Donald Trump to attend UFC 144.
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The horniness is real for this cardComment -
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MMA Pros Pick
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Liking mostly all the faves in this one.
Masvidal
Gastelum
Luque
Gillespie
Ivanov
Johnny Walker
Shahbazyan
BurgosComment -
MMA MANIA PRELIM WRITE UPS....
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125 lbs.: Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia
Katlyn Chookagian (12-2) won two of three as a UFC Bantamweight before dropping to 125 pounds, where she’s gotten the win in three of four appearances. Six months after a split decision loss to Jessica Eye cost her a possible title shot, she faced The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran Joanne Calderwood in May, taking home a competitive decision.
She is five inches taller than Jennifer Maia (17-5-1) and will have a four-inch reach advantage.
Jennifer Maia (17-5-1) enjoyed a strong run as Invicta Flyweight champion prior to her Octagon run, including successful defenses against Roxanne Modafferi and Agnieszka Niedzwiedz. While she fell to Liz Carmouche in her Octagon debut, she’s gotten back on track with decisions over Alexis Davis and the aforementioned Modafferi.
She has knocked out and submitted four professional foes apiece.
Chookagian fights are never fun to pick — her combination of high volume and zero stopping power mean that her chances at victory often come down to judges’ preferences. This looks to be another instance of that, as Maia is the harder hitter but has a bad habit of starting slow.
I do think Maia will earn a victory because she’ll definitely land the more eye-catching shots and can keep up with Chookagian’s output. The question is whether she’ll receive the commensurate credit. I’ll err on the side of optimism and say she does.
Prediction: Maia via split decision
Related
Watch The Full UFC 244 ‘Countdown’ Video For Diaz Vs. Masvidal
170 lbs.: Lyman Good vs. Chance Rencountre
Lyman Good (20-5) — Bellator MMA’s first-ever Welterweight champion — kicked off his Octagon debut by smashing Andrew Craig, extending his unbeaten streak to six in the process. A run-in with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) resulted in a two-year suspension, since which “Cyborg” has gone 1-2.
The Tiger Schulmann-trained product has scored 10 (technical) knockouts as a professional.
Chance Rencountre (14-3) debuted on short notice last year against Belal Muhammad, who out-struck and outwrestled “Black Eagle” en route to a unanimous decision win. He got back on track this past January with a submission of Kyle Stewart, then out-brawled top prospect Ismail Naurdiev in July.
He’ll have two inches of height and an inch of reach on Good.
This may be some recency bias at play, but I really like Rencountre here. He showed a ridiculous chin against Naurdiev and repeatedly took him down when Michel Prazeres, a grinder par excellence, struggled to do the same. While Good’s a physical beast and a far better striker, I’m not sure he can keep Rencountre off of him all night considering the latter’s toughness and gas tank.
As long as this fight stays at range, Good has a massive edge. Rencountre won’t let him keep it there for long, though, and should be able to grind his way to a gritty decision.
Prediction: Rencountre via unanimous decision
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Diaz Cleared By USADA, UFC 244 Goes On As Planned
145 lbs.: Julio Arce vs. Hakeem Dawodu
Julio Arce (16-3) — a former Ring of Combat champion at Bantamweight and Featherweight — followed up his bonus-winning performance on “Contender Series” with wins over Dan Ige and Daniel Teymur in his first two Octagon appearances. Sheymon Moraes ended his win streak via split decision in Nov. 2018, from which he bounced back by knocking out Julian Erosa with a head kick.
He’ll give up one inch of height and 3.5 inches of reach to Hakeem Dawodu (10-1-1).
“Mean” Hakeem entered the UFC with some hype thanks to a strong World Series of Fighting run, only to suffer a shock submission loss to Danny Henry in his Octagon debut. He’s gone on to win three straight, including a bonus-winning thrashing of Yoshinori Horie in July.
Seven of his professional victories have come via (technical) knockout.
This is a sleeper Fight of the Night candidate between highly skilled strikers, both of whom boast considerable potential. I’ve got to give the edge to Dawodu, though; he’s the harder hitter by a fair margin, has the aforementioned reach advantage, and looks to be the more versatile striker overall.
Both men have been dropped in their Octagon careers, adding a nice layer of unpredictability, but I’m still confident in my pick. Dawodu’s superior stopping power and larger Muay Thai arsenal earn him an entertaining win.
Prediction: Dawodu via unanimous decision
265 lbs.: Corey Anderson vs. Johnny Walker
Corey Anderson (12-4) claimed victory on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 19 with three straight decisions in the house and a 61-second finish of Matt Van Buren at the Finale. He soon hit a 4-4 patch, but enters the cage this Saturday on the heels of three dominant victories.
“Overtime” will give up three inches of reach to the Brazilian.
Johnny Walker (17-3) emerged from “Contender Series: Brazil” to establish himself as a UFC contender with three bonus-winning first-round knockouts in less than three minutes combined. His most recent effort saw him flatten Misha Cirkunov with a flying knee in 36 seconds, then injure his shoulder during his victory dance.
Fourteen of his professional wins, including seven of his last nine, have come via (technical) knockout.
I’ve picked against Walker in all three of his UFC fights to date, and the infuriating part is that neither Justin Ledet nor Cirkunov got to use the parts of their games that I thought Walker would struggle with. We still have no idea how Walker will deal with strong wrestling or crisp boxing besides just knocking out his opponents before they have a chance to use it.
Anderson’s takedowns and pace slot nicely into the remaining unknowns in Walker’s game. He also, unfortunately, has a habit of getting sparked out of nowhere, which Walker does with disturbing regularity. In short, Walker catches him changing levels with something unpleasant.
Prediction: Walker via first-round technical knockout
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145 lbs.: Shane Burgos vs. Makwan Amirkhani
Shane Burgos (12-1) fell short in his clash of prospects with Calvin Kattar in Jan. 2018, snapping a three-fight Octagon win streak in the progress. “Hurricane” Shane bounced back 10 months later with a comeback armbar of Kurt Holobaugh, then out-dueled Cub Swanson in Ontario for a unanimous decision win this past May.
He stands one inch taller than “Mr. Finland” and will enjoy a 3.5-inch reach advantage.
Makwan Amirkhani (15-3) claimed victory in his first three Octagon appearances, two by stoppage, before losing a narrow split decision to Arnold Allen in London. He scraped out a win over Jason Knight his next time out, then tapped Chris Fishgold with a bonus-winning anaconda choke in June.
This will be his first time fighting twice in a calendar year since 2015.
It’s honestly staggering how little striking Amirkhani has had to do during his Octagon tenure. He scores so many takedowns and spends so long on top that he’s never landed more than 18 standing strikes in a UFC fight. Unfortunately for him, that doesn’t seem to be an option here — Burgos boasts terrific takedown defense and the cardio to punish Amirkhani if the Finn’s gas tank gives out as it has in the past.
Though Burgos gets hit way too often, Amirkhani isn’t a sufficiently skilled striker to take advantage of that, and “Mr. Finland’s” going to eat an unprecedented amount of strikes trying (and failing) to execute his preferred gameplan. It’s touch-and-go for a round or so until Burgos’ volume wears down Amirkhani enough for “Hurricane” Shane to take over the fight.
Prediction: Burgos via unanimous decision
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185 lbs.: Brad Tavares vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Brad Tavares (17-5) — the last remaining member of TUF 11 to remain in UFC besides Court McGee — started his Octagon career 7-1, only to drop three of his next four. His knockout loss to Robert Whittaker gave way to a fresh four-fight win streak, which ended with a loss to Israel Adesanya in Tavares’ first headlining appearance.
He replaces Krzysztof Jotko on one month’s notice.
Edmen Shahbazyan (10-0) entered “Contender Series” with nothing but first-round knockouts on his resume, a trend he continued with a 40-second knockout of Antonio Jones to earn a contract. He had to go the distance to get by Darren Stewart in his debut, but went on to stop Charles Byrd and Jack Marshman in a combined 1:40.
Five of his 10 wins have come in less than one minute apiece.
Shahbazyan has thus far cleared every hurdle I’d expected to trip him up. Neither Stewart’s toughness nor Karl Roberson’s ground game were enough to keep him from victory, and though I’d still like to see him go back into deep waters before calling myself a full convert, the signs are definitely good despite his horrible handicap of being trained by Edmund Tarverdyan.
Tavares might be able to give us additional info — he’s still a durable, technically adept wrestle-boxer with good low kicks, and he can definitely give Shahbazyan issues if he gets past the first few minutes. Judging by the latter’s recent efforts, though, that may prove problematic. Therefore, Shahbazyan wrecks him in the first few minutes.
Prediction: Shahbazyan via first-round technical knockout
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265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Jair Rozenstruik
Nearly 19 years after his Octagon debut, Andrei Arlovski (28-18) continues to chug along. Arlovski currently finds himself in the midst of a 3-8 (1 NC) skid, though he did upset former victim Ben Rothwell this past July to snap a four-fight winless streak.
“The Pitbull” faces one-inch height and reach disadvantages against “Bigi Boy.”
Jair Rozenstruik (8-0) entered his UFC debut against Junior Albini as an underdog, but after a rough first round, the Suriname native came back to knockout Albini with a head kick and punches. Four months later, he one-upped himself by flattening Allen Crowder in just nine seconds.
All but one of his wins have come by form of knockout, seven in the first round.
For those keeping track, this is the fifth time in Arlovski’s last six fights that UFC has put him up against a knockout specialist, and yet he’s gone the distance in each of those five previous bouts. He has this weird ability to turn punchers into tentative, gun-shy messes despite his own 13-fight knockout drought.
Then again, he still tends to lose to those fighters, and Rozenstruik has him beat in speed and power. Arlovski definitely has a chance between his wrestling and weird aptitude for hypnotism, but Rozenstruik just looks a bit too much. He clips Arlovski in the opening minutes and puts him away from there.
Prediction: Rozenstruik via first-round technical knockout
Current UFC “Prelims” Prediction Record for 2019: 155-87-1
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What fighters say are usually the opposite of what they want to do Sanity when said in the media.. Remember MMA is mostly mental if you know you are physically trained up.. Boxing the same.. Mental tricks.. Get in ones mind. Try and get the edge. Punk the other at weigh ins, etc...
Fear and doubt is a powerful tool in life to use towards others to your advantage.. Words and posturing create that even if you are bluffing...
Last edited by JIBBBY; 11-01-19, 05:00 PM.Comment -
True...caught some of his strategy also in embedded episode 1. Wants to pace himself.
Another example of why there is value in prefight media. But hey some idiots who bet nickels and dimes don't care about that stuff. It's on record who has a brain who doesn't here. Fukk themComment -
It’s FIIIIIIGHT NIGHT!!
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who you on bigday? and how are you feeling?Comment -
Feeling like a $1,000,000
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Thompson peaked long ago...I'll be damned if he can beat Luque!
Wonderboy can head to Bellator with Weidman...both are wastes of time now.Comment -
let's not forget that mcgregor was an underdog to aldo, and masvidal was an underdog to askren
these guys are good fighters but mostly hype... who has mcgregor actually beat since that aldo fight (not counting the controversial decision against diaz)? eddie alvarez and some old dude at a bar
in the 4 years after being declared baddest man on the planet all he can beat is a drunk geezer and some women
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anybody know which hotel sportsbook in Vegas they will show the UFC and can wager in between fights? I think it's closed circuit so may be difficult to wager and walk to the counter and place bets. Thanks.Comment -
I have a hard time seeing this going to Luque unless he gets it to the floor....Comment -
There are som facts that significantly favour Luque. If we just take a step back, and not thinking about the matchup, but only metrics.
Luque is 9 years younger there some statistics about that...the younger fighter wins a lot more. Is luque capable of being that guy, that yunger guy who just beat the older guy out of youth, athelticism, aggression etc?
Fighters over 35+ do get Koed a hell of lot more than those under 35 +.
Now you got a person whos heavily moving into this territory of 35+, evidently with frequently and many knock downs and now lastly with a flash KO loss.
The way you describe the matchup "i have a hard time seeing this ....." sounds as ignorant as racist people when they start the sentence..."listen, look im not a racist but....." lol
I favour Luque slightly because of those metrics alone, but Wonderboy may pot shot, its difficult to know, but you cant bet Wonderboy having these stats in the back of your head, and week after week follow UFC and have the opinion like its difficult to forsee luque winning. We know these older fighters well....they get knocked the f out.Comment -
Why was Jared Cannonier a fill in for Till? He was more likely to fill in for Gastelum for the towel incident..
"IM JUST SIMPLY THE BEST FIGHTER ALIVE" - Darren TillLast edited by UncleChael; 11-02-19, 03:31 PM.Comment -
a literal LOL...thank you for that lol......my point I guess. is this......Unless Luque wins ITD.....not many people on the plantet outpoint Thompson...….he had a rigged decision across the pond and a questionable decision vs Woodley......hard to bank on a decision against him IMO.....Comment -
SO excited LOL...clock is TICKING....Comment -
I'm with you on that one. I got Walker in 2 parlays with just Walker left to win.
Parlay (2 Picks)Odds+207
Walker, Johnny
Money Line
-167
Anderson, Corey - Walker, Johnny
Over 67
Won
Total Points - 3rd Quarter
-109
SA Spurs @ GS Warriors
Potential payoutWager
$153.60 $50.00
Parlay (2 Picks)Odds+196
Walker, Johnny
Money Line
-167
Anderson, Corey - Walker, Johnny
Over 213
Won
Total Points
-118
LA Lakers @ DAL Mavericks
Potential payoutWager
$148.00 $50.00Last edited by Kermit; 11-02-19, 04:22 PM.Comment -
do anyone know anything about a supposedly staphh infection of kevin lee a picture or something like that?Comment -
UFC 244: Masvidal vs. Diaz Picks:
Hakeem Dawodu Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Lyman Good Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Katlyn Chookagian Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Jairzinho Rozenstruik Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Edmen Shahbazyan Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Shane Burgos Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Corey Anderson Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Gregor Gillespie Round 2 Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Blagoi Ivanov Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Vicente Luque Round 1 KO (Punches)
Kelvin Gastelum Round 2 TKO (Punches)
Jorge Masvidal Unanimous Decision (49-46 x2, 48-47)Comment -
UFC 244: Masvidal vs. Diaz
Fight Pass Early Prelims:
Fight #1: Dawodu vs. Arce
Dawodu (-125) 1u to win 0.8u
Fight #2: Good vs. Rencountre
No Bet
Fight #3: Chookagian vs. J. Maia
No Bet
ESPN 2 Prelims:
Fight #4: Rozenstruik vs. Arlovski
Rozenstruik Round 1 (+225) 1u
Fight #5: Shahbazyan vs. Tavares
Shahbazyan KO/TKO (+250) 1u
Shahbazyan Round 1 (+375) 0.25u
Fight #6: Burgos vs. Amirkhani
Burgos ITD (+325) 1u
Hedge(s):
Amirkhani Submission (+750) 0.25u
Amirkhani Round 1 (+1175) 0.25u
Fight #7: C. Anderson vs. Walker
C. Anderson Decision (+250) 0.5u
Hedge:
Walker Round 1 (+250) 0.5u
Main Card:
Fight #8: Gillespie vs. K. Lee
Gillespie+K. Lee Under 2.5 (+195) 1.3u
Hedge:
K. Lee ITD (+625) 0.25u
Fight #9: Ivanov vs. Lewis
No Bet
Fight #10: Luque vs. Thompson
Luque ITD (+260) 1u
Luque KO/TKO (+475) 0.75u
Fight #11: Gastelum vs. Till
Till (+220) 1u
Till KO/TKO (+797) 0.5u
Fight #12: Masvidal vs. Diaz
Masvidal+Diaz Goes Distance (-130) 1.3u to win 1u
Masvidal Decision (+220) 1u
Straight Parlays:
Burgos/Gillespie (+144) 1.75u
Prop Parlays:
None
Full Card Props:
None
Multi-Event Parlays:
NoneComment -
Hugo you high bro? Picked Gas to win but bet on Till?
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