UFC 192: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions
MMA events in Texas have become a running gag due to the wackiness of the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration, but the bucks are just too beaucoup for the UFC to pass up. The good (or maybe bad) news, though, is that the company's upcoming trip to Houston is chock full of big names.
The main card is as follows:
- Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson
- Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley
- Ryan Bader vs. Rashad Evans
- Shawn Jordan vs. Ruslan Magomedov
- Jessica Eye vs. Julianna Pena
There is plenty to look forward to on Saturday night, and as usual Bleacher Report's crack team of writers is here to give you their predictions. So who gets the "W" according to the crew? Click on and out!
2015 Standings
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Things largely stayed in place following a (mostly) neck-and-neck Fight Night 75. With the exception of Jonathan, all of us went 4-2. Unlike Fight Night 75, however, UFC 192 features just one fight where the entire staff was unanimous in their picks (and it's probably not the one you're expecting).
Here are the results from last week and the full standings:
Amos: 4-2 (13-4 overall)
Rondina: 4-2 (12-5)
Harris: 4-2 (11-6)
McCarter: 4-2 (9-8)
Snowden: 3-3 (9-8)
Jessica Eye vs. Julianna Pena
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Craig Amos
There is no way to sugarcoat it; Eye was a big disappointment in her last fight against Miesha Tate. Coming off the best performance of her career, she was dominated by Tate, and now has to deal with another tough opponent in Pena. It'll come down to who wins the wrestling: If Pena gets Eye to the mat, she wins; but if Eye stays up, she wins. I'm siding with the (surprisingly large) underdog in Eye.
Eye, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Eye is better than the oddsmakers are giving her credit for, but this is still Pena's fight to lose. There is little reason to doubt that the Venezuelan Vixen won't be able to work Eye to the mat and hold her there en route to a decision win.
Pena, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
Eye has the tools to make this a difficult fight for Pena, but this fight is all about Pena proving she is an upper-echelon fighter in this division. Miesha Tate proved how undersized Eye was in their fight, and we'll see that again here. Physicality and strength propel Pena to a decision victory.
Pena, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Pena is an unadulterated monster. She tends to be bigger, stronger and faster than most opponents. That's the case here, and as such it's her fight to lose. Eye is a fun brawler, but Pena will overwhelm her with power strikes, takedowns and clinch work. Eventually, this will hit the ground, and at that point it's just a matter of time.
Pena, submission, Rd. 2
Jonathan Snowden
Jessica Eye will look to keep Pena on the end of her jab and hope against hope that Pena never secures a takedown. She will of course. That's when things will get ugly.
Pena, TKO, Rd. 2
Shawn Jordan vs. Ruslan Magomedov
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Amos
Jordan is a remarkably gifted athlete who has tallied some great results lately. Magomedov is much more methodical and subdued in his performances, but the results have been there for him. I'm taking the Russian by virtue of his superior technique on the feet. I'll even say he picks up a rare finish.
Magomedov, TKO, Rd. 2
Rondina
Jordan is a middling heavyweight with no technique but a fair bit of power. Magomedov is a middling heavyweight with a fair bit of technique but no power. It's a tough call, but I'm expecting Magomedov to wear down Jordan en route to a unanimous decision.
Magomedov, unanimous decision
McCarter
I would like to get excited for this fight, but I just cannot. Magomedov will take another decision, his sixth straight, by defeating Jordan.
Magomedov, unanimous decision
Harris
Jordan is all about strength and explosiveness. It doesn't take much for him to send you to Trouble Street. But you know what? Magomedov is going to say Return to Sender, bro. He's a sweet-footed athlete with heavy kicks. The 28-year-old Dagestani will make it three for three in the UFC.
Magomedov, unanimous decision
Snowden
This is another interesting clash of styles. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva deserves credit for putting a heck of a card together. Jordan's game is built on suddenness. He's quick, powerful and deadly. To beat him, you need to match him strength for strength or keep him far, far away from you. Magomedov has the skill set to do the latter. I think he will, but all 15 minutes will be tense because Jordan can finish in a blink.
Magomedov, unanimous decision
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Ryan Bader vs. Rashad Evans
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Amos
The best Rashad Evans absolutely throttles the best Ryan Bader, but it's difficult to imagine Evans coming into this one in top form. The former champion hasn't fought in nearly two years, and with the exception of obliterating an overmatched Chael Sonnen, he wasn't too impressive over his last four fights. Bader, on the other hand, seems to have reached his pinnacle. Given all the variables, I'm taking the hot hand over the better talent.
Bader, unanimous decision
Rondina
Even before knee injuries derailed Evans' career, the former light heavyweight champ was a shell of his former self, dropping a fight to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and almost losing to Dan Henderson. Even if the Evans that thrashed Chael Sonnen comes back, there's no guarantee that he'll be able to keep up with a plodding yet effective Bader.
Bader, unanimous decision
McCarter
Evans is back, and I am thrilled. I want to believe he is back 100 percent, but after a substantial time away I am not so sure we will see the same Evans inside the cage. Even still, he's better than Bader. Evans is faster, more athletic and has a lot more tools. He'll torch Bader in the first.
Evans, TKO, Rd. 1
Harris
This fight is emblematic of the tepidity that surrounds UFC 192. Bader is good, but he's a wrestle-boxer and that's all he is, and that's the only kind of fight we'll see him fight. Evans would be a gimme if this was 2011. But now, at age 36 and with two ACL surgeries and two years of rusty buildup on his bones, I'm not confident he still has his fastball. Sound the (mild) upset alarms.
Bader, unanimous decision
Snowden
Assuming their excellent wrestling games negate each other and Evans has slowed after the layoff and injuries, he should still have a significant advantage on the feet. Bader packs some punch but is robotic and slow. The smoother Evans should rack up enough points with the occasional combination to ignite talk of one more title shot.
Evans, unanimous decision
Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley
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Johny Hendricks vs. Tyron Woodley was scrapped from UFC 192 on Friday afternoon. It was first reported by UFC President Dana White that Hendricks was dealing with weight-cut related issues.
Hendrick's manager, Ted Ehrhardt, gave a statement to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com regarding the situation citing a blockage in his intestine, in addition to a kidney stone. Hendricks was taken to the emergency room and given an IV.
Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports reported that, according to White, Woodley would be getting the next title shot, vs. the winner of Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit (those two are set to fight on Jan 2nd at UFC 195).
Daniel Cormier vs. Alexander Gustafsson
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Amos
Cormier may have come into his championship without actually beating Jon Jones, but a convincing win over Anthony Johnson suggests he is the second-best light heavyweight in the world. This matchup is not immune to an upset; Gustafsson takes it if he can establish distance and keep Cormier at the end of his reach. But the fight is Cormier's to lose.
Cormier, unanimous decision
Rondina
Cormier is a better wrestler and has the championship advantage with the judges. That's pretty much impossible to overcome, no matter how good Gustafsson is.
Cormier, unanimous decision
McCarter
Gustafsson will illustrate his chance to become champion in the opening round. If he gets Cormier's respect and keeps him at range, he can win, but if Cormier gets inside easily, it's all over. Cormier can manage the distance and grapple with him. Eventually a TKO finish comes.
Cormier, TKO, Rd. 4
Harris
Count me among those who think this fight will be closer than the majority thinks. But don't count me among those who see an upset in the offing. Gustafsson will use his length to land from the perimeter and his movement to make himself a hard target for Cormier's takedowns and clinch fighting. But in the end Cormier will win a test of wills and create the sort of performance that will bore action lovers and cause the educated among us to write lyrical ballads in his name. Very long ballads.
Cormier, unanimous decision
Snowden
This is an updated version of the classic grappler vs. striker match that defined the early years of the sport. In this case Cormier is a very good striker and Gustafsson is a more than competent grappler—but this fight will end up as a battle of styles and wills.
Cormier will look to get in tight, secure a clinch and either take the Swede down or take advantage of the scrambles. Gustafsson will do everything in his power to keep Cormier at a distance with leg kicks and a sharp jab. Whoever wins the philosophical battle will also win the fight. I think it will be the challenger.
Gustafsson, unanimous decision
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