UFC Fight Night 103 Predictions: Main Card Staff Picks
It's time to break out the Octagon for 2017, and if flipping the calendar is in anyway emblematic of change, then Fight Night 103 is the perfect way to kick off the new year.
The card, oddly scheduled for a Sunday, is headlined by a contest between a fading UFC legend and one of the sport's most promising young talents. BJ Penn, a former champion in two weight classes, has won just one of his previous seven fights, while rising star Yair Rodriguez has run his UFC record to 5-0 in style.
The classic old lion vs. young lion matchup will be preceded by 11 additional contests, including a trio of main card fights. Included in the list of main card scraps are battles between Marcin Held and Joe Lauzon, Court McGee and Ben Saunders and John Moraga and Sergio Pettis.
While UFC 103 is likely to play out as a changing-of-the-guard narrative, we here at Bleacher Report are more about consistency. The same names you've grown to know and scoff at in the comments are back to provide you with our main card predictions.
It's Scott Harris, Nathan McCarter, Steven Rondina and Craig Amos, back for another season. Read on for our collective insight.
John Moraga vs. Sergio Pettis
1 of 4
Scott Harris
A fun flyweight fight starts the main card. Pettis is perfectly serviceable, but any comparisons to ex-champ brother Anthony are smoke in the wind by this point. His wrestling is very good. Moraga's isn't bad either, though. The hard-hitting Moraga should score knockdowns and stave off enough compromising ground situations to win. Sound the (mild) upset alarms.
Moraga, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
Pettis' days as the hot prospect in this division are long gone. He's used up his goodwill and has not shown any big leaps in his game. That's not to say he's a bad fighter because he's not. He's just not next-level.
Moraga out-wrestles him en route to a clear-cut, and boring, decision.
Moraga, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Pettis is good, but it's safe to say the door is closed on him being an elite-level flyweight at this point. The same goes for Moraga, but the big difference is that Moraga has serious finishing skills at almost every stage of the fight. He'll either win inside the distance or get close enough to sway the judges in his favor.
Moraga, submission, Round 2
Craig Amos
I'm a little confused as to why Pettis is the betting favorite, as I agree with my colleagues here. Pettis seems to have finally found his footing, but he still hasn't shown anything to suggest he gets his hand raised over Moraga.
Moraga, unanimous decision
Court McGee vs. Ben Saunders
2 of 4
Scott Harris
McGee's about as steady as they come, but he's not spectacular anywhere. Saunders' muay thai is pretty spectacular, though, even if he hasn't been the three-round grinder McGee has been. This is a very even fight. Saunders, though, should be able to get to McGee's chin fairly early.
Saunders, TKO, Round 2
Nathan McCarter
McGee is tough, but Saunders is the pick here. He's a little too athletic for McGee to corral for 15 minutes. Saunders will win some clinch battles to unleash knees until the accumulation catches up with McGee.
Saunders, TKO, Round 2
Steven Rondina
Both of these guys have proved themselves to be pretty good on the whole, but not necessarily excellent. Saunders, in my book, is the safer bet...so I'll take him here!
Saunders, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Another boring consensus? Nah, I'm going with McGee. Saunders certainly is more athletic, but McGee has overcome that disadvantage before, and we've seen that Saunders can be bullied. It'll be competitive, maybe even a split decision, but McGee takes it.
McGee, unanimous decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Marcin Held
3 of 4
Scott Harris
An outstanding matchup is in the offing here. Lauzon's spidery jiu-jitsu and leather toughness have earned him many a win, bonus and fan. Held will be in trouble in this bout, as he was in his unsuccessful UFC debut against Diego Sanchez, if he expects a quick leg-lock finish. Here's guessing the youngster has learned his lesson.
Held, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
This isn't the best matchup for Held. Lauzon's ground game is legit, and his length will force Held to shoot from way outside. Held is certainly capable of nabbing a leg, but being a one-dimensional fighter is going to result in a lot of losses at the top end of the sport.
Unless he's revamped his game in just a few months, one should expect another decision loss for the former Bellator standout.
Lauzon, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Held is a good fighter, but savvy veterans are basically the kryptonite of the quirky submission whiz. Held goes for a bunch of leg locks here, doesn't get them, and takes another decision loss.
Lauzon, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
I'm of a mind with Nathan and Steven, here. Held will occasional offer a threat, but Lauzon can handle anything the younger fighter can offer. He'll bypass some submission attempts and earn the victory by doing more damage and maintaining more control.
Lauzon, unanimous decision
Yair Rodriguez vs. BJ Penn
4 of 4
Scott Harris
Rodriguez admitted to being surprised by this matchup, at least initially. No level of history or platitude can save Penn from this butt-kicking. The 38-year-old legend will not enjoy a feel-good comeback story, thanks to Rodriguez's tremendous striking.
Rodriguez, knockout, Round 1
Nathan McCarter
After the showing Penn had in his last outing, it is tough to even think about taking him against Rodriguez. No matter if he has done work with Greg Jackson, who will be in his corner. It was that bad of a performance the last time we saw him.
Even if he looks refreshed, he's still a 38-year-old fighter who's been on the receiving end of a lot of beatings going against a young up-and-comer. Penn may look solid starting out, but the realization that his time has passed will soon become apparent as Rodriguez runs up the score.
Rodriguez, unanimous decision
Steven Rondina
Ugh. I trained myself to forget about BJ Penn's third fight with Frankie Edgar. Now I'm going to have to train myself to forget about this one, too. Rodriguez wins this with saddening ease.
Rodriguez, TKO, Round 2
Craig Amos
Rodriguez is so much quicker and active on the feet than Penn at this point in their respective careers. It's difficult to envision a scenario in which Penn pulls out the W. Presumably, this will play out as either a long beating or a short beating, depending on how well Penn's chin holds up.
Rodriguez, TKO, Round 3
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