UFC Vegas 22 - Fight Previews and Predictions
- benwilley18
- Mar 20, 2021
- 8 min read
(@UFC)
(Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC.)
Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland will square off in Holland’s first UFC Main Event to cap UFC Vegas 22. Brunson and Holland are at two different points in their careers. Brunson is on a resurgence. He came into the UFC as a hyped prospect when the UFC acquired competitor Strikeforce and absorbed their fighter contracts in 2012. Brunson started his UFC run 7-1 with stoppages of Ed Herman, Sam Alvey, and Top 10 contender Uriah Hall. He looked like a sure thing for a future title shot. The rest of Derek’s run has defined his career. He struggled against the upper echelon of the division and dropped 4 of his next 6 fights to Top 5 fighters. But since his loss to current Champion Israel Adesanya, Brunson has won 3 straight and has climbed his way back to #7 in the rankings.
(Getty Images)
Holland is at the peak of his hype and career so far. He broke into the UFC through a short notice fight with Thiago Santos. Holland had appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series and won, but did not impress the UFC brass enough for a contract. Dana also wasn’t a fan of how much Holland talks in the cage and began to refer to him as “Big Mouth.” But Big Mouth stepped up when the UFC needed him and saved a fight with a Top 10 veteran. Because of Holland's cajones to step up, the UFC awarded him a contract, even in a loss to Santos. Since that fight, Holland has skyrocketed as one of the most exciting and promotable fighters on the roster. He is an absolute character on the mic, but he is also incredibly genuine. What you see is what you get with Kevin. Last year, he became the first fighter in over 10 years to go 5-0 in a calendar year.
(Getty Images)
This fight is massive for both men. Holland was calling for this matchup before his last victory and Brunson hasn’t taken kindly to some of Kevin’s trash talk. The winner of this fight will put themselves into the Top 6 of the division and one big performance away from a Title Shot. As for a prediction, this fight could play out anywhere. Both these guys like to scrap, but Brunson’s background is in wrestling and Holland has a slick ground game. I’ll take my boy Big Mouth to win it. Holland has more momentum than maybe anyone on the UFC roster and a very well rounded game that could give Brunson trouble over 5 rounds. Brunson has also been known to gas later into a fight. Give me Holland and hopefully more trash talk towards everyone in the division.
Prediction: Holland, TKO, Round 3
#15 Gregor Gillespie vs Brad Riddell
(youtube.com/ufc)
A classic striker vs grappler matchup occupies the co-main event. Gregor Gillespie was on the fast track towards UFC Title contention to start his career. The 4-time Division 1 All-American wrestler started his UFC run 6-0 with dominating performances over Vinc Pichel, Jason Gonzalez, and UFC veteran Yancy Medeiros. Gillespie looked like he could control and submit anyone in the UFC lightweight division. His first big test came against former Title Challenger Kevin Lee. Gregor probably should’ve studied a little more. He was finished with a KO of the Year worthy head kick in the first round. Not trying to rub it in but look it up if you’ve never seen it. It’s a thing of beauty. Anyways, Gregor has since taken a year and a half off after his first professional loss and will look to rebound against Riddell.
(Jared C. Tilton/Zuffa LLC.)
Riddell is a streaking scraper with an impressive resume. Training under reigning Coach of the Year Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand, Riddell has develop some of the most crisp striking in the division. He is an undersized 155er, but so is Gregor. Riddell is 3-0 in the UFC including a Fight of the Year candidate win over Jamie Mullarkey. If Riddell can keep this fight standing, he should be able to push the pace and pick apart Gregor.
(tapology.com)
But keeping it standing with a 4-time All-American is easier said than done. And that’s why I’m taking Gillespie to get back on the horse. Before the loss to Lee, Gillespie looked like one of the most dominant grapplers I’ve ever seen. Riddell has shown a vulnerability to the ground that could be exploited by someone as high level as Gillespie.
Prediction: Gillespie, Unanimous Decision
Cheyanne Buys vs Montserrat “Conejo” Ruiz
(youtube.com/UFC)
Cheyanne Buys impressed big time in her shot on the Contender Series in August. She dominated Hilarie Rose to earn a shot on the roster and told Dana “I’m going to be a star for you.” Dana fell in love and now she has her chance to prove it. Buys will make her official UFC debut against another newcomer, Montserrat Ruiz. Ruiz is stepping in to replace Kay Hansen. Hansen is another hot prospect that was supposed to fight out who deserves the hype more with Buys. Ruiz is looking to steal all that hype in her debut. She is entering the UFC after going 1-1 in Invicta, a sister, all women fighting organization owned by the UFC. Invicta is often a “minor leagues” for contenders in Women’s MMA. The same way promotions like Cage Warriors and LFA serve as the "minors" for men. Anyways, Montserrat is poised for the moment and not new to the game. She is currently 9-1 entering her debut. I give Ruiz a lot of credit for stepping in, but I’m placing my money on Buys here. I’m BUYing her to win Saturday. Slick right? She showed incredible strength for the weight class in her debut and looks like a serious prospect at 115. Dana might have a full blown heart attack if she looses this weekend.
Prediction: Buys, Unanimous Decision
Adrian Yanez vs Gustavo Lopez
(youtube.com/UFC)
Adrian Yanez and Gustavo Lopez are both looking to make a statement on the Main Card. Yanez has a bit of hype behind his name since his win on the Contender Series. He earned his contact with a 39 second KO of Buddy Huang that, obviously, earned him a contract. He was then matched up with fellow newcomer Victor Rodriguez in a debut for both men. Yanez looked as sharp as ever and finished Rodriguez with a nasty head kick in the first round. Adrian has shown incredibly crisp technique and suffocating pressure on the feet. Lopez is coming into this fight with something to prove. Gustavo is 1-1 in the UFC, but may have drawn the short straw in his debut. He was matched up with Merab Dvalishvili out the gate. Merab got the W and has made his way into the Top 15 at Bantamweight. Lopez bounced back with a first round submission of Anthony Birchak to really prove himself. A win for Yanez would mean another established, tough guy to add to his resume. A victory for Lopez would be the biggest of his career and would add some hype to his name. I see the fight playing out in Yanez’s favor. His striking has looked incredible since he popped up on UFC fans radars. He looks like someone poised to test himself in the Top 15 and a win over Lopez could grant him that opportunity.
Prediction: Yanez, TKO, Round 2
Max “Pain” Griffin vs Kenan Song
(youtube.com/UFC)
Max Griffin has been painfully inconsistent throughout his UFC run. The veteran enters the octagon Saturday with a 4-6 record. Kenan Song has looked like a future contender at 170 and will get a chance to prove himself against a true veteran. Griffin has done just enough to stick around. He holds wins over Erick Montano and Mike Perry, but has lost to mostly every contender put in front of him. His win over Perry is the only one against a fighter who has ever been ranked. Song is 4-1 in the division with 3 TKO stoppages in the UFC. Griffin will be his biggest test to date, but I think Song should pass with flying colors. He was shown more power than his frame may represent and Griffin won his last fight, which means he should lose this won. I think Song is a name to look out for in the future at Welterweight.
Prediction: Song, Unanimous Decision
Tai Tuivasa vs Harry Hunsucker
(MMA Fighting)
Former Top 10 Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa looks to continue his rise back towards the top against newcomer Harry Hunsucker. Tai was strapped with a jet pack throughout the beginning of his UFC run. He came into the promotion as an undefeated killer and future contender. He continued his dominance throughout his first 3 fights, winning all 3, including a W over Former Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovksi. Tai was awarded a UFC Main Event against Junior Dos Santos, another Former Heavyweight Champion, in his hometown country of Australia. Tai was really getting the McGregor treatment out the gate. Unfortunately for him, he would lose that night to Dos Santos, and would drop his next 2 fights as well. Tai went from a future Title Contender to a 3 fight losing streak and losing his Top 15 ranking. He has since rebounded with a win over Stefan Struve.
(Michael Dodge/AAPImage)
Harry Hunsucker, awesome name by the way, is stepping in on less than a week’s notice to replace Don’Tale Mayes. Hunsucker lost on the Contender Series in November, but came back with a win on the regional scene and enough balls to take this fight with Tai. Harry is a problem on the feet and on the mat. Of his 7 professional wins, 4 have come by submission and 3 by TKO. A win over Tuivasa would be a miracle for his career and future trajectory. As the great Al Michaels once said, “Do you believe in miracles?” As the great me once said, “No.” I think Tai’s experience and heavy hands will be too much for Harry. But at least he made my All-Goofy Name 1st Team.
Prediction: Tuivasa, TKO, Round 1
Prelim Quickies
I previously wrote a full breakdown of this fight when it was supposed to be on the Main Card of UFC Vegas 18. Reneau is a long time veteran of Women’s MMA and a staple on the UFC Bantamweight rankings. Chiasson is a former Ultimate Fighter winner who is looking to build momentum again. Reneau is looking to make a Dan Henderson like run towards the belt in her later years. Chiasson is trying to capitalize on her youth and potential to make it to the Top 5. I believe Macy to be the better all-around fighter with more to lose. Give me Macy in this fight. Also this bout is better than half the Main Card fights.
Prediction: Chiasson, Unanimous Decision
Grant Dawson vs Leonardo Santos
This fight is a battle between two guys who are extremely hard to actually get into the octagon. Dawson is one of the more hyped prospects at 145 since coming off the Contender Series. He is 16-1 as a Pro and 4-0 in the UFC. He has had a couple of his fights cancelled due to unfortunate circumstances, but has looked like a killer when he is in there. Leonardo Santos is a guy who has flown under the radar his whole career. He has never lost in the UFC and holds a promotional record of 7-0-1. Despite being undefeated, he has never been able to make a climb towards the top. Several injuries kept him to only 1 fight from January 2016 to June 2019. Santos is now 41 years old and a Title Run seems unlikely. A win over Dawson may solidify him as the best fighter to never even crack the Top 15. It’s hard to go against Santos, because I’m also a fan, but I think Dawson will show himself as the younger, more dominant grappler and fighter. This fight is also better than most of the Main Card fights.
Prediction: Dawson, Unanimous Decision
Hoops & Hooks 2021 Predictions: 26-13 (Elite Status)
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