Jaysus, these UFC cards are coming thick and fast aren’t they?
The promotion’s second trip to Goiania is the fourth in eight consecutive weekly events and we’re feeling truly spoiled.
Our MMA writers for fight picking looks like this thus far.
Bourbon Ben Kiely: 71-40
Darragh The Quizmaster Murphy: 69-42
Carlos Condit (29-8) v Thiago Alves (21-9)
BK: Alarm bells started ringing in my head when I found out they weren’t testing these guys for drugs. Pitbull has already been caught for using diuretics, plus he has one of those physiques that makes the more cynical (jealous) among us, naturally assume that he’s juicing.
Alves was phenomenal in his last trip to the Octagon against perpetual up-and-comer Jordan Mein. However, Condit will certainly be a step up in competition. It’s also important to note that this will be Condit’s first fight since that horror leg break against Tyron Woodley put him out for nearly a year. There might be ring rust there, but I sincerely doubt it.
Condit’s the more well-rounded fighter, he’s faced pretty much every top contender the murderer-filled welterweight division has to offer. I have faith that the Natural Born Killer will re-emerge as a contender in the 170 lb division. Condit via TKO (round 3)
DM: If this had taken place in Las Vegas last year, I’d be giving my wholehearted backing to Carlos Condit.
But The Natural Born Killer has been out of action for 14 months and the fact that the fighters aren’t being drug-tested, combined with Alves’ past with failed tests, makes me a little uneasy about picking either confidently.
Alves’ career revival has been nothing short of outstanding and he looked a true contender at welterweight in his last two outings. But if Condit’s rehabilitation had gone as well as it should, then I think he has the better tools over five rounds to take this one.
Condit undeniably has the better ground game and cardio. He may not have the knockout power possessed by Pitbull but his striking is more technically proficient so I’m going to back the favourite here. Condit via decision
Nick Lentz (25-6-2-1NC) v Charles Oliveira (19-4-1NC)
BK: Oliveira’s on a bit of a hot streak. He has two big scalps under his belt from his last two fights after beating Hatsu Hioki and Jeremy Stephens.
That being said, the only fight Lentz has lost since dropping down to featherweight was to Chad Mendes. So, you know, he’s pretty good too.
Whenever there’s a close fight like this I go back to the fool-proof method of picking the hometown fighter, because why the hell not? Charles Oliveira via decision
DM: There was once upon a time that Charles Oliveira was this BJJ-adoring writer’s favourite fighter.
And having watched the first fight between the pair, I saw nothing to frighten me away from picking the Brazilian.
I think the cut to featherweight suits Oliveira better and he showed superior grappling and Muay Thai in the first round against Lentz last time around.
Oliveira’s game has also progressed more since they first met so I’m going with a Charles finish. Oliveira via TKO (cuts to elbows)
KJ Noons (13-7-1NC) v Alex Oliveira (10-2-1-1NC)
BK: I think this match up suits Noons. The Brazilian has a habit of rushing in and overcommitting, which leaves the door wide open for Noons to let his hands go and put a hurting on Oliveira.
This is his first ever time fighting in Brazil, which may play a factor. Particularly because of the hostility of the crowd. However, I just think stylistically Noons has a great opportunity to get the upset. Noons via TKO (round 3)
DM: This is a little bit of a mismatch in my eyes in terms of competition level. KJ Noons has wins over top level guys like Sam Stout and George Sotiropoulos while Oliveira was finished in his one and only fight in the UFC.
Noons isn’t a spectacular fighter and his movement can be quite naive at times but he should have enough to avoid the powerpunching of Oliveira and tire him out in the latter rounds. It could turn into a slugfest which would benefit the Brazilian but I think Noons is smart enough to stick to the gameplan and grit out a result. Noons via decision
Francimar Barroso (16-4) v Ryan Jimmo (19-4)
BK: Jimmo’s got the heavier haymaker, and he’s fought tougher competition. It’s hard to quantify how good Barroso is based on what we’ve seen from him in the UFC.
Usually, the powers that be match Brazilian fighters up against relatively easy opponents to increase the likelihood of the crowd enjoying the result. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here.
Jimmo may have two recent losses, but they were against two brutes in the form of Jimi Manuwa and OSP. I think he’s going to find home with one of the Tsunamis he’s got hidden in his hands and end this fight early. Jimmo via TKO (round 2)
DM: I fully expect this to be the last time we see Francimar Barroso in the UFC.
At 35, he’s looked decidedly average since joining the promotion in 2013 and hasn’t fought in 14 months.
His opponent, Ryan Jimmo, eats middle-of-the-road light heavyweights like the Nova Uniao fighter for breakfast and he should land one of his trademark overhand rights to send Barroso out of the big show. Jimmo by KO (8 seconds into round 1)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQjQUyQxEOg
Francisco Trinaldo (16-4) v Norman Parke (20-3-1)
BK: Norman Parke has been progressively getting better with each fight. Despite losing to Gleison Tibau in his last bout, he didn’t look completely overmatched in the grappling department against arguably the best grappler in the division.
There’s not much of a noticeable difference in the skillsets between these two, but I feel that the Bushmills native has more heart and better cardio, which is key in a battle between two grinders.
The only worry is that if this does go to the judges, can they be trusted to score the fight fairly in the lion’s den? There could well be another repeat of the Leanardo Santos fight. Parke by decision
DM: This is a closer fight than the oddsmakers make it out with Norman Parke a 2/5 favourite.
Trinaldo is a dangerous opponent and has no glaring weaknesses in his arsenal but, having said that, Parke is better than him in every department.
I fully expect the Bushmills fighter to take his opponent down at will and use his unmatched cardio to exhaust the late replacement. Parke by decision
Wendell Oliveira (24-8) v Darren Till (12-0)
BK: Who?
It’s strange that I haven’t heard of an undefeated English-born fighter, but somehow Till has slipped my radar.I’m going for the safer option, the one I’ve actually seen in action. Wendell Oliveira via TKO (round 2)
DM: In the very limited research that I’ve done on this pair of chancers, I’ve seen some vicious killer instinct from the undefeated Darren Till.
He’s got some beautiful high kicks and lovely straight punching but his greatest strength is his tendency to pounce on hurt opponents.
It might be his UFC debut but don’t sleep on this kid. Expect him to come out with a point to prove and take the win. Darren Till via TKO (round 1)
