What a card this is. Saturday night plays host to one of the most STACKED fight night's we've had in recent memory. Bad blood will reach boiling point, new stars will look to make a name for themselves and legends will look to remind us why they are thought of so highly. With all that in mind, let's give our predictions for this unreal card.
Kevin Holland vs Darren Stewart
Chris: This fight has the potential to be an absolute barn-burner. The pair have a combined 16 KO/TKO victories, showing that both fighters live for throwing leather. The Dentist has won three of his last four, whilst Holland has won five of his last six, so the two come into the fight riding a decent amount of form. I feel as though Holland may have the better skills from the pair, but it'd be blasphemy to go against a fellow Englishman. I have Darren coming out the gates hot and looking to impose his will early.
Prediction: Darren Stewart - Second Round - KO
Cal: Despite how patriotic I may be, I can't look past Kevin Holland here. The 27-year-old has looked great in his previous two outings and I think he'll have enough about him to outstriker Darren Stewart throughout three rounds. I expect a war between the two men, but don't see anyone being put to sleep.
Prediction: Kevin Holland - Decision
Mackenzie Dern vs Randa Markos
Chris: I kind of feel as though Randa Markos is being used as a sacrificial lamb in this one, and I know that may be harsh to say but I cannot see her giving Dern anything to worry about in this fight. Despite slipping up against Ribas, Mackenzie has been near enough perfect in her MMA career, whilst Randa has failed to win two fights in a row since joining the UFC in 2014 which is actually impressive... to still be in the UFC. Harsh, I know, but I see Mackenzie taking this one easily.
Prediction: Mackenzie Dern - Submission - First Round
Cal: I mean no disrespect whatsoever here, but I don't see any realm of possibility where Randa Markos has her hand raised at the end of this one. Dern has looked incredible throughout her career, bar one loss against a very good Amanda Ribas. Her ground game is superb and I imagine she'll have Markos on the mat and tapping out within 10 minutes.
Prediction: Mackenzie Dern - Submission - Second Round
Johnny Walker vs Ryan Spann
Chris: It confuses me how a 6'5 light-heavyweight on an eight-fight win streak AND someone who LOOKS like Ryan Spann is flying so far under the radar. Spann is a perfect 4-0 in the promotion, whilst Walker has dropped his last two to Corey Anderson and Nikita Krylov and looked out of his depth in the bouts. I can see Superman "shocking" the world and winning his fight comfortably.
Prediction: Ryan Spann - Third Round - Submission
Cal: Man, has Johnny Walker's career taken a real nosedive. Having arrived in the UFC with a lot of hype before quickly racking up some impressive finishes in the light heavyweight divison, Walker has hit a serious hiccough, dropping two straight now and the fights aren't getting any easier with Ryan Spann set to face him in the octagon. Spann is on an eight fight win streak and undefeated in the UFC, but I think Walker will get back on track with this one. It will be close, but I imagine Walker will outstrike and outwork Spann on his way to a decision victory.
Prediction: Johnny Walker - Decision
Khamzat Chimaev vs Gerald Meerschaert
Chris: Put some respect on my boy Meerschaert's name! Gerald is being criminally overlooked by both fans and UFC president Dana White, which is down-right disrespectful. Khamzat is generating hype at an alarming rate and has looked amazing in his first two fights with promotion. However... Meerschaert is a crafty veteran who feels insulted by the double-booking of Chimaev and I expect him to bring that energy into the cage and cause a huge upset (how is this even an upset though?!).
Prediction: Gerald Meerschaert - Submission - Third Round
Cal: In one of the most disrespectful moves in recent memory, the UFC have completely overlooked veteran Gerald Meerschaert and already announced plans for undefeated phenom Khamzat Chimaev's next fight, just over a month away. That being said, I really am a huge believer in the hype surround Chimaev. It's not often we see a fighter look so dominant so early on and I imagine it will continue after this weekend. Meerschaert will put up an incredible fight, but I think Chimaev's ground and pound will eventually wear GM3 out.
Prediction: Khamzat Chimaev - TKO - Third Round
Donald Cerrone vs Niko Price
Chris: Holy shit I'm predicting a lot of finishes for this card (imagine that), but how can you not when you have a card like this?! This fight is the definition of a fan-friendly fight. These two have a STAGGERING 40 finishes in their 50 professional wins, meaning this fights likely-hood of going to distance is miniscule. Yes, Cowboy has lost his last four, but when you look at the competition he's faced it's easy to see why. Price has only ever been to decision once in his career, winning via KO/TKO 10 times, both are likely to stop the other, but I've gotta go with my boy Cowboy here.
Prediction: Donald Cerrone - KO - Second Round
Cal: I love Donald Cerrone. The man has continued to show a willingness to fight just about anyone late into his career, but I'm worried about him here. Niko Price is a vicious man and has some pretty incredible finishes to his name. I hope we see Cerrone out work Price and grind his way to a tough decision, but I can't see past a scenario where Price leaves Cowboy staring at the ceiling.
Prediction: Niko Price - KO - Third Round
Tyron Woodley vs Colby Covington
Chris: This is a rare occasion where I really hope I'm wrong. By no means am I Woodley's biggest fan, far from it actually, however, I will not hide my opinions on the over-grown dildo that is Colby Covington. Yes, the former title-challenger is a great fighter, but he lets himself down with his purposefully controversial statements, and I really hope that Woodley puts an arsehole where his faced used to be. I don't think that will happen though. Woodley has looked extremely punch-shy in his last two bouts and has failed to win a single round in his last ten. Colby has got this one for me... unfortunately.
Prediction: Colby Covington - Decision
Cal: Call it a gut instinct. Call it stupidity. Call it sheer will, but I'm really trying to speak a Tyron Woodley victory into existence. I can't remember the last time I wanted someone to lose as much as I'm rooting to see Colby Covington fail against the Chosen One. Woodley hasn't looked great in his last two fights and has lost 10 straight rounds now, but Covington is coming off an absolute war with Kamaru Usman and the vicious knockout he suffered may help Woodley here. I'm probably going to be wrong here, but f**k it, I'm going with my heart.
Prediction: Tyron Woodley - TKO - Fourth Round
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