UFC Fight Night 124: Stephens vs. Choi

UFC Fight Night 124 is here and is a low-key card ahead of the huge Heavyweight and Light-Heavyweight Championship matches later this month.

Jeremy Stephens and Doo Ho Choi headline the event in a 5-round Featherweight matchup. Besides, the event also features what’s being advertised as MMA legend Vitor Belfort’s retirement match.

Several other intriguing matches will also take place at the event. So, without further ado, here are the predictions and preview for UFC Fight Night 124—

Indian fans can watch UFC Fight Night 124 on Monday, January 15th from 8:30 am Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD

#Main Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Jeremy Stephens vs. Doo Ho Choi

Jeremy Stephens possesses God-given KO power as does his foe Doo Ho Choi.

While Stephens possesses the experience advantage and has a more proven record today, Choi is incredibly disciplined and seems to have been honing his cardio after a close loss to Cub Swanson. Choi could take this fight if he stays on his bike and counters from long range.

Nevertheless, Stephens catching Choi in the early going is a very realistic possibility, as the former also has decent grappling skills, enough to show Choi the takedown threat, before coming up top with the overhand right. Look for the veteran to down Choi with a huge right hand.

Prediction: Jeremy Stephens def. Doo Ho Choi via TKO

#2 Uriah Hall vs. Vitor Belfort

Uriah Hall looks to work his way to a shot at the Middleweight Championship with a win over Vitor Belfort

This fight would’ve likely been a surefire win for ‘The Phenom’, however, Belfort is now well past his prime and hasn’t been the same fighter since the TRT ban in the UFC.

Uriah Hall has always had the problem of being unable to pull the trigger and let his strikes flow, however, against an over-the-hill Belfort it likely wouldn’t be a problem. After surviving a brief vintage Vitor blitz, expect Hall to dish out a spinning karate kick a la Uriah Hall vs. Gegard Mousasi 1; knocking out Belfort in the very first round.

Prediction: Uriah Hall def. Vitor Belfort via KO

#3 Paige VanZant vs. Jessica-Rose Clark

Paige VanZant has moved up to the Flyweight Division and seems to be incredibly happy about her decision.

VanZant may be a tad rough around the edges, but is very young and could likely hone her skills at an appropriate pace instead of rushing into fights with the top-5 of the division. Regardless, against Clark, VanZant could likely impose her game-plan, grinding out a decision primarily coasting on her athleticism.

Prediction: Paige VanZant def. Jessica-Rose Clark via Decision

#4 Kamaru Usman vs. Emil Weber Meek

Kamaru Usman is an excellent wrestler whose striking skills seem to be catching up with his grappling finesse.

On the other hand, Emil Meek Weber seems to be incredibly well-rounded and a good striker with composure and a will to dominate. This is likely the best matchup on the card, and could most definitely win Fight of the Night honors.

Expect Usman to utilize a long jab and try to land his right, before eventually faking a jab; closing the distance and going for the takedown. While Meek may be the better striker of the two, he’s likely to get out-grappled in this contest, before losing a close decision to Usman.

Prediction: Kamaru Usman def. Emil Weber Meek via Decision

#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Darren Elkins vs. Michael Johnson

Michael Johnson (Left) has dropped down to the UFC Featherweight Division

Michael Johnson has dropped to Featherweight after his stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje.

While Johnson is a legitimate top-5 caliber fighter, whether or not the weight cut hurt his performance, remains to be seen. While Elkins is a decent scrapper, his striking skills are not on par with MJ.

Provided that the drop down to 145 pounds hasn’t adversely affected his body, expect Johnson to pick Elkins apart in Round 1, before sealing the deal with his fast hands in Round 2.

Prediction: Michael Johnson def. Darren Elkins via KO

#2 James Krause vs. Alex White

James Krause and Alex White are your run-of-the-mill MMA scrappers; decent at every aspect of the game.

While Krause’s striking offense may be slightly better than that of White, both fighters throw with reckless intent and do not have good defensive layers to their striking. Expect Krause to keep White at bay, with minimal ground exchanges.

Krause is likely to do just about enough so as to sway the judges in his favor.

Prediction: James Krause def. Alex White via Decision

#3 Matt Frevola vs. Marco Polo Reyes

Marco Polo Reyes is a good fighter but seems to consistently underperform under the bright lights.

On the other hand, Matt Frevola is quite the opposite and despite not having the best skill-set in the world, he leaves it all inside the cage. Regardless, skill is likely to trump will in this matchup.

Expect Reyes to out-point Frevola on the feet. With the grappling exchanges being even-steven, the judges will probably score the decision in favor of Reyes.

Prediction: Marco Polo Reyes def. Matt Frevola via Decision

#4 Talita Bernardo vs. Irene Aldana

Talita Bernardo possesses good grappling skills, with a striking game that’s decent as well, albeit with a few defensive lapses.

On the other hand, Irene Aldana is decent in both the striking and grappling departments, but often has trouble executing a given game-plan as and when the fight rolls on.

Look for Bernardo to dictate the pace in this matchup. With Bernardo forcing Aldana to play by her rhythm, the judges are likely to score this bout in favor of Bernardo.

Prediction: Talita Bernardo def. Irene Aldana via Decision

#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Kalindra Faria vs. Jessica Eye

Jessica Eye looks to make an impact in the UFC Flyweight Division

Jessica Eye has good boxing and decent grappling skills, however, she’s known to fall victim to her mental block. In fact, she’s opened up on her psychological problems owing to an abusive childhood and resultant self-confidence issues that she experiences inside the Octagon.

Eye is the more skilled fighter of the two, and should her mental game be on point, she could very well finish Faria on the feet. Nevertheless, Faria is a tough fighter herself, and with this fight probably going the distance, look for the judges to award this fight to Eye.

Prediction: Jessica Eye def. Kalindra Faria via Decision

#2 Danielle Taylor vs. JJ Aldrich

Danielle Taylor has speed and excellent boxing on her side, with a noticeable size disadvantage.

On the other hand, JJ Aldrich is a decent all-round MMA fighter. Expect this fight to play out on the feet, with Taylor using movement and her rhythm to a T.

Taylor may be undersized in most of her matches, however, she possesses a good understanding of timing and distance. Look for the judges to score this fight in favor of Danielle Taylor.

Prediction: Danielle Taylor def. JJ Aldrich via Decision

#3 Mike Santiago vs. Mads Burnell

Mike Santiago and Mads Burnell are quite evenly matched. Considering that, this fight has a ton of potential to have the fans on their feet.

While both combatants aren’t exactly defensive savants, expect Santiago to pick his shots in the early going. This one could very well turn into an all-out brawl midway through Round 2.

Provided that neither gets chin-checked until the final buzzer goes off, expect Santiago to pull more successful offense.

Prediction: Mike Santiago def. Mads Burnell via Decision

#4 Kyung Ho Kang vs. Guido Cannetti

Kyung Ho Kang is a good striker with decent grappling.

Now, while Cannetti isn’t exactly a world-beater, he could use Kang’s reckless intent during the standup exchanges to his advantage. Regardless, this fight is likely to play out at long range, with Kang walking away with the victor, albeit by a small margin.

Prediction: Kyung Ho Kang def. Guido Cannetti via Decision