FIGHTER 1: Blaydes VS. FIGHTER 2: Volkov
A guy can get used to these weekly UFC treats. And we get another slice of the cage action this week with a primetime heavyweight bout. There is some money to be made on the underdog “Drago” Volkov, or he could… break you (I could not resist). The #7-ranked Russian is 6’ 7” and has been in 38 fights, winning 31. His experience is impressive, but Curtis Blaydes, ranked #3, is a man on a mission. The 6’ 4” monster has the type of takedowns that keep chiropractors in business. Both men have impressive KO rates (Blaydes 77% and Volkov 67%). Our prediction – Blaydes.
Fighter 1: Emmett vs. Fighter 2: Burgos
This could well be the most exciting brawl of the night, as it features a top-10 featherweight matchup. Or it might be the shortest fight. Burgos is a skilled boxer trapped in an Octagon fighter’s body. He is 13-1-0 and relentless. Emmett is a veteran with plenty of skills but is giving up a 5-inch reach advantage. His record is 15-2-0 with a 40% KO rate. Burgos has the submission advantage and doles out almost 2x the big strikes as Emmett. Our prediction is Burgos even though he takes twice as much damage as his opponent.
Fighter 1: Pennington vs. Fighter 2 : Marion Reneau
The UFC’s popularity should be at an all-time high with other leagues out of commission. And this additional fight featuring top-10 MMA artists (bantamweight) will boost the ratings even more. We all know Pennington is a grinder and can endure drawn-out fights. At 10-9-0, she wins with decisions, and not early finishes. Reneau, on the other hand, can turn out the lights quickly. She’s 9-5-1 and has a combined KO and submission rate of 89%. Her takedowns are better as well. Despite that, our system is taking Pennington by a 4.8% margin.
Fighter 1: Muhammad vs. Figher 2: Good
This is an interesting bout. Besides Good appearing to be an actual chiseled Cyborg and Muhammad having “Crazy Eyes,” anything could happen in this one. Muhammad, 16-3-0 would love to drag Good into the late rounds. The 21-5-0 Good would like to collect his check early. He is capable as he has a 52% KO rate. With both men sporting good takedown defense we may have to toss a coin – or check with a supergenius algorithm. Prediction – Muhammad.
Fighter 1: Miller vs. Figher 2: Robets
Fighting at a catch weight we have a veteran facing a rising star. Miller has been around as long as Big John McCarthy seemingly. He has tallied 31 wins and lost 14 times in his MMA journey. The young Roosevelt Roberts doesn’t like time off. He just stepped out of the Octagon three weeks ago after winning a good fight with Brok Weaver via rear-naked choke. Roberts is 11-1-0 with some impressive finishing stats (50% submissions and 30% KOs). Miller is a submission expert in his own right, with 55% of his wins coming by submission. No surprise that even artificial intelligence likes youth and is taking the much younger fighter. Prediction – Roberts.