Prelims
Frankie Saenz v Augusto Mendes
Mendes is a BJJ phenom but has only recently transitioned to MMA, with only six fights to his name. He made his UFC debut last year on short notice and got knocked out by current champion Cody Garbrandt.
Saenz comes from a wrestling background which could be the perfect antidote for Mendes jiu-jitsu game and he has a solid boxing game. Mendes is a brilliant athlete though and I think he can eventually find an opening here.
Prediction: Mendes via Submission
Alexey Oleynik v Viktor Pesta
To call Oleynik experienced would be putting it lightly, he is a veteran of 61 fights and has 41 victories by submission in his career. On the other hand Pesta is still very raw and at 26 is very young for the heavyweight division.
Oleynik has power in his strikes but his movement is very stiff and despite his submission skills he is not an exceptional takedown artist. Pesta can frustrate him and tire him out and take control of the fight as it progresses.
Prediction: Pesta via Decision
Alex White v Tony Martin
White is stepping up from featherweight here after taking a decision victory over Artem Lobov last year. Martin will have a significant size advantage and he will look to use that to get White to the ground and put the pressure on White.
I am unsure if Martin will have sufficient cardio to execute this game plan and he will fade as the fight progresses. If White can survive the early going and get his boxing game flowing then he can control the action on the feet.
Prediction: White via Decision
Devin Powell v Drakkar Klose
Powell was spotted on Dana White’s “Looking for a Fight” and is up against a fellow prospect in Klose. Both men are strikers but Powell prefers to use his feet while Klose relies much more on his fists.
Klose made his professional MMA debut only two and a half years ago but he is a good athlete with a lot of power in his hands and that could be the difference here.
Prediction: Klose via TKO
