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#2 Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes
Mark Hunt has asserted that should he get past Curtis Blaydes, he’d like a rematch with UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. And with the latter currently booked in a champion vs. champion fight against Daniel Cormier, chances of ‘Hunto’ fighting Miocic seem slim, despite the lack of contenders in the division of giants.
Regardless, Hunt faces a mountainous task at UFC 221, as he does battle with one of the best wrestlers in the division today, the young and hungry Curtis Blaydes. Hunt will look to keep this fight on the feet, and time the latter with an uppercut or the uppercut/hook hybrid a la Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock, as Blaydes ducks in for a takedown.
While Hunt can knock out any man on the planet if he connects flush on the chin, Blaydes is young, big and durable enough to eat the veteran’s shots and survive so as to take this fight to the mat. Blaydes’ wrestling-heavy game-plan is likely to work in this matchup—enough so as to sway the judges in his favor.
Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Mark Hunt via Decision
#3 Tai Tuivasa vs. Cyril Asker
Tai Tuivasa is one of the most exciting prospects in the Heavyweight division today.
Tuivasa carries immense KO power in his strikes, and can end this fight at any point, as he possesses deceptively good cardio for a man his size. Tuivasa also has underrated grappling—something that’d help him counter Asker’s wrestling game.
Expect Tuivasa to stuff Asker’s takedowns, and proceed to stun the latter with a slick 1-2, and end the fight with a few follow-up strikes.
Result: Tai Tuivasa def. Cyril Asker via TKO
#4 Li Jingliang vs. Jake Matthews
Jingliang is the vastly superior striker here, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.
Jingliang has to bide his time in the early going, and avoid engaging in a grappling affair with Matthews, especially early on. The Chinese striking phenom is then likely to catch Matthews as the latter wades into range in a straight line; dropping & finishing him with a picture-perfect right cross-left hook combo.
Result: Li Jingliang def. Jake Matthews via KO
#5 Tyson Pedro vs. Saparbek Safarov
Tyson Pedro may very well be set to capture the UFC Light-Heavyweight title over the next couple of years.
Pedro is an extremely well-rounded fighter, and has an excellent understanding of timing and distance management. On the other hand, Safarov isn’t the best defensive striker in the world, but has decent grappling.
Pedro is likely to catch Safarov in the pocket, and pursue him with volume punching relentlessly for the stoppage victory.
Result: Tyson Pedro def. Saparbek Safarov via TKO
