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Early start time
.. Hate these events at these start times!! Uggghh!!
Write ups prelims anyways...
265 lbs.: Sergey Pavlovich vs. Maurice Greene
Sergey Pavlovich (13-1) entered the Octagon with some hype thanks to an impressive run in Fight Nights Global, but succumbed to the power of Alistair Overeem in his promotional debut in Nov. 2018. He bounced back this past April with a 66-second knockout of Marcelo Golm, the tenth first-round (technical) knockout of his professional career.
He stands four inches shorter than “The Crochet Boss,” though he’ll have a 2” reach advantage.
Maurice Greene (8-2) kicked off The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 28 with a brutal knockout of Przemysław Mysiala, and though he emerged as one of the biggest personalities in the house, rival Juan Espino ended his run one fight later. Things have gone better for him in the Octagon itself, as he’s won three straight and avenged a loss to Jeff Hughes along the way.
Four of his six stoppage wins have come via submission.
Pavlovich is still a quality prospect despite the loss to Overeem, and though Greene has proven himself far more than just a big mouth, he doesn’t have the tools to slow Pavlovich’s rise. The Russian’s Greco-Roman background means he’ll be the one determining where the fight takes place and his superior punching power gives him the edge on the feet.
Pavlovich is far from unbeatable, of course, and can be basic enough with his combinations to give Greene the opportunity to frustrate him. Still, the former’s greater versatility and stopping power have me leaning his way. In short, heavier punches and top control carry Pavlovich to a decision victory.
Prediction: Pavlovich via unanimous decision
Related
Face Off! Maia Stares Down Askren In Singapore
115 lbs.: Loma Lookboonmee vs. Aleksandra Albu
A veteran of hundreds of Muay Thai bouts, Loma Lookboonmee (3-1) won her first two MMA bouts before tapping to future Rizin competitor Suwanan “Amp the Rocket” Boonsorn in Nov. 2018. She returned to Invicta, where she made her professional debut, in June, taking a decision over Monique Adriane in Kansas City.
She’ll give up one inch each of height and reach to “Stitch.”
Aleksandra Albu (3-1) debuted in UFC at just 1-0, choking out Izabela Badurek in 2015. She’d fight just twice in the next four years, winning a decision over Kailin Curran and tapping to a 61-second rear-naked choke from Emily Whitmire.
In addition to the submission of Badurek, she has a (technical) knockout victory to her credit
Technique-wise, Lookboonmee blows Albu out of the water. In addition to her quality Muay Thai, which includes some of the nicest elbows you’re likely to see irrespective of gender, she’s developed quality wrestling during her time at Tiger Muay Thai. The complication, however, is strength — she’s a career Atomweight going up against one of the most physically imposing members of the Strawweight roster. I can easily see Albu getting chopped to bits on the feet, only to claim victory by repeatedly hurling Lookboonmee to the mat off of the latter’s naked kicks.
Even with that concern, though, Lookboonmee’s massive edge in the stand up is too much for me to ignore. She ends up stuck on her back longer than she’d like, but does enough damage on the feet to claim victory.
Prediction: Lookboonmee via unanimous decision
Related
UFC Singapore Poster Drops for ‘Maia Vs Askren’
265 lbs.: Raphael Pessoa vs. Jeff Hughes
Raphael Pessoa (9-1) made his Stateside debut in Nov. 2018 a memorable one, knocking out journeyman Brian Heden in just 99 seconds under the LFA banner. This led to a UFC debut opposite top prospect Ciryl Gane, who choked the Brazilian out late in the first round.
Five of his six (technical) knockout wins have come in the first round.
Following a successful run as LFA Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hughes (10-2) lived up to his “Lights Out” nickname with a brutal knockout of Josh Appelt on “Contender Series.” He’s yet to find a UFC victory, however, losing a narrow decision to Maurice Green and going to a “No Contest” with Todd Duffee thanks to an eye poke.
He faces one-inch deficits in height and reach.
It’s hard to see a path to victory for Pessoa — Hughes’ striking and wrestling technique eclipse the Brazilian’s, and the ease with which “Lights Out” absorbed Duffee’s bombs suggest that Pessoa can’t lean on the possibility of a one-punch finish. It’s not as hilarious a mismatch as the Gane fight, but all signs point to another rough evening.
Expect something similar to the Duffee fight minus the eye poke. Hughes withstands Pessoa’s early power to wear him down with combination punching and ultimately put him away.
Prediction: Hughes via second-round technical knockout
115 lbs.: Randa Markos vs. Ashley Yoder
Consistency continues to elude Randa Markos (9-7-1) five years after her Cinderella run on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20, as she’s yet to score consecutive wins in the Octagon. “Quiet Storm” currently finds herself in a 1-2-1 hole, most recently dropping a decision to Claudia Gadelha in July.
Her four submission wins — along with four from her opponent Ashley Yoder (7-4) — have all come via armbar.
“The Spider Monkey” fell to Kate Jackson in the second round of TUF 23, picked up a win in Invicta FC, and proceeded to lose her first three Octagon bouts by decision. She enters the cage this Saturday on a two-fight win streak, having beaten Amanda Cooper and Syuri Kondo.
She’ll have three inches of height and six inches of reach on Yoder.
There’s an argument to be made that Yoder deserves to be 1-4 in the Octagon against mid-tier opposition. That’s because as good as her top control is, the rest of her game isn’t enough to keep her afloat when the takedowns aren’t there. They won’t be against Markos, a superior and more battle-tested wrestler whose one-shot power gives her the edge on the feet as well.
Markos has never lost two straight in the Octagon and I don’t anticipate that changing here. Whether she sprawls-and-brawls or elects to put Yoder on her back, expect her to take a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Markos via unanimous decision
Related
Up Next! Grapplepalooza In Singapore!
155 lbs.: Rafael Fiziev vs. Alex White
Tiger Muay Thai’s Rafael Fiziev (6-1) brought an impressive kickboxing pedigree into his Octagon debut against the returning Magomed Mustafaev. Neither was enough to save him, as Mustafaev caught him with a spinning back kick to the face to hand “Ataman” his first mixed martial arts (MMA) defeat in St. Petersburg.
All of his MMA victories have come by stoppage, five of them knockouts.
Back in 2014, Alex White (13-5) made his Octagon debut in dramatic fashion with an 88-second knockout of Estevan Payan. “The Spartan” has since struggled to replicate those results, going 3-5 but recently scoring a decision over Dan Moret in Wichita.
He stands four inches taller than Fiziev at 6’0.”
I’ll admit to being underwhelmed by Fiziev’s Octagon debut, but it’s worth noting that Mustafaev hits exponentially harder than White. Not to say that White can’t thump; there’s just a difference between above-average power and the ability to knock someone unconscious with a blocked kick. Without that escape clause, White’s in for a beating against a far more seasoned striker.
The one possible complication for Fiziev is White’s wrestling, but “The Spartan” has never managed to make his takedowns work against higher-level opposition. Fiziev tears him up on the feet for a brutal finish.
Prediction: Fiziev via first-round technical knockout
Related
Face Off! Maia Stares Down Askren In Singapore
145 lbs.: Enrique Barzola vs. Movsar Evloev
Enrique Barzola (16-4-1) followed up his TUF: “Latin America”-winning victory over Horacio Gutierrez with victories in four of his next five fights, the only loss a controversial one to Kyle Bochniak. Kevin Aguilar ended his streak this past May, though Barzola came back to edge Bobby Moffett four months later.
“El Fuerte” will give up 2.5 inches of reach to Movsar Evloev (11-0).
A lengthy reign as M-1 Bantamweight champion brought Evloev to the Octagon this past April, where he took a decision over Seung Woo Choi in St. Petersburg. He was all set for a sophomore appearance against Lv Zhenhong earlier this year, only for the “Bull Demon King” to suffer a last-second cut and withdraw.
He has tapped four professional opponents, all by rear-naked choke, and knocked out another three.
Fights between wrestle-happy fighters can turn dull in a heartbeat, but I’ve got high hopes for this one. Barzola’s takedown spam and Evloev’s chain wrestling are fun to watch and both men can entertain on the feet.
Fond as I am of Barzola, this looks like a comfortable Evloev victory. Barzola struggles to maintain top position, while Evloev excels at riding out long stretches and threatening submissions; a Barzola takedown is a few good seconds, an Evloev takedown is a few good minutes. Plus, Evloev has more natural punching power and has been developing the boxing to use it. Harder punches and ground dominance make Evloev 2-0 in the Octagon.
Prediction: Evloev via unanimous decisionComment -
I wish my boy Maia the best but he's so old now..
Ben Askren coming off that loss might destroy him with ground and pound from the top position, might even fight him standing and get the better of him..Comment -
UFC on ESPN+ 20: Askren vs. Maia Picks:
Jeff Hughes Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Loma Lookboonmee Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Sergei Pavlovich Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Movsar Evloev Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Rafael Fiziev Round 1 KO (Knees)
Randa Markos Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Muslim Salikhov Round 1 KO (Punch)
Ciryl Gane Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Frank Camacho Round 2 TKO (Punches)
Michael Johnson Round 1 KO (Punches)
Ben Askren Unanimous Decision (49-46 x3)Comment -
UFC on ESPN+ 20: Askren vs. Maia
ESPN+ Prelims:
Fight #1: Hughes vs. Pessoa
Hughes (-220) 1.53u to win 0.69u
Hughes Submission (+1000) 0.25u
Fight #2: Lookboonmee (DEBUT) vs. Albu
No Bet
Fight #3: Pavlovich vs. Greene
Greene Submission (+915) 0.25u
Fight #4: Evloev vs. Barzola
Parlays
Fight #5: Fiziev vs. White
No Bet
Fight #6: Markos vs. Yoder
No Bet
Main Card:
Fight #7: Salikhov vs. Staropoli
No Bet
Fight #8: Gane vs. Mayes (DEBUT)
Parlays
Fight #9: Camacho vs. Dariush
Parlays
Fight #10: M. Johnson vs. Ray
Parlays
Fight #11: Askren vs. D. Maia
Parlays
Straight Parlays:
Evloev/Gane (+100) 1u
Prop Parlays:
Camacho ITD/M. Johnson ITD (+815) 0.5u
Full Card Props:
None
Multi-Event Parlays:
Askren/Gillespie (+140) 1.5uComment -
Always look forward to seeing what Hugo has, thanks for posting and good luck with your playsComment -
AFAIK this event begins 1 hour and 40 minutes from the timestamp on this post btw.
Good luck errybody!Comment -
UFC Singapore. A poor man's eventComment -
Who's up for this one?Comment -
Not sure what one judge was thinking scoring that fight for AlbuComment -
Something about that Randa Markos .. oh my..Comment -
Askren UD +185 my only bet on this event. Miss anything good?Comment -
That last fight was good.Comment -
Added:
M. Johnson -3.5 (-110) 1.1u to win 1uComment -
Beneil Dariush just steamrolled Frank Camacho. I like Benny.Comment -
Askren blowsComment -
striking clinic here....Comment -
Bellator materialComment -
Askren is awful at pretty much everythingComment -
Askren is sleeeeepinggggg..... ZzzzZzzzZzzzZzzComment -
Is there a way to find your instagram comment history?
I want to screencap and post a comment I left on Ben Askren's instagram yesterday. Some of you might find it funny.
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I slept thru this event.. I did see that my boy Maia choked out Askren. Old man river still finding ways to win I see with his Jits.. Impressive.Comment -
Found it.
"Don't let Demian Maia take your back & you got the fight won."
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askren will be in the prelim for his next bout.Comment -
John Gooden, Dan Hardy and Paul Felder recap the action in Singapore from UFC Fight Night, with Demian Maia defeating Ben Askren via submission in Round 3. Hardy and Felder discuss potential future opponents for Maia, including Diego Sanchez or Gilbert Burns. The guys also (3:46) break down Ciryl Gane’s victory vs. Don’Tale Mayes as well as the wins for Stevie Ray and Beneil Dariush.
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Thanks---just odd UFC.com had the card cut between prelims and main event-now it is just listed under (1) with no prelims listed...
