UFC 219: Cyborg vs. Holm (Preview & Predictions)

#3 Louis Smolka vs. Matheus Nicolau

Louis Smolka looks to continue his ascent in the UFC food chain

Louis Smolka is an excellent mat technician, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.

Look for Smolka to pepper Nicolau with slick punching combos from long range; following which he’s likely to take matters to the ground. Smolka has a vastly underrated ground game, which will shine through at UFC 219.

Following a steady stream of punches and elbows, Smolka is likely to finish this fight by way of submission.

Prediction: Louis Smolka def. Matheus Nicolau via Submission

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#4 Marvin Vettori vs. Omari Akhmedov

Marvin Vettori has decent boxing fundamentals and his steadily improving his grappling game as well.

Fans can expect Vettori to outpoint Akhmedov in the early going. Following a rough first couple of rounds, Akhmedov may try and turn this into a phone booth fight, so to speak.

Nevertheless, Vettori should do enough so as to impress the judges en route to a clear-cut decision win.

Prediction: Marvin Vettori def. Omari Akhmedov via Decision

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Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Tim Elliott vs. Mark De La Rosa

Tim Elliott is a decent scrapper and considerably tough to finish—the kind of warrior who, rather than giving up, prefers to go out on his shield.

Look for Elliott to out-strike Mark De La Rosa throughout, in addition to dominating the grappling exchanges as well. In the end, the judges are likely to award the decision to Elliott.

Prediction: Tim Elliott def. Mark De La Rosa via Decision