This week on Pondering Thoughts I’m going to give my predictions for the fights on the monumental card UFC 300. We’re going to start on early prelims and work our way to the main events getting more and more in depth on each fight.
Starting with the early prelim opener, Jim Miller vs Bobby Green. Both of these guys are veterans of the sport with 40+ fights each. Bobby Green is coming off of a brutal knockout loss to Jalin Turner, based on that and that Bobby Green is most likely going to strike against Miller, I’d say Miller by knockout in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Next fight is Deiveson Figueiredo vs Cody Garbrandt, Cody has been known to have a weak chin and Figeuiredo has some of the hardest power in his old division, he is moving up weight in this fight that can affect his power. Cody is one of the fastest fighters in the division darting in and out, I think Figeuiredo is going to either knock him out or out box him.
The last fight on the early prelims is Jalin Turner vs Renato Moicano, we mentioned Jalin Turner earlier he is coming off a knockout win. Moicano is also coming off a win coming by decision, This is probably the closest fight on the early prelims. They are both decent strikers, I’d give Turner the edge based on his reach advantage and other knockouts. However the grappling advantage definitely goes to Moicano. I’m going to give it to Moicano. I think he out grapples him to a decision victory.
Moving on to the Prelims, First up is Diego Lopes vs Sodi Yuseff. Yuseff has shown weakness in his chin. I think Lopes is going to crack him and either submit him or finish him with punches in the 2nd.
Next up is Calvin Kattar vs Aljamain Sterling, This the typical Boxer vs Grappler fight. Kattar’s going to jab him at range and Sterling is going to try to get close and either take his back or take him down. I think Kattar outboxes him and avoids the takedowns to a decision win.
Last on prelims is Jiri Prochazka vs Aleksandar Rakic, Besides the champion, Rakic probably has the best kicks in the division and Prochazka’s last fight he was compromised by leg kicks, However Rakic is also coming off a knee injury, has been out for a year, those kicks could not be same. I also see Prochazka adjusting from his last fight and having better leg defense. Jiri is going to TKO him in the 3rd round.
Finally on to the main card, The first fight is Charles Olivera vs Arman Tsaryukan, Both of these guys are outstanding grapplers, Olivera owning the most submissions in UFC history. I think the grappler is going to be neutralized which is going to make both guys stand up and box. Olivera is night and day the better striker. I think Olivera drops him and either submits him or beats him up to a stoppage at the end of the 1st round.
Next up is Max Holloway vs Justin Gaethje. This is my favorite fight on the card, 2 outstanding boxers going toe to toe in the octagon. Max Holloway is more of the volume striker and he is moving up a weight class for this fight, While Gaethje at his natural weight is more of a power puncher. Holloway arguably has the best chin in the UFC, I think he eats Gaethje’s shots and outboxes for an upset decision victory, I could see a TKO via volume too.
Lastly is Alex Periera vs Jamahal Hill, this is a great matchup between two large strikers. Is it though? Hill is coming off an achilles tear, one of the worst injuries you can have. Pereira is the champion I mentioned earlier, he has some of the best low kicks in the entire company. I think he’s going to kick Hill’s legs to shreds. I could see him dropping him a few times with kicks and knocking him out in the 3rd or 4th.
