The first UFC card of our MMASucka staff picks for 2020 kicks off with a bang. UFC 246 is set to go down later this evening, January 17 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Main card action will begin live on pay-per-view at 10:00pm ET (7:00pm PT). Without further ado, check out the UFC 246 Staff Picks.
The Fights
The world will be watching as Conor McGregor makes his return to the Octagon to face off with fan-favorite Donald Cerrone in the welterweight division. It’s a bit of a departure weight-wise for both fighters but for McGregor, it’s as close to a must-win situation as he’s faced in the UFC.
Cerrone has had issues with southpaws in the past, and Conor has a very well known and destructive short left hook. This fight will likely be won by the fighter that can better utilize distance. Cerrone will need to use his kicks wisely and possibly search for an early takedown to keep McGregor off-balance going forward.
Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington will meet in the co-main event and title ramifications will certainly be at stake. Whoever wins this fight could find themselves back in the mix for a title shot against Amanda Nunes. Not sure that’s a contest you want to win. That said, both ladies will be looking to get their hands raised in a bout that will garner a ton of attention. There are three other solid fights on the main card. Claudia Gadelha was set to meet Alexa Grasso but due to Grasso missing weight, it was scrapped. Check out below for the UFC 246 Staff Picks.
UFC 246 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 staff picks for UFC 246 below.
Staff Records after ONE Championship: A New Tomorrow:
1T. Jeremy Brand: 4-0
1T. Wesley Riddle: 4-0
1T. Michael DeSantis: 4-0
1T. Connor Deitrich: 4-0
1T. Andrew Benjamin: 4-0
1T. Frazer Krohn: 4-0
1T. Dan Rose: 4-0
8T. Mike Skytte: 3-1
8T. Mitchell Banuelos: 3-1
8T. Ed Gallo: 3-1
8T. Matt Bricker: 3-1
8T. Ryan Hobbs: 3-1
8T. Ashwin Viswanathan: 3-1
14T. Ash Camyab: 2-2
14T. McKenzie Guardiero: 2-2
16. Mike Lynch: 1-3
Anthony Pettis (22-9) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (16-2)
~ Lightweight, 155 lb. / 70.3 kg. ~
Jeremy Brand: Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Mike Skytte: Anthony Pettis via TKO Round 2
Michael DeSantis: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Mitchell Banuelos: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Ed Gallo: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Matt Bricker: Antony Pettis via TKO Round 3
Connor Deitrich: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Knock Out Round 2
Ash Camyab: Anthony Pettis via Submission Round 3
Ryan Hobbs: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Anthony Pettis via Submission Round 1
Frazer Krohn: Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision
McKenzie Guardiero: Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision
Dan Rose: Carlos Diego Ferreira via Unanimous Decision
Mike Lynch: Anthony Pettis via TKO
Jeremy Cook: Anthony Pettis via Submission Round 2
Ashwin Viswanathan: Anthony Pettis via Knockout
Nate Freeman: Anthony Pettis via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pettis: 11
Staff picking Diego Ferreira: 7
Aleksei Oleinik (57-13-1) vs. Maurice Greene (8-3)
~ Heavyweight, 265 lb. / 120.2 kg. ~
Jeremy Brand: Aleksei Olenik via TKO Round 2
Wesley Riddle: Aleksei Olenik via Rear Naked Choke Round 1
Mike Skytte: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 2
Michael DeSantis: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Mitchell Banuelos: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Ed Gallo: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Matt Bricker: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Connor Deitrich: Maurice Greene via Knockout Round 1
Ash Camyab: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Ryan Hobbs: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 2
Andrew Benjamin: Aleksei Olenik via Choke Round 1
Frazer Krohn: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 2
McKenzie Guardiero: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 2
Dan Rose: Aleksei Olenik via Submission (Choke)
Mike Lynch: Aleksei Olenik via Submission
Jeremy Cook: Aleksei Olenik via Submission Round 1
Ashwin Viswanathan: Aleksei Olenik via Submission
Nate Freeman: Maurice Greene via TKO Round 2
Staff picking Oleinik: 16
Staff picking Greene: 2
Holly Holm (12-5) vs. Raquel Pennington (10-7)
~ Bantamweight Co-Main Event, 135 lb. / 61.2 kg. ~
Jeremy Brand: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Wesley Riddle: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Mike Skytte: Holly Holm via Split Decision
Michael DeSantis: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Mitchell Banuelos: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Ed Gallo: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Matt Bricker: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Connor Deitrich: Holly Holm via TKO Round 3
Ash Camyab: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Ryan Hobbs: Raquel Pennington via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Holly Holm
Frazer Krohn: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
McKenzie Guardiero: Holly Holm TKO Round 2
Dan Rose: Holly Holm via TKO Round 3
Mike Lynch: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Jeremy Cook: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Ashwin Viswanathan: Holly Holm via Knockout Round 2
Nate Freeman: Holly Holm via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Holm: 17
Staff picking Pennington: 1
Conor McGregor (21-4) vs. Donald Cerrone (36-13, 1 NC)
~ Welterweight Main Event, 170 lb. / 77.1 kg. ~
Jeremy Brand: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 2
Wesley Riddle: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 1
Mike Skytte: Donald Cerrone via Submission Round 3
Michael DeSantis: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 1
Mitchell Banuelos: Donald Cerrone via TKO Round 4
Ed Gallo: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 2
Matt Bricker: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 2
Connor Deitrich: Conor McGregor via Knockout Round 1
Ash Camyab: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 1
Ryan Hobbs: Donald Cerrone via Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 2
Frazer Krohn: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 3
McKenzie Guardiero: Donald Cerrone via TKO Round 1
Dan Rose: Donald Cerrone via Submission Round 3
Mike Lynch: Conor McGregor via TKO
Jeremy Cook: Conor McGregor via TKO Round 1
Ashwin Viswanathan: Conor McGregor via Knockout Round 1
Nate Freeman: Conor McGregor via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking McGregor: 13
Staff picking Cerrone: 5
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