UFC Fight Night 74 Predictions: Main Card Staff Predictions
The UFC takes the Octagon to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, for the first time this Sunday for Fight Night 74.
As is typical of the UFC's visits to Canada, many combatants on Sunday's card are from the host nation. The main event, however, features featherweights Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, representing the United States and Brazil, respectively.
Oliveira enters the contest riding a four-fight win streak. During that stretch, three of his victories have come by way of submission. Holloway's winning run is even more impressive, having reached six in a row, including five finishes.
The co-main event of Fight Night 74 is another United States vs. Brazil matchup in Neil Magny vs. Erick Silva. Magny saw his seven-fight win streak get snapped in his last outing, while Silva is coming off a pair of first-round stoppage victories.
The full main card for Fight Night 74 is as follows:
- Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
- Neil Magny vs. Erick Silva
- Patrick Cote vs. Josh Burkman
- Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo
- Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims
- Maryna Moroz vs. Valerie Letourneau
As is always the case, Bleacher Report's team is here to provide you with our best guesses regarding the outcomes of each impending main card contest. Fight Night 74, however, signifies a transition in this ongoing series: I introduce to you a revamped team of soothsayers.
Coming at you are forecasts from Scott "Hadrian" Harris, Nathan "Maximian" McCarter, "Severus" Steven Rondina, Jonathan "Septimius" Snowden and Craig "Augustus" Amos.
2015 Standings
1 of 7
Because the Bleacher Report team has three new faces, we are starting anew with the standings. Everyone is at tied at 0-0.
If you've been following along with the series this year, you know that is a good thing for me.
Anyway, this is how it looks right now:
- Craig Amos: 0-0
- Scott Harris: 0-0
- Nathan McCarter: 0-0
- Steven Rondina: 0-0
- Jonathan Snowden: 0-0
Ah yes, a fresh start. Until Monday morning I am leading the pack by virtue of alphabetical order. If I had to get my measles vaccination before all the other kids when I was seven, I get to go first for the good things too.
Now on to the picks.
Maryna Moroz vs. Valerie Letourneau
2 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
The 23-year-old Moroz only had 90 seconds to work against Joanne Calderwood in her UFC debut. But in that minute-and-a-half, she managed to showcase both solid striking and ground work. She may be the real deal.
Moroz, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
It's easy to feel bullish on Moroz heading into this fight given her big win over Joanne Calderwood, but don't sleep on Letourneau here. The ATT product has been able to hang with some of the best female fighters at any weight class, and it's too early to completely buy into the Ukrainian. I'll take Letourneau here via boring (but clear) decision.
Letourneau, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
Moroz is one of the better prospects in this division, and she already has a top-10 win to her credit. Letourneau is tough and has taken stars like Alexis Davis and Claudia Gadelha to the limit, but she has always failed to beat the upper echelon. The 23-year-old Moroz shows that the division is passing Letourneau by with a three-round sweep.
Moroz, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
This could bring some nice fireworks to start the main card. Moroz is more polished on the ground, though, so when it goes there, it's her fight. I'm not sleeping on her anymore.
Moroz, submission, Round 1
Craig Amos
Moroz handed Calderwood the first official loss of her career, making a name for herself in her inaugural UFC bout. Letourneau's activity has not been quite so dramatic, but she's been impressive as well. She'll run her UFC record to a perfect 3-0.
Letourneau, unanimous decision
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Tony Sims
3 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
Aubin-Mercier brought his last opponent a basket of muffins at the weigh-ins. Who doesn't like a considerate guy?
Aubin-Mercier, submission, Round 3
Steven Rondina
Sims has been a knockout machine, but the UFC didn't make this fight with the intention of Aubin-Mercier potentially losing. Look for The Ultimate Fighter: Nations runner-up to work his grappling from the get-go and lock up something pretty in the second round.
Aubin-Mercier, submission, Round 2
Nathan McCarter
I like this matchup, but not because it will be too competitive. This is the UFC giving a prospect a favorable but tough fight. Aubin-Mercier will have to be careful not to get clipped, but this should be his fight to win.
Aubin-Mercier, submission, Round 3
Scott Harris
Sims has the old puncher's chance, but it won't be enough. Aubin-Mercier is a grappling wiz, and he'll get it done in front of his home fans.
Aubin-Mercier, submission, Round 2
Craig Amos
I'll make it a clean sweep by throwing my lot in with the Canadian. His superior grappling will prove to be the difference.
Aubin-Mercier, submission, Round 3
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Chad Laprise vs. Francisco Trinaldo
4 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
The key to this fight will be distance. Trinaldo, with a huge size advantage, will look to get in tight and overwhelm the technical striker. I'm betting he won't be able to.
Laprise, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Trinaldo is a decent fighter, but he lacks any particularly fearsome tools. Laprise can hang with him anywhere in the cage and should be able to out-IQ him en route to a decision win.
Laprise, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
This scrap has all the potential to be the Fight of the Night. Trinaldo is a great test for Laprise but one the Canadian ultimately passes. It'll go the distance, but Laprise squeaks by.
Laprise, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Laprise doesn't have a lot of finishing power. It's a good thing his Michael Bisping-esque kickboxing game is good enough to stave off Trinaldo, who will likely try to bull-rush Laprise and make this into a fight. Laprise's movement and angles will prevent that outcome.
Laprise, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Trinaldo has won his last three, beating some solid opponents over that run. He sometimes gets complacent though, keeping things on the feet for the better part of his fights. That plays right into the hands of Laprise, who is built for bouts like that.
Laprise, unanimous decision
Patrick Cote vs. Josh Burkman
5 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
Two old guys, both desperate to keep their careers alive? I smell a decision. When in doubt, go with the local.
Cote, split decision
Steven Rondina
Neither Cote nor Burkman is setting the world on fire at this point, but they can still pick up wins with ugly yet effective grappling. While both men have fallen into the same rut in recent months; don't forget that once upon a time, Cote was something of a formidable striker. Expect him to modestly out-land Burkman at range while breaking even in the clinch en route to a forgettable decision win.
Cote, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
This is a coin-flip fight because you do not know what kind of Cote or Burkman will show up. My head says Burkman, but my gut says Cote. I'll take the Canadian by TKO for his first stoppage since 2012.
Cote, TKO, Round 2
Scott Harris
If both of these veterans survive with all their body parts intact, it should be a fun fight. Cote will always have the brawling spirit, but his wrestling is pretty slumbered upon. Still, I like the wily and hard-chinned Burkman to eke by Cote with toughness and guile.
Burkman, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Cote has always been a striker, but he's executed some key takedowns in each of his last two victories. It's possible that will work for him again, and it's possible he wins just by striking, but Burkman will catch him with a guillotine and end the fight prematurely.
Burkman, submission, Round 2
Neil Magny vs. Erick Silva
6 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
I was pretty excited to see Erick Silva against Rick Story. That one was a classic style matchup. This is Neil Magny getting blitzed.
Silva, TKO, Round 2
Steven Rondina
Magny is taking a colossal risk here by jumping back into the cage so soon after his loss to Demian Maia, and it's a risk that is unlikely to pay off. While the TUF 16 alum has the skills to contend with the vast majority of welterweights, Silva's early whirlwind of offense is difficult to withstand. If the fight becomes a drawn-out affair, things could break in Magny's favor, but the most likely outcome is an early knockout win for Silva.
Silva, TKO, Round 1
Nathan McCarter
Magny built his win streak on a bunch of mediocre talent, and Silva is far from mediocre. He is the better athlete, has better submissions and has much greater knockout power. Magny will have to tire him out first, but he won't get out of the first round.
Silva, knockout, Round 1
Scott Harris
I'm a Magny mark, and I see no reason to turn back now. He will calmly work his jab and hit takedowns to outpoint Silva in one of those classic Magny-like workman efforts. Sound the upset alarms.
Magny, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Silva is always a threat to finish his opponent early, but I see Magny using his reach and wrestling to control the tempo and take Silva to a frustrating decision.
Magny, unanimous decision
Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira
7 of 7
Jonathan Snowden
Holloway seems to make massive leaps every time he gets into the cage. He should take control after a rollicking first round.
Holloway, TKO, Round 2
Steven Rondina
The number of similarities between Oliveira and Holloway is astounding. The one major difference between them, however, is Oliveira's superior grappling game. The Brazilian should win the majority of ground exchanges, and that will make all the difference here.
Oliveira, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
I really like this fight, and it's a credible Fight Night main event. Oliveira poses significant threats to Holloway in a lot of unique areas, but since this is a five-round affair, I side with the Hawaiian. Body work will lay the ground work early for a fourth-round finish.
Holloway, TKO, Round 4
Scott Harris
I like both of these guys. Oliveira is starting to put it all together, but he won't get this to the ground, where he has a paper advantage on Holloway. Holloway keeps it standing and fires off some of those lightning combinations we're starting to expect from the rising Hawaiian.
Holloway, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Both fighters come into this one in the midst of an impressive streak. I'm taking Holloway because I see him getting the better of the striking and defending against the takedown, which will Oliveira's chances to seek the finish or amass points.
Holloway, unanimous decision
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