UFC Fight Night 65 Predictions: Main Card Staff Predictions
After a weekend off, the Octagon will be back in use for UFC Fight Night 65.
The show is headlined by a heavyweight matchup between a pair of contenders who are both coming off losses. Mark Hunt was defeated by Fabricio Werdum for the interim heavyweight title. Stipe Miocic lost a razor-thin decision to former champ Junior dos Santos.
In the co-main event, middleweights Brad Tavares and Robert Whittaker will square off. Whittaker has won his last two bouts, while Tavares has taken six of his last eight.
Also on the main card is a light heavyweight tussle between Australian journeyman Anthony Perosh and American bruiser Sean O'Connell.
Rounding out the main card is a lightweight bout between a couple of The Ultimate Fighter alums, James Vick and Jake Matthews.
As always, the Bleacher Report picks team is ready to provide you with our forecasts for each of the main card matchups.
Read on for insight from Scott "Two of Hearts" Harris, James "Jacks" MacDonald, Riley "King" Kontek, Sean "The Spade" Smith and Craig "Ace of Clubs" Amos.
2015 Records
1 of 5
So, this year hasn't gone all that well for me in terms of picking winners. That doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not a winner though, does it? Yes, it does.
But you know who is a winner? Riley Kontek. At least he would be a winner if the finish of 2015 was upon us. But it's not. So right now, he's still just Riley.
James MacDonald is nipping at his heels, while Sean Smith is hardly any farther off. Scott Harris and I have some work to do, but crazier things have happened.
Here's how things look going into Fight Night 65:
- Riley Kontek: 44-21
- James MacDonald: 42-23
- Sean Smith: 41-24
- Scott Harris: 37-28
- Craig Amos: 36-29
Now, on to the Fight Night 65 picks.
Jake Matthews vs. James Vick
2 of 5
Scott Harris
I want to take the local (to me, anyway) product here, and I enjoy Vick's evolving and physical sprawl-and-brawl game. However, Matthews seems to prey on opponents' mistakes, especially in the stand-up. Those two things could mean a donnybrook for fans or an extended fence ride. Either way, while my heart says Vick, the head says Jake will emerge.
Matthews, unanimous decision
James MacDonald
This is a tough one to call. Both men have a lot of upside. I thought Vick looked phenomenal during his time on TUF, particularly given that he was pretty much just a boxer, and Matthews has continued to improve in every area. I’m going with Vick, but I wouldn’t be remotely shocked if Matthews picked up the win.
Vick, unanimous decision
Riley Kontek
As two of the more promising prospects on the UFC lightweight roster, Jake Matthews and James Vick should be involved in a fun bout. Vick has shown stout takedown defense and crisp boxing and has superior size to Matthews. It's for that reason he has the edge here. Matthews may surprise you, though.
Vick, unanimous decision
Sean Smith
This should be a good one between two up-and-coming grapplers. Vick's reach makes me hesitant to pick against him in the event that the grappling cancels out and both fighters stand, but these two will look to use their strengths and go to the ground. It'll be tough for either man to score a submission, but Matthews has the better chance and, more importantly, should be the one scoring takedowns and working from the top position.
Matthews, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Both of these guys have looked good recently, making this pairing an intriguing one. Vick should have an edge on the feet, but Matthews can nullify that if he aggressively pursues the takedown. I'll guess that the youngster gives the Australian crowd something to cheer about.
Matthews, unanimous decision
Anthony Perosh vs. Sean O'Connell
3 of 5
Scott Harris
Looks like what you gotta do right about now is give it up. Give it up for The Hippo. Because it looks like O'Connell is the next leg on his Anthony Perosh Farewell Tour, brought to you by Ironic Wicker Chairs. Perosh finds openings and exploits them not with fists but with takedowns or the clinch.
Perosh, unanimous decision
James MacDonald
I don’t think this one will have the punters glued to their seats. Don’t expect “spellbinding” to be the adjective of choice afterward. I’m not sure O’Connell has the wrestling to keep this fight standing, so I’m giving Perosh the edge here.
Perosh, submission, Rd. 2
Riley Kontek
I am torn on this fight. O'Connell has the ability to absorb huge amounts of punishment and negate it with one-punch knockout ability. However, the ground game of Perosh is hard to ignore. If O'Connell can counter-wrestle, he will be in good shape. If not, it's going to be a rough night for The Real OC.
Perosh, submission, Rd. 2
Sean Smith
Before scoring a comeback knockout in his latest outing against Matt Van Buren, O'Connell was likely minutes away from being released from the UFC roster. Perosh, on the other hand, has picked up solid wins over Cyrille Diabate, Vinny Magalhaes and others. As unassuming as he seems sometimes at 42 years old, Perosh will perform well in front of his home Australian crowd and show why he has had more success than O'Connell inside the Octagon.
Perosh, submission, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
O'Connell can knock people out. And Perosh can be knocked out. If the fight hits the mat, though, then it will be all Perosh. Because Perosh can submit people. And, well, you know...
Perosh, submission, Rd. 1
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Brad Tavares vs. Robert Whittaker
4 of 5
Scott Harris
I don't want to call Tavares a gatekeeper, so let's instead say that he's always near the gate, and if some jerk happens to try to come stumbling inside, you know what? He's going out with the garbage. Don't call Tavares a gatekeeper, though. In this matchup against the young slugger, call him a winner.
Tavares, TKO, Rd. 2
James MacDonald
Both men are probably underrated. I’ve been a Tavares supporter since he outclassed Tom Watson. That’s not to say he’ll ever be champion, mind you. Whittaker has a lot of potential and looked good in his middleweight debut against Clint Hester. I’m taking the younger Aussie based on his greater fighting potential, but it’s a competitive fight.
Whittaker, unanimous decision
Riley Kontek
This has Fight of the Night written all over it and should be fun. It appears Whittaker's move up in weight class may have been a good idea for him. He looked good in his UFC 185-pound debut. However, he is taking on a guy in Tavares who has fought some of the best the UFC has to offer with encouraging results. This should be his fight.
Tavares, unanimous
Seam Smith
He wasn't able to break through against Yoel Romero or Tim Boetsch, but Tavares has proved he can beat almost anybody outside the Top 15 in the middleweight division. Those not able to take him down are particularly at a disadvantage, and Whittaker has not been known for his wrestling. The New Zealand native has the striking needed to stand with Tavares. But this matchup looks like one where Tavares will show how well-rounded he has become, much like he did when he scored multiple takedowns against Lorenz Larkin.
Tavares, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Whittaker's decision to jump up to middleweight looks to have been a good idea, but this is the test that will either confirm or refute that. Tavares is a tough opponent, but if the Aussie can keep the fight standing, he will pull out the W.
Whittaker, unanimous decision
Mark Hunt vs. Stipe Miocic
5 of 5
Scott Harris
Mark Hunt is reaching tall-tale status at this point. Miocic can wind up from Auckland and still not get the big fella down. Can he dance around the perimeter and score damage? Yes. But not long enough to avoid The Cannon.
Hunt, knockout, Rd. 2
James MacDonald
This is an interesting matchup. Miocic has the wrestling ability to take Hunt to the floor and keep him there. Will he do that? Who knows. Maybe after he eats a few right hands. It’s difficult to pick against Hunt largely because his story is so compelling, but Miocic is smart enough to mix in his wrestling and grind Hunt down.
Miocic, TKO, Rd. 4
Riley Kontek
Miocic really boosted his stock in a loss to Junior dos Santos, showing he can take a punch and give it out. However, taking even a couple of blows to the jaw from Hunt isn't a healthy lifestyle tip. Hunt's takedown defense and huge KO ability should carry him here, even though Miocic can give him a run for his money.
Hunt, TKO, Rd. 2
Sean Smith
We know Miocic is the better wrestler in this matchup, but will he survive long enough to score the takedowns he'll need to win? Miocic answered that question in a competitive decision loss to Junior dos Santos at UFC on Fox 13. If he was able to box with Dos Santos for 25 minutes, he should hold his own against Hunt long enough to get his wrestling going and take over the fight from the top position.
Miocic, TKO, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
Despite coming off a loss, Miocic's stock has never been higher in my book. He is coming into his own as a top heavyweight, and he'll notch the biggest win of his career this Saturday. Hunt is dangerous as always, but Miocic has become better at avoiding damage, which will pay off big for him in this one.
Miocic, unanimous decision
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
