As the UFC prepares to offically open up for 2018 business Sunday in St. Louis, they are already dealing with injuries to main events, necessitating the revival of an interim championship they just put in mothballs.
First reported early Saturday morning by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker had to withdraw from his title defense against former champion Luke Rockhold at February’s UFC 221 in Perth, Australia, due to an undisclosed injury.
With an already thin card and a desire to not cancel a PPV, Rockhold will now fight fellow top contender Yoel Romero for the interim middleweight title. The irony is that Whittaker was the interim middleweight champion after a win over Romero in the summer of 2017 and had the ‘interim’ dropped when new champion Georges St-Pierre recently announced he would be out for a undisclosed amount of time dealing with colitis.
Whittaker has been out since the Romero fight with injuries.
The UFC was in a tough spot with the Whittaker injury as even by their standards, UFC 221 sported a very thin card with a co-main event of Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes. PPV-wise in North America, there probably won’t be a depreciable drop with the change with the only real financial impact being felt at the box office as Whittaker returning to his native country was the big draw.
Less than a month after winning the UFC middleweight title in dramatic fashion, Georges St-Pierre is dropping that title in not-so-dramatic fashion.
Due to a condition known as ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease), St-Pierre dropped the belt officially Thursday night, saying in a statement that he was going to have to take some considerable time off, adding that he didn’t want to hold up the division.
“My fight at UFC 217 was one of the greatest nights of my life but I now need to take some time to focus on my health. Out of respect to the athletes and the sport, I don’t want to hold up the division. I will be giving up my belt and once I’m healthy I look forward to working with the UFC to determine what’s next in my career.”
That means Robert Whittaker gets the ‘interim’ removed from his middleweight title reign and now becomes the official champion — on paper anyway. He’s been injured since defeating Yoel Romero for the interim title and will look to defend the official gold for the first time against former champion Luke Rockhold at February’s UFC 221 in his home country of Australia.
St-Pierre returned after a four year layoff to submit Michael Bisping for the middleweight title in November at Madison Square Garden. He had been a dominant welterweight champion before taking time off after a controversial split decision win over Johny Hendricks at the promotion’s 20th anniversary show. There was some question as to whether GSP would remain in the middleweight division as he was non-commital after the Bisping win.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The UFC’s biggest weekend of the year caps off with their annual early July pay-per-view event, generally one of the biggest cards of the year. After Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko was confirmed as off of the show earlier today, the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship will be up for grabs in the main event as Yoel Romero faces Robert Whittaker.
The fight is one of the best to be put together this year. Both are on long win streaks, with Romero having won eight straight and Whittaker seven straight, and they are a combined 15-0 at 185 pounds.
The main card also sees former heavyweight king Fabricio Werdum take on former title challenger Alistair Overeem in a trilogy bout that could determine the next top contender, as well as former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis returning to 155 pounds to take on Jim Miller.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down, or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
> Trevin Giles (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. James Bochnovic (8-1, 0-0 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Both men were making their UFC debuts on short notice. They were trading a little early on. Bochnovic scored with a big body kick. Giles then scored a takedown and was working from the top landing some big elbows in the guard. Bochnovic got to his feet before Giles grabbed his back and suplexed him to the mat. Giles with more punches from the top to end the round. 10-9 Giles.
Giles landed some punches to the body and then got a takedown and was working in side control. Bochnovic was giving up his back and Giles was taking advantage. Bochnovic scrambled up and Giles took him back down and moved to mount. Giles started landing big punches from the back and then the mount and Bochnovic went out cold. Dominant win for Giles as he finishes Giles.
Official Result- Trevin Giles def. James Bochnovic by knockout (punches) at 2:54 of Round 2
> Cody Stamann (14-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Terrion Ware (17-5, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
They were trading early inside the pocket with both landing punches and knees. Stamann got a takedown and was inside the guard. Ware was able to push off to the feet. Ware landed a low blow and we have a timeout. Stamann got a takedown as they got back to action. Stamann landed some solid punches from the top. Stamann got into the half-guard and finished the round with some punches from the top. 10-9 Stamann.
They traded leg kicks. Stamann landed a knee to the body, Ware fired back with a right hand as they talked trash, and then Stamann scored a big takedown. Stamann landed from the top before they got to their feet. Stamann landed a head kick. Ware landed some knees. Stamann started firing back with leg kicks and scored a huge takedown. They scrambled up and Stamann landed a hard punch. Ware was able to get Stamann’s back against the fence but Stamann pushed off with a front kick and then got a takedown with about 30 seconds to go. 10-9 Stamann, 20-18 Stamann.
They were trading in the first minute. Stamann landed a body kick and Ware landed a counter right hand. Stamann started to land more solid crisp combinations. Stamann scored a big takedown and Ware was stuck on the bottom for a moment but was able to get up, but he gave up his back and was taken back down in the process. Stamann got full mount against the fence and was landing punches. Ware got to his feet but Stamann got his back. They traded punches at the end. 10-9 Stamann, 30-27 Stamann.
Official Result- Cody Stamann def. Terrion Ware by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Jordan Mein (29-11, 3-3 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (11-2, 2-2 UFC) Welterweights
They were trading punches and leg kicks throughout the first two minutes. Muhammad went for a takedown but Mein defended it. Mein landed a couple of left hands but Muhammad fired back with punches and kicks to the body. Mein with a leg kick. Mein with a front kick to the body. They are pretty even on the feet but Mein is taking advantage of the leg kicks. Muhammad went for a late takedown but Mein defended it. Muhammad with some knees and elbows in the clinch. Close round. 10-9 Mein.
They were trading kicks and Mein went back to work of the lead leg with kicks. Mein has a cut over his left eye. Muhammad clinched Mein against the fence. Muhammand got a split second takedown. Muhammad pressing the action. Mein landing more leg kicks but Muhammad is opening up with his hands. Mein went for a takedown but it was stuffed and Muhammad pushed Mein against the fence and was landing short knees. Muhammad got a takedown in the last minute. 10-9 Muhammad, 19-19.
They traded kicks and Muhammad went for a takedown but Mein stuffed it. Muhammad pushed Mein against the fence. Mein grabbed the arm and dropped down for a kimura but lost it and Muhammad was able to scramble to the top. Muhammad took the back and was working to find the choke. Muhammad was punching from the back and they got to their feet and Muhammad had Mein pinned against the fence and was landing knees. Mein went for a kimura again but had no body control and lost it, though he got Muhammad down briefly. They got back to their feet. 10-9 Muhammad, 29-28 Muhammad.
Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Santos with a leg kick. Meerschaert scored a takedown but they got back to their feet. They clinched and Meerschaert got another takedown and was landing punches as they got back to their feet. Santos started throwing big punches and scored a knockdown and Meerschaert was in survival mode. Santos was landing big punches and let Meerschaert get to his feet. Santos poked him right in the eye. They got back to action and Santos was landing more big punches. Santos with a jumping head kick followed by a huge left hand. Santos is bleeding heavily but won the round. 10-9 Santos.
Meerschaert went for a desperation takedown but Santos sprawled and was landing a lot of punches and it was close to being stopped. Santos was laying in more punches and hammerfists. Meerschaert able to get to his feet but was taken down. Santos with more big punches and he finally finishes Meerschaert off. Big stoppage win by Santos, and he looked impressive.
Official Result- Thiago Santos def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 2
> Chad Laprise (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Brian Camozzi (7-3, 0-1 UFC) Welterweights
Camozzi landed some leg kicks and then Laprise landed a straight right hand to the jaw. Camozzi with a body kick. Camozzi with a leg kick but Laprise counters with a nice combination. They were trading but Laprise was landing crisp punches. Laprise landed another big overhand right. Camozzi is coming forward and finding range but still eating punches from Laprise. Camozzi landed a high kick and then a leg kick but Laprise countered that with a takedown and finished the round in the guard. 10-9 Laprise.
Laprise landed a combo and was doing a good job of circling around the Octagon. Camozzi with a body kick and Laprise countered with a right hand. Laprise with another combo. Camozzi landed a right hand and then another. Camozzi landing more straight right hands. Camozzi with a body kick. Camozzi with a leg kick. Laprise just misses a right hand but lands a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Camozzi, 19-19.
Laprise hurt Camozzi with a right hand to the body and then dropped Camozzi and was landing lots of punches as Camozzi was cradled up. Herb Dean finally stopped the fight after lots of punches landed by Laprise. Laprise gets the big stoppage win he needed.
Official Result- Chad Laprise def. Brian Camozzi by TKO (punches) at 1:27 of Round 3
> Travis Browne (#9, 18-6-1, 9-6-1 UFC) vs. Aleksei Oleinik (#14, 51-10-1, 3-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Browne came out firing kicks. Oleinik landed a right hand. Browne was throwing a lot of kicks and landed a knee to the body. Browne landed a knee to the head and Browne rocked Oleinik with a left hand and then dropped him with a left hook. Oleinik survived but is still in trouble. Oleinik then dropped Browne with a right hand. Browne got up but still in trouble. Oleinik landed a right hand and then punches to the body. Browne with front kicks to the body. Oleinik got a takedown and went to side control. Browne gives up his back and Oleinik is landing punches from the back. He has Browne flattened out. Oleinik looking for a choke but time runs out. 10-9 Oleinik.
Oleinik is chasing Browne around the Octagon. Both men are landing punches. Oleinik landing punches to the body. Browne with a series of knees. Browne got a big takedown and Oleinik let out a deep breath afterwards. Browne working inside the guard before moving to side control. He didn’t do much and Oleinik got up and drug him to the mat and had the back of Browne. Oleinik landing punches from the back. Oleinik has the choke and Browne taps! Huge win for Oleinik as it looks like Browne just got tired and gave up.
Official Result- Aleksei Oleinik def. Travis Browne by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44 of Round 2
PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT
> Rob Font (#15, 13-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Douglas Silva de Anrade (24-1 1 NC, 2-1 UFC) Bantamweights
They traded kicks to start. Font got a takedown but Silva popped right back up then he dropped back down. They scrambled to their feet and Font landed a punch on the break. Font landed a good combo ending with a knee to the face. Font poked Silva in the eye and we have a break. Silva with a big body kick. They traded jabs and Silva landed a left hand. Font pressured Silva back with some punches that didn’t quite land. Silva landed a left hook but Font got in a counter knee. Font with a right hand to the face and then one to the body. Font locked in a late guillotine choke but time ran out. 10-9 Font.
They were trading and Font was landing a lot of clean punches. He was really mixing his combos well and controlling the action inside the cage. Silva was throwing body kicks and did land a right hand. Font is landing step-in knees followed by right hands and has Silva in trouble. Font knocks Silva down briefly with a right hand and is going for the finish as he lands knees and elbows in the clinch. Font gets a takedown. Font has the neck and is being careful not to land knees. Silva picks Font up and slams him but Font still has the guillotine locked in and Silva taps! Great performance by Rob Font, he looked really good tonight.
Official Result- Rob Font def. Douglas Silva de Andrade by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:36 of Round 2
> Anthony Pettis (#6 FW, 19-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (28-9 1 NC, 17-8 1 NC UFC) Lightweights
Miller landed some left hands early. Pettis scored with a jumping knee. Pettis landed a clean right hand while Miller fired back a left. Miller with some inside leg kicks. Pettis lands a left hand and Miller goes to the body with kicks. Pettis with a body kick and then a flying knee and he unloads a combo against the fence. Pettis with a right hand. Pettis lands a clean combo and Miller circles away. Pettis with a high kick and then a front kick to the body. Pettis with a spinning back fist. Pettis with a switch kick to the body. Miller lands a right hand and then a body kick. Pettis with a right hand followed by a head kick. 10-9 Pettis.
Miller with a body kick. Pettis with a head kick and then went high with a kick but Miller grabbed the leg and got a takedown. Pettis was working for a triangle choke from the bottom but Miller escaped. Miller is bleeding heavily as he’s in the guard of Pettis. Pettis working to get up but Miller remaining on top. Pettis rolls out and Miller grabs the back and is working with the body triangle. Pettis is able to escape and he gets to the top and lands some punches. Pettis stands up and lands a kick to Miller’s legs on the ground and Pettis goes back into the guard. Pettis moves to side control. Pettis working for a kimura and then he takes the back and Miller is trying to escape. They get to their feet and Pettis gets a takedown with ten seconds to go. Fun fight so far. 10-9 Pettis, 20-18 Pettis.
Miller with some leg kicks early in the third. Pettis went up top with some high kicks. Miller looking to land the left hand. They’ve slowed down a little. They were trading and Miller went for a takedown but Pettis was able stay upright and switched and put Miller’s back against the cage. Pettis is controlling but Miller lands a knee and an elbow. Pettis fires back with his own elbow. Pettis landed a cartwheel kick and Miller tried a roll to grab the legof Pettis but was off. Miller with a cartwheel kick and Pettis with a jumping kick to end the fight. 10-9 Pettis, 30-27 Pettis.
Official Result- Anthony Pettis def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Daniel Omielanczuk (#15, 19-7-1 1 NC, 4-4 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (6-1 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC) Heavyweights
Blaydes clinched early and landed some low knees and then landed one to the groin. They are broken up by Marc Goddard. Blaydes clinches back up and lands more knees and an elbow. Blaydes has had Omielanczuk pushed against the fence, and whenever there are breaks, Blaydes goes right back to pressure against the fence. Very boring round. 10-9 Blaydes.
Blaydes landed a knee to the body followed by a right hand and then he went right back to the takedown attempt against the fence. They break and both land punches. Blaydes with a leg kick and Omielanczuk misses as he swings his left hand. They went back to the clinch and the crowd is not happy. They were trading punches and Blaydes landed a kick to the groin. Marc Goddard gives him a talking to. Nothing happened after. 10-9 Blaydes, 20-18 Blaydes.
They traded punches and Blaydes back for the takedown attempt position against the fence. They broke. Omielanczuk landed a left hand. Blaydes with the jab and Omielanczuk is bleeding a little from under the eye. Omielanczuk with a body kick. Blaydes stuffed a takedown attempt and is landing elbows to the body of Omielanczuk. They got to their feet. Blaydes with an uppercut. Boring fight, very boring. 10-9 Blaydes, 30-27 Blaydes.
Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Daniel Omielanczuk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Werdum tried a running flying knee to start. Overeem rocks Werdum with a head kick. Werdum tried a combo but Overeem ducked under all of the punches. Werdum landed a knee. Overeem clipped Werdum with a right hand and then another. Werdum with a body kick and then misses a takedown attempt. Overeem lands a right hand and is being very patient. Werdum misses a rolling kick. 10-9 Overeem,
Overeem with a body kick. Werdum pulls guard and Overeem goes to the top but nothing happens and they get up. Overeem lands a left hand and a knee that rocked Werdum. Overeem doesn’t capitalize. Overeem with a kick to the body followed by a right hand. Werdum lands a jab. Overeem really controlling this round but not much is being landed as both being patient. Overeem lands a left hand that hurts Werdum. Werdum is cut on his nose. 10-9 Overeem, 20-18 Overeem.
They were trading a little early. Werdum with a knee but eats an uppercut. Werdum with another knee. Werdum rocks Overeem with a knee and Overeem went down. Werdum tried to grab Overeem but slipped and Overeem went on top. They went to their feet. Werdum still has Overeem in trouble and is landing. Werdum with a big takedown. Werdum with some punches from the top. Werdum with short punches and Overeem is being warned to not grab the fence. Overeem hanging on as Werdum is now doing nothing on the mat. Werdum with a late punch. Close fight, depends on the first round. 10-9 Werdum, 29-28 Overeem.
Official Result- Alistair Overeem def. Fabricio Werdum by majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Yoel Romero (#1, 13-1, 8-0 UFC) vs. Robert Whittaker (#3, 18-4, 9-2 UFC) Interim UFC Middleweight Championship
Romero with a side kick to the leg to start out. Whittaker lands a right hand. Romero with a side kick. They trade body kicks. Romero missed a hook kick and gets a takedown and takes the back but Whittaker gets right back to his feet. Romero with a flying knee. Whittaker stuffs a takedown attempt from Romero. Whittaker with a front kick to the body. Romero gets a brief takedown but Whittaker right back up. Romero with a leg kick. Whittaker just misses a head kick. Close round. 10-9 Romero.
Whittaker may have injured his left leg in the first round. Romero with a knee to the body. Romero gets a takedown and is in the guard of Whittaker. Romero worked from top but Whittaker used butterfly guard to get to his feet. Romero still has the body locked and gets a brief takedown and isn’t letting go of the body lock. They are separated by John McCarthy with lack of action. Whittaker with a leg kick and a left hand. They start wildly swinging and Romero lands a right hand. Romero with a late takedown. 10-9 Romero, 20-18 Romero.
Whittaker landed a jab. Whittaker with a front kick and they traded punches. Whittaker rocks Romero with a left hand. Romero with a body kick. Whittaker with a push kick that hurt Romero. Romero fakes the jab looking to set something else up. Both threw left hands. Whittaker with a knee to the body followed by a right hand. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker with a side kick. Not much from Romero in this round and Whittaker clipped him with a left at the end. 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28 Romero.
Whittaker with a high body kick. Romero grabbed the back and they scrambled around on the mat. Romero has the back against the fence. They broke and Whittaker landed a knee. Whittaker stuffed a takedown from Romero. Romero lands a flying knee. Whittaker lands a left hand and a front kick to the body. Whittaker just misses an uppercut. Whittaker with a right hand. Romero is definitely tired. Whittaker stuffs a takedown and lands a right hand and then a left hand. Romero is in trouble. Romero with a failed takedown attempt. Whittaker with a high kick. 10-9 Whittaker, 38-38.
This round likely decides it. They trade punches early. Romero with a left hand. Whittaker lands a left hand. Whittaker lands a knee. Both men land hurting punches and Romero with a big left hand. Romero is definitely gassed out but he lands a high kick. Whittaker slowing as well. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker with a front kick. Both men are landing. Romero lands a left hand. Romero with a high kick and Whittaker with a combo. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker circling away. Romero slips to the mat and Whittaker goes into the guard. Romero landing from the bottom. Whittaker now landing elbows from the top. Whittaker goes to the half-guard and lands some big elbows and Romero is cut open. This goes the distance, very good fight. 10-9 Whittaker, 48-47 Whittaker.
Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to become Interim UFC Middleweight Champion
With Cody Garbrandt unable to compete at UFC 213, Amanda Nunes will headline the UFC’s marquee International Fight Week event for the second straight year.
Dana White revealed to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto last night that Garbrandt was officially off of the card. Garbrandt was scheduled to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against TJ Dillashaw, but he has been battling back problems and was sent to Germany to see a stem cell specialist earlier this month.
Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight championship is now the main event of UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas. That matchup had been announced previously but wasn’t scheduled to headline the pay-per-view until Garbrandt vs. Dillashaw fell through.
Nunes was elevated to the top spot on the UFC 200 card last July when Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones was canceled at the last minute due to Jones failing a USADA test. She won the title by defeating Miesha Tate on that show.
An interim middleweight title bout is also set for UFC 213, with Yoel Romero taking on Robert Whittaker.
Controversy over Georges St-Pierre receiving the next shot at Michael Bisping’s title instead of Romero began as soon as that fight was scheduled, but White later announced that plans for Bisping vs. GSP had been scrapped when St-Pierre posted that he wouldn’t be available to compete until after October. Bisping is unavailable to fight right now due to a knee injury as well, so Romero will face Whittaker for the interim belt.
White told Okamoto that Demetrious Johnson vs. Dillashaw for the flyweight title is being planned for August, but Johnson tweeted that he hasn’t agreed to anything and is waiting on a contract to defend against Ray Borg. Johnson wrote that Dillashaw can come down to flyweight and get a win first if he wants a title fight.
As was previously revealed, Robbie Lawler vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem, and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller will also take place at UFC 213.
Here’s some advice for who to pick in your DraftKings lineup for Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 101 event in Melbourne, Australia, headlined by Robert Whittaker taking on Derek Brunson in a five-round middleweight bout on FOX Sports 1.
Top Target: Jake Matthews ($9,300)
Jake Matthews fights back on home soil in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 101 on Saturday night as he looks to rebound from a loss in his last fight. Matthews fought for the first time on American soil in his last bout, and it didn’t quite go his way as he was finished with punches in the first round by Kevin Lee. Matthews returns to Australia, where he has gone 9-1 in ten fights. He takes on Andrew Holbrook, who is coming off of his first career loss at that same event Matthews lost at in July.
Holbrook won the first eleven fights of his career, with nine wins coming inside the first round. He didn’t face the toughest competition outside of the UFC, and he could easily be 0-2 inside the Octagon as his debut UFC bout was a close split decision win. He is coming off of being stopped in just 34 seconds. Matthews is still a big-time prospect at 22-years-old, and he already has a wealth of experience with twelve career fights, six with the UFC. He has physical tools that make this an excellent match-up for him.
Holbrook has good submissions, but his wrestling game hasn’t shown up in his two UFC fights, and his striking is well behind that of Matthews. Holbrook will need to show off his wrestling skill in this fight for him to be able to get the better of Matthews. Matthews had trouble getting up from the bottom when put there by Lee, but Lee is a superior wrestler. Matthews’ skillset should guide him to a relatively easy win, and this is bounce back matchmaking for him. It’s a matter of whether he gets a finish, and with him having the highest salary of all the fighters on the card, you better hope so.
I think he gets the finish as he has stopped better fighters in his career. He is way too talented to lose to Holbrook, and I see a first-round stoppage. I’m confident rolling with Matthews as my top play.
Value Target: Tyson Pedro ($7,500)
Tyson Pedro is making his UFC debut in his native Australia on Saturday night, and he gets a main card spot as he takes on Khalil Rountree in a light heavyweight bout. Pedro is in the UFC very early in his career as he is just 4-0, and three of those fights have taken place in 2016. All four of his wins have come by stoppage inside the first round, with all three this year coming by submission. He is a very good prospect, but he gets an opponent who is also a very good prospect, something that is needed at 205 pounds.
Rountree has just a little more experience than Pedro, but not much, as he is 4-1 in his career. He is coming off of his first career loss in his UFC debut, a decision loss to Andrew Sanchez in the finals of season 23 of The Ultimate Fighter. It was a very lackluster fight, and it was missing a lot of what made Rountree a top prospect as he headed into his stay in the TUF house. Rountree does have two official wins by knockout, and another while in the TUF house.
This could end up being quite the battle on the feet as both men are not shy about trading strikes. Pedro is a power house with excellent boxing and an excellent submission game if the stand-up starts getting out of his favor. Rountree fights as a southpaw and has been coached in the past by Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida. That should be interesting as Pedro has a karate background. Conditioning is going to be a big factor as Rountree showed his gas tank isn’t up to par in his fight with Sanchez, and Pedro is an unknown as he hasn’t gone past 3:05 in his career. Rountree is going to have the edge in a clinch battle while Pedro will have an edge on the mat.
Rountree is the slight favorite in this one in the betting odds, and he has a clear edge in fantasy salaries. I’m not so sure Pedro deserves to be the underdog, and his $7,500 salary presents great value as he is a good bet to score a first-round stoppage. That all makes him an excellent choice for your line-up.
Target To Avoid: Ning Guangyou ($8,200)
Ning Guangyou is a slight favorite over Marlon Vera in a battle of bottom-level bantamweights in what could be a loser gets cut bout on Saturday night. This is a fight that has been delayed a couple of times as they were originally scheduled to fight on two separate occasions in August before issues with Guangyou ultimately postponed this fight to this card. Both men are looking to rebound from tough losses in their last fight, and this is a close fight on paper.
On the feet, Guangyou is more of a flat-footed boxer with okay power from a southpaw stance, and he throws with more volume. Vera mixes his strikes up more and will dazzle with some flying knee attacks, but he lacks the true finishing power in his fists. When it comes to the grappling department, Guangyou is a better wrestler, but Vera is better on the mat with submission attacks. He is also better in the scrambles. He has four wins by submission, and Guangyou has been submitted once in his short career.
Vera is the more aggressive fighter of the two. Both men are used to going 15 minutes, so conditioning shouldn’t come into play too much. If it goes for the third round, Vera will likely be the fresher fighter. Neither fighter is all that impressive, and this fight is just to see which one can be kept around on the roster.
I think Vera gets the win, but it goes the distance. I would advise against having either man in your line-up, especially Guangyou as I don’t see him getting the win.
Underdog Target: Robert Whittaker ($7,400)
Robert Whittaker goes into his first UFC main event on Saturday as a slight underdog by the oddsmakers, and an even bigger underdog in fantasy salaries. He takes on Derek Brunson in the headline spot, a fight that was moved up from the co-main event slot, meaning two more rounds have been added since they originally agreed to the fight. Both men are on impressive win streaks as each has won five straight. Brunson has finished his last four opponents while Whittaker has gone the distance in his last two, but has never found himself in danger.
This is going to be an interesting fight, and I’m glad it gets the main event treatment because it’s a high-level fight. It is also one that is tough to predict the outcome. Brunson may be the more talented fighter at this stage, but he can be beaten. Whittaker is quite underrated at times but is not a fighter to overlook. On the feet, Whittaker is a better striker though Brunson may be more powerful. Brunson tends to use his length to fight at a distance, and that can hinder him at times as it makes his takedown attempts look very choreographed. Whittaker excels in counterpunching, and he is a very patient fighter while Brunson tends to lean on the aggressive side.
When it comes to wrestling, Brunson is vastly superior there, but Whittaker has solid takedown defense. Brunson excels in ground-and-pound, and Whittaker is going to have to prove he can get out from the bottom. He hasn’t had to do that much yet at 185 pounds. Brunson tends to lunge when he strikes, and that is going to leave his chin open for a counter. Whittaker has heavy power. Brunson needs to get this fight in the clinch or on the ground as Whittaker will get stronger and find his openings. It’s a tough fight to predict as either man can win this fight in spectacular fashion.
With Whittaker being such good value at his salary, he is a definite underdog target. Going 25 minutes can give you more scoring opportunities, though I think should he win, it is by finish in the later rounds.
Our Line-ups
Ryan Frederick: Jake Matthews ($9,300), Omari Akhmedov ($8,600), Ben Nguyen ($8,500), Jenel Lausa ($8,300), Tyson Pedro ($7,500), Robert Whittaker ($7,400)
In my line-up for this card, I have three fighters I mentioned above with Jake Matthews, Tyson Pedro and Robert Whittaker. Matthews is in a bounce back fight, and while it is a tough match-up, I see him dispatching Andrew Holbrook. Pedro is a solid prospect. Whittaker is in a fun main event that could go either way, but his salary is favorable. To round out my team, first I’m going with Omari Akhmedov. Akhmedov has just a 3-3 record in the UFC, but he is powerful. His opponent, Kyle Noke, has had his chin tested a lot. I like Akhmedov to score a finish.
Ben Nguyen is also on my team. He is a very solid flyweight fighter, and he makes his home in Australia these days. He needs a big bounce back, and while Geane Herrera is a tough opponent, Nguyen’s slick submission game will give him fits. Jenel Lausa finishes out my team. He’s making his UFC debut, but he has more experience than his opponent, Yao Zhikui. He is better on the feet and has a better ground game, and I like him to get the win.
Paul Fontaine: Derek Brunson ($8,800), Khalil Rountree ($8,700), Ben Nguyen ($8,500), Jenel Lausa ($8,300), Richard Walsh ($8,100), Kyle Noke ($7,600)
Derek Brunson is a punisher and I think he’ll be looking to make a point in his first UFC main event. When he wins, he destroys and he’ll do that Saturday night. Khalil Rountree should rebound from a disappointing UFC debut and dispatch of the debuting Tyson Pedro. Ben Nguyen is an awesome fighter and I’m looking for his bout to steal the show. He’s one of the only guys in his division capable of first round stoppages every time out.
The debuting Jenel Lausa is on a 4-fight win streak and his opponent has even less experience than he does so I’m thinking he keeps that streak going on this show. The “other Filthy” Richard Walsh will be trying to impress fans in his home country I like him to score a slight upset over Canadian Jonathan Meunier. My last pick is the plucky Kyle Noke. He’s always capable of a finish and his opponent Omari Akhmedov comes in on a two-fight losing streak. Look for the hometown hero to make good.
Peach Machine: Jake Matthews ($9,300), Alex Volkanovski ($9,200), Jon Tuck ($9,000), Robert Whittaker ($7,400), Jason Knight ($7,300), Dan Kelly ($7,100)
Whittaker is one of my favorite fighters. I really like him at 185. Brunson is really good, but this is a winnable fight for Whittaker, which he needs to keep moving up in the grid locked division. Jake Matthews is Australia’s golden boy. Both Matthews and Holbrook are coming off losses. This should be a fun one, and I like Matthews to get the KO. Jon Tuck is from Guam. I love that island. He’s gone win-lose for his last 7, and he lost last time, so he’s definitely winning.
Jason Knight is a guy who I wouldn’t normally pick, but I remember seeing him fight last time and thinking, “take him next time he fights.” Or maybe it was “don’t take him…” whatever. Dan Kelly is another Aussie fan fav. Dan is gonna be raring to go, and Camozzi is primed to lose. Volkanovski was the most expensive fighter left I could afford, so I took him.
