UFC Fight Night 66 Predictions: Main Card Staff Predictions
The UFC's offerings in Asia haven't always been overflowing with amazing matchups. The matchmakers seem to have made a conscious effort to change that for UFC Fight Night 66.
Will it be confused with a blockbuster pay-per-view anytime soon? Nah. But that's OK. It will make for a fun evening of fights on free TV when the card airs Saturday morning from Manila in the Philippines.
In the main event, Urijah Faber returns to featherweight to take on Frankie Edgar. There's lots of star power in that one. And in the co-main event, we'll see whether Gegard Mousasi can finally step under the contender's rope against boxer Costa Philippou.
But it only ends there. Here to take you through the entire six-fight main card and offer our predictions is Bleacher Report MMA's irrepressible and impregnable predictions team of Riley "Kobra" Kontek, James "The Athlete" MacDonald, Craig "Cookie" Amos, Sean "Salmon" Smith and me, Scott Harris. Let's get it on.
Mark Eddiva vs. Levan Makashvili
1 of 6
Kontek
Mark Eddiva's original opponent was Alex White, but instead he draws Levan Makashvili. That's a bigger hill to climb, in this writer's opinion. Makashvili has taken on some tough competition in the East Coast MMA scene and is well-rounded. Eddiva is tough, but Makashvili should score a finish in his debut.
Makashvili, TKO, Rd. 2
Amos
Eddiva gets the opportunity to grab a main card win for the host country, but he'll have to put in the performance of his life to pull it out. Makashvili is a tough opponent who enters this contest as a decisive favorite. He should make good on that sentiment and claim a victory in his promotional debut.
Makashvili, unanimous decision
MacDonald
This is a close fight. It’ll be nice for the home crowd if Eddiva gets the win to kick off the main card, but Makashvili is a tough out for him. I’m going with my gut on this one and picking Eddiva, though. There’s every chance I’ll be dead wrong, mind you.
Eddiva, unanimous decision
Smith
I'm not sure what UFC-caliber means these days, but Eddiva is not quite at that point in his career. He has more Octagon experience than UFC newcomer Makashvili; however, that's where his advantages end.
Makashvili, unanimous decision
Harris
I understand why the UFC picks these hometown guys for these cards. But how much does it help you if the person loses? Makashvili sets up Eddiva with combinations and takes him down with, you know, takedowns.
Makashvili, unanimous decision
Philippe Nover vs. Yui Chul Nam
2 of 6Kontek
Philippe Nover makes his return to the UFC after a failed first run, where he got the undeserved title of the next "Georges St-Pierre or Anderson Silva." Those were big expectations, but make no mistake, he is a serviceable fighter. He is likely the favorite here, but that's because people have forgotten about Korean demolition man Yui Chul Nam. He is a wrecking ball, especially in the early rounds of fights. I got him in this one.
Nam, unanimous decision
Amos
The UFC brings Nover back after the former The Ultimate Fighter star pieced together three straight victories. He's in a winnable bout here against Nam. It could be pretty close. Nam should edge out the win, though, by racking up points on the feet.
Nam, unanimous decision
MacDonald
The next GSP is back to fulfill some of his early promise. He has a tough fight against Nam, and it’s one I could see going either way. However, Nover has been in against better competition consistently, so I’m giving him the edge here.
Nover, unanimous decision
Smith
Nover was disappointing in his first UFC stint. He'll figure it out this time around, though, right? Dana White said he was the next Anderson Silva or Georges St-Pierre after all.
Nover, unanimous decision
Harris
It’s unfair to take Nover lightly. It’s not his fault he got set up by Dana White that way. It’s not unlike a football player who gets drafted too high. What was he supposed to do, reject the overly high opinion of the person who pays him? Anyway, I have Nam here.
Nam, unanimous decision
Hyun Gyu Lim vs. Neil Magny
3 of 6
Kontek
I am torn on this fight. While Neil Magny has hit his stride, his wins haven't come against the toughest of competition. Hyun Gyu Lim is an assassin with big power who has taken some of the best shots from Tarec Saffiedine and kept coming. Magny could grind this out, but I will go with the upset here.
Lim, unanimous decision
Amos
Lim has some scary power, but Magny has shown a skill for avoiding damage on the feet, and he can frustrate guys by chaining together strikes, clinch work and takedowns. Although it's not entirely the same, this challenge for Magny looks similar to the one he took on against Alex Garcia, another explosive finisher. He passed that test, so why not this one?
Magny, unanimous decision
MacDonald
This should be a fun fight. Magny has looked terrific lately, and Lim is, well, a monster. Magny is the more technically sound of the two, so I expect him to have the edge in what will be an entertaining contest.
Magny, unanimous decision
Smith
Magny has a nice winning streak going. I'm not sure it'll last when he starts competing against ranked welterweights, but Lim isn't at that level. Make it seven in a row for Magny.
Magny, unanimous decision
Harris
My father told me once, “Son, you have to dance with the horse that brung you.” That means I go with Neil Magny until he loses. I like watching Lim fight; he’s a slugger who will make this fun. He has a place in the UFC for sure. Between these two very big welterweights, Magny should control the pace and the outcome.
Magny, unanimous decision
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Mark Munoz vs. Luke Barnatt
4 of 6
Kontek
Mark Munoz is here for his swan song, and he gets a good stylistic matchup in Luke Barnatt. The Brit is a striker who has struggled against wrestlers. That's Munoz's bread and butter. Takedown, ground-and-pound, rinse, lather and repeat. The Filipino rides into the sunset with a win.
Munoz, unanimous decision
Amos
To be blunt, neither Munoz nor Barnatt has looked particularly good of late. In assessing each man's recent futility, we see that Barnatt has lost two straight split decisions, with neither coming against lofty competition. Munoz has faced tougher opponents, but he's dropped three straight by first-round stoppage. The pick is Barnatt. I guess.
Barnatt, TKO, Rd. 2
MacDonald
It’s unfortunate that Munoz never really became the contender we expected him to be. Given that this is his farewell, it would be nice to see him exit the sport with a win. Barnatt is a good opponent for him, too. The lanky Brit doesn’t have the defensive wrestling to consistently keep the fight on the feet, so it’s difficult to see a clear path to victory for him. Munoz has strong ground-and-pound, but Barnatt is durable and should at least make it to the final bell.
Munoz, unanimous decision
Smith
I'm not sure Munoz has anything left in the tank. If he does, he's going to empty that tank on Saturday, though. The All-American wrestler has the ability to score takedowns and go out with a win against Barnatt.
Munoz, unanimous decision
Harris
Barnatt probably won that fight against Sean Strickland. (He ended up with the split-decision loss.) But the fight wasn’t good, and neither was his fight with Roger Narvaez. But his overall trend line is still pointing upward. Munoz’s is not. He will get a rousing ovation from the Manila crowd. Win or lose, he knows that and will fight accordingly. It’s just human nature. Best of luck to Munoz in his post-fight MMA career.
Barnatt, unanimous decision
Gegard Mousasi vs. Costa Philippou
5 of 6
Kontek
Amos
Gegard Mousasi usually handles anyone who isn't a title contender. Costa Philippou, while a good fighter, hasn't shown himself to be a part of the middleweight division's upper echelon. The fight is likely to take place primarily on the feet, and Mousasi should exhibit an edge there. He has no worries if it hits the mat either.
Mousasi, unanimous decision\
MacDonald
This is a tough fight for Philippou. The former Serra/Longo protege looked to have the makings of a future contender, but losses to Francis Carmont and Luke Rockhold have halted most of his momentum. He has also been out of the cage for more than a year, so the odds aren’t stacked in his favor. Wherever this fight goes, I expect Mousasi to have the advantage. This one will mostly be contested on the feet, so look for Mousasi’s more well-rounded striking game to be the difference.
Mousasi, TKO, Rd. 3
Smith
Philippou is in trouble in this matchup. He might have more power than Mousasi, but he's going to have a tough time getting inside on the excellent kickboxer. Should Philippou get frustrated and go to the ground, Mousasi can stop him there also.
Mousasi, TKO, Rd. 1
Harris
I’m a fan of both of these guys. I want Philippou to be a good UFC fighter, but until he improves his grappling or at least his takedown defense, he’s going to sputter out against guys like Mousasi, who is due for a serious W.
Mousasi, submission, Rd. 2
Urijah Faber vs. Frankie Edgar
6 of 6
Kontek
This should be a fantastic bout and closer than people think. Size-wise, they are pretty close. Edgar is quicker and sharper on the feet, while Faber has better clinch and close-quarters ability. Edgar is stylistically stronger at this point in his career and should hand Faber his first-ever non-title loss in a potential Fight of the Night.
Edgar, TKO, Rd. 3
Amos
Though Faber has won his last two bouts, he hasn't looked as dominant as we're used to seeing him in fights that don't involve a title. Not nearly as dominant as Edgar looked against Cub Swanson, anyway. I actually anticipate a one-sided affair.
Edgar, TKO, Rd. 4
MacDonald
Stylistically, Faber is a tough matchup for Edgar. It’s hard to imagine the former UFC lightweight king having it all his own way in the grappling exchanges. That being said, Edgar’s speed and superior boxing will likely earn him a decision. It should be competitive, though.
Edgar, unanimous decision
Smith
Not to say this won't be exciting, but I have a hard time seeing either Edgar or Faber earning a finish. It should be a fast-paced and competitive matchup, but Edgar owns a speed edge despite recently competing two divisions above Faber. That will be the difference when it goes to the scorecards.
Edgar, unanimous decision
Harris
I’m trying to talk myself out of this being a “fun fight” and nothing more. Faber needs to finish in order to win, and Edgar has never been finished. Edgar has the speed on the ground to stay out of trouble in the scramble. Edgar also outlands Faber on the feet. The Answer takes it on points. And then what? I don’t know.
Edgar, unanimous decision
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