UFC 251 Predictions
Fight island is finally here! Tomorrow night, UFC goes to Yas Island for an event filled with great fights from bottom to top and it’s safe to say that everyone is buzzing! UFC 251 doesn’t just feature one not two but three championship bouts and they’re all fantastic. This will be a great event for certain and it’s time for me to try and predict the main card.
Amanda Ribas Vs. Paige VanZant
It’s been about 18 months since we’ve last seen Paige VanZant in the octagon and she’s matched up against Amanda Ribas who’s looked great recently and is currently on a four fight win streak. This is a very interesting fight however I’m actually going to be backing Ribas in this one. I could see this one ending via TKO also which I think we’ll see in the second round.
Prediction: Amanda Ribas (2; TKO)
Prediction: Amanda Ribas (2; TKO)
Jessica Andrade Vs. Rose Namajunas
This is a great rematch and this fight was actually Rose Namajunas’ most recent fight which is an interesting detail. What I expect to happen in this fight is Namajunas being so incredibly slick with her technique and her boxing ability that this will go the distance in what could very well be a unanimous victory with all 3 judges giving it a 30-27 in favour of Thug Rose.
Prediction: Rose Namajunas (Decision)
Prediction: Rose Namajunas (Decision)
Petr Yan Vs. Jose Aldo (UFC Bantamweight Championship)
This is a fantastic fight and one I’m incredibly excited for. I’ve been wanting Petr Yan to challenge for the 135lb title for a good while now however has he fought the correct opposition? I don’t think he has. Rivera & Fabre are decent wins but in a division as stacked as bantamweight, Yan could’ve got better wins to challenge for the title. 2020 Aldo is incredibly underrated and I believe many have forgotten how good he actually is and how he’s one of the greatest fighters of all time - do not @ me. This should be a war but I’m backing Yan to win this and become the new bantamweight champion. Now, why do I think this? Yan is 27, he’s fast, he’s unpredictable, he’s composed and I think he can go all 5 rounds and he’s an extremely competitive fighter for Aldo’s style but I do think Yan can take him to deep waters and stop the King Of Rio in the championship rounds, I’m saying the 4th.
Prediction: Petr Yan (4; TKO)
Prediction: Petr Yan (4; TKO)
Alexander Volkanovski (C) Vs. Max Holloway (UFC Featherweight Championship)
I predicted Alexander Volkanovski to win the first fight - and he did. I’m also predicting him to win this fight. Volkanovski has the skills to be champion for a really long time. That being said, I’d be stupid to doubt Max Holloway as he’s proven so many wrong in the past and at the age of 28 - his best performances are arguably still to come. Volkanovski had the 100% correct game-plan in the first encounter but I’d believe Holloway has a counter so it’ll be interesting to see what happens. I don’t think Volkanovski will finish Holloway and that’s no disrespect to the Australian Champion, that’s just giving credit to Holloway for having such a great chin. My official prediction is Alexander Volkanovski to retain his title by decision. However, I could also see Holloway winning this.
Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski (Decision)
Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski (Decision)
Kamaru Usman (C) Vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC Welterweight Championship)
How did we get here then? It’s been a long road coming but here we are - Usman Vs. Masvidal. Can Masvidal win this? Honestly, yes he can. I think Masvidal’s striking is elite and he has impressive power but at the same time, Usman’s grappling is on another level. Despite this, I don’t think it will be easy for Usman to take Masvidal down but if he does then it’s going to be a long night at the office for Gamebred. My honest prediction is Usman wrestling him, making Masvidal tired and then submitting him either in the 4th or 5th round - I’m giving it the 4th I think. What submission? Arm-triangle.
Prediction: Kamaru Usman (4; Sub)
Prediction: Kamaru Usman (4; Sub)