As always the staff at MMASucka.com will make their predictions for the entire main card. As you can see from our overall running scores, some of us are much better than others. But without further ado, check out the MMASucka Staff Predictions.
MMASucka Staff Predictions: UFC 179
Below are the scores after our UFC Fight Night 54 picks.
Allen – 50-25
Jeremy – 50-27
Justin – 49-32
Suraj – 41-16
Callum – 35-22
Thinesh – 23-15
Nick – 13-8
Mike – 11-10
Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
Jeremy: Could this fight be any more under hyped? If you were to Google, “Chad Mendes,” the news about he and Conor McGregor’s debacle would come up and not this bout — that is just plain sad. I do feel that Mendes has all the tools to beat Aldo, but he will still come up short in this fight. Aldo tends to fight to his opponents abilities and this could be the perfect test to see the Aldo of old. Jose Aldo via Round 3 TKO.
Mike: Chad Mendes has obviously improved tremendously since the two first met, but I still think Jose Aldo is the better fighter. Do I think Mendes has a style that can beat Aldo? Yes. But I also think Aldo is a grossly underrated fighter. He hasn’t been finishing guys the way he used to, but I don’t believe that killer instinct is gone. I think Aldo needs a certain foil to bring that fire back out of him, and Chad Mendes just might be the one. Jose Aldo via Round 2 TKO.
Callum: Conor McGregor’s balls may have distracted every one for the last couple of days, but the champion has definitely been sorely overlooked in the build up to this. Many are talking like this could be the moment that Aldo proves he is not entirely unbeatable, but it is also hard to see how Mendes imposes his game plan enough to win. He needs to get this fight to the ground, but Aldo’s takedown defence is likely too good. Jose Aldo via Unanimous Decision
Nick: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes 2 is going to be a damn close fight. Mendes has improved so much since they met for the first time, and Aldo has just been picking up decisions lately. Mendes needs to get this fight on the ground, like he’s said, and I think he’ll do it this time. I expect the first round to be all striking, then around round 2 or 3 Mendes will get Aldo down and likely pickup a finish victory, winning UFC gold. Chad Mendes via Round 3 TKO.
Justin: The questions here are, “Who has evolved more? Have they evolved enough?” Clearly, Chad Mendes has made an evolutionary leap in orders of magnitude thanks to his time spent with Duange Ludwig as his head coach. However, I’m not sure it’s enough to deal with Jose Aldo. I suspect this fight will be longer than the 1st, but the same hand will be raised at the end. Jose Aldo via Unanimous Decision
Suraj: As much as I would like to say this fight should be close and Mendes has a chance, I still think Aldo is on a completely different level. Most people will likely use the Dillashaw-Barao argument to consider an upset, but let’s remember, Aldo is not Barao. Aldo possesses some of the best takedown defense in the game, and there is just no chance Mendes can out-strike the champ. Unless we’re looking at another Alpha Male upset, this should play out similar to the last fight. Jose Aldo via Round 3 TKO
Glover Teixeira vs. Phil Davis
Jeremy: This is an interesting fight in the light heavyweight division that has upset written all over it. For Davis to win he will need to get the fight to the mat and control his opponent there, while Teixeira’s gameplan is similar, but he will likely utilize the clinch up against the cage. If Davis is able to dictate where the fight goes then it is his to lose, however I don’t think he will be able to. Glover Teixeira via Unanimous Decision.
Mike: Really a solid co-main event here. Two talented light heavyweights looking to bounce back from lopsided defeats. I think this has huge potential for an upset. When Phil Davis fights smart and mixes in takedowns with striking, I believe very few men can beat him. Problem is, to me, is seems as though Davis is too easily dragged into these striking matches. For that reason, I think the Brazilian takes this one. Of course, Teixeira is a fantastic grappler as well, but I expect this fight to be contested on the feet. With Glover coming out on top. Glover Teixeira via Unanimous Decision.
Callum: I really like this fight. Once again, we see a gameplan heavy fight – Teixeira the boxer vs Davis the wrestler. Teixeira is competent enough on the ground, but I see him keeping this one standing too. Glover Teixeira via Round 3 TKO.
Nick: I’ve been excited for this one for a while. Although this matchup wasn’t my first choice, it’ll still do. Glover and Davis are both coming off decision losses at the same event, and they’re two elite light heavyweights that are trying to work their way up the rankings with a win at UFC 179. Davis is obviously the wrestler, Teixeira is a great striker, and has a good ground game as well. I expect the fight to stay on the feet, with Glover winning a lopsided decision. Glover Teixeira via Unanimous Decision.
Justin: I don’t know what’s happened to Phil Davis, but I don’t think this is the right rebound fight for him. Glover Teixeira is a nightmare for anybody not named “Jon Jones,” and will likely put Davis into a 2 fight skid. Glover Teixeira via 3rd Round Submission
Suraj: As a writer, you strive to maintain an unbiased argument but in this case I simply can’t. Phil Davis is one of the least exciting fighters in the UFC and has yet to improve his striking to an above average level. On the other hand, Glover Teixeira has demonstrated elite level skills and went the distance with Jon Jones. I do not believe Davis has an advantage on the ground, and Glover has avoided 75% of takedowns in the UFC. With that said, Davis only has a few ways of winning this fight and should have great difficulty with the big Brazilian. Glover Teixeira via Unanimous Decision
Fabio Maldonado vs. Hans Stringer
Jeremy: Boxing will be key in this match. Simple pick… Fabio Maldonado via Round 2 TKO.
Mike: Fabio Maldonado might not be the best light heavyweight in the world, but he has some of the crispest boxing in the division. He fires on all-cylinders from bell to bell. I expect him to continue that trend here. Fabio Maldonado via Round 3 TKO.
Callum: Nice easy fight for Maldonado after that ill-advised jaunt up to heavyweight. Shouldn’t be too hard a night at the office for him, but he needs to be careful against such an unknown quantity. Fabio Maldonado via Round 3 TKO
Nick: Fabio Maldonado will definitely take this one with a finish, but I think it’s going to be a quick night for him, as well. Easy pick here, in my opinion. Fabio Maldonado via Round 1 TKO.
Justin: The golden-hearted and adamantium-chinned Fabio Maldonado returns against… Wait – Is that the villain from Die Hard? Oh? No? Okay. Hans Stringer is likely a sacrificial lamb here. Fabio Maldonado via Round 2 TKO.
Suraj: Experience is the name of the game here. While Fabio Maldonado has fought top tier competition, this is Hans Stringer’s most difficult matchup yet. I don’t think he’s ready for the rock-filled hands of Maldonado. Fabio Maldonado via Round 1 TKO
Darren Elkins vs. Lucas Martins
Jeremy: Elkins could be the sleeper pick of this fight card. He can grind away at fighters, which will play right into this fight at UFC179. I think if he can Elkins can get this fight to the mat then he will earn the judges scores. Darren Elkins via Unanimous Decision.
Mike: Darren Elkins is a grinder personified, but in Lucas Martins he is facing a vicious striker with well above average takedown defense. Can Elkins get this fight to the mat? That is the question that once answered, will determine who wins this fight. I don’t think Elkins will be able to hold Martins. I expect Martins to start fast and overwhelm early. Lucas Martins via Round 1 TKO.
Callum: Martins hasn’t seen the judges in 15/16 fights and I don’t see that starting now. Elkins likes to take the fight to the ground, but Martins will overwhelm him with volume and finish it quickly, before Elkins gets a chance to really get out of the blocks. Lucas Martins via Round 1 TKO.
Nick: I do agree with Jeremy about Elkins being the sleeper of the card, and I actually think this fight is extremely close. I’ve seen this before; a grinder with lots of experience taking on a fighter who is on a roll but doesn’t have as much experience. Often times, I’ve picked the latter, and I’ve been wrong. Now we just have to see if 3rd time is really the charm… Lucas Martins via Round 3 TKO.
Justin: Darren Elkins is like kryptonite to strike-happy fighters, and Lucas Martins is a strike happy fighter. Don’t rule Elkins out here. Darren Elkins via Unanimous Decision
Suraj: We’ve seen this before. First round knockout kings stepping up to much tougher competition and not being able to deal with their opponent’s versatility. Elkins has proven to have skills all over the mat, but I think Martins is one very talented up-and-coming fighter. He’s got respectable takedown defense and can push the pace well. He’s only lost to Edson Barboza and that’s saying quite a lot. Lucas Martins via Round 3 TKO.
Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Beneil Dariush
Jeremy: Many people are sleeping on this card, but when these two guys are kicking off the main card we could be in for a treat. The casual fan may not know who Ferreira and Dariush are, but the hardcores are behind this one. The grappling of these two could be right up the Brazilian fans alley. Beneil Dariush via Unanimous Decision.
Mike: A really solid lightweight contest here. Two up-and-comers. Ferreira is a very solid BJJ practitioner, but Dariush isn’t a slouch in the grappling department either. I don’t expect a finish on either end here. Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision.
Callum: I really like Beneil Dariush. I think he has a really well rounded skill set and an impressive set of training partners – Kings MMA is one of the most overlooked camps there is. This has the potential to be fight of the night if they really put on a show. Beneil Dariush via Unanimous Decision
Nick: Ferreira has been on a roll lately, with two stoppage wins since June, so I’m going with him. Carlos Diego Ferreira via Round 2 TKO
Justin: Beneil Dariush, regardless of what happened to him against Ramsey Nijem in Abu Dhabi, is still one of the brighter prospects in the UFC. He’s being given a stern test in Carlos Diego Ferreira, but I have a feeling the King’s MMA fighter will pass. Beniel Dariush via Unanimous Decision
Suraj: This should be a great fight with two rising fighters in the UFC. For me, I really like Ferreira’s versatility and enjoyed what he’s done in his past few fights. Dariush has shown some great skills in his bouts which should make this an extremely close fight. I will give the edge to the more impressive fighter in 2014. Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision.
William Macario vs Neil Magny
Jeremy: Neil Magny
Mike: Neil Magny
Callum: Neil Magny
Nick: Neil Magny
Suraj: Neil Magny
Justin: Neil Magny
Yan Cabral vs. Naoyuki Kotani
Jeremy: Yan Cabral
Mike: Yan Cabral
Callum: Yan Cabral
Nick: Yan Cabral
Suraj: Yan Cabral
Justin: Yan Cabral
Scott Jorgensen vs. Wilson Reis
Jeremy: Scott Jorgensen
Mike: Wilson Reis
Callum: Wilson Reis
Nick: Wilson Reis
Suraj: Wilson Reis
Justin: Scott Jorgenson
Felipe Arantes vs. Andre Fili
Jeremy: Andre Fili
Mike: Andre Fili
Callum: Andre Fili
Nick: Andre Fili
Suraj: Andre Fili
Justin: Andre Fili
Gilbert Burns vs. Christos Giagos
Jeremy: Gilbert Burns
Mike: Gilbert Burns
Callum: Gilbert Burns
Nick: Gilbert Burns
Suraj: Gilbert Burns
Justin: Gilbert Burns
Fabricio Camoes vs. Tony Martin
Jeremy: Fabricio Camoes
Mike: Fabricio Camoes
Callum: Fabricio Camoes
Nick: Fabricio Camoes
Suraj: Tony Martin
Justin: Fabricio Camoes
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