MMASucka staff picks are in for the weekend. UFC Fight Night 173 will take place later this evening, August 1 returning to the United States following a two-week visit to the United Arab Emirates for “Fight Island.” Tonight’s event will go down, once again, from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas with the main card beginning at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) on ESPN+.
The Fights
Dangerous middleweight strikers Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan will meet off in the main event. Brunson enters his 17th fight with the UFC, his promotional debut coming against Chris Leben in 2012. The former NCAA Division II standout wrestler has shared both highs and lows in the octagon, defeating many of his opponents yet falling short in cracking the top of the divisional ranks. Brunson currently rides a two-fight decision streak in his first fight of the new year. His opponent, Shahbazyan, burst onto the scene after an electrifying performance over Antonio Jones in mid-2018. The 22-year-old still remains undefeated as a professional trained under the likes of notable coach Edmond Tarverdyan. Sharing a combined 20 knockouts in 31 victories, expect both Brunson and Shahbazyan to put on an exciting show as they look to climb up the middleweight ranks.
Scotland’s Joanne Calderwood will faceoff against Brazil’s Jennifer Maia in the co-main slot. Calderwood will look to follow-up a split decision over Andrea Lee last September while former Invicta FC champion Maia aims to rebound after a decision loss to Katlyn Chookagian.
Due to a late change, the main card fight between Ed Herman and Gerald Meerschaert will not be included on this weekend’s picks.
See the remaining MMASucka staff picks for UFC Fight Night 173 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 173 below.
Staff Records after UFC on ESPN 14:
1. Connor Deitrich: 104-43
2. Michael DeSantis: 103-44
3. Wesley Riddle: 99-48
4. Matt Bricker: 92-55
5. Jeremy Brand: 89-53
6T. Dan Rose: 86-61
6T. Nate Freeman: 86-57
8. Frazer Krohn: 85-62
9. Jack Buchanan: 84-40
10. McKenzie Guardiero: 83-64
11T. Ash Camyab: 82-65
11T. Mike Lynch: 82-50
13. Ryan Hobbs: 79-59
14T. Andrew Benjamin: 74-67
14T. Ashwin Viswanathan: 74-43
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 41-20
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
**Note: Bellator 242 results have been added to the records despite no posted article**
Kevin Holland (17-5) vs. Trevin Giles (12-2)
Jeremy Brand: Holland via UD
Wesley Riddle: Holland via UD
Michael DeSantis: Holland via Round 2 SUB
Matt Bricker: Holland via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Giles via Round 3 TKO
Ash Camyab: Holland via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Holland via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Holland via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Holland via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Holland via UD
Dan Rose: Holland via UD
Mike Lynch: Holland via Round 1 SUB
Ashwin Viswanathan: Holland via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Holland via Round 2 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Holland via UD
Staff picking Holland: 14
Staff picking Giles: 1
Lando Vannata (11-4-2) vs. Bobby Green (25-10-1)
Jeremy Brand: Vannata via UD
Wesley Riddle: Vannata via UD
Michael DeSantis: Vannata via UD
Matt Bricker: Vannata via UD
Connor Deitrich: Green via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Vannata via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Green via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Vannata via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Green via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Vannata via UD
Dan Rose: Green via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Vannata via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Vannata via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Vannata via UD
Jack Buchanan: Green via UD
Staff picking Vannata: 10
Staff picking Green: 5
Vicente Luque (18-7-1) vs. Randy Brown (12-3)
Jeremy Brand: Luque via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Luque via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Luque via UD
Ash Camyab: Luque via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Brown via UD
Frazer Krohn: Luque via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Dan Rose: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Luque via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Luque via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Luque via UD
Jack Buchanan: Luque via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Luque: 14
Staff picking Brown: 1
Joanne Calderwood (14-4) vs. Jennifer Maia (17-6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Calderwood via UD
Wesley Riddle: Calderwood via SD
Michael DeSantis: Calderwood via SD
Matt Bricker: Calderwood via UD
Connor Deitrich: Calderwood via UD
Ash Camyab: Calderwood via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Maia via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Calderwood via UD
Frazer Krohn: Calderwood via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Calderwood via UD
Dan Rose: Calderwood via Round 1 SUB
Mike Lynch: Calderwood via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Calderwood via UD
Nate Freeman: Calderwood via UD
Jack Buchanan: Calderwood via UD
Staff picking Calderwood: 14
Staff picking Maia: 1
Derek Brunson (20-7) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (11-0)
Jeremy Brand: Brunson via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Shahbazyan via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Shahbazyan via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Brunson via SD
Connor Deitrich: Shahbazyan via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Brunson via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Brunson via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Brunson via UD
Frazer Krohn: Shahbazyan via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Shahbazyan via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Shahbazyan via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Shahbazyan via Round 1 TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Brunson via UD
Nate Freeman: Shahbazyan via Round 1 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Shahbazyan via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Brunson: 6
Staff picking Shahbazyan: 9
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