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The UFC returns to the O2 Arena in London with a Heavyweight headliner.
Former UFC Heavyweight kingpin Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum takes on up-and-comer Alexander “Drago” Volkov, in a fight that could determine who fights the winner of the Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier Heavyweight title match which takes place later this year.
Several other intriguing matchups are also set to transpire on the UFC Fight Night 127 card—the complete predictions & preview of which have been noted as follows—
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#Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 Fabricio Werdum vs. Alexander Volkov
Fabricio Werdum may very well be the second best Heavyweight Mixed Martial Artist in the world right now, after current Heavyweight ruler Stipe Miocic.
Following his loss to Miocic, Werdum dropped a controversial decision to Alistair Overeem, however, apart from that, “Vai Cavalo” has looked every bit the killer he was initially hyped up to be. Volkov has mechanically proficient striking, and while he may be lacking in terms of one-punch KO power, he more than makes up for it with his accurate volume striking.
Volkov needs to keep the fight standing so as to edge this one on the judges’ scorecards, however, Werdum is likely to get the takedown halfway through Round 1. Look for Werdum to utilize his kicks at long range, and control this fight on the mat from time to time, en route to a decision victory.
Prediction: Fabricio Werdum def. Alexander Volkov via Decision
#2 Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz
Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz engaged in a close fight in their previous encounter with one another inside the Octagon.
Manuwa seems to possess excellent killer instinct when it comes to offensive striking. Nevertheless, his striking defense has been criticized time and again, and he’ll surely need to keep Blachowicz at bay or trapped in the clinch over the course of 3 rounds, particularly considering the fact that the latter’s chin seems to hold up more consistently than Manuwa’s.
Expect Manuwa to fight smart, and pick his foe apart at range with clean, crisp combinations rather than wide hooks. Blachowicz may have his moments in the fight, however, Manuwa’s striking technique is likely to earn him the win in the judges’ eyes.
Prediction: Jimi Manuwa def. Jan Blachowicz via Decision
#3 Tom Duquesnoy vs. Terrion Ware
Tom Duquesnoy is perhaps one of the most underrated grapplers in the UFC today.
The man possesses a great understanding of grappling fundamentals, but never quite receives enough credit for his fight IQ on the mat. On the flip side, his striking seems to have a few holes, as he often abandons defensive fundamentals and swings with reckless intent.
Regardless, against someone like Terrion Ware, expect Duquesnoy to keep pawing with his jab, and take the fight to the mat likely in Round 2. He’s likely to end the fight by catching Ware in a choke during a ground scramble.
Prediction: Tom Duquesnoy def. Terrion Ware via Submission
#4 Leon Edwards vs. Peter Sobotta
Leon Edwards has steadily improved both the defensive & offensive aspects of his striking game.
Meanwhile, Sobotta has been evolving into a well-rounded MMA fighter as well, with his striking being slightly underdeveloped as compared to his grappling. Expect Edwards to control the rhythm of this fight with his long jab.
Edwards is likely to find the mark with his jab time and again, en route to a possible 3rd Round finish—with him tagging Sobotta with a barrage of strikes, resulting in the referee stepping in to call off the bout.
Prediction: Leon Edwards def. Peter Sobotta via TKO
#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
#1 John Phillips vs. Charles Byrd
John Phillips possesses slick boxing, with his only flaws in the standup being a few slack entries when initiating striking exchanges.
However, Phillips is excellent on the counter, and could light Byrd up, should the latter choose to be excessively aggressive on the feet. Expect Phillips to land a few decent counters over the course of this matchup, with minimal grappling sequences.
In the end, the judges are likely to score this fight in favour of Phillips, given the volume and precision of counter strikes landed.
Prediction: John Phillips def. Charles Byrd via Decision
#2 Danny Roberts vs. Oliver Enkamp
Danny Roberts has turned into an excellent fighter—showing great strides of improvement over the past few fights.
Roberts could likely take this fight to the mat anytime he wants, however, he’d probably first test his striking against Enkamp. Roberts can be expected to land a few good combinations; punctuated with a kick over the course of this matchup.
Expect Roberts to swarm Enkamp with a barrage of strikes— possibly in Round 2—forcing the referee to call off the bout.
Prediction: Danny Roberts def. Oliver Enkamp via TKO
#3 Hakeem Dawodu vs. Danny Henry
Hakeem Dawodu carries decent power in his hands, however, he seems to go all out in throwing heavy leather—gassing himself out early.
Dawodu is likely to gauge the distance in the early going, with his jab and follow-up 1-2. Nevertheless, it won’t take long before he comes in with his trademark wide hooks; tagging Henry on the chin and putting the latter to sleep.
Prediction: Hakeem Dawodu def. Danny Henry via KO
#4 Paul Craig vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Paul Craig has come a long way since his time as a run-of-the-mill MMA scrapper.
Craig seems to have polished his striking technique which in turn has served to somewhat refine his overall MMA game. Craig can be expected to utilize his rhythm to disrupt Ankalaev’s plodding footwork right from the word go.
Craig is likely to dominate this matchup, both on the feet as well as the mat, en route to a comfortable decision win.
Prediction: Paul Craig def. Magomed Ankalaev via Decision
#5 Stevie Ray vs. Kajan Johnson
Stevie Ray seems to possess good footwork, albeit with a significant flaw of planting his feet for way too long in the pocket.
Ray works better when throwing 1-2’s or a traditional 3-punch (Jab-Straight-Hook) combo, however, as he gets tagged, Ray seems to throw his game-plan out the window and engage in a phone booth fight. Regardless, he’s likely to stay on his bike, especially in Round 1, against Johnson.
Ray will start to break Johnson’s defence in Round 2, and possibly stun the latter with a left hook and follow up with a few ground strikes for the stoppage late in the fight.
Prediction: Stevie Ray def. Kajan Johnson via TKO
#6 Mark Godbeer vs. Dmitriy Sosnovskiy
Mark Godbeer seems to have the skills to make it to the top of the heap in the UFC, however, the man seems to be consistently underperforming under the bright lights of the Octagon.
Regardless, against someone like Sosnovskiy, expect Godbeer to let his hands go, and engage without much hesitation. Godbeer is likely to connect on a right cross, followed by a left hook; sending his foe crashing to the canvas. Don’t expect this fight to go past Round 1, as Godbeer likes to swing hard, and Sosnovskiy possesses questionable defence on the feet.
Prediction: Mark Godbeer def. Dmitriy Sosnovskiy via KO
#7 Nasrat Haqparast vs. Nad Narimani
Haqparast seems to be the much better MMA fighter by a mile in this one.
He possesses good striking fundamentals, and despite being relatively unproven against top-tier competition, he enjoys a significant advantage coming into this fight against Narimani. Expect Haqparast to out-strike and out-grapple Narimani en route to a clear-cut decision victory.
Prediction: Nasrat Haqparast def. Nad Narimani via Decision
