UFC Fight Night 79: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions
Korea has been a hotbed for MMA talent for a while now. Its strong judo system rapidly produces solid fighters, and that has seen the tiny nation represented in every major MMA promotion of note. For whatever reason, though, the UFC hasn't actively looked to establish a place in the tiny nation until now.
Fight Night 79 features most of the UFC's Korean roster and also includes interesting fighters of Korean descent. The main card is as follows:
- Benson Henderson vs. Jorge Masvidal
- Dong-Hyun Kim vs. Dominic Waters
- Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alberto Mina
- Doo-Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia
That's an interesting blend of new and old talent that could easily provide some blockbuster fights. But who is going to win, you ask? Find out who the Bleacher Report prediction panel is picking!
Doo-Ho Choi vs. Sam Sicilia
1 of 4
Nathan McCarter
Wow. We are actually going to see this fight take place. I feel as if this is Choi's fight to lose, and that's very possible if he gets into wild exchanges with Sicilia. I'm still going to take "The Korean Superboy" as I think his upside in the division is better than most.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 3
Craig Amos
At 24, Choi is a solid prospect. And with a nickname like "The Korean Superboy," he is certainly difficult to pick against. Sicilia represents a dangerous test, but...Korean Superboy.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Your Fight of the Night dark horse, right here. It's a shame that Choi's career has slowed so much of late; since signing with the UFC two years ago, he has only competed once. The good news for his fans is that he's still only 24 and still appears to have lightning in his limbs. He'll win a slugfest with a willing dance partner in Sicilia.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 2
Jonathan Snowden
If this was a battle of right hands, Rochambeau style, I'd give Sicilia even or better odds. But it's not, and Choi has a more diverse game, one that oozes violence at every opportunity. He's the kind of fighter UFC dreamed would emerge as part of their international expansion. His future is very, very bright.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 2
Steven Rondina
I'm going to pick Choi here, but as usual, I'm also going to complain about the matchmaking. It's silly that the UFC is so willing to book Brazilian fighters into squashes for cards in their homeland but won't do it here for an uber-prospect like Choi. Sicilia might keep things competitive, and that shouldn't be the case.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 1
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alberto Mina
2 of 4
McCarter
"Sexyama" is back, and he will make relative easy work of Mina. Akiyama's level of competition has been high since joining the UFC, and that is what makes his UFC win-loss record (2-4) lackluster. MIna isn't Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping or even Chris Leben. Akiyama gets his first UFC finish.
Akiyama, Submission, Rd. 1
Amos
Despite owning a win over someone named Boy Eggels, Mina may not have shared a cage with someone as good as Akiyama. The Japanese star won't be making an honest run at a UFC title, but he can still pad his resume in matchups like these.
Akiyama, unanimous decision
Harris
This is an interesting matchup between two guys who know their judo. With all 11 of his wins coming by stoppage, it's clear Mina will be the aggressor. Here's guessing the 40-year-old Akiyama stifles Mina with clinch and ground control, gets the decision and retires in front of a friendly crowd.
Akiyama, unanimous decision
Snowden
While I think this fight was booked for Akiyama to win, I just don't feel good about picking a 40-year old fighter.
Mina, TKO, Rd. 2
Rondina
I'm tempted to pick against Sexyama. As Snowden pointed out, it's never a bad idea to pick against a 40 year-old part-timer when he's up against a hungrier, younger guy. Still, I can't shake the feeling that he'll come out looking good again, ready to put on a show in his ancestral home.
Akiyama, unanimous decision
Dong-Hyun Kim vs. Dominic Waters
3 of 4
McCarter
Waters is "Sho Nuff," but he isn't the master. He got the short end of the stick in this matchup. Kim is going to walk right through him.
Kim, KO, Rd. 1
Amos
Kim is a notch below the welterweight elite, but he's a notch above everyone else, including Dominic Waters. I expect nothing less than a thoroughly dominant performance from Stun Gun.
Kim, submission, Rd. 3
Harris
Of the two Dong Hyun Kims on this fight card, this is the Dong Hyun Kim with which I am familiar. No disrespect to Waters, but his chances of winning are not good here. A big welterweight with a wrestling base, he just doesn't seem to have the strength or skill to keep Kim from stifling him in the clinch or simply knocking him out. My money's on the latter.
Kim, KO, Rd. 1
Snowden
There are two Dongs on this card. I feel like that setup doesn't even need a punchline.
Kim, KO, Rd. 1
Rondina
Stun Gun. All day. Everyday.
Kim, KO, Rd. 2
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Benson Henderson vs. Jorge Masvidal
4 of 4
McCarter
This is such a great fight. Masvidal is one of the most underappreciated fighters in all of MMA. I was favoring Henderson against Alves, but this fight is more of a coin-flip. I'm going to lean toward "Gamebred." He has solid takedown defense, is good off his back defensively and can touch up Henderson on the feet. This will be a great five rounds to watch in the morning.
Masvidal, unanimous decision
Amos
This is a dangerous fight for Henderson; a classic high-risk, low-reward. That's because Masvidal is a tough out but not a big name. The guess here is that Henderson will survive, earning a decisive decision.
Henderson, unanimous decision
Harris
Masvidal is one hell of a good fighter. He can do everything in every phase; his main weakness is his apparent disinterest in doing it. Henderson will probably go for his bread and butter: leg kicks from range, clinch control with big shots thrown on the break. But you know what? I think Masvidal uses his power, his jab and some underrated grappling to get the job done. That's right: Sound the upset alarms.
Masvidal, submission, Rd. 3
Snowden
Both these fighters are excellent in all phases, capable on the mat, standing and everywhere in between. That means the fight could come down to intangibles. Advantage: Henderson. He's been here before and shown the rare ability to get stronger as the fight goes on. Scott Coker will be watching carefully.
Henderson, unanimous decision
Rondina
This is a fight between two top-notch lightweights, but I find it odd that so many people are expecting a Fight of the Year candidate. Henderson is notorious for doing just enough to win controversial split decisions. Masvidal is notorious for not doing just enough to win controversial split decisions.
This is going to be a close one, but I feel like, as usual, the UFC will get what it wants. And what does the UFC want? It wants its fighters that are heading over to Bellator to go out with a loss.
Masvidal, split decision
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