UFC Fight Night 88 Predictions: Main Card Staff Picks
UFC Fight Night 88 is scheduled for Sunday, May 29.
The event is headlined by a battle between top bantamweight prospects, Thomas Almeida and Cody Garbrandt. Both youngsters, 24-years-old, have bright futures ahead, but the intriguing main event will catapult only one into the immediate title scene.
Former bantamweight champion Renan Barao moves up a weight class in the show's co-main event. He'll face off with the hard-hitting 145-pounder, Jeremy Stephens, who is looking for just his second win over the past five fights.
The full Fight Night 88 main card looks like this:
- Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Garbrandt
- Renan Barao vs. Jeremy Stephens
- Tarec Saffiedine vs. Rick Story
- Chris Camozzi vs. Vitor Miranda
- Jorge Masvidal vs. Lorenz Larkin
- Joshua Burkman vs. Paul Felder
As is our custom here at Belacher Report, we've assembled the picks team to provide you with five sets of prognostications.
We've got Scott "Hot Pepper" Harris, Sydnie "Soda Pop" Jones, Nathan "New Potato" McCarter, Steven "Relish" Rondina and Craig "Cotton Candy" Amos, all ready to tell you what we think.
Read on for the picks.
Josh Burkman vs. Paul Felder
1 of 6
Nathan McCarter
Burkman looked good in his UFC return, and he has a solid edge on the ground. It just won't go there. Felder gets a big win in the opening main card contest by using his devastating leg kicks to brutalize Burkman.
Felder, TKO, Rd. 3
Sydnie Jones
Despite Burkman's decision win over KJ Noons, a recovery of his former glory seems unlikely. With only one TKO loss in his 40-fight career, he's definitely durable. That doesn't mean he's going to win here.
Felder, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Burkman is the epitome of a crafty veteran, and he's saddle tough. The younger, sprier Felder should be able to out-athlete Burkman here, though. He might even land a couple of those trademark spinning backfists.
Felder, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
My initial thought was that Burkman would be able to take this one, no problem. Then I remembered his last fight. Felder will survive the early goings of this fight, take control late and take this on the scorecards.
Felder, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
It took Burkman nearly eight-and-a-half years to notch his latest UFC victory, and I am skeptical the win signifies a late-career renaissance. Felder's varied arsenal of strikes gives him a considerable edge in the striking game, which is something he'll exploit early and often.
Felder, knockout, Rd. 2
Jorge Masvidal vs. Lorenz Larkin
2 of 6
Nathan McCarter
Sleeper for Fight of the Night right here. All the focus is on the bantamweights this weekend, but keep an eye on this one. Masvidal has solid skills everywhere, and his technical boxing will be the difference. He'll slip enough of Larkin's punches to return his own to win the fight. Larkin will need to score takedowns, and he won't be able to do it enough.
Masvidal, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Larkin straight up hasn't had much success in the UFC, with a record of 3-5. If the overall level of competition is generally too high for his abilities, Masvidal should be able to eke out a decision, at the very least.
Masvidal, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
This is a terrific fight. It is also a more-or-less pure standup battle, at least on paper. Masvidal's focus tends to wax and wane from fight to fight and sometimes even round to round, and that will be his undoing against a consummate pro in Larkin. The veteran picks up a signature win.
Larkin, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Unless Larkin can sneak in a knockout punch (which is possible), Masvidal should be able to out-technique him to the win.
Masvidal, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Larkin is a dangerous fighter when given space, but Masvidal is versatile enough to take him out of that comfort zone. There could be some dicey moments, but Masvidal will pull out the W.
Masvidal, unanimous decision
Chris Camozzi vs. Vitor Miranda
3 of 6
Nathan McCarter
Maybe the only snoozer on the entire fight card? Camozzi is a gamer, but he's not going to be able to stay off his back. Miranda submits him.
Miranda, submission, Rd. 2
Sydnie Jones
I failed to pick Camozzi last time, and will fail to do so this time, as well. So he stopped Joe Riggs and Tom Watson, but he was on a good losing streak in the UFC before that. Miranda is a step up in competition from Riggs and Watson, and even with an eight-year age difference, his upward trajectory isn't going to be arrested by Camozzi.
Miranda, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Camozzi is a clattering collection of toughness and middling UFC-level skills. I still haven't gotten over that stink bomb against Tom Watson. Miranda is a former pro kickboxer looking for his fourth-straight UFC win. Give me the jack of one trade over the master of none.
Miranda, TKO, Rd. 2
Steven Rondina
Everyone else has already said what needs to be said about this one. Miranda's got this.
Miranda, TKO, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
There is an overwhelming sense that Miranda wins this fight. In the second round. It's got to me.
Miranda, TKO, Rd. 2
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Rick Story
4 of 6
Nathan McCarter
The matchup may not be the best for Story, but it's certainly winnable. Saffiedine should be able to defend the takedowns - at least in the first two rounds - and win the stand-up exchanges. That'll put him up two rounds and ensure the win on the scorecards.
Saffiedine, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Both fighters have beaten and lost to some stiff competition. Saffiedine took a decision win over Nate Marquardt three years ago for the Strikeforce welterweight belt and his last loss—just fourth in his career—was to Rory MacDonald. Story got a split decision over BJJ expert Gunnar Nelson, two years after his submission loss to Demian Maia. It's tough, but I'm going to go out on what feels like a limb and pick Story. His extensive experience in the Octagon will serve him well.
Story, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Saffiedine was able to stay on the card despite an injury, but I think it slows down a fighter who has looked a little shopworn of late. Saffiedine relies on kicks and movement from the perimeter, but he won't be able to stay clear of Story, who doesn't give a fudge. Story's rugged wrestle-boxing game wins the day.
Story, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
The battle of once-upon-a-time mega prospects coming off long, long layoffs! How can you not be stoked for this one? Saffiedine's striking is worlds better than Story's, but he doesn't have the knockout power to make up the difference in the grappling and wrestling department. Story will make this a long, ugly, boring slog and take this via decision.
Story, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
I like Scott's dichotomy of Saffiedine's movement versus Story's aggressiveness. Only I like the former to win the day.
Saffiedine, unanimous decision
Renan Barao vs. Jeremy Stephens
5 of 6
Nathan McCarter
Stephens' physical advantages are going to make this fight intriguing to watch. Barao won't be cutting weight to a drastic degree so he should be completely fit, but he'll still have to get inside to be successful. Luckily, Stephens loves a scrap. Barao is just the better all around fighter and will score enough to take it.
Barao, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Barao, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Barao needs a win in the worst way. It's hard to believe the one-time bantamweight titan hasn't earned a victory in a year and a half. He has too many skills for the hard-hitting but comparatively one-dimensional Stephens.
Barao, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Barao is the better fighter by a mile, but Stephens is one of the toughest outs in the game. I'm picking Barao, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if Stephens lands one of his massive right hands or even pressures Barao enough to take one with the judges.
Barao, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Stephens is never out of the fight, thanks to the stopping power in his hands. But Barao is superior in every facet of the game and should have his way in this one.
Barao, unanimous decision
Thomas Almeida vs. Cody Garbrandt
6 of 6
Nathan McCarter
This is a high octane fight where we'll learn a lot about both men. I'm leaning toward the Brazilian Almeida. Garbrandt may be able to stifle him with his wrestling, but he is also more likely to slow down over the course of five rounds. Almeida survives early to finish late.
Almeida, TKO, Rd. 4
Sydnie Jones
Both are legitimate prospects, and maybe Garbrandt is fully capable of stopping Almeida. But, not only does Almeida have more than twice the professional experience than Garbrandt, he's also faced stiffer competition. One of them is going to lose his perfect record, and I'm going with that being Garbrandt.
Almeida, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Almeida is a brilliant young fighter, but my spidey sense tells me he's coming in a little cocky here. Is he still hungry or is he more worried about feeding that voluminous entourage? There are great days ahead for such a brilliant and talented striker, and if this is a striking match, I think he wins. But here's guessing a more motivated Garbrandt overcomes Almeida's defensive wrestling and does enough to win on the scorecards. Sound the upset alarms.
Garbrandt, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
It's tough to pick between these two because they're both very good, but they're both also untested commodities. The slightly surer bet is Almeida, and I'll go with him here.
Almeida, TKO, Rd. 3
Craig Amos
I hear those upset alarms, Scott. They are convincing. I share the sentiment that both these fighters will have many future successes, but on Sunday night, Garbrandt will be the one to take that next step.
Garbrandt, TKO, Rd. 4
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