Our second fight card of the weekend is in for our MMASucka staff picks. Later this evening, August 22 will see UFC on ESPN 15 go down from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will begin at 8:30pm ET (5:30pm PT) live for viewing pleasure on both ESPN and ESPN+.
Make sure to check out our staff picks from last night’s Bellator 244 event in Uncasville.
The Fights
A thrilling main event showdown is in store between bantamweights Pedro Munhoz and Frankie Edgar. The fight was scheduled for last month until Munhoz was removed from the card following a positive COVID-19 test.
Brazil’s Munhoz is set for his first promotional headlining slot after 13 fights with the UFC. Through those fights, he has remained a quiet threat at the top of the division securing eight victories with six by way of a finish. Munhoz aims to bounce back on top after a decision loss to Aljamain Sterling in June of last year. His opponent, Edgar, still poses a threat after years of competing inside of the octagon. The former UFC lightweight king and featherweight title challenger will be making his first professional appearance at bantamweight in his 33rd fight. Edgar targets to rebound following back-to-back losses to both Max Holloway and Chan Sung Jung.
Light heavyweights Ovince Saint Preux and Alonzo Menifield will meet in the co-main event of the evening. Saint Preux makes his return to the 205-pound division after an unfortunate heavyweight debut, dropping a split decision to Ben Rothwell in May. Menifield looks to get back in the win column after his undefeated run of nine victories came to a halt in June against Devin Clark.
Due to a late change, the main card flyweight fight between Mariya Agapova and Shana Dobson will not be counted for our MMASucka staff picks. See all the remaining fights for UFC on ESPN 15 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 UFC on ESPN 15 staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC 252:
1. Connor Deitrich: 121-52
2. Michael DeSantis: 119-53
3. Wesley Riddle: 109-56
4. Matt Bricker: 108-65
5. Frazer Krohn: 101-72
6T. Dan Rose: 100-73
6T. Jack Buchanan: 100-50
8. Jeremy Brand: 99-61
9. McKenzie Guardiero: 98-75
10T. Ash Camyab: 95-74
10T. Nate Freeman: 95-66
12. Ryan Hobbs: 94-62
13. Mike Lynch: 91-59
14. Andrew Benjamin: 86-81
15. Ashwin Viswanathan: 81-49
16. Mike Skytte: 67-45
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 64-39
18. Ed Gallo: 54-27
19. Joshua Yule: 48-26
20. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
**Note: Bellator 244 will be added to next weekend’s picks**
Daniel Rodriguez (12-1) vs. Dwight Grant (10-2)
Jeremy Brand: Rodriguez via UD
Wesley Riddle: Rodriguez via UD
Michael DeSantis: Rodriguez via UD
Matt Bricker: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Rodriguez via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Rodriguez via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Rodriguez via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Rodriguez via UD
Frazer Krohn: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Rodriguez via UD
Dan Rose: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Rodriguez via UD
Nate Freeman: Rodriguez via UD
Jack Buchanan: Rodriguez via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Rodriguez: 14
Staff picking Grant: 0
Marcin Prachnio (13-4) vs. Mike Rodriguez (10-4, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Rodriguez via UD
Wesley Riddle: Rodriguez via UD
Michael DeSantis: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Rodriguez via UD
Connor Deitrich: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Rodriguez via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Prachnio via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Prachnio via UD
Frazer Krohn: Rodriguez via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Rodriguez via UD
Dan Rose: Rodriguez via UD
Mike Lynch: Rodriguez via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Rodriguez via UD
Jack Buchanan: Rodriguez via UD
Staff picking Prachnio: 12
Staff picking Rodriguez: 2
Pedro Munhoz (18-4, 1 NC) vs. Frankie Edgar (22-8-1)
Jeremy Brand: Munhoz via Round 4 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Edgar via UD
Michael DeSantis: Edgar via UD
Matt Bricker: Munhoz via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Munhoz via UD
Ash Camyab: Munhoz via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Munhoz via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Edgar via UD
Frazer Krohn: Edgar via Round 4 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Munhoz via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Munhoz via UD
Mike Lynch: Edgar via UD
Nate Freeman: Edgar via UD
Jack Buchanan: Munhoz via Round 3 SUB
Staff picking Munhoz: 8
Staff picking Edgar: 6
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