UFC Fight Night 92: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions
The UFC is in Salt Lake City for its next event, and it pits two exciting featherweights against one another in the main event of UFC Fight Night 92.
Yair Rodriguez squares off against Alex Caceres in the night's premiere contest. The two creative and fun featherweights are being placed front and center for all to see. The winner moves into position for big contests in the division for the foreseeable future.
Also in action, featherweight contender Dennis Bermudez meets up with Brazil's Rony Jason. The two will undoubtedly try to steal the spotlight away from their divisional counterparts in an effort to state their own case as contenders at 145.
Four other bouts line the card. Who will walk out of Utah with their hand raised high in victory? The Bleacher Report team is here to tell you exactly that. Need a refresher of the team and our 2016 records?
Craig Amos (61-51), Scott Harris (58-54), Sydnie Jones (64-48), Nathan McCarter (62-50) and Steven Rondina (66-46) are at the helm to give you a look at the main card and predict each of the six attractions coming your way on Saturday. Let's see who gets the love from the B/R staff.
Maryna Moroz vs. Danielle Taylor
1 of 6
Craig Amos
Both fighters are 7-1, but the competition levels have been different. Moroz is a sizable favorite, and it's not difficult to understand why. Her experience and versatility will allow Moroz to push her UFC record to 3-1.
Moroz, submission, Rd. 1
Scott Harris
Not a bad way to kick off the main card. Taylor is game but undersized here; she's probably more of an atomweight. Moroz picks her apart and moves to a surprising 3-1 in the UFC.
Moroz, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
I agree with Craig, Moroz's greater experience will carry the day. She also has a whopping seven-inch height advantage. This won't go well for Taylor, who, while aggressive, won't be able to compensate for Moroz's advantages.
Moroz, submission, Rd. 3
Nathan McCarter
This is just good matchmaking. Taylor will not go quietly into the night, but it's a fight that Moroz should win. The UFC definitely has another European strawweight to build up to strengthen the division and their overseas matchmaking possibilities.
Moroz, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
This looks close on paper, but Moroz has done better against stiffer competition. It might end up being competitive, but this shouldn't be especially close.
Moroz, unanimous decision
Trevor Smith vs. Joe Gigliotti
2 of 6
Craig Amos
Smith is a crafty fighter, but Gigliotti presents some tough challenges for him. Gigliotti is the better striker, while both men are capable of finishing on the mat. I'm taking the guy with more tools.
Gigliotti, TKO, Rd. 1
Scott Harris
Three knockouts and four submissions in seven pro fights (and in solid feeder leagues, no less) is not a bad way to start a pro career. Such is Gigliotti's resume. However, the UFC loves to debunk hot prospects like Gigliotti with sneaky-tough debut matchups. They've done it again with an unglamorous but accomplished wrestler in Smith; the veteran snubs out the prospect (for now).
Smith, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
This is Gigliotti's UFC debut, and while he hasn't faced UFC-level competition, Smith has, with middling success. Gigliotti is a finisher, and he'll go after it in this fight, too.
Gigliotti, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
If you want to test an incoming prospect, you can't do much better than Trevor Smith. We'll see exactly what Gigliotti brings to the table in this matchup. I think he'll be able to land a crushing blow. Smith can be vulnerable on the feet and doesn't have a granite chin. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am.
Gigliotti, TKO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
Lose, win, lose, win, lose, win...I think Smith will keep that pattern going.
Smith, TKO, Rd. 3
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Zak Cummings
3 of 6
Craig Amos
This should be an entertaining scrap. Ponzinibbio will be firing away on the feet while Cummings' best hope for victory is by taking the action to the canvas. The belief here is that Ponzinibbio will have his way and hand Cummings the first knockout loss of his career.
Ponzinibbio, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
I keep underestimating Ponzinibbio. It only took me four UFC wins to shake free of that habit. Ponzinibbio swarms on the journeyman for a crisp knockout and is a performance-bonus favorite.
Ponzinibbio, TKO, Rd. 1
Sydnie Jones
Both fighters have been in the game for a while, but I think Ponzinibbio has faced slightly stiffer competition and fared better. That's enough for me.
Ponzinibbio, TKO, Rd. 3
Nathan McCarter
I, too, keep underestimating Ponzinibbio. I also underestimate Cummings. Ponzinibbio has looked good in his latest outings, and has finishing power to boot. I like that in the matchup against Cummings. He'll catch him early and get the stoppage.
Ponzinibbio, TKO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
This is a pick'em, and when in doubt, pick the guy with better wrestling and grappling. That's Cummings in this fight.
Cummings, unanimous decision
Thales Leites vs. Chris Camozzi
4 of 6
Craig Amos
Camozzi has won three straight, Leites has lost two in a row. Momentum be damned. The Brazilian takes this one by putting his opponent on the mat and scoring the finish.
Leites, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
How about we just pretend this fight isn't happening and call it a day? Great. Ah, I kid. Camozzi likes to plod along and rack up riding time. That won't fly against someone with Leites' grappling, although Camozzi's toughness will keep a submission off the table.
Leites, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Leites is coming off a loss to Gegard Mousasi, but who hasn't lost to Gegard Mousasi? The man is a destruction machine! His loss prior to that was to Michael Bisping, who, of course, is now champion. So, two consecutive losses don't necessarily indicate much. I'm with Craig; Leites will do his thing and hand Camozzi his sixth submission loss.
Leites, submission, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
What did Camozzi do to upset the matchmakers by constantly putting him in the cage against world-class submission artists? To be fair, Leites isn't Jacare Souza. So, Camozzi can rest easy on that fact. I've got a feeling in my stomach Camozzi will eke this one out, but I'm going to push it aside and go with my brain instead. Leites is a bit sharper in his game than Camozzi, and the veteran will do enough to skate through with a decision.
Leites, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
It was tough seeing Leites go from Cinderella story to complete jobber in the span of two fights...but I'm thinking he gets back on track here. Camozzi isn't an easy out, but Leites should be able to work his BJJ and newfound power punching and get the win here.
Leites, unanimous decision
Dennis Bermudez vs. Rony Bezerra
5 of 6
Craig Amos
It wasn't long ago that these two were top up-and-comers in the featherweight division. Some of the shine has come off, but this is likely to be an entertaining scrap. Jason will win if he can score a finish in the first half of the match, but Bermudez will take over as time wears on.
Bermudez, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Jason has yet to cash in on all that potential people saw when he entered the UFC. Bermudez isn't perfect, but was close to beating Jeremy Stephens just a year ago. As is, 8-2 in the UFC is still good. Give me the power wrestling of Bermudez in this one.
Bermudez, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Jason has been out for over a year, and had another year in between his last two fights. Maybe he'll come back recuperated and beastly, but I think it's more likely Bermudez will deliver a solid performance. He's never lost a decision, and that's where I see this fight going.
Bermudez, decision
Nathan McCarter
I tend to agree with my counterparts here, but let's also not forget Bermudez doesn't mind a good ol' fashioned throwdown. They both have power, so it may be a factor of who lands first in the wild exchanges. Bermudez is a touch quicker. I'll go with him.
Bermudez, KO, Rd. 1
Steven Rondina
Bermudez has been a fringe top-10 featherweight for a long time, and for good reason. Rony Bezerra...well, he hasn't been, also for good reason. Bermudez should be able to control this one easily, winning via handy decision or late stoppage.
Bermudez, unanimous decision
Yair Rodriguez vs. Alex Caceres
6 of 6
Craig Amos
Caceres has been wildly inconsistent since he first entered the Octagon, but turned in a convincing performance against Cole Miller back in June. But even if Caceres is able to replicate that performance, his chances of victory on Saturday are slim. Rodriguez is a burgeoning star and will continue to rise with another impressive showing.
Rodriguez, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
My spidey sense is telling me Caceres ruins this party. He can dirty this up, especially if it hits the ground. But I didn't get to almost 50 percent success with these picks by playing hunches. So how about I pick Rodriguez, but I still get to say "I told you so" if Caceres wins? OK, done.
Rodriguez, TKO, Rd. 2
Sydnie Jones
Caceres was UFC President Dana White's golden boy; maybe that's why he's still in the UFC, despite a record of 7-6-1 and his three consecutive losses. Caceres isn't without talent and potential, but he doesn't seem able to make it work long enough to climb in the division. Rodriguez, however, shows no sign of slowing.
Rodriguez, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
This should be fun with both fighter's creativity, but Rodriguez is simply the better fighter in all areas. Caceres may be able to use his length to prolong the fight, but eventually Rodriguez will figure him out. It'll take a round or two. Rodriguez rocks Caceres and finishes with a choke on a stunned opponent. Big showing from a top prospect.
Rodriguez, submission, Rd. 3
Steven Rondina
I've said this before for other fights and it almost always pans out to be true. The UFC likes Rodriguez, and they wouldn't have booked this fight if they thought he'd lose.
Rodriguez, unanimous decision
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