Welterweights
Ben Saunders (22-11-2, +175) vs. Takashi Sato (14-2, -225): Saunders pulls hometown duty in this featured prelim. He has been an entertaining veteran for years thanks to his vicious muay Thai skills and slick submissions, but in recent appearances, Saunders’ durability has begun to betray him. At first, Saunders was on the losing end of more extended battles against the likes of Peter Sobotta and Alan Jouban, but his getting sparked by Lyman Good in November brings a new level of concern to the proceedings. Saunders draws Japanese newcomer Sato, who has enjoyed a solid career but seems a bit of a surprising choice given he is only one fight removed from a loss to Glaico Franca. Sato is your typically patient Japanese striker, and while he can crack a bit, he is physically overwhelmed here and does not figure to bring the type of aggression necessary to take advantage of Saunders’ durability concerns. The pick is Saunders via second-round stoppage.Advertisement
Heavyweights
Andrei Arlovski (27-17, +130) vs. Augusto Sakai (12-1-1, -150): Yes, Arlovski is still here. After five straight losses, the former heavyweight champ appeared to be done, but in wins over Junior Albini and Stefan Struve, “The Pitbull” finally showed some new tools, like wrestling and punching with both fists. Things have still turned against Arlovski with three more defeats since, but at the very least, they have all been competitive. Arlovski easily could have won decisions over Tai Tuivasa or Walt Harris, even if neither performance was all that impressive. Sakai becomes the next man to try to make a name with a win over Arlovski. The Brazilian has been around the block a bit -- mostly in Bellator MMA -- as a successful if not particularly exciting prospect. This should be a slow-paced affair and a pick-’em fight in all the worst ways, as it has split decision written all over it. The pick is Sakai by decision thanks to his youth and size in any potential clinch or wrestling situations, but this could easily go the other way.Women’s Strawweights
Carla Esparza (13-6, -115) vs. Virna Jandiroba (14-0, -105): Surprisingly, former Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight titleholder clash for the first time inside of the UFC. Esparza will always be known as the UFC’s first strawweight champion, but thanks to a villain edit on her season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and some one-sided losses in big spots, she has become a bit underrated. Esparza’s success has always been impressive, given that she is an undersized wrestler, but her ability to chain takedowns has taken her through a tough slate of competition, and in recent years, she has shown signs of filling out her game. A complete mauling at the hands of top prospect Tatiana Suarez has closed Esparza’s championship window for the time being, so here, she welcomes the most recent Invicta strawweight champion to the Octagon. Jandiroba has gotten her undefeated record and Invicta gold on the back of a strong wrestling and submission game, which will be her keys in her promotional debut. This figures to be strength against strength, so if Jandiroba proves to be the stronger grappler, she can grind out a win. However, if Esparza can make that part of the fight a wash, the former UFC champ is a more well-rounded fighter. Jandiroba does not seem physically overwhelming, so the pick is Esparza via decision, though this is another fight that could go either way.Lightweights
Gilbert Burns (14-3, -285) vs. Mike Davis (6-1, +225): Davis has been on the verge of a UFC callup for a while, but the debut for “Beast Boy” finally comes here, even if it is not under the most ideal of circumstances. On about a week’s notice, Davis steps in against Burns, who has apparently earned a dangerous enough reputation to have trouble finding some competition. Burns is best-known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu accolades, but he has also developed a solid striking game based around single, powerful blows. Unfortunately, Burns seems to be a feast-or-famine fighter from bout to bout; either everything is clicking and Burns looks like an elite fighter, or one part of his game gets shut down and the whole thing falls apart. Davis has a good pressure game and some knockout power, so if this stays on the feet, he is more than capable of scoring the upset. However, Burns should be able to rely on his wrestling. The pick is for Burns to grind out a decision win.Last Fights » ESPN 2 Prelims
Related Articles
