UFC Fight Night 64: B/R Staff Main Card Predictions

The UFC is busy in 2015, and that continues this weekend, as the UFC comes to you live from Poland for the first time. UFC Fight Night 64, which is heavy on European talent, will feature a headlining rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Their first meeting ended with one of the most recognizable knockouts in UFC history, when Gonzaga used Cro Cop's signature weapon, the head kick, to put away Cro Cop. That win stole a title shot for Gonzaga, who would go on to challenge Randy Couture for the belt.

Bleacher Report has again called upon its team of predictors to give you some insight into this card. So, per usual, Scotty Harris, Jimmy MacDonald, Sean "Smitty" Smith, Craig "Craiger" Amos and I, Riley "The Best There Was, Is and Ever Will Be" Kontek, will guide you with picks for this four-fight main card. 

2015 Staff Records

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This year's picking for the staff has been like Gabriel Gonzaga's chest: hairy. 

Last year's co-champion, Craig Amos, is at the bottom of the rankings with perennial lovable loser Scott Harris just ahead of him.

Currently, I hold a two-spot lead over James MacDonald, the man who may or may not be in the bloodline of William Wallace (the testing is still out over there in Scotland). However, it's not even halfway through the year yet, so a lot can change. 

Here are the staff records for 2015.

Riley Kontek (36-16)

James MacDonald (34-18)

Sean Smith (33-19)

Scott Harris (30-22)

Craig Amos (29-23)

Joanne Calderwood vs. Maryna Moroz

Kontek: This is an interesting matchup, considering Joanne Calderwood is probably one of the closest women to a title shot and Maryna Moroz has yet to step into a UFC cage. Moroz is definitely an intriguing prospect, but she's not yet tested like Calderwood is. Calderwood should deflect takedowns and dominate the clinch, potentially earning a stoppage down the stretch.

Calderwood, TKO, Rd. 2

Smith: In a wide-open women’s strawweight division, this bout could catapult the winner toward a shot at the 115-pound belt. Moroz is promising with a spotless record in five MMA appearances, but she has no experience inside the Octagon. Calderwood, meanwhile, tested herself against some of the best on The Ultimate Fighter 20, and that should pay off in this matchup.

Calderwood, Unanimous Decision

Amos: Calderwood erased a disappointing TUF finish by winning her inaugural UFC match, and this is a good opportunity for her to further build on that success. Moroz is undefeated but has had just five fights and lacks experience against top-quality opponents, unlike her counterpart. She's a submission threat to be sure, but on the feet, Calderwood holds a decisive advantage, and that will be the difference.

Calderwood, TKO, Rd. 2

Harris: Calderwood is the quiet storm of the women's strawweight division. And a title shot this summer in her native Scotland is right there for the taking if she can get past an unheralded opponent in Moroz. All Calderwood has to do is avoid a flash submission, and she'll be good to go.

Calderwood, TKO, Rd. 2

MacDonald: It looked like Calderwood wouldn’t get a fight before the UFC’s debut in Scotland this summer. But now that she has a fight, there’s pressure for her to put on an eye-catching performance and stake a claim for a title shot on home soil. Moroz is probably a better fighter than most are imagining, but taking out JoJo is an awful lot to ask. Look for Calderwood to gradually wear Moroz down and earn a late finish.

Calderwood, TKO, Rd. 3

Pawel Pawlak vs. Sheldon Westcott

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Kontek: When the UFC was signing Polish fighters recently, a lot of names could have been signed, but they went with Pawel Pawlak. While he's a serviceable fighter, he's not nearly the best the country had to offer. As for Sheldon Westcott, he's an extremely underrated welterweight who could surprise many. This will be his coming-out party as a good midcard welterweight.

Westcott, Unanimous Decision

Smith: Neither one of these men has really proved himself at the UFC level, and this matchup could send the loser packing. For me, this is a toss-up, but I’m going to predict that the pressure gets to Pawlak. He’s fighting in a must-win bout in front of his home crowd, and it’ll be too much for the 26-year-old.

Westcott, Unanimous Decision

Amos: Westcott is a talented fighter, and if he's figured out those pesky pacing and cardio aspects of the fight game, he could do well for himself. Pawlak also has some talent, but like Westcott, you get the sense that there is more below the surface than what you've seen. Whoever has done a better job tapping into that latent skill should earn the W in this one.

Westcott, Submission, Rd. 2

Harris: Westcott has shown a nose for the finish dating back to his time on TUF. That said, he was knocked out in his only official UFC bout to date. Then again, Pawlak lost by decision in his own UFC debut and has nine of 10 wins by stoppage. Still, I'll stick with Westcott, whose non-UFC competition is a cut above Pawlak's.

Westcott, TKO, Rd. 2

MacDonald: Westcott impressed me during his stint on TUF. Unfortunately, his biggest strength may also be his biggest weakness. The TUF finalist is so aggressive that if he doesn’t get it done early, there’s a good chance he won’t have the gas to last until the end of the fight. Pawlak is a decent fighter with some potential, but Westcott is just that little bit better.

Westcott, TKO, Rd. 1

Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz

Kontek: This is an awesome fight. Me likes this matchup a lot. Both men love to bang on the feet, so it's a matter of fire power here. Both are talented kickers and have power in their hands. I just feel that the Brit has more in his arsenal.

Manuwa, TKO, Rd. 2

Smith: This is a tough one to call. I could certainly see Blachowicz getting this to the ground and Manuwa looking lost once he does. However, I believe Poster Boy will use his speed and footwork to keep distance long enough to wear Blachowicz down and finish.

Manuwa, TKO, Rd. 2

Amos: Manuwa will need to stay on his feet to win this one, which may prove a challenge. Blachowicz has an ideal style for shutting down the Englishman's offense, and he'll have heavy crowd support, for whatever that's worth. It's a tough one to call.

Blachowicz, Unanimous Decision

Harris: You can never discount Manuwa thanks to his amazing knockout power. He could put something on Blachowicz that ends the night immediately. Nevertheless, there's a flip side to that coin. Manuwa hasn't shown great proficiency in more or less any other phase. I think that's where Blachowicz will go to win.

Blachowicz, Unanimous Decision

MacDonald: The outcome of this contest likely depends on whether Manuwa can remain upright. If he can, he should have the power and skill to get the job done. If he can’t, Blachowicz is more than capable of taking advantage of any holes in the Brit’s ground game. I’m backing Manuwa to keep the fight where he’s most comfortable, though.

Manuwa, TKO, Rd. 3

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

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Kontek: I really don't know which way I want to go here. I know my heart yearns for classic Cro Cop. My head says he's running on fumes. It's not exactly like Gabriel Gonzaga has been setting the world ablaze either. Pride never die!

Cro Cop, TKO, Rd. 2

Smith: Although he’s lost his past two bouts, Gabriel Gonzaga has looked much more like an elite heavyweight than Mirko Cro Cop over the past several years. While Cro Cop picked up some wins outside the Octagon, he’s about to be reminded why he left the UFC in 2011. It won’t be as devastating and shocking as the first meeting between these two, but Gonzaga should get this bout to the ground and finish Cro Cop again.

Gonzaga, Submission, Rd. 1

Amos: Their 2007 was a classic. This time around, it feels less meaningful. Gonzaga has lost two straight and looks like his days as a title contender are done, while Cro Cop last contested in the Octagon back in 2011, losing his final three UFC fights via knockout. We could get a knockout from either man, but Gonzaga could also wrap it up with a submission.

Gonzaga, Submission, Rd. 3

Harris: I have a problem. I am in the tank for Mirko Cro Cop. He's one of a small handful of fighters I have a hard time being truly objective about. Fanboy first for me in this instance. So while he may be old and overmatched on the ground, I have to go with my heart here instead of my head. Something early and emphatic for the combat legend.

Cro Cop, KO, Rd. 1

MacDonald: Ugh, I can’t say I’m excited about this fight. Who knows what to expect from these two? Cro Cop was over the hill when the pair first met eight years ago, so what he’ll look like now is anyone’s guess. I’ve never been a big fan of Gonzaga, but I suspect he still has enough left in the tank to best the 40-year-old Cro Cop. It’ll probably be another KO, too.

Gonzaga, KO, Rd. 2