UFC on FOX: Jacare vs. Brunson 2 (January 27, 2018)

[THE_LOCKSMITH]

FOX, 8:00 pm ET
Ronaldo Souza vs Derek Brunson
Dennis Bermudez vs Andre Fili
Gregor Gillespie vs Jordan Rinaldi
Franck Camacho vs Drew Dober

FS1, 5:00 pm ET
Bobby Green vs Erik Kock
Mirsad Bektic vs Godofredo Pepey
Mara Romero Borella vs Katlyn Chookagian
Juliana Lima vs Randa Markos
Justine Kish vs Ji Yeon Kim
Vinc Pichel vs Joaquim Silva

UfC Fight Pass 4:30 pm ET
Niko Price vs George Sullivan

[Sanity Check]

MMA could be in a sorry state considering Justine Kish might be the fighter I'm looking forward to seeing fight most on this card. :/

[JIBBBY]

Back on that horse.. Glad we don't have to wait weeks..

Brunson vs Jacare is interesting.. Brunson has a brawlers chance and is a good wrestler to keep the fight standing probably are my early thoughts....

[Hugo de Naranja]

I’ll be posting a trivia question tonight for anyone interested.

[Demonata]

The bum pepey is fighting

[turbozed]

The bum pepey is fighting

I kinda like Pepey. Sure he's not the most skilled or technical fighter, but he always brings action and fights as hard as he's capable of fighting. He's been in a lot of fun fights.

[Demonata]

I kinda like Pepey. Sure he's not the most skilled or technical fighter, but he always brings action and fights as hard as he's capable of fighting. He's been in a lot of fun fights.

Not fun if you ever bet on him

[Hugo de Naranja]

Hugo's 100 Point Trivia Question:
The first correct response will receive 100 BetPoints from me. Good luck everyone!

This fighter beat Jimmie Rivera by Round 2 TKO in an exhibition match.

[WolfTicketDealer]

Hugo's 100 Point Trivia Question:
The first correct response will receive 100 BetPoints from me. Good luck everyone!

This fighter beat Jimmie Rivera by Round 2 TKO in an exhibition match.

Dennis Bermudez?

[Hugo de Naranja]

Dennis Bermudez?

We have a winner! Congratulations WTD!

[Hugo de Naranja]

I just watched Bermudez vs. Brandao for the first time. What an amazing One Round War. It's worth your time to check it out.

[firekillex]

Dennis Bermudez will starch Andre Fili
-150 huge bet coming in hot

[Hugo de Naranja]

Dennis Bermudez will starch Andre Fili
-150 huge bet coming in hot

I think Bermudez would be an elite fighter if he weren't so damn easy to finish. Even still, I have him beating Fili here too. Think he is better everywhere.

[firekillex]

I think Bermudez would be an elite fighter if he weren't so damn easy to finish. Even still, I have him beating Fili here too. Think he is better everywhere.

agreed hes top 5 potential and was a darkhose for the title imo, hes like a chad mendes level guy but he doesnt have a great chin and gets finished a lot.... not sure if its mental or what but dude has all the skill in the world he just cant seem to put it together

-150 over a middle of the pack andre fili is a steal though

[Shutup]

They don't even try to put on great cards for Fox anmore. Remember when the main card 4 fights were all great top notch guys? Now all they care about is PPV

[JIBBBY]

This is equivalent to a Bellator card in my opinion.. Can't have a super UFC card every time out..

This will work but yes this event is nothing special...

[PaperTrail07]

Enh I actually like the matchups....not FILLED with -800's......Two fights -600, otherwise every fight is withing the =150-200 range...

This is equivalent to a Bellator card in my opinion.. Can't have a super UFC card every time out..

This will work but yes this event is nothing special...

[WolfTicketDealer]

They don't even try to put on great cards for Fox anmore. Remember when the main card 4 fights were all great top notch guys? Now all they care about is PPV

Even the PPV's are lackluster. Hunt vs Blaydes and Arlovski vs Struve are awful co-mains for a PPV event.

[Demonata]

When will the contender series return?

[turbozed]

I just watched Bermudez vs. Brandao for the first time. What an amazing One Round War. It's worth your time to check it out.

Woah what a great fight! Surprised I haven't watched it before and that it doesn't get mentioned often. Also sums up Bermudez's career in one round lol

[Hugo de Naranja]

Woah what a great fight! Surprised I haven't watched it before and that it doesn't get mentioned often. Also sums up Bermudez's career in one round lol

Yeah definitely an under the radar fight that rarely gets mentioned.

[Demonata]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mmamania.com/platform/amp/2018/1/23/16924426/pic-donald-cerrone-demonstrates-pecker-dip-wake-lost-wager-mma

[Hugo de Naranja]

A few interesting facts about Derek Brunson
1. He has 100% TDD in the UFC
2. He has never been submitted in his professional career

[turbozed]

I just played Ji Yeon Kim versus Justine Kish. Line is way off. I'll give reasons why in a later post.

[Hugo de Naranja]

I just played Ji Yeon Kim versus Justine Kish. Line is way off. I'll give reasons why in a later post.

I'm definitely interested to hear your thoughts.

[Sanity Check]

I just played Ji Yeon Kim versus Justine Kish. Line is way off. I'll give reasons why in a later post.

All I remember from Justine Kish's last fight is her showing a tremendous amount of heart fighting off choke attempts and looking like she was very athletically gifted. Her main weakness is her technique and brute forcing everything which wastes energy rather than being technical and efficient.

All I remember about Ji Yeon is, she was the one screaming in the cage inbetween rounds? Her kickboxing is good and she has good cardio. Didn't see her wrestling/grappling tested.

Would be interested to hear your reasoning, too.

[JIBBBY]

MMA mania write ups in -




170 lbs.: Niko Price vs. George Sullivan
Though a failed drug test scratched his brutal knockout of Alex Morono, the beatdown Niko Price (10-1) laid on Alan Jouban had no such asterisk, leaving him free to collect his “Performance of the Night” bonus. There would be no such breaking of the bank against Vicente Luque, who dropped and stopped Price late in the second.
He will have three inches of reach on “The Silencer.”
George Sullivan (17-5) — a former CFFC champ — earned three victories in his first four UFC appearances, including an upset of Mike Rhodes and knockout of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran Igor Araujo. This success made him the favorite against Alexander Yakovlev, who nonetheless put him to sleep with punches late in the first round.
This will be his first fight in almost exactly two years thanks to run-ins with United State Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Price was a bit shaky against Luque and Sullivan’s got some solid boxing, but the circumstances around this fight are so weighted in his favor that it’s hard to pick against “The Hybrid.” Not only is he eight years younger than Sullivan, he looks like the larger man and packs quite a bit more power. This would be a rough match up for Sullivan even if he wasn’t coming off a 24-month layoff and the first knockout loss of his career.
This early in Price’s career, I expect the Luque fight to be an ultimately positive development. So long as he learns from it and maintains his confidence in his power, expect him to find Sullivan’s chin early.
Prediction: Price via first-round knockout


155 lbs.: Erik Koch vs. Bobby Green
Denied a Featherweight title shot in 2012 because of injuries, Eric Koch (15-5) is just 2-4 since that layoff and has seen four fights fall apart due to further issues staying healthy. After missing two additional years of action, Koch submitted Shane Campbell, only to fall victim to Clay Guida’s patented smothering in Oklahoma City.
“New Breed” has submitted eight professional opponents.
Bobby Green (23-8-1) punched his way unto UFC prominence with four consecutive wins in the Octagon, most notably a split decision over Josh Thomson. He is winless since, however, dropping three straight before holding Lando Vannata to a split draw in Oct. 2017.
“King” will make just his fourth Octagon appearance since 2014.
The combined amount of unrealized potential here is mind-boggling. Koch looked like an absolute stud during his title run, stopping Raphael Assuncao with one punch, while Green held his own against some top-notch lightweights. Now they’re fighting for their UFC lives.
Koch is more exciting thanks to the fact that he actually bothers to punch jaws instead of just running his own, but I’ve got Green. Koch has consistently struggled with capable wrestlers and doesn’t have enough firepower to crack Green’s beard. In addition, Green is arguably the best opponent Koch has faced since 2013, while the inverse isn’t even remotely true. Boxing and takedowns keep Green afloat in UFC’s deepest division.
Prediction: Green via unanimous decision

145 lbs.: Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey

Mirsad Bektic’s (11-1) path of destruction — hampered only by persistent injuries — had many labeling him a future champion in the 145-pound division. After four UFC victories and two rounds of rearranging Darren Elkins’ face, however, “The Damage” roared back to knockout Bektic in one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory.
Bektic is an inch taller than Godofredo Pepey (13-5), but will have a three-inch reach disadvantage.
Brazil’s Pepey bounced back from a 1-3 UFC start to earn three consecutive bonus-winning first-round stoppages, including a flying triangle of Andre Fili in Rio de Janeiro. He’s gone 1-2 since, a submission of Mike De La Torre sandwiched between decision losses to Darren Elkins and Shane Burgos.
Eleven of his 12 professional mixed martial arts (MMA) finishes have come in the first round.
By all rights, Bektic should utterly obliterate Pepey. He is by far the sharper, more powerful striker and — if he elects to take it to the mat — Pepey’s guard is nowhere near scary enough to save him from Bektic’s Earth-shattering ground-and-pound.
The real question is where Bektic’s mind is at. That was a rough, rough loss to Elkins and the psychological impact of being knocked out while miles ahead has me worried. Still, he’s young enough to rebound and so outclasses Pepey on paper that I’m comfortable picking him anyway. He comes out looking to make a statement, flattening the Brazilian early and pummeling him until the referee steps in.
Prediction: Bektic via first-round technical knockout

125 lbs.: Katlyn Chookagianvs. Mara Romero Borella

Following a perfect (7-0) amateur career, Katlyn Chookagian (9-1) defeated Isabelly Varella for the CFFC Flyweight title before knocking out Stephanie Bragayrac in her sole defense. Her UFC run has seen her go 2-1 as a Bantamweight, falling to Liz Carmouche, but edging Lauren Murphy and Irene Aldana.
She stands three inches taller than Mara Romero Borella (12-4) at 5’9.”
Undaunted by three consecutive (technical) knockout losses, Romero Borella put together a six-fight unbeaten streak, including a decision over UFC veteran Milana Dudieva in her sole Invicta appearance. Three months after that last victory, she overcame short notice to submit Kalindra Faria in her Octagon debut, needing just 2:54 to do so.
She has stopped four opponents via armbar.
Romero Borella is clearly a major threat on the ground, but it remains to be seen how well she can consistently implement her trips. Chookagian has proven that she can physically hold her own against Bantamweights and mixes up her striking and grappling well enough that the Italian should struggle to bring her down, leaving her at the mercy of Chookagian’s combination striking.
Stopping Faria is legitimately impressive and it’s entirely possible that I’m not giving Romero Borella enough credit, but Chookagian’s superior stand up and proven takedown defense have me leaning her way. Leg kicks and boxing earn Chookagian the judges’ favor.
Prediction: Chookagian via unanimous decision

115 lbs.: Randa Markos vs. Juliana Lima

Though ranked No. 14 at the start of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20, Randa Markos (7-5) upset Tecia Torres and Felice Herrig before running afoul of Rose Namajunas in the semifinals. She’s alternated losses and wins in UFC proper, going 3-4 overall but giving top prospect Alexa Grasso everything she could handle in Aug. 2016.
She will give up two inches of reach to Juliana Lima (9-4).
Lima — who welcomed Joanna Jedrzejczyk to UFC back in 2014 — rebounded from that loss with wins in three of her next four bouts, the sole loss coming to Carla Esparza at UFC 197. This set up a fight with late replacement Tecia Torres, who handed “Ju Thai” the first submission loss of her career.
She owns two wins by (technical) knockout, though none since 2013.
For being ostensibly a Muay Thai specialist, Lima has relied almost entirely on her wrestling during her UFC tenure, being remarkably ineffective when she can’t impose her takedowns. Unfortunately for her, Markos can keep up with her in that department and packs a thudding right hand with which to control the striking.
The X-factor here is Markos’ propensity for lapses in fight IQ, but Lima is straightforward enough that the path to victory should be clear. Markos sprawls-and-brawls, possibly giving up a takedown or two, but keeping that alternating record intact over the course of 15 minutes.
Prediction: Markos via unanimous decision

125 lbs.: Justine Kish vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Injury ended Justine Kish’s (6-1) TUF 20 run before it could begin, but she got off to a strong start in UFC proper with wins over Nina Ansaroff and Ashley Yoder. She wasn’t as lucky against Felice Herrig, who used superior grappling to overcome Kish’s sheer strength and take home a unanimous decision.
She has submitted two of her seven professional MMA opponents.
Ji Yeaon Kim (6-1-2) — who went to draws with vastly more experienced opponents in her first two professional fights — rattled off six straight to earn a spot on UFC’s roster. She debuted last June against Lucie Pudilova, landing some solid blows on the striking specialist, but ultimately losing the decision.
This will mark her Flyweight debut.
Kish is by far the bigger name, but I’m honestly leaning toward Kim. Kish’s game is fairly empty outside of decent knees and monstrous physical strength, which should be less of a factor when she doesn’t have her customary size advantage. She’s plodding and easy to hit on the feet, where even the fairly rough Kim should be able to find the mark.
Kish’s one clear avenue of victory is grinding out Kim the way she did Ansaroff. She’s not a great wrestling technician, though, and will struggle to brute-force her way into top position the way she did at 115 pounds. Kim picks her off with power punches, racking up enough damage to overcome the time she spends with her back on the fence.
Prediction: Kim via split decision

155 lbs.: Vinc Pichel vs. Joaquim Silva

Vinc Pichel (10-1) made it all the way to the semifinals of TUF 15: “Live,” only to run into Al Iaquinta and, in his UFC debut, get suplexed into oblivion by Rustam Khabilov. Though he missed all of 2013, 2015 and 2016, he enters the cage on a three-fight win streak, most recently wiping out Damien Brown with one punch in Auckland.
All eight of his (technical) knockout finishes have come inside of two rounds.
Joaquim Silva (10-0) — representing “Team Shogun” — saw his TUF: “Brazil” 4 run come to an end in the semifinals courtesy of teammate Glaico Franca. He has enjoyed considerably more success in UFC proper, however, racking up three consecutive victories.
“Neto BJJ” has finished eight opponents in the first round, five of them via strikes.
Silva has been booked to fight Gregor Gillespie and Mairbek Taisumov during his UFC tenure. Both would have eaten his face. Pichel isn’t on their level, but his wrestling and punching power make this a rough match up for “Netto BJJ,” nonetheless.
So long as Pichel stays busy and doesn’t let Silva outland him the way he did Brown, he should be able to control from top position and keep Silva’s dangerous hands at bay with his height and reach advantages. Steady takedowns secure Pichel’s second win in almost four years.
Prediction: Pichel via unanimous decision

145 lbs.: Austin Arnett vs. Cory Sandhagen (7-1)

Austin Arnett (15-3) was a little more pyrite than golden early in his career, starting off 2-2, but put together 13 consecutive wins to earn a spot on “Tuesday Night Contender Series.” Though he ultimately came up short, he put on one of the season’s best fights against Brandon Davis, slugging it out for 15 fun minutes.
He owns six wins each by knockout and submission.
Cory Sandhagen (7-1) won his first five MMA bouts, winning a regional title in the process, before suffering a career-first loss to Jamall Emmers in his LFA debut. The loss appears to have invigorated him, as he has since knocked out his last two opponents in a combined 4:07.
This will be his second fight in nine days.
If Sandhagen isn’t dead on his feet from fighting twice in less than two weeks, I see him taking this. He’s a fluid, dangerous striker with great instincts in his scrambling and takedown defense. While Arnett’s got a beard on him and some solid pop in his hands, his defense isn’t great and he ran out of steam against Davis when he couldn’t put him away early.
Arnett’s experience is an X-factor, but Sandhagen’s strength of schedule looks as good ... if not better. Sandhagen’s fluidity carries him to victory in an entertaining, competitive striking battle.
Prediction: Sandhagen via unanimous decision

[Shagdogy]

I just played Ji Yeon Kim versus Justine Kish. Line is way off. I'll give reasons why in a later post.

Came here for this. Found it. I'm with you.

What do you think about Borella? Not as big a dog but may have the grappling chops to ground Chook for long periods of time.

[BELM0NT]

Be careful with Bermudez fight, early line seems fishy. I think Brunson takes his revenge against Souza

[TPowell]

Came here for this. Found it. I'm with you.

What do you think about Borella? Not as big a dog but may have the grappling chops to ground Chook for long periods of time.

I'm on the same train. Thought I was crazy seeing the line moves.

[TPowell]

My big play on this card is 5 units on Markos/Lima START round 3 at -266. I just don't see any finish that is likely outside of Lima gassing

[JIBBBY]

If Jacare could learn to effectively take down people like Demian Maia did over his MMA growing years he'd be in title contention.. Jacare is a beast but at this level he is forced to stand and fight and that's not his strength.. I think Brunson can keep this fight standing...

The question is - Is Brunson's stand up and boxing good enough to take out Jacare? I don't think Jacare is taking down Brunson and holding him there unless he rocks him standing first anyways...

[TPowell]

I like Brunson ITD as well

[BELM0NT]

Brunson in his home state also

[JIBBBY]

Well this fight is a 5 rounder... I agree it probably doesn't go the distance... I'd say if you take Brunson take him by KO and not ITD.. I HIGHLY doubt Jacare whom is a submission master gets tapped out by Brunson...

1005 Brunson wins inside distance

+170

Not a big difference though

1037 Brunson wins by TKO/KO

+173