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MMASucka’s UFC 231 staff picks

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Less than a month away until our MMASucka staff picks end for the 2018 year. Later tonight, UFC 231 goes down from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. Our staff picks for the remainder of the year will consist of two more UFC events and two more Bellator events.

In tonight’s main event, current UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway will look to defend his belt against undefeated Brian Ortega. Holloway is looking for his second title defense, having captured the belt over Jose Aldo in June of 2017 before following it up with a virtually identical performance over Aldo months later. Ortega has finished all seven of his UFC opponents, including his overturned promotional debut in July of 2014. His last two fights saw a flying guillotine choke over Cub Swanson and a first-round TKO over former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

A second title fight is slated in the co-main event slot between Valentina Shevchenko and Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship. The two are facing off for the first time in MMA; however, they fought in three Muay Thai bouts a decade ago seeing Shevchenko victorious by decision in each.

The WINNER of staff picks will have a chance to receive a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts following completion of the 2018 calendar year! The 2017 winner was awarded to Wesley Riddle, compiling a record of 118-74 for main card fights. Staff picks compose of both Bellator and UFC fights taken place on the main card.

Check out our MMASucka staff picks for UFC 231 as well as our current compiled records through 2018.


Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 142

1. Michael DeSantis: 187-92
2. Ryan Wagner: 182-97
3. Wesley Riddle: 178-101
4. Mitchell Banuelos: 174-105
5. Omar Villagrana: 170-109
6. Mike Skytte: 162-117
7. Ed Gallo: 158-121
8. Jeremy Brand: 156-114
9. Justin Pierrot: 135-120
10. Matt Bricker: 106-67
11. Brian Gerson: 101-84
12. Connor Deitrich: 64-33
13. Patrick Auger: 26-27
14. Sasha Moksyakov: 16-26


Jimi Manuwa (17-4) vs. Thiago Santos (19-6)

Jeremy Brand: Santos via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Justin Pierrot: Manuwa via UD
Michael DeSantis: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Wagner: Santos via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Ed Gallo: Santos via Round 2 TKO
Omar Villagrana: Santos via Round 3 TKO
Brian Gerson: Santos via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Santos via Round 1 TKO
Patrick Auger: Santos via Round 2 TKO
Sasha Moksyakov: N/A

Staff picking Manuwa: 1
Staff picking Santos: 12


Hakeem Dawodu (8-1-1) vs. Kyle Bochniak (8-3)

Jeremy Brand: Dawodu via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Dawodu via UD
Mike Skytte: Dawodu via UD
Justin Pierrot: Dawodu via UD
Michael DeSantis: Dawodu via UD
Ryan Wagner: Dawodu via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Dawodu via UD
Ed Gallo: Dawodu via UD
Omar Villagrana: Dawodu via UD
Brian Gerson: Bochniak via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Dawodu via UD
Patrick Auger: Dawodu via UD
Sasha Moksyakov: N/A

Staff picking Dawodu: 12
Staff picking Bochniak: 1


Alex Oliveira (19-4-1, 2 NC) vs. Gunnar Nelson (16-3-1)

Jeremy Brand: Nelson via Round 1 Sub
Wesley Riddle: Oliveira via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Oliveira via Round 1 TKO
Justin Pierrot: Oliveira via UD
Michael DeSantis: Oliveira via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Wagner: Oliveira via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Nelson via Round 2 SUB
Ed Gallo: Nelson via Round 3 SUB
Omar Villagrana: Nelson via UD
Brian Gerson: Nelson via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Nelson via UD
Connor Deitrich: Nelson via Round 2 TKO
Patrick Auger: Oliveira via Round 1 TKO
Sasha Moksyakov: N/A

Staff picking Oliveira: 6
Staff picking Nelson: 7


Valentina Shevchenko (15-3) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (15-2)

Jeremy Brand: Shevchenko via UD
Wesley Riddle: Shevchenko via UD
Mike Skytte: Jedrzejczyk via UD
Justin Pierrot: Shevchenko via UD
Michael DeSantis: Shevchenko via UD
Ryan Wagner: Shevchenko via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Shevchenko via UD
Ed Gallo: Jedrzejczyk via UD
Omar Villagrana:  Shevchenko via UD
Brian Gerson: Shevchenko via SD
Matt Bricker: Jedrzejczyk via UD
Connor Deitrich: Shevchenko via UD
Patrick Auger:  Shevchenko via Round 3 SUB
Sasha Moksyakov: N/A

Staff picking Shevchenko: 10
Staff picking Jedrzejczyk: 3


Max Holloway (19-3) vs. Brian Ortega (14-0, 1 NC)

Jeremy Brand: Ortega via Round 3 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Ortega via Round 3 SUB
Mike Skytte: Holloway via UD
Justin Pierrot: Holloway via SD
Michael DeSantis: Holloway via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Wagner: Holloway via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Holloway via UD
Ed Gallo: Holloway via UD
Omar Villagrana: Ortega via UD
Brian Gerson: Holloway via UD
Matt Bricker: Ortega via SD
Connor Deitrich: Ortega via Round 3 TKO
Patrick Auger: Holloway via UD
Sasha Moksyakov: N/A

Staff picking Holloway: 8
Staff picking Ortega: 5

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Wesley Riddle is a 29-year-old writer residing in Raleigh, North Carolina from Harrisonburg, Virginia. He has been part of the MMASucka team since the fourth quarter of 2016. Additionally, he serves as a writer with partner site Last Word on Motorsports.

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