A triple-header of MMASucka staff picks is underway for the weekend. Firstly will see ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold take place tomorrow morning, August 16th, from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. The main card will begin live the ONE Championship app at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT). Stay tuned throughout the day on Saturday for both our UFC 241 and RIZIN 18 staff picks.
THE FIGHTS
Although they will not count towards our staff picks, two thrilling kickboxing fights are still slated in both the main and co-main event. ONE flyweight kickboxing world champ Petchdam will look defend his belt for the first time against promotional debutant Ilias Ennahachi. Italy’s Giorgio Petrosyan will meet “Smokin'” Jo Nattawut in the co-main event as part of the ONE Kickboxing Featherweight Grand Prix. The winner of this semi-finals match-up will take on the winner of Samy Sana and Dzhabar Askerov, this fight also on the main card.
As for our staff picks, Nong Stamp will contend in her second pro-MMA fight against undefeated Asha Roka. Stamp, the ONE atomweight kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, will look to make moves towards a potential triple martial arts title in ONE, a feat that no one has yet to accomplish in the promotion. Her youthful opponent, Roka, will look to put India on the map with a big upset tomorrow. She has finished all four of her fights under Super Fight Promotions inside the first round; two by knockout and two by submission.
Also counted towards staff picks includes a fight between former strawweight champion Alex Silva and Indonesia’s Stefer Rahardian. Both are looking to snap three-fight losing skids and march their way back to title contention.
A fight between Yusup Saadulaev and Shuya Kamikubo was set to take place until an eye infection ruled Kamikubo out of the contest. Former bantamweight title challenger Dae Hwan Kim will step in on short-notice to battle Saadulaev. Due to the late change, this fight will unfortunately not be counted towards our staff picks.
Check out the remaining ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold fights counted further below.
STAFF PICKS
Throughout the year, staff picks will be composed of four different MMA promotions: UFC, Bellator, ONE, and RIZIN. Main cards will make up both UFC and Bellator picks, while the biggest fights to make up ONE and RIZIN 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 2018 winner was awarded to Michael DeSantis, compiling a record of 202-101.
Check out our MMASucka staff picks for ONE Championship: Dreams of Gold below.
Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 156:
1. Michael DeSantis: 187-94
2. Connor Deitrich: 184-97
3. Ed Gallo: 179-103
4. Brian Gerson: 176-99
5. Mitchell Banuelos: 173-96
6. Mike Skytte: 172-109
7. Jeremy Brand: 166-115
8. Ryan Wagner: 163-77
9. Matt Bricker: 161-110
10. Ash Camyab: 148-102
11. Patrick Auger: 146-113
12. Frazer Krohn: 73-45
13. Ryan Fortune: 54-23
14T. Suraj Sukumar: 53-21
14T. Ryan Hobbs: 53-50
16. Andrew Benjamin: 33-22
17. McKenzie Guardiero: 29-23
Zhikang Zhao (11-4) vs. Paul Lumihi (7-2)
Jeremy Brand: Zhao via UD
Mike Skytte: Lumihi via UD
Michael DeSantis: Lumihi via UD
Ed Gallo: Lumihi via UD
Matt Bricker: Lumihi via UD
Connor Deitrich: Lumihi via UD
Patrick Auger: Zhao via UD
Suraj Sukumar: Zhao via UD
Ash Camyab: Zhao via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Zhao via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Zhao via UD
Frazer Krohn: Zhao via UD
Ryan Fortune: Zhao via SD
McKenzie Guardiero: Zhao via UD
Staff picking Zhao: 9
Staff picking Lumihi: 5
Chan Rothana (6-3) vs. Gustavo Balart (8-2)
Jeremy Brand: Balart via Round 2 TKO
Mike Skytte: Balart via SD
Michael DeSantis: Balart via UD
Ed Gallo: Balart via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Balart via UD
Connor Deitrich: Balart via Round 1 TKO
Patrick Auger: Rothana via UD
Suraj Sukumar: Balart via UD
Ash Camyab: Rothana via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Balart via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Balart via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Balart via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Fortune: Balart via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Balart via UD
Staff picking Rothana: 2
Staff picking Balart: 12
Thanh Le (9-2) vs. Kotetsu Boku (26-13-2)
Jeremy Brand: Boku via Round 2 TKO
Mike Skytte: Boku via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Le via Round 1 TKO
Ed Gallo: Le via Round 2 TKO
Matt Bricker: Le via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Le via Round 3 TKO
Patrick Auger: Le via Round 1 TKO
Suraj Sukumar: Boku via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Boku via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Boku via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Boku via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Le via SD
Ryan Fortune: Le via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Boku via SD
Staff picking Le: 7
Staff picking Boku: 7
Alex Silva (7-4) vs. Stefer Rahardian (8-3)
Jeremy Brand: Rahardian via UD
Mike Skytte: Silva via Round 3 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Silva via Round 2 SUB
Ed Gallo: Silva via UD
Matt Bricker: Silva via Round 1 SUB
Connor Deitrich: Silva via Round 2 SUB
Patrick Auger: Silva via UD
Suraj Sukumar: Silva via UD
Ash Camyab: Silva via Round 1 SUB
Ryan Hobbs: Silva via Round 2 SUB
Andrew Benjamin: Silva via Round 3 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Silva via UD
Ryan Fortune: Silva via Round 1 SUB
McKenzie Guardiero: Silva via UD
Staff picking Silva: 13
Staff picking Rahardian: 1
Nong Stamp (1-0) vs. Asha Roka (4-0)
Jeremy Brand: Stamp via UD
Mike Skytte: Stamp via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Roka via Round 2 SUB
Ed Gallo: Stamp via UD
Matt Bricker: Stamp via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Stamp via Round 2 TKO
Patrick Auger: Stamp via Round 2 TKO
Suraj Sukumar: Stamp via UD
Ash Camyab: Stamp via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Stamp via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Stamp via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Stamp via Round 2 TKO
Ryan Fortune: Stamp via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Roka via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Stamp: 11
Staff picking Roka: 2
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