Justin Gaethje.
Although Alvarez is the better MMA fighter overall, Gaethje has fewer miles on his body and may have a fresher chin. Both fighters have great grappling, and while Alvarez prefers to stick to his technical boxing, he isn’t one to shy away from a phone booth fight.
With Gaethje having a slight advantage in the wrestling department, and their BJJ being even-steven, this fight would likely end up taking place on the feet… with the fresher fighter winning.
Prediction: Justin Gaethje def. Eddie Alvarez via TKO
#5 Tecia Torres vs Michelle Waterson
Michelle Waterson is perhaps one of the most underrated fighters in MMA history.
She entered the UFC a tad past her prime, and in a division where she finds herself undersized. A couple of years ago, Waterson would’ve easily dispatched Torres, but in 2017, Torres outworks the older fighter.
Both fighters have great technical striking and grappling, but the younger Torres is likely to outwork her older foe, en route to a clear-cut decision win.
Prediction: Tecia Torres def. Michelle Waterson via Decision
Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
#1 Charles Oliveira vs Paul Felder
Oliveira still intends to drop down to the UFC Featherweight Division, irrespective of whether he wins or loses to Paul Felder.
Well, Felder isn’t exactly a gimme’ fight for anyone in the UFC Lightweight Division, and Oliveira may very well be overwhelmed by the bigger man.
Regardless, Felder tends to coast in fights where he’s leading on points, and that in turn may help Oliveira survive till the final bell.
Prediction: Paul Felder def. Charles Oliveira via Decision
#2 Alex Oliveira vs Yancy Medeiros
Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira returns to the Octagon against Yancy Medeiros in a matchup of two aggressive strikers. One ought to note that the Brazilian Cowboy is both a great striker in the lead and also as a counter-striker.
Medeiros has the edge in the grappling department, and that may play a role in this matchup should this fight go to the ground. However, Oliveira has great Takedown-Defense, and this fight may very well play out on the feet.
Medeiros isn’t a defensive savant in the standup, and Oliveira snipes foes on the feet. Expect Oliveira to catch Medeiros coming into boxing range for the TKO victory.
Prediction: Alex Oliveira def. Yancy Medeiros via TKO
#3 David Teymur vs Drakkar Klose
David Teymur is an excellent kickboxer and has adapted his striking very well to MMA.
Meanwhile, Drakkar Klose is a well-rounded combatant, who’s comfortable wherever the fight takes place. Teymur is likely to take this one, as he’ll outwork Klose in the standup while avoiding the ground.
Prediction: David Teymur def. Drakkar Klose via Decision
#4 Felice Herrig vs Courtney Casey
Felice Herrig claims to have worked incredibly hard on her mental game and looks to ascend to the mid-tier of the UFC Straw-weight Division with a win over Courtney Casey.
Casey is a tough scrapper, but not as polished as Herrig—both in the grappling as well as the striking. Look for Herrig to outpoint Casey in a fairly slow bout.
Prediction: Felice Herrig def. Courtney Casey via Decision
Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Sabah Homasi
Alhassan is a dangerous KO artist, and although he is yet to prove that finishing power against elite opposition, he’s likely to win this fight.
Homasi is a great athlete, but his fighting skills remain somewhat rudimentary. His striking defence, in particular, isn’t up to mark, and that in turn spells doom against someone like Alhassan.
Expect Alhassan to gauge his timing and distance in the first round, before countering a Homasi jab with an overhand in Round 2 for the TKO win.
Prediction: Abdul Razak Alhassan def. Sabah Homasi via TKO
#2 Jeremy Kimball vs Dominic Reyes
Reyes is a considerably powerful striker and an excellent finisher.
On the other hand, Kimball doesn’t possess the best striking defence in the game, nor does he have enough judgment to take this fight to the mat. Reyes is likely to time him and rock Kimball on the feet.
Kimball is tough though, and fans can expect Reyes to follow up a stunned Kimball with several ground strikes before the referee calls for the finish.
Prediction: Dominic Reyes def. Jeremy Kimball via TKO
#3 Justin Willis vs Allen Crowder
Willis is the better fighter in this matchup, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.
Crowder is tough as nails, but Willis possesses better striking, grappling and distance management than his foe. Willis is likely to take this fight to the mat, before transitioning into a submission for the finish.
Prediction: Justin Willis def. Allen Crowder via Submission
#4 Amanda Cooper vs Angela Magana
Cooper is the better striker by miles in this matchup, and irrespective of Magana’s loopy hooks, Cooper can very well finish this bout if she pushes the pace.
Regardless, Cooper doesn’t have great grappling, and resultantly Magana can survive 3 rounds if she turns this into a grappling-heavy affair. Look for Cooper to outwork Magana in a tactical fight.
Prediction: Amanda Cooper def. Angela Magana via Decision
