UFC 200: Predictions for every fight on the stacked card – Yahoo Sports
LAS VEGAS — UFC 200 is finally here, and despite the fact that Jon Jones is no longer on the card because of a failed drug test, it is still the best MMA card ever put together.
There are evenly matched fights up and down the card, so that makes it a lot more difficult to come out with a shiny record when the card is complete. But let’s take a shot at choosing the winners in every fight:
Fight Pass Prelims (Start time 6:30 p.m. ET)
Takanori Gomi (35-11) versus Jim Miller (25-8), three rounds, lightweights — Miller is a submissions whiz who has fallen on hard times, having lost four of his last five. The heavy-handed Gomi has dropped three of his last four and has looked at times as if he’s hit the end of the line. Pick: Gomi by TKO.
Gegard Mousasi (38-6-2) versus Thiago Santos (13-3), three rounds, middleweights — Mousasi is a well-rounded veteran who has the ability to look spectacular at times and ordinary at others. Santos has been on a nice run and is a powerful strikers. Pick: Mousasi by decision.
Diego Sanchez (28-8) versus Joe Lauzon (25-12), three rounds, lightweights — This is easily the favorite for Fight of the Night, as Sanchez and Lauzon have a history of being in incredible fights. Both seem past their prime and that makes it hard to choose. Pick: Lauzon by submission.
Fox Sports 1 preliminaries (Start time 8 p.m. ET)
Sage Northcutt (7-1) versus Enrique Marin (9-3), three rounds, lightweights — Northcutt is a super athlete who debuted last year in the UFC at 19 and went 2-1. He suffered a stunning loss to Bryan Barbarena when he moved up in weight and fought despite strep throat. He was submitted and tapped quickly, earning him derision from fans and many of his peers he says is unfounded. Marin is a kick boxer with good grappling who lost a split decision in his UFC debut. Pick: Northcutt by TKO.
T.J. Dillashaw (13-3) versus Raphael Assuncao (23-4), three rounds, bantamweights — This is a rematch of a terrific 2013 fight that Assuncao won by split decision. Dillashaw later went on to win the bantamweight title and made two successful defenses before losing it to Dominick Cruz in a nail biter in January. Assuncao hasn’t fought since defeating Bryan Caraway in October 2014. Pick: Dillashaw by decision.
Johny Hendricks (17-4) versus Kelvin Gastelum (12-2), three rounds, welterweights — On paper, this is a terrific fight, but Hendricks, the former welterweight champion, missed weight and didn’t look good when he was on the scale. Gastelum had to strip in order to make weight. Hendricks has great wrestling and is a heavy hitter, and Gastelum is a well-rounded fighter who keeps getting better. Pick: Gastelum by decision.
Cat Zingano (9-3) versus Julianna Pena (8-2), three rounds, bantamweights — Zingano hasn’t fought since February 2015 when she was submitted in 14 seconds by Ronda Rousey in a title fight. Zingano went to Thailand to train and learn new techniques, and then changed camps and is working with the highly regarded Eric Del Fierro at Alliance MMA. Pena is athletic and well-rounded but is taking a decided jump up in class. Pick: Zingano by TKO.
Main card (PPV start time 10 p.m. ET)
Cain Velasquez (13-2) versus Travis Browne (18-3-1), three rounds, heavyweights — Velasquez is the former heavyweight champion whose biggest issue has been staying healthy. He’s had a slew of injuries, begging the question of whether his body is breaking down. Browne is a tall, rangy and athletic heavyweight who has knockout power and an ability to recover quickly when hurt. Pick: Velasquez by TKO.
Who are you picking in the interim featherweight title fight?
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 9, 2016
Jose Aldo (25-2) versus Frankie Edgar (19-4-1), five rounds for the interim featherweight title — Aldo is the long-reigning featherweight champion and defeated Edgar in a 2013 title fight. He’s one of the most complete and well-rounded fighters in the game. He’s fast, he’s got tremendously damaging kicks and top-notch takedown defense. Edgar is an ex-lightweight champion who is a very good wrester with good boxing and, even at this late stage of his career, appears to be improving. Pick: Aldo by decision.
Daniel Cormier (17-1) versus Anderson Silva (33-7), three rounds, light heavyweights — Silva, the former middleweight champion, accepted the fight on Thursday after Jones was yanked from the fight because of a failed drug test. Silva had gall bladder surgery in May and has trained for about a week, he said. Cormier is one of the world’s three or four best pound-for-pound fighters and looks in terrific shape. Pick: Cormier by TKO.
Who are you picking in the Lesnar-Hunt fight #UFC200
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 9, 2016
Brock Lesnar (5-3) versus Mark Hunt (12-10-1), three rounds, heavyweights — Lesnar is a former heavyweight champion whose career was derailed by diverticulitis. When he’s on, he’s a ferocious athlete with elite-level wrestling. He hits hard and is powerful in the clinch. Hunt is one of the hardest hitters in the sport. Pick: Hunt by TKO.
Who are you picking in the women’s bantamweight title fight #UFC200
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) July 9, 2016
Miesha Tate (18-5) versus Amanda Nunes (12-4), five rounds for the women’s bantamweight championship — Tate is a well-rounded and dogged competitor whose only weakness is a tendency to get hit a lot. She has great recovery skills and her wrestling is underrated. Nunes is a dangerous striker and she likes to attack. This should be a high-intensity, fast-paced bout. Pick: Tate by decision.
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