LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (205 LBS.) TITLE ELIMINATOR MAIN EVENT
“The Mauler” Returns
Los Angeles, CA– Number one contender Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson (16-2) takes on number three contender Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (18-4) in the main event of 2015’s first Big Fox UFC card on Saturday night. The card will take place in Gus’ home country at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The Mauler may just need that home-field advantage, as he is sharing the octagon with one of his toughest opponents to date. Rumble is on an 8-fight winning streak, including going 2-0 since his return to the UFC last year. In the end, I think Gustafsson might be the best light heavyweight on the planet, so I think he carries the day here. I recently re-watched Gustafsson’s fight with champion Jon Jones (21-1) for the fourth time and still had the Swede winning, despite the judges scoring the fight in favor of Jones. A rematch between the two is one of the biggest fights out there, and I think we will see it by the end of the year.
“HENDO” MAY THINK ABOUT RETIREMENT AFTER CO-MAIN
Middleweight (185) Dan Henderson (30-12) is 44 years old and 1-4 in his last five fights. The legend has nothing more to prove in mixed martial arts, and I do not think he gets past Gegard Mousasi (32-5-2) on Saturday. Mousasi had a poor showing against rising contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (21-3, 1 NC) in his last fight, but I still think the former Strikeforce champion has more than enough to beat the faded veteran. If he does, I think Henderson may retire from competition altogether or be cut by the UFC at the very least.
FIRST GUY TO BEAT GUSTAFSSON ON UNDERCARD
Phil Davis (13-2, 1 NC), who choked out The Mauler back in 2010, should be a favorite versus perennial contender Ryan Bader (18-4). Davis is the better overall fighter and has a superior overall record to Bader. Glover Teixeira (22-4), a common opponent, knocked Bader out in the first round but lost a unanimous decision to “Mr. Wonderful“. Davis should collect a W here and make a good case for a future title shot.
UFC ON FOX 14 BEGINS AT 8PM/5PM ET/PT
The opening bout on the Fox card will be a featherweight (145) battle between Akira Corrasani (12-5, 1 NC) and Sam Sicilia (13-5). both guys are 1-2 in their last 3 fights, and in danger of losing their UFC roster spot. Looking at the record of Corrasani, all 5 of his losses have come by knockout. Sicilia has been knocked out just once, and has 7 knockout in 13 wins. The odds seem to favor Sicilia, though either man winning would not be a surprise.
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS AT 5PM/2PM ETPT
WELTERWEIGHTS (170):
Nicholas Musoke (13-3, 1 NC) vs Albert Tumenov (13-2)
WELTERWEIGHTS:
Kenny Robertson (14-3) vs Sultan Aliev (13-1)
LIGHTWEIGHTS (155):
Makwan Amirkhani (10-2) vs Andy Ogle (9-5)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:
Nikita Krylov (17-4) vs Stanislov Nedkov (12-1)
LIGHTWEIGHTS:
Anthony Christodoulou (12-4) vs Mairbek Taisumov (22-5)
FEATHERWEIGHTS:
Mirsad Bektic (8-0) vs Paul Redmond (10-4)
UFC FIGHT PASS EARLY PRELIMS AT 4PM/1PM ETPT
HEAVYWEIGHTS (265 LIMIT):
Konstantin Erokhin (9-1) vs Viktor Pesta (9-1)
FLYWEIGHTS (125):
Chris Beal (10-0) vs Neil Seery (14-10)
2015 MMA Picks Record: 11-4
2015 Overall Picks Record: 13-4
Zack “Attack” Young