UFC Fight Night 87 Predictions: Main Card Staff Picks
The UFC invades the Netherlands with a heavyweight main event sure to thrill.
No. 4-ranked Alistair Overeem takes on No. 7-ranked Andrei Arlovski in the prime-time bout of the evening. After Junior dos Santos' dominant showing against Ben Rothwell on April 10, Overeem is poised to become the next title contender with an emphatic win.
Also on the main card slate are five other exciting contests.
Rotterdam is going to deliver fireworks with this six-fight main card that brings along significant divisional implications. You won't want to miss the action.
The Bleacher Report MMA staff have assembled once again to take on the task of predicting the results of Sunday's fight card.
Craig Amos (32-23), Scott Harris (26-29), Nathan McCarter (33-22) and Steven Rondina (34-21) are here to pick the victors. Sydnie Jones (33-22) is also here after dropping her lead.
Ready to find out who the staff picked? Let's kick things off in the strawweight division.
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Heather Jo Clark
1 of 6
Craig Amos
Clark's triumph over Ultimate Fighter tormentor Bec Rawlings was a feel-good moment, but she'll be hard pressed to put Sunday's bout into the win column. Kowalkiewicz showed an outstanding game in her UFC debut, and she will continue to build momentum with another impressive performance. Unlike Scott and Steven, I'm on board with the oddsmakers and expect this to be one-sided.
Kowalkiewicz, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
I don't see this one as quite the mismatch the oddsmakers may make it out to be, but I'm not quite ready to sound the alarms. Kowalkiewicz picks her apart with some fun-to-watch striking and gets her fellow Europeans on their feet to start the main card.
Kowalkiewicz, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
I'm not AWOL, just traveling! My answers will be truncated, in addition to being late. Clark isn't incompetent, but unless she's drastically improved lately, I don't see her stopping Kowalkiewicz.
Kowalkiewicz, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
Credit to John Wood and the work he's done at Syndicate MMA. Heather Jo Clark has improved under his tutelage. It just won't be enough. I would be more optimistic about her chances if Kowalkiewicz wasn't coming off a win over a better grappler in Randa Markos. This is a step down in competition, and it's a fight Kowalkiewicz should win without much issue.
Kowalkiewicz, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
I'll cosign Scott's critique of the oddsmakers here. I'll also cosign his prediction.
Kowalkiewicz, unanimous decision
Nikita Krylov vs. Francimar Barroso
2 of 6
Craig Amos
Krylov has compiled a bevy of early finishes during his UFC tenure, but Barroso is a tough guy to put away. I envision the Brazilian weathering the early storm, taking over in the middle round, before cruising to a decision win.
Barroso, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Krylov doesn't go by "Al Capone" anymore? That's upsetting. You know what's not upsetting? Krylov. I don't think Barroso can hang on (literally) long enough to stave off what we all know to be inevitable.
Krylov, KO, Rd. 1
Sydnie Jones
Their records are similar, but Krylov has shown far greater ability in the Octagon than Barroso has. Like the rest of my bros, I'm going with Krylov.
Krylov, submission, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
I'm with Scott on this one. Krylov is going to get the stoppage in the first by strikes. I'll deviate enough to say he won't get credit for a clean KO over Barroso, but don't expect the fight to be competitive.
Krylov, TKO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
It's hard not to love everything Krylov has done to this point. It's also hard to not pick him here.
Krylov, submission, Rd. 2
Germaine de Randamie vs. Anna Elmose
3 of 6
Craig Amos
Germaine de Randamie is the more experienced fighter, and she possesses some seriously dangerous kickboxing. Her 3-2 pro MMA record might not look like much, but she's a heavy favorite here for good reason.
De Randamie, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
What you have to do right now is give it up. Give it up for The Iron Lady. Elmose is here for geographical reasons. She's going to get kickboxed up by De Randamie.
De Randamie, TKO, Rd. 2
Sydnie Jones
As Scott noted, Elmose is on the card for geographic reasons. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not (see: Rin Nakai). This time, it will not.
de Randamie, UD
Nathan McCarter
This is a terrible matchup for Elmose. Both stylistically and in experience (3-0 career record, turned pro in 2014). This fight plays right into the strengths of De Randamie. She'll start unleashing brutal combinations for the stoppage in the second round.
De Randamie, TKO, Rd. 2
Steven Rondina
This will be a very competitive fight, but I don't know that Elmose will be able to get in on a savvy muay thai specialist like de Randamie. If she can keep things in the clinch, Elmose may be able to pull this one off. Otherwise...
De Randamie, unanimous decision
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Albert Tumenov vs. Gunnar Nelson
4 of 6
Craig Amos
Tumenov carries a decisive advantage on the feet. The key for him will be to keep it standing, which he should be able to do. His nickname, "Einstein," also makes me hopeful that the first fighter with the given name Sigmund will pick up the trend.
Tumenov, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Here comes Gunni's first two-fight losing streak. I don't see how he'll be able to take Tumenov down. Tumenov might be one of the brightest prospects in the entire UFC, and he'll take another leap forward Sunday.
Tumenov, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
I've gotta go with my guy Gunni. After his harsh defeat at the grappling of Demian Maia, he'll come back anxious for the win. And to avoid dealing with Tumenov's striking, I think they'll clinch up. If they manage to end up on the ground, Nelson will find the finish eventually.
Nelson, Submission, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Tumenov hasn't been taken down since his UFC debut against Ildemar Alcantara in 2014. That's going to be key in this fight. This could be the jumping-off point for Tumenov as a contender, but I'm going to go against the grain and take Nelson. The grappling will wear him down, and Nelson takes the final two rounds in a narrow decision win. I'm not confident, but it's what my gut is telling me.
Nelson, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Nelson should be able to keep this competitive, but Tumenov's striking is definitively better, and his takedown defense is good enough to keep the action standing. Unless Nelson can score a takedown and land in a seriously advantageous position, this one is all Tumenov.
Tumenov, unanimous decision
Stefan Struve vs. Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva
5 of 6
Craig Amos
Neither fighter has found much success of late, both posting just a single win over their last four outings. Struve's performances have been slightly more encouraging, though. Toss in home-field advantage, and he holds an edge in this one.
Struve, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
This will be pretty exciting, if you can see it through your winces. Each of these guys has survived more than his share of slugfests, and that will show here, even if the action is compelling at times. Struve is tall—measuring up at 7'0"—but he never learned to fight that way, and that will be the difference again.
Silva, TKO, Rd. 2
Sydnie Jones
Struve has rarely looked much else besides tall to me. Silva, while pretty clearly on the tail end of his career, should still be able to demolish the Skyscraper.
Silva, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Bigfoot is shot. Struve should have the advantage both physically and mentally. It won't go the distance, as Silva cannot handle the damage anymore.
Struve, TKO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
Bigfoot has a few good tools in his arsenal, but honestly, I think Struve has what it takes to take the win here. The Skyscraper should be able to weather the early storm, get his striking going and put in a performance similar to what we saw out of him at UFC 190.
Struve, unanimous decision
Alistair Overeem vs. Andrei Arlovski
6 of 6
Craig Amos
Both men have enjoyed a late-career Renaissance, but Overeem's turnaround is faring better. He's coming off a big win over Junior dos Santos, while Arlovski was knocked out by Stipe Miocic in January. Overeem, spurred on by a partisan crowd in Rotterdam, will notch another big victory this weekend.
Overeem, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
With a friendly wind at his back, the Dutchman will sail through the storm and emerge on top. I hope you liked my boat metaphors. Compared with Arlovski, Overeem has nearly as many tools at his disposal, including his kicks and maybe even the clinch.
Overeem, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
The revival of Arlovski's career seemed promising initially. Miocic has been his only official loss since returning to the UFC, but he's looked like a fish out of water in more than one of his fights recently. Overeem, however, still acts like a shark that smells blood in the cage.
Overeem, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Arlovski has always had a suspect chin, and Overeem is riding the big mo. Overeem takes his time in the first minute or two to figure out timing and distance. Once he feels confident, it's over. Knockout.
Overeem, KO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
While Overeem has been surging of late, he's not a sure thing against any top-10 heavyweight. I'll pick him here, but it wouldn't be the least bit of a surprise if Arlovski pulled off the upset.
Overeem, TKO, Rd. 3
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
