UFC Fight Night 96 Predictions: Main Card Staff Picks
There is no rest for the wicked. As the UFC closes out an action-packed September that featured an event each weekend, the Octagon will return to action Saturday, Oct. 1, for Fight Night 96.
Featured on the fight card is a bantamweight showdown between a couple of fighters who, not so long ago, were flyweight contenders. Both John Dodson and John Lineker have jumped up a weight class in hopes of carving out a title path, but only one will take a leap forward Saturday night.
Since moving to 135 pounds, Lineker has reeled off three impressive wins, running his total win streak to five. Dodson, who joined the promotion as a bantamweight, won in his return to 135 earlier this year.
In the evening's co-main event, Will Brooks looks to bolster his UFC record to 2-0. The former Bellator champion is set to square off against Alex Oliveira, who has won four of his past five outings.
The full Fight Night 96 main card looks like this:
- John Dodson vs. John Lineker
- Will Brooks vs. Alex Oliveira
- Josh Burkman vs. Zak Ottow
- Louis Smolka vs. Brandon Moreno
As always, the Bleacher Report picks team has assembled for the purpose of providing you with our predictions for each bout. It's Scott Harris, Sydnie Jones, Nathan McCarter, Steven Rondina and Craig Amos coming at you!
Louis Smolka vs. Brandon Moreno
1 of 4
Nathan McCarter
The main event is the best and most interesting fight on the card, but this one may be a close second. Moreno is a fun fighter making his UFC debut against a legit talent in Smolka. I also don't think he's entirely out of his depth. However, he'll falter over the course of three rounds. Smolka uses his experience to widen the gap in the final two rounds, but Moreno shows promise in the opener.
Smolka, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Louis Smolka Super Fan Numero Uno, reporting for duty right here. I loved Moreno's toughness on The Ultimate Fighter, and that will serve him well. It won't be enough against Smolka—the ultra-rangy Hawaiian with skills in every phase.
Smolka, TKO, Round 2
Steven Rondina
I've been on the Smolka bandwagon for a while now, and I'm certainly not getting off for a fight against a last-minute sub.
Smolka, submission, Round 2
Sydnie Jones
Yeah. Everything these guys said about Smolka, I second. He's been increasingly impressive, and Moreno filling in at the last minute isn't ideal. Both fighters are comfortable on the ground, so I'm hoping we see a lot of grappling on the way to Smolka finishing the TUF fighter.
Smolka, submission, Round 3
Craig Amos
Let the Smolka love-fest continue! The Hawaiian has already proved himself against stiffer competition, so there is little reason to suspect he won't handle Moreno. This one will be one-sided and will end inside the distance.
Smolka, TKO, Round 2
Josh Burkman vs. Zak Ottow
2 of 4
Nathan McCarter
Short-notice regional fighter against a crafty UFC vet? Yeah, I'll take the vet. Ottow got subbed by Jacob Volkmann in the Legacy Fighting Championship, and Burkman is also good on the canvas. Ottow won't be able to be competitive on his back.
Burkman, submission, Round 1
Scott Harris
To paraphrase Conor McGregor, who is Zak Ottow? Turns out he's a submission hunter, and that means this is a good piece of matchmaking. That's Burkman's wheelhouse, too. The veteran wins a fun fight over the youngster debuting on short notice.
Burkman, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Burkman's not good enough at this point where I'm confident in picking him, but he's still the safer pick here than Ottow. I'm not going to be shocked if the middling veteran loses, but he has the savvy to take this one.
Burkman, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Ah, what the hell. Sometimes new signees are new signees for a reason. Maybe Ottow is an up-and-coming fighter, and he has so many submissions (10 of his 13 wins) that my grappler's heart can't pick against him.
Ottow, submission, Round 1
Craig Amos
Like Steven, I have little faith in Burkman, but a little is enough for me to pick him in this one. Sydnie had me momentarily inspired to go with the upset, but it just feels like a low-percentage play.
Burkman, unanimous decision
Will Brooks vs. Alex Oliveira
3 of 4
Nathan McCarter
Brooks is an elite-level lightweight; Oliveira is not. That's the brass tacks. The fight looks similar to Oliveira's attempt to fight Donald Cerrone. He gets taken down and submitted without much issue. I'll give Cowboy until the second round as Brooks can be a slow starter.
Brooks, submission, Round 2
Scott Harris
Brooks is just so hard to prepare for. He should be able to work his long-range kicking game for points and mix in a few takedowns for good measure. Another close but clear decision win for Brooks as he feels his way up the UFC lightweight ladder.
Brooks, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina,
Brooks didn't blow the world away with his UFC debut, but I think he gets back to his dominant ways here. Oliveira will be able to survive...but not do much more than that.
Brooks, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
As Nathan noted, Brooks is elite and Oliveira...not so much. Oliveira has gone 4-2 in the UFC, but many of those victories are over some middling talent. Brooks may be new to the UFC, but Oliveira isn't going to offer him that much of a challenge.
Brooks, TKO, Round 2
Craig Amos
The theme for this fight seems to be Oliveira is good, but Brooks is just a little bit better. Sounds about right to me. I expect Brooks to put in a better showing than he did in his UFC debut, and that'll be enough for him to get his hand raised.
Brooks, unanimous decision
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John Dodson vs. John Lineker
4 of 4
Nathan McCarter
The fight comes down to Lineker's ability to cut off the Octagon. Dodson moves quickly and effectively. If he is able to get in, out and around Lineker, then it will be a long night for the Brazilian. Dodson also has a good chin. I think Dodson is able to control the cage, distance and tempo leading to a finish in the third.
Dodson, TKO, Round 3
Scott Harris
Yes, we all love Lineker. He's a wonderful and hard-hitting young man. But Dodson is a different animal and well-rounded in his physical gifts. Lineker can't out-technique or outmuscle Dodson and will find himself frustrated as he tries, and fails, to land a clean knockout blow.
Dodson, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
This is a tough one to call, but I'm going to side with Lineker here. Dodson has the wrestling advantage, but Lineker is good enough at this point to keep things standing and keep things against the cage en route to a late-stoppage or handy decision.
Lineker, unanimous decision
Sydnie Jones
Lineker's style of taking punishment in order to put on his own beatdown may not ultimately serve him, but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. Although Dodson may be the better athlete overall, Lineker is like a weird MMA Godzilla. He just storms through the assault, waging his own, until he gets a finish or takes a dominant decision.
Lineker, TKO, Round 3
Craig Amos
Maybe Lineker will catch Dodson early and put an end to things. But if not, I foresee Dodson taking control of the action. Like Lineker, he hits hard, but he has a few more tools in his belt. This should be a fun scrap from start to finish.
Dodson, TKO, Round 4
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