This Saturday night, live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada UFC 165 takes place.
The five fight main card is stacked with some absolutely fantastic match-ups. In the main event the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Jon Jones takes on Alexander Gustafsson. In the co-main event another title is at stake, this time in the bantamweight division – the interim champ Renan Barao will look to retain the title as he goes toe-to-toe with Eddie Wineland.
MMASucka Staff Predictions: UFC 165
Also featured on the pay-per-view portion of the card is a heavyweight battle between Brendan Schaub and Matt Mitrione, Francis Carmont and Constantinos Philippou will tangle in a middleweight showdown and kicking off the main card is a fight that is guaranteed to be fireworks between two lightweight standouts, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Pat Healy.
Check out the MMASucka.com Staff Predictions below.
Justin – 7-1
Jeremy – 5-3
Allen – 5-3
Henry – 5-3
Suraj – 3-0
JP – 0-0
Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson – for light-heavyweight title
Justin – I want to pick Gustafsson, I really do, but I just don’t think he’s the guy to beat Jones yet. Give him another year or two to develop and he might be, but no, not this time. I do think he’ll give the champ a good fight, but in the end, I just see Jon Jones weathering the storm. Jon Jones via Unanimous Decision
Jeremy – If you know me on a personal level at all, then you know how big a Gus fan I am. The problem is, Jon Jones is so damn good and just on another level. Does “The Mauler” have a punchers chance, obviously. But to even get inside on Jones is going to be difficult. The marketing strategy for this fight is the height and size of the two men – yes they are both big, yes they are both tall and yes they both have a giant reach. However one is the champ for a reason and after the final bell sounds he will still be that. Jon Jones via 4th round TKO.
Allen – The perfect matchup that really isn’t a perfect matchup. It may look like it on paper, but Gustafsson’s questionable takedown defense and cardio will be his downfall. It’ll be interesting to see if Jones comes in tentative like he was against Machida. The fight has intrigue, but it will end early and definitively. Jones will ground Gustafsson, then put him to sleep. Jon Jones via Round 1 triangle choke
Suraj – Gustafsson is probably the best competition for Jones given his stature. However, given the skills sets of both fighters, Jones has pulled out some legendary finishes en route to becoming the pound for pound best. Gustafsson may be good, but he’s not that good. Jon Jones via 3rd round TKO
JP – Gustafsson for the upset. Jones’ confidence is blinding the fear of the unknown. Gus will win by beating Jones to the punc using his reach for all five rounds. He will be able to stuff all of Jones’ takedown attempts and frustrate the champ. Alexander Gustafsson via Unanimous Decision.
Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland – for interim bantamweight title
Justin – Barao is just a wrecking machine at this point, and I don’t think Wineland is the man to beat him. Not this day. Renan Barao via Submission in Round 3.
Jeremy – I have been waiting forever to see Renan Barao fight again. His leg kicks are devastating, his speed is crazy and he is just plain ol’ fun to watch. Wineland brings a go for broke style to this fight, which could leave him vulnerable to many counter strikes. I feel at the end of the day Barao will live up to the hype and hopefully we will get to see him face-off with Dominic Cruz some time in 2014. Renan Barao via Unanimous Decision.
Allen – It’s hard to see Wineland winning this fight. He does possess a quick and heavy right hand. I’m concerned about him relying on his head movement rather than using his hands defensively. This is a bad matchup for Wineland and I’m expecting another definite win for Barao. Can we please get Barao against Cruz in 2014? Renan Barao via Round 2 kimura.
Suraj – Barao has already defended his interim championship belt once and is on a ridiculous winning streak. Wineland has put on some solid fights as well, but the all-around skill of Barao will be too much to handle. Renan Barao via Submission in Round 2.
JP – Wineland wins by epic hipster moustache. Eddie Wineland via Unanimous Decision.
Matt Mitrione vs. Brendan Schaub
Justin – Schaub’s chin is just too suspect to consistently pick him, and Mitrione’s been known to put hands on faces. Matt Mitrione via 2nd round TKO
Jeremy – These two couldn’t match up against each other any better. Mitrione is a striker and we all know how suspect Schaub’s chin is, however “Hybrid” could attempt to take this fight to the mat where he could utilize his ground and pound. I see this fight staying on the feet until Schaub takes a punch and has an “Oh sh*t” moment. Matt Mitrione via 3rd round TKO
Allen – I’m absolutely loving the feud between both fighters. They both make valid points, although Mitrone’s work ethic shouldn’t be questioned. What should be questioned is his wrestling and sometimes being too one-dimensional. Schaub is versatile and will be able to outwork him for the hard fought win. Brendan Schaub via Round 3 TKO.
Suraj – Matt Mitrione showed how good his power is last time he was in the octagon. On the other hand, Schaub has shown how weak his chin can be on several past octagon experiences. This should be no different. Matt Mitrione via 1st round TKO.
JP – Brendan Schaub will prove his move to the West Coast was a great career decision. New jits with the Gracie’s, new wrestling with Munoz and Team Reign. Brendan Schaub will win in Round 2 via TKO and dominate in all aspects of the game.
Francis Carmont vs. Constantinos Philippou
Justin – If Carmont keeps fighting like he did against Lorenz Larkin, then we all lose this one. However, even if this ends up being a pitched battle from the clinch, then Philippou has all the tools to put the Tristar product down for the count. Constantinos Philippou via Unanimous Decision.
Jeremy – As a Canadian I should be behind Francis Carmont, however I can’t stand the way he has fought and some how won his last two fights. Philippou is the biggest test that has been put in front Carmont. He will be tested in every facet of the game – the only thing Carmont has on “Cyprus Slugger” is size. Constantinos Philippou via Unanimous Decision.
Allen – Not many people are giving Carmont a chance, which shouldn’t be a surprise. He needs to avoid standing still and trying to trade punches with Philippou. If he can move around and try to clinch against the cage, he could win another ugly decision. Philippou is a great counter striker though and will be able to continue his winning streak. Constantinos Philippou via Round 2 KO.
Suraj – Philippou has been given the edge in standing by universally everyone. Training with GSP should give Carmont some advantage in the octagon, but it seems he’s not finding his footing as a dominant fighter. Philippou has dominated his past opponents and could be too much of a pitbull for Carmont. Carmont needs to avoid the strikes and being taken down, if he can do that, he might have a chance. I’m taking the underdog in this one. Francis Carmont via Split Decision.
JP – Philippou is going to extend to six in a row. His hard nose style of boxing will keep Carmont off balance. Constantinos Philippou via Round 2 TKO.
Pat Healy vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Justin – Inverse to the fight that proceeds it, we all win with Healy vs. Nurmagomedov. This will be a gritty war between a highly experienced veteran and a surging prospect, but experience will outwit youth en route to a unanimous decision victory. Pat Healy via Unanimous Decision.
Jeremy – Pat Healy is coming off one of the biggest victories of his career against Jim Miller – unfortunately it was overturned due to a positive drug test. He has a lot to prove in his second outing since returning to the Octagon and it’s a tough test against a young, fierce Khabib Nurmagomedov. The Russian is on a tear since debuting with the UFC, in fact since starting his MMA career, at 20-0. I see him having one blemish on his record after this fight though. Healy will utilize his excellent ground control and smother him for three rounds. Pat Healy via Unanimous Decision.
Allen – This is easily the best fight on the card. It’s the most unpredictable fight between two lightweights are well-rounded and very powerful. If Healy can use his reach and stuff the takedowns, he could pull another upset. It will be close but Nurmagomedov will land just enough takedowns to earn the decision victory. Khabib Nurmagomedov via split decision).
Suraj – Healy needs a big rebound after a positive drug test last time around. He has the skill, but clearly made a bad decision prior to his last bout. However, Nurmagomedov has been excellent thus far in his MMA career and has gone 4-0 thus far in the UFC. I’m a ride-the-streak kind of guy. Khabib Nurmagomedov via Unanimous Decision.
JP – Healy will have an answer for anything that Khabib throws at him. He will be in the divisions top 5 by the end of next year. Pat Healy via Round 3 TKO.
