MMASucka staff picks are locked in for the third UFC card in eight days. UFC Fight Night 172 will begin in just a few hours from the Flash Forum on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the third promotional event from “Fight Island.” The main card will begin at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT) live on ESPN+.
The Fights
The vacant UFC flyweight strap is on the line in a rematch between Deiveson Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez. Their first meeting came earlier in the year with Figueiredo taking the victory by knockout in the second. However, due to Figueiredo missing weight in that meeting, he would be ineligible to win the 125-pound title resulting in this rematch tonight. Figueiredo will be in search of his 19th career win in his 20th professional fight. His opponent, Benavidez, has come up short in four of four title fights across his lengthy UFC and WEC career. Despite this, he has always remained a threat for the belt and a top-ranked contender in the flyweight division. Both men will look to earn the title held by only two since 2012: Demetrious Johnson and Henry Cejudo.
Middleweights Jack Hermansson and Kelvin Gastelum are set for battle in a crucial co-main event. Hermansson looks to rebound after a recent main event knockout loss to Jared Cannonier while Gastelum aims to snap a two-fight skid in search of his first win in over two years.
See the remaining MMASucka staff picks for UFC Fight Night 172 further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the year, staff picks will be composed of five different MMA promotions. UFC, Bellator, ONE, and RIZIN all appeared for the 2019 season and will make returns. The newest addition for the 2020 year will see the PFL including their regular season, playoffs, and championship card. A special staff picks bonus will be introduced and discussed regarding PFL’s playoff format as time gets closer.
Main cards will makeup both UFC and Bellator picks, while the biggest fights to make up ONE, RIZIN, and PFL events will be used. The WINNER of staff picks will have a choice between receiving a championship belt from ProAmBelts or a championship chain from Championship Chains. The 2019 winner was awarded to Michael DeSantis, compiling a record of 321-178. Second-place Connor Deitrich collected a close score of 319-180 with third-place Ed Gallo not far behind totaling at 312-183.
Check out our staff picks for UFC Fight Night 172 below.
Staff Records after UFC on ESPN 13:
1. Connor Deitrich: 96-36 (3-2)
2. Michael DeSantis: 94-38 (2-3)
3. Wesley Riddle: 92-40 (2-3)
4. Jeremy Brand: 82-45 (2-3)
5. Matt Bricker: 81-51 (3-2)
6. Dan Rose: 79-53 (1-4)
7. Nate Freeman: 78-50 (2-3)
8. Frazer Krohn: 77-55 (2-3)
9. Jack Buchanan: 76-33 (3-2)
10. McKenzie Guardiero: 75-57 (1-4)
11. Ash Camyab: 74-58 (2-3)
12. Andrew Benjamin: 71-61 (2-3)
13. Mike Lynch: 70-47 (3-2)
14. Ryan Hobbs: 69-54
15. Mike Skytte: 67-45
16. Ashwin Viswanathan: 66-41
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39 (3-2)
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 31-15
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
**Note: parenthesis indicates results from UFC on ESPN 13*
Alexandre Pantoja (22-4) vs. Askar Askarov (11-0-1)
Jeremy Brand: Pantoja via UD
Wesley Riddle: Pantoja via SD
Michael DeSantis: Pantoja via UD
Matt Bricker: Pantoja via UD
Connor Deitrich: Pantoja via UD
Ash Camyab: Pantoja via Round 2 SUB
Ryan Hobbs: Pantoja via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Pantoja via UD
Frazer Krohn: Askarov via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Askarov via UD
Dan Rose: Pantoja via UD
Mike Lynch: Pantoja via UD
Nate Freeman: Pantoja via UD
Jack Buchanan: Pantoja via UD
Staff picking Pantoja: 12
Staff picking Askarov: 2
Ariane Lipski (12-5) vs. Luana Carolina (6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Lipski via UD
Wesley Riddle: Lipski via UD
Michael DeSantis: Lipski via UD
Matt Bricker: Lipski via UD
Connor Deitrich: Lipski via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Lipski via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Lipski via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Lipski via UD
Frazer Krohn: Lipski via Round 1 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Lipski via UD
Dan Rose: Carolina via UD
Mike Lynch: Lipski via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Lipski via UD
Jack Buchanan: Lipski via UD
Staff picking Lipski: 13
Staff picking Carolina: 1
Marc Diakiese (14-3) vs. Rafael Fiziev (7-1)
Jeremy Brand: Diakiese via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Diakiese via UD
Michael DeSantis: Diakiese via UD
Matt Bricker: Fiziev via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Diakiese via UD
Ash Camyab: Diakiese via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Fiziev via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Diakiese via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Diakiese via Round 3 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Diakiese via UD
Dan Rose: Fiziev via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Fiziev via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Diakiese via SD
Jack Buchanan: Diakiese via SD
Staff picking Diakiese: 10
Staff picking Fiziev: 4
Jack Hermansson (20-5) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (16-5, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Gastelum via UD
Wesley Riddle: Gastelum via SD
Michael DeSantis: Gastelum via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Hermansson via UD
Connor Deitrich: Hermansson via UD
Ash Camyab: Gastelum via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Gastelum via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Gastelum via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Gastelum via SD
McKenzie Guardiero: Gastelum via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Gastelum via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Hermansson via Round 1 SUB
Nate Freeman: Gastelum via Round 1 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Gastelum via UD
Staff picking Hermansson: 3
Staff picking Gastelum: 11
Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1) vs. Joseph Benavidez (28-6)
Jeremy Brand: Figueiredo via UD
Wesley Riddle: Benavidez via UD
Michael DeSantis: Figueiredo via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Figueiredo via UD
Connor Deitrich: Figueiredo via Round 3 TKO
Ash Camyab: Benavidez via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Figueiredo via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Benavidez via UD
Frazer Krohn: Benavidez via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Benavidez via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Benavidez via Round 4 TKO
Mike Lynch: Figueiredo via Round 5 TKO
Nate Freeman: Figueiredo via Round 3 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Figueiredo via Round 4 TKO
Staff picking Figueiredo: 8
Staff picking Benavidez: 6
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