Only a single card this weekend for our MMASucka staff picks. Tonight will see UFC Fight Night 167 go down from the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The six-fight main card will begin at 8:00pm ET (5:00pm PT) on ESPN+.
The Fights
Light heavyweights meet in the main event between former opponents Corey Anderson and Jan Blachowicz. The two previously faced off over four years ago, Anderson taking the unanimous decision over Blachowicz at UFC 191. The past two years have been the best and most successful thus far of Anderson’s career, having racked up four straight victories over the best of the weight class. His most recent of those came in November, knocking out rising prospect Johnny Walker in the first round. An additional win would move TUF 19 winner Anderson into the title picture. His opponent, Blachowicz, has been equally impressive as of late. Six of his last seven fights have gone in his favor, the only loss since October of 2017 coming to Thiago Santos last February. Poland’s Blachowicz hopes to avenge his prior loss to Anderson while backing up his last win over fan-favorite veteran Jacare Souza.
A potential “Fight of the Night” sits in the co-main event at 170 pounds between veteran Diego Sanchez and flashy striker Michel Pereira. Sanchez looks to rebound after a July of last year loss to Michael Chiesa while Pereira aims to restart the hype train he once had at welterweight before dropping a decision to massive underdog Tristan Connelly in September.
See the remaining fights for UFC Fight Night 167 further below.
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 Fight Night 167: Anderson vs. Blachowicz below.
Staff Records after UFC 247:
1T. Wesley Riddle: 26-6
1T. Michael DeSantis: 26-6
1T. Connor Deitrich: 26-6
4. Dan Rose: 25-7
5. Ashwin Viswanathan: 24-8
6T. Ed Gallo: 23-9
6T. Matt Bricker: 23-9
8T. Jeremy Brand: 22-10
8T. Frazer Krohn: 22-10
10T. Ash Camyab: 21-11
10T. Andrew Benjamin: 21-11
12. Mike Skytte: 20-12
13T. Ryan Hobbs: 18-14
13T. McKenzie Guardiero: 18-14
13T. Mike Lynch: 18-14
13T. Nate Freeman: 18-10, missed one card
17. Mitchell Banuelos: 16-7, missed two cards
18. Jack Buchanan: 7-2, missed five cards
19. Jeremy Cook: 4-5, missed five cards
Lando Vannata (10-4-2) vs. Yancy Medeiros (15-6, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Medeiros via UD
Wesley Riddle: Medeiros via UD
Mike Skytte: Medeiros via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Medeiros via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Vannata via UD
Ed Gallo: Vannata via UD
Matt Bricker: Medeiros via UD
Connor Deitrich: Medeiros via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Vannata via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Vannata via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Medeiros via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Vannata via UD
Dan Rose: Medeiros via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Vannata via Round 1 TKO
Jeremy Cook: Vannata via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Vannata via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Vannata via SD
Jack Buchanan: Medeiros via UD
Staff picking Vannata: 9
Staff picking Medeiros: 9
Rogerio Bontorin (16-1, 1 NC) vs. Ray Borg (12-4)
Jeremy Brand: Borg via UD
Wesley Riddle: Bontorin via Round 1 SUB
Mike Skytte: Borg via UD
Michael DeSantis: Borg via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Bontorin via UD
Ed Gallo: Bontorin via Round 2 SUB
Matt Bricker: Borg via Round 2 SUB
Connor Deitrich: Borg via UD
Ash Camyab: Borg via UD
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Bontorin via UD
Frazer Krohn: Bontorin via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Borg via UD
Dan Rose: Borg via Round 3 SUB
Mike Lynch: Borg via UD
Jeremy Cook: Borg via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Bontorin via UD
Nate Freeman: Bontorin via Round 2 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Bontorin via Round 2 SUB
Staff picking Bontorin: 8
Staff picking Borg: 10
Brok Weaver (13-4) vs. Rodrigo Vargas (10-3)
Jeremy Brand: Weaver via UD
Wesley Riddle: Weaver via SD
Mike Skytte: Weaver via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Weaver via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Weaver via UD
Ed Gallo: Weaver via UD
Matt Bricker: Weaver via UD
Connor Deitrich: Weaver via UD
Ash Camyab: Weaver via UD
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Weaver via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Weaver via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Weaver via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Weaver via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Weaver via Round 1 TKO
Jeremy Cook: Weaver via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Weaver via UD
Nate Freeman: Weaver via UD
Jack Buchanan: Weaver via Round 3 SUB
Staff picking Weaver: 18
Staff picking Vargas: 0
Montana De La Rosa (10-5) vs. Mara Romero Borella (12-6, 2 NC)
Jeremy Brand: De La Rosa via UD
Wesley Riddle: De La Rosa via UD
Mike Skytte: Borella via SD
Michael DeSantis: De La Rosa via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: De La Rosa via Round 1 SUB
Ed Gallo: De La Rosa via UD
Matt Bricker: De La Rosa via UD
Connor Deitrich: De La Rosa via Round 2 SUB
Ash Camyab: De La Rosa via UD
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Borella via UD
Frazer Krohn: De La Rosa via Round 2 SUB
McKenzie Guardiero: De La Rosa via UD
Dan Rose: De La Rosa via UD
Mike Lynch: Borella via UD
Jeremy Cook: De La Rosa via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: De La Rosa via Round 1 SUB
Nate Freeman: De La Rosa via Round 2 SUB
Jack Buchanan: De La Rosa via Round 3 SUB
Staff picking De La Rosa: 16
Staff picking Borella: 2
Diego Sanchez (29-12) vs. Michel Pereira (22-10, 2 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Pereira via UD
Wesley Riddle: Sanchez via UD
Mike Skytte: Pereira via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Pereira via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Pereira via Round 2 TKO
Ed Gallo: Sanchez via UD
Matt Bricker: Sanchez via UD
Connor Deitrich: Pereira via UD
Ash Camyab: Pereira via Round 1 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Pereira via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Sanchez via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Pereira via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Sanchez via UD
Mike Lynch: Pereira via Round 1 TKO
Jeremy Cook: Sanchez via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Sanchez via UD
Nate Freeman: Sanchez via UD
Jack Buchanan: Sanchez via UD
Staff picking Sanchez: 9
Staff picking Pereira: 9
Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz (25-8)
Jeremy Brand: Anderson via UD
Wesley Riddle: Anderson via Round 4 TKO
Mike Skytte: Blachowicz via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Anderson via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Blachowicz via Round 3 TKO
Ed Gallo: Anderson via UD
Matt Bricker: Anderson via SD
Connor Deitrich: Anderson via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Blachowicz via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: N/A
Andrew Benjamin: Blachowicz via UD
Frazer Krohn: Anderson via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Anderson via UD
Dan Rose: Anderson via UD
Mike Lynch: Blachowicz via Round 2 SUB
Jeremy Cook: Blachowicz via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Anderson via UD
Nate Freeman: Anderson via UD
Jack Buchanan: Anderson via UD
Staff picking Anderson: 12
Staff picking Blachowicz: 6
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