MMASucka staff picks are locked in and ready to go for UFC Vegas 40. Tonight’s event will take place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card will begin at 7:00pm ET (4:00pm PT) live for subscribers on ESPN+.
Stay tuned to MMASucka this afternoon for our Bellator 268 picks out of Phoenix, the main card beginning just three hours following the start of UFC Vegas 40.
The Fights
Two weeks ago, Aspen Ladd was forced out of her scheduled fight with Macy Chiasson resulting from a failed weight cut. Just days later, Holly Holm was forced out of her pairing with Norma Dumont from this very event due to injury. As a result, Ladd and Dumont will now meet in today’s five-round featherweight main event. 26-year-old Ladd returns after nearly two years outside the octagon, last leaving us with a third-round knockout over former title challenger Yana Kunitskaya. Syndicate MMA’s Dumont will contend in her first main event in search of her third straight promotional win since November of last year.
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A sixteen year age gap comes between co-main event heavyweights, as the veteran of Andrei Arlovski will take on rising contender Carlos Felipe. Fan-favorite Arlovski makes his 36th walk to the octagon in hopes of capturing a fourth win in his last five outings, lastly defeating Chase Sherman in April. Brazil’s Felipe aims to secure his third win of the calendar year with split decision victories over both Justin Tafa and Jake Collier.
One intended main card matchup between Julian Marquez and Jordan Wright will not occur, Marquez being forced out of the fight due to health concerns. As a result, only four fights will be counted towards our MMASucka staff picks. Find those for the remaining main card of UFC Vegas 40 further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from both UFC and Bellator events. Main card fights and selected preliminary fights will be selected for PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will be composed of the full fight card.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
Take a look below at who the MMASucka staff picking to win at UFC Vegas 40: Ladd vs. Dumont.
Staff Records after Dana White’s Contender Series 43:
1. Nate Freeman: 191-104
2T. Wesley Riddle: 186-109
2T. Michael DeSantis: 186-109
4. Frazer Krohn: 173-122
5. Mike Lynch: 161-124
6. Ash Camyab: 160-111
7. Jeremy Brand: 158-133
8. Andrew Benjamin: 121-124
9. Tim Wheaton: 108-82
10. Chris Presnell: 66-29
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Manon Fiorot (7-1) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (7-1-1)
Jeremy Brand: Fiorot via Round 1 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Fiorot via Round 2 SUB
Ash Camyab: Fiorot via UD
Frazer Krohn: Fiorot via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Fiorot via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Fiorot via Round 2 TKO
Chris Presnell: Fiorot via UD
Staff picking Fiorot: 7
Staff picking Bueno Silva: 0
Jim Miller (32-16, 1 NC) vs. Erick Gonzalez (14-5)
Jeremy Brand: Miller via UD
Wesley Riddle: Miller via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Miller via Round 1 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Miller via Round 3 SUB
Mike Lynch: Gonzalez via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Miller via Round 2 SUB
Chris Presnell: Gonzalez via Round 1 TKO
Staff picking Miller: 5
Staff picking Gonzalez: 2
Andrei Arlovski (31-20, 2 NC) vs. Carlos Felipe (11-1)
Jeremy Brand: Felipe via Round 1 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Arlovski via UD
Ash Camyab: Felipe via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Arlovski via UD
Mike Lynch: Arlovski via UD
Nate Freeman: Arlovski via SD
Chris Presnell: Arlovski via SD
Staff picking Arlovski: 5
Staff picking Felipe: 2
Aspen Ladd (9-1) vs. Norma Dumont (6-1)
Jeremy Brand: Ladd via Round 2 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Ladd via Round 4 TKO
Ash Camyab: Ladd via UD
Frazer Krohn: Dumont via UD
Mike Lynch: Ladd via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Ladd via SD
Chris Presnell: Ladd via UD
Staff picking Ladd: 6
Staff picking Dumont: 1
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