UFC Fight Night 114 Predictions: Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Picks
The UFC is coming off the stellar UFC 214 event with all eyes upon Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather on August 26. But awaiting us all this weekend is an unheralded fight card hitting Mexico City.
A six-fight main card headlined by flyweight contenders Sergio Pettis and Brandon Moreno comes your way on Saturday.
The co-main event features strawweight prospect Alexa Grasso seeking to rebound from her first professional loss against Randa Markos. Also in action, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans takes on Sam Alvey in a forgotten middleweight tilt buried in the middle of the main card.
Want a preview of what to expect with expert predictions? You've come to the right place.
Craig Amos, Scott Harris, Steven Rondina and Nathan McCarter return for the latest installment of staff picks, as the UFC brings another fun card your way to get August started on the right note.
Alejandro Perez vs. Andre Soukhamthath
1 of 6
Steven Rondina
This is, more or less, a squash match to help along the hometown hero. Alejandro Perez is that man, and Andre Soukhamthath is the poor enhancement talent that will put him over.
Perez, TKO, Rd. 1
Craig Amos
MMA math isn't great, but if you were to employ it to say a fight will be close, this is the time. Here's the equation: Soukhamthath lost a split decision to Albert Morales, who has fought to a draw with Perez. I guess that suggests a slight edge to Perez, who is the pick here, by virtue of having shown a higher ceiling.
Perez, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Perez is best known as the guy who fought Scott Jorgensen while Jorgensen was on one foot, thanks to that crazy ankle injury. Perez will need to hope for that again when he faces an exciting striker in Soukhamthath, who lost a close one to Morales. Here's guessing Soukhamthath gets on the good foot this time, pun definitely intended.
Soukhamthath, TKO, Rd. 1
Nathan McCarter
I definitely don't see this as a squash match, but it should favor Perez if only slightly. Craig notes the common opponent and how tight both of those fights were. I'll take Perez, but I'm not confident he gets it done.
Perez, unanimous decision
Sam Alvey vs. Rashad Evans
2 of 6
Steven Rondina
This makes me sad. At one point, Rashad Evans would have mauled Sam Alvey—but that was back in 2010. In 2017, the only likely outcome is...
Alvey, TKO, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
Alvey is a solid fighter who beats anyone who isn't a top-15 guy. Sadly, I just don't think Evans is there anymore. His skills have so visibly deteriorated that he enters the bout as a clear underdog, and I don't see much reason to expect an upset.
Alvey, TKO, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
This is an interesting fight. Whenever people count Evans out, he always seems to come back. That said, he's lost three straight and Alvey has the (relatively) fast hands and wrestling wherewithal to hang with the grizzled vet.
Alvey, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
Evans has been gun shy and, after numerous injuries, he has probably lost a step. Even still, I still believe. I still believe he is the quicker, more powerful striker with better wrestling in this matchup. It'll behoove him to be cautious against Alvey, but this is the biggest winnable fight the UFC could provide him in 2017. He'll get it done with ground-and-pound in the second.
Evans, TKO, Rd. 2
Martin Bravo vs. Humberto Bandenay
3 of 6
Steven Rondina
Martin Bravo may already have a UFC win to his name, but Humberto "Band-Aide" Bandenay has actually faced stiffer competition throughout his career. That counts for something, and it counts for enough that I'm going to take him to win here in his UFC debut.
Bandenay, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Bravo has looked pretty good thus far, but it's hard to say how he'll fare against difficult competition. Bandenay doesn't quite fit that profile, so the assumption here is the Mexican will keep his 0 intact.
Bravo, submission, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Bravo is a significant favorite between these two fighters who no one has ever heard of, unless you watch The Ultimate Fighter. Bravo is an unbeaten berserker who should eventually ensnare a game and athletic but green fighter in Bandenay.
Bravo, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
I'll trust the oddsmakers here. Bravo is valued at minus-300 on some books, per OddsShark. That's a hefty line for these two commodities unless it's a known mismatch. MMA is too uncertain otherwise. That gives me faith this is Bravo's to lose. But I didn't watch The Ultimate Fighter as Scott mentioned, so I am not going to be predicting any kind of finish.
Bravo, unanimous decision
Alan Jouban vs. Niko Price
4 of 6
Steven Rondina
Jouban is again being used as a measuring stick for a prospect, this time for Niko Price. I'm not sure if Price is "there" yet but at 35 years old, I'm not sure Jouban is "there" anymore. In that situation, I'll lean in favor of the guy with greater finishing skills and that would be Price.
Price, TKO, Rd. 3
Craig Amos
This fight offers Price the chance to really announce his presence, but Jouban is never an easy out. I expect this one to be close but end with a clean shot from the UFC veteran.
Jouban, knockout, Rd. 2
Scott Harris
Price has finishing power but it won't compare to Jouban's. Jouban is a top-level muay thai striker and his tool box is too deep for the youngster. Nevertheless, a Fight of the Night favorite right here.
Jouban, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Jouban gets hit too much for my liking. Price is an undefeated fighter who should be 2-0 in the UFC with two solid finishes, but one was overturned due to a marijuana test. Without question Jouban is being used as a gatekeeper here, and this is Price's chance to show the UFC brass he's ready for the next step. He'll walk through the gates.
Price, TKO, Rd. 2
Randa Markos vs. Alexa Grasso
5 of 6
Steven Rondina
This is another case of too much, too soon for Alexa Grasso. The young Mexican is an amazing prospect, but the UFC seems dead set on having her wash out of the company. Randa Markos will mercilessly pressure her with wrestling, keep her from getting comfortable and take a handy decision win.
Markos, unanimous decision
Craig Amos
Grasso is better than she showed last time out, but this is a tough matchup for her. Markos is stronger and will put the pressure on. This pick is less a referendum on Grasso's ability than the belief it's not the best pairing (at least at this point in her career) for her.
Markos, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Grasso is a rising star in this division. Markos is very popular with a decent skill set, but Grasso's dynamism and heavy hands are too much.
Grasso, TKO, Rd. 2
Nathan McCarter
Grasso's last fight was perplexing. It was not the same fighter we had seen in any of her previous fights, and she fought a fighter in Felice Herrig who finally took the next step in her own career. Markos is not an easy out, but this should still be Grasso's to lose.
Grasso is a far superior striker with solid takedown defense. Markos has plateaued a bit and lacks the overall game for someone like Grasso.
If Markos is to win expect a three-round grind, but Grasso will avoid being stuck against the cage for too long and eventually will box her up en route to a decision.
Grasso, unanimous decision
Sergio Pettis vs. Brandon Moreno
6 of 6
Steven Rondina
At this point, I don't think it's a competition. Brandon Moreno is already an elite flyweight and should be looked at as the favorite over anyone outside the cream of the crop. Sergio Pettis? Yeah, he's not there yet.
Moreno, submission, Rd. 2
Craig Amos
Sandwiched between Jones vs. Cormier and Mayweather vs. McGregor, Saturday's main event was bound to be a letdown. But Pettis vs. Moreno? That's a disappointing main event any day of the year.
The pick here is Moreno. Pettis showed some development last time out, but Moreno's results are simply too impressive to ignore.
Moreno, unanimous decision
Scott Harris
Pettis finds himself an underdog here, but I don't see it. He's not his brother, and his underrated wrestling will win the day. Sound the upset alarms.
Pettis, unanimous decision
Nathan McCarter
This is a fun fight between two talents who have made me a believer. Moreno debuted against Louis Smolka and ascended the ranks in short order, whereas Pettis had to regroup a couple times during his stint before coming into his own.
I'm more sold on Moreno. Pettis can be inconsistent and that may cost him here. I'm expecting a fun, competitive fight overall with Moreno doing enough to get a late stoppage.
Moreno, TKO, Rd. 4
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