UFC 206 and UFC Fight Night 102 Picks: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks
Bring them out. Like the old, Gordian-knotted strings of lights that just spent a year in the company of some lovely oiled rags. Bring out the old Christmastime cliches.
Because we're about to unwrap a big present from the UFC this weekend. You better check your list twice, because there are a lot of items on the MMA fan's list this weekend. You just better hope you were nice and not naughty. A lot of chestnuts roasting on an open fire this Friday and Saturday.
You get the idea. Hardcore fight fans have a lot going on this weekend. On Friday, you have UFC Fight Night 102, going down from the capital city of the Empire State, Albany, New York.
On Saturday, UFC 206 comes to town, meaning Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This pay-per-view card was weakened when Daniel Cormier fell injured and pulled out of his fight with Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. But Max Holloway and Anthony Pettis, fighting for that much-discussed interim featherweight belt, are still very much worth watching, as are several other main-card competitions.
Let us now get into the spirit. Let us make our list and check it twice. Oh, I already used that one? Sorry, not my problem. What is my problem is bringing you these main-card picks for both cards, courtesy of Nathan McCarter, Steven Rondina, Craig Amos and myself, Scott Harris. Let's get it on.
UFC Fight Night 102 Main Card
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UFC Fight Night 102 goes down Friday evening and airs entirely on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC's subscription streaming service.
Here's how we picked the main-card bouts.
| Derrick Lewis vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov | Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Hamilton | Corey Anderson vs. Sean O'Connell | Gian Villante vs. Saparbek Safarov | |
| Scott Harris | Lewis | Ngannou | Anderson | Villante |
| Nathan McCarter | Lewis | Ngannou | Anderson | Villante |
| Steven Rondina | Lewis | Ngannou | Anderson | Safarov |
| Craig Amos | Lewis | Ngannou | Anderson | Safarov |
Jordan Mein vs. Emil Weber Meek
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Steven Rondina
Emil Weber Meek's destruction of Rousimar Palhares was a treat, but that doesn't make him an elite welterweight, and it's not indicative that he's good enough to beat a solid competitor such as Mein. He keeps it competitive but not competitive enough to stop Mein from taking a handy decision win.
Mein, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
I am not familiar with Meek, so I did a little research. The first thing I noticed was that his Sherdog profile picture makes me quiver in fear. Man, that's a scary-looking individual. Mein will be less intimidated than me, though, and he's crafty enough to deal with the aggressiveness that Meek exudes in both appearance and knockout rate.
Mein, submission, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Steven mentions Meek's claim to fame, but that's one result. Lightning in a bottle? We're about to find out. Mein returns after an extended time away, and it's his chance to live up to his potential. He starts down that path at UFC 206.
Mein's grappling against the cage will be the difference. Mein will be able to drop down and score takedowns en route to a decision.
Mein, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Yeah, Palhares was never a sparkling standup fighter. Meek is a great story and is playing with house money, but there's more on the line for Mein. Once one of the most promising prospects in the sport, he'll try to regain that momentum Saturday. His crisp boxing, if it's not too rusty, will carry the day.
Mein, TKO, Rd. 2
Tim Kennedy vs. Kelvin Gastelum
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Rondina
There's a lot of guesswork with this fight. How much did Kelvin Gastelum's failed UFC 205 cut take out of him? How good is Tim Kennedy after two years out of action? I'll pick the younger, hungrier fighter.
Gastelum, unanimous decision
Amos
How will the move to middleweight impact Gastelum's performance? He loses a size edge but might gain some energy. Kennedy is a guy who will push enough to reveal the answer. Gastelum won't pass the test.
Kennedy, unanimous decision
McCarter
Gastelum has excellent skills, but this is a bad matchup. Well, bad if Kennedy is still on the same level he was the last time we saw him. Kennedy is an exceptional grappler with quality strikes, and he has the length to keep Gastelum at bay.
Kennedy will be able to stymie most of Gastelum's offense and win scrambles. That'll be enough to nab a victory.
Kennedy, unanimous decision
Harris
Kennedy's takedown defense will be rusty after such a long time on the shelf. That spells the difference. Gastelum will pin him to the floor and hold him there, grinding and ground-and-pounding just enough to take a close decision win.
Gastelum, split decision
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Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi
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Rondina
Cub Swanson couldn't out-grapple Doo Ho Choi if he tried. Choi has faced plenty of wrestlers over his career, and none have resisted that right hand. Swanson will still win through his crafty, dynamic striking.
Swanson, unanimous decision
Amos
Choi's prodigious power makes him a scary foe, but Swanson is experienced enough to deal with it. He'll take the Korean Superboy out of his comfort zone, beat him up on the mat and claim the upset victory inside the distance.
Swanson, submission, Rd. 2
McCarter
Swanson has looked good in recent fights, but Choi is the real deal. He'll be able to connect with his right hand. Can Swanson eat it? No. Good night, Cub.
Choi, KO, Rd. 1
Harris
We all know what kind of fight this is going to be. This has "bonus hunt" written all over it. It will stay standing, and the younger, faster, more powerful fighter will come out on top.
Choi, TKO, Rd. 2
Donald Cerrone vs. Matt Brown
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Rondina
Donald Cerrone is coming, Matt Brown is going, and that's a recipe for a stoppage win for Cowboy.
Cerrone, submission, Rd. 2
Amos
Brown looks more like a pretender than contender these days, which does not bode well for Saturday night. Cerrone will make it quick, violent and memorable, bringing the fight to a close within a few minutes.
Cerrone, TKO, Rd. 1
McCarter
I'm falling in line with my B/R brethren here. Brown is on the downside of his career, and his style will complement what Cerrone wants to do. Cowboy will be able to touch up Brown at will.
Cerrone, TKO, Rd. 2
Harris
Call me "The Dissenter," because I'm going with Brown. That's right; sound the upset alarms. Let them ring from Toronto to Ohio. Brown is still tough, and he's still dangerous. He'll get in the pocket and land something big on Cerrone, who tends to get a little overwound in big moments. Get ready for the feel-good headlines.
Brown, TKO, Rd. 1
Max Holloway vs. Anthony Pettis
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Rondina
Even if we were talking about the "prime" Anthony Pettis, I'd lean in favor of the monstrous Max Holloway. The fact that we're likely still dealing with the one who posted three lackadaisical losses in a row? Well, that doesn't help matters.
Holloway, unanimous decision
Amos
Holloway isn't much for takedowns, which would make me think Pettis earns the advantage, but he hasn't looked as unmatched on the feet lately. Holloway will hold his own there. He will take the lead by pressuring Pettis in close quarters and maybe even mixing in some wrestling. It'll be close, but the Hawaiian will eke out the decision.
Holloway, unanimous decision
McCarter
Holloway is one of the worst matchups for Pettis. He excels at what gives Pettis the most trouble. Let's not count Pettis out completely, though. He's still ultra-talented and dangerous.
He'll make Holloway work for the win, but constant pressure and high output makes Max the interim featherweight champion. Which means almost nothing.
Holloway, unanimous decision
Harris
It's a clean sweep in the main event. The book is out on Pettis; pressure him and stymie his dynamic striking game, which needs open space the way fire needs oxygen. As an excellent fighter in the clinch and in the pocket, Holloway should take his 10th win in a row, with a title shot soon to follow.
Holloway, unanimous decision
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