Written by Derek Moody, September 7, 2016, at 1:15 a.m. Tweet to: @DerekMoody619
Stipe Miocic vs Alistair Overeem
Stipe Miocic is set for his first title defense in his hometown of Cleveland against Alistair Overeem. Miocic has proven to have a high Octagon IQ and he strategizes perfectly for each opponent. A major problem he faces is the opposite corner may have the best strategist in the business in Greg Jackson.
Facing Overeem is hard enough with having the highest striking percentage in the division. The task is even harder knowing he also has one of the all time best coaches devising the game plan. Overeem has over triple the amount of MMA fights as Miocic and that may play a factor.
If Stipe can land cleanly connecting with Overeem’s jaw it could be lights out. Overeem doesn’t have a glass jaw but it is a bit fragile when looking at his UFC losses. Overeem is an accurate counter striker looking for a mistake and if it’s made then he’ll be crowned the new heavyweight champion.
Prediction: Overeem via TKO
Fabricio Werdum vs Travis Browne
Just over 2 years ago, these two fought for 25 minutes in a title eliminator that went widely in favor of Werdum. Browne is trying to get back to winning ways like in 2013 when he was in rare form. Once 2014 began he’s been in a win one lose one rhythm that he’s looking to shake. If the rhythm has any truth to it then he should win this fight by TKO.
His last four fights ended in TKOs whether he was the victor or loser. Werdum is one of the only fighters in the division that appears better every time he enters the Octagon. He made a rookie mistake chasing down Miocic and he paid the price losing his belt. Knowing he’s one fight away from getting his belt back he’ll cautiously fight Browne not taking too many chances.
Prediction: Werdum via Decision
Phil “CM Punk” Brooks vs Mickey Gall
This fight is a complete mystery to everyone in all aspects. How someone could accurately predict or create odds for this is unknown. There’s two fights on tape for Mickey Gall and nothing more than training footage on CM Punk. The training footage has shown some progression in Brooks which is comforting for the UFC as they’re investing a lot in Brooks’s MMA career and success.
Based on actual fights versus training tape the smart pick would be on Mickey Gall. On the other hand, Brooks is such a mystery he could just enter the Octagon and shock everyone. Don’t rule anything out for this fight, picking a winner may come down to flipping a coin.
Prediction: Gall by Submission
Urijah Faber vs Jimmie Rivera
Faber tends to be the gatekeeper, if you can beat Faber you’ll get a title shot. The problem is only two people (Cruz & Barao) in bantamweight have beat Faber and one is now a featherweight. Faber is the best guy in the division to not win the belt.
The issue for Faber is he shares the division with teammates and former teammates so they’ve never fought resulting in Faber missing title shots. Jimmie Rivera is an awesome talent riding an 18-fight win streak but Faber isn’t willing to let another non teammate earn a title shot on his behalf.
Prediction: Faber via Decision
Jessica Andrade vs Joanne Calderwood
Andrade didn’t attempt any takedowns as she was comfortable striking in her last outing gaining the knockout on Penne. Calderwood is game as striking is her forte. Andrade may want to look for a takedown but it won’t come easy.
Calderwood has never been taken down but she was submitted in her only loss a year ago. Andrade will be giving up some size but she makes up for it with her strength. Both women will engage in a stand up war looking for the knockout.
Prediction: Calderwood via Decision
UFC Debuts
Obviously Phil Brooks will finally be making his debut but there are also two late injury replacements stepping in to help salvage the card. Michael McBride (8-1) will face Nik Lentz as a late fill in. He’s a tall lightweight at 6’1” riding a four fight win streak. All eight of his victories are by submission so expect a grappling match to take place.
The other is Jason Gonzalez who is an even taller lightweight at 6’2” coming in with a six fight win streak. Currently 10-2 with all ten wins coming by submission or knockout. Neither of these guys likes to leave it up the judges. Gonzalez faces Drew Dober on the fight pass early prelims.
If both of these guys were to come out victorious by way of a finish we’ll certainly be seeing them again. For now they have there hands full with their veteran opponents.