UFC Vegas 26 - Fight Previews & Predictions
- benwilley18
- May 8, 2021
- 8 min read
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The UFC was forced to scramble for a new Main Event when the original headliner, T.J. Dillashaw vs Cory Sandhagen, had to postponed due to an injury. Many expected a fight from the undercard to be bumped up, but the UFC swerved and put together a whole new fight. Rodriguez vs Waterson will serve to sort out the dense row of contenders sitting in the Strawweight division. For Rodriguez, this will be her first UFC Main Event since debuting in late 2018. She has climbed all the way up to #6 with impressive wins over Amanda Ribas and Tecia Torres, as well as impressive performances against Cynthia Calvillo and Randa Markos that ended in draws. Waterson is a veteran of the game who has seen the Main Event spotlight before. Since coming to the UFC, she has been marketed heavily due to her incredible striking, but also her likability and relatability. This will serve as the 3rd UFC Main Event. Both women are powerful strikers. Waterson is more kickboxing based, while Rodriguez is going to look to throw hands. Marina holds the advantage on the ground and could be considered the more well rounded fighter. Both women are looking to make a statement and push themselves into the Top 5 of the division. They are both coming in on just 2 week’s notice for a chance at getting back into the title picture. So, who wins? I lean Rodriguez. Despite her unlucky start, she has looked like one of the best prospects in the division. Waterson typically struggles with people who can outstrike her, and Marina also has the ground advantage. Some fans scoffed at this matchup being the Main Event, but they shouldn’t. It’s a good scrap between two women still hungry for a shot at the Title.
Prediction: Rodriguez, Unanimous Decision
#15 (LW) Donald Cerrone vs Alex Morono
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Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is back for his 37th UFC appearance this Saturday. Cerrone is a UFC legend who holds more records than than a jazz museum. Donald was supposed to fight Diego Sanchez, but Sanchez’s mental health, and the mental health of his coach, made the UFC scrap the fight. They also terminated Diego’s contract. Now, “The Great White” Alex Morono is been cast into the biggest fight of his career on a week’s notice. Morono is a powerful, pressure fighter who likes to come forward and finish the fight. He is 7-4-1 in the UFC with wins over Max Griffin and Josh Burkman. But Cerrone is the same type of fighter. Donald is always looking to string together beautiful combinations and showcase his vast array of tools. This is part of the reason he is the All-Time UFC leader in head kick KOs and finishes in general. He’s also the All-Time leader in Performance of the Night Bonuses. Cerrone hasn’t picked up a win in the octagon since his victory over Al Iaquinta in May, 2019. Cowboy has lost 4 straight, but his name value has put him in the cage with the absolute murderers row of the division. 4 losses is bad, but when they come to guys like Conor McGregor and Justin Gaethje, you can cut Cowboy some slack. Morono has not been lighting it up either. He is 4-3 in his last 7 and coming off a loss to Anthony Pettis. This fight will answer 2 questions by the end of the 3rd round. Does Cowboy have anything left in the tank is the first. Can Morono finally get over the hump is the second. I say yes to the first, and no to the second. Donald is still very dangerous on the feet and has an incredibly underrated ground game. Just ask my boy Mike Perry, who got his arm ripped off by Cerrone. I think Donald bounces back and continues to grow what is already a Hall of Fame legacy.
Prediction: Cerrone, Unanimous Decision
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Neil vs Neal is the best fight on this card. Magny is a UFC veteran who has been a mainstay in the Top 10 for the better half of the last 10 years. The Ultimate Fighter veteran has put together a solid resume, but has never broken into the title picture. He has been in there with former Champions, and holds wins over a few, but has never been seen as a Title Contender. On the other hand, Geoff Neal was being labeled as a future Title Contender after just his first few fights in the promotion. Since Geoff earned a contract on Dana White's Contender Series, he has shown the dynamite power living in each of his four limbs. Neal collected KO wins over Frank Camacho, Niko Price, and Mike Perry in his first 2 years with the company. His highest profile fight to date was his first Main Event, a 5 round scrap with Former Title Challenger Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Unfortunately for Geoff, Thompson picked him apart from distance to coast to an easy decision win. But now he is back to prove the hype train is still rolling. Magny is going to try and stand up for his veteran status. He will be looking to use the same strategy as “Wonderboy” on the feet, but Neil’s main tactic will be the grappling. He has made a living on suffocating his opponents with his incredibly long limbs. This fight is another case of striker vs grappler. The oldest matchup in the MMA book, but still a goodie. Especially when you have two high level fighters. So which Neil/Neal wins? I’m going with Neil Magny. He has the veteran poise to not be overwhelmed by Geoff’s power shots. Magny also has the ability to drag Geoff into deep waters in the clinch. This fight being 3 rounds instead of 5 works in Geoff’s favor, but I still think Magny can grapple his way to a big victory.
Prediction: Magny, Unanimous Decision
Maurice Green vs Marcos Rogerio de Lima
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This Heavyweight matchup is a battle of two gatekeepers in the division. This type of fight doesn’t usually happen. Usually a gatekeeper is matched up with an up and comer. So, this fight is what I like to call a “There ain’t room in this town for the both of us” fight. This town is the UFC rankings by the way. Maurice “The Crochet Boss” Greene has been inconsistent since his stint on The Ultimate Fighter. He has a UFC record of 4-3 and needs a statement win to be taken seriously in the division. Marcos is in the same boat. He has been swapping wins and losses since December, 2014. Despite having a very well rounded game, de Lima has been bested by anyone with a brighter future in the division. I’m not really going to overthink this one. Greene has not looked sharp for the better part of the last 2 years. Also, Marcos lost his last fight, so he’s guaranteed to win this one. The battle of the Heavyweight gatekeepers is one to keep an eye on this Saturday,
Prediction: de Lima, Submission, Round 2
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This matchup really interests me and could be a sleeper Fight of the Night candidate. Ferreira is one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC Lightweight division. His only losses in the past 6 years have come to #9 Beniel Dariush and #1 Dustin Poirier. He has been able to handle everyone else since his UFC debut in 2014. His striking has recently caught up with his grappling heavy style to make him into a much more well rounded fighter. He will be fighting the best fisherman in MMA, Gregor Gillespie. Gillespie was an a meteoric rise throughout the Lightweight division in 2018 and ’19. He started his UFC career with 6 straight wins and many believed him to be destined for the Top 5. Gregor is a former National Champion wrestler and a 4-time All-American for Edinboro University. His strength was commended by his former opponents who say his grip is unlike anything they’ve ever felt. Gregor’s only loss in the UFC came against the only man who has been able to avoid his takedown, Kevin Lee. Now Gregor is back from his first loss and looking to get back on track. This fight interests me because both men want this fight on the ground, but for different reasons. Gillespie will be looking to control and beat up Ferreira, while Diego will be looking to throw up submissions. Some fights with two powerful grapplers actually turn into striking matchups because both men are cautious of the other man’s skills. This fight is the closest on the card to predict a winner for. If I have to, I’ll slightly lean Diego. I believe he possesses a more well rounded game. Don’t be surprised if Gregor wins or if this fight turns into a war.
Prediction: Ferriera, Unanimous Decision
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The UFC matchmakers really put together a sleeper of a Main Card and this bout is a great way to kick it off. Ribas and Hill are two of the most exciting, forward pressing, strikers in the Strawweight division. This fight is actually pretty similar style wise to the Main Event. Ribas is a young, up and coming prospect with a very well-rounded MMA game. She started off her UFC career with impressive wins over Mackenzie Dern, Randa Markos, and Paige VanZant. The Dern fight is especially impressive now that Dern is ranked #5 in the division. Ribas has been able to control fights in every aspect and has gone 4-1 in her short time inside the octagon. Her only loss, a TKO L to headliner Marina Rodriguez. Angela Hill is a perfect opponent for Ribas. Hill is also well rounded everywhere and will look to push the pace on Ribas. Hill has a never ending gas tank and pressures her opponents for 15, or 25, minutes. She is a lightning quick striker who has earned her veteran status in the division. Both women will be looking to outwill the other. Hill’s striking and defensive grappling will clash with Ribas’ power and submission skills. This fight is just as hard as the Ferreira vs Gillespie fight to predict. Both women are on the rise and have shown bits of excellence in the octagon. For my pick, I’m going to lean Angela Hill. She has shown herself to be a veteran warrior inside the cage. Her ability to stick and move, while also defending takedowns, could give Ribas some problems. This fight is another sleeper for Fight of the Night and a great way to kick off the Main Card.
Prediction: Hill, Unanimous Decision
Prelim Quickie:
Mike Trizano vs L’udovit Klein
L’udovit Klein is one of my favorite fighters nobody really knows about. He is only 1-0 inside the UFC, but Klein holds a professional record of 17-2. He is currently on an 8 fight winning streak that spans all the way back to November, 2017. His lighting fast striking scored him a massive head kick KO over Shane Young in his debut. Mike Trizano is a former Ultimate Fighter winner who hasn’t been able to gain much traction since winning the show. He is 2-1 in the UFC, but his 2 Split Decision wins have failed to impress the masses. He is a jack of all trades, master of none type fighter at this point in his career. Maybe I’m being bias, but I honestly think Klein continues to soar. His striking ability and the momentum of not losing for 4 years should be enough to carry him to the finish line.
Prediction: Klein, TKO, Round 1
Hoops & Hooks 2021 Predictions: 51-24
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