MMASucka staff picks are back for a third UFC card in one week. Later this evening, May 16th will see UFC on ESPN 8 go down from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. The main card of the event will begin at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) on both ESPN and ESPN+.
Make sure to see our picks from Wednesday night’s UFC Fight Night 171.
The Fights
Third time’s a hopeful charm as Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris are scheduled, once again, to faceoff in the main event. Former Strikeforce and DREAM heavyweight champion Overeem still remains one of the top threats to his division. He sits with four victories and five defeats in his last eight showings including a title shot loss to Stipe Miocic in September of 2016. Although he comes in off a knockout loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Overeem’s well-rounded game is enough to put anyone away. His opponent, Harris, knows plenty about finishes having stopped all 13 of his victories by knockout (excluding an overturned decision win to Andrei Arlovski). Back-to-back sub-minute knockouts have propelled “The Big Ticket” to the biggest fight of his career. Although facing a heartbreaking tragedy a few short months ago, Harris looks to bounce back strong in his first main event feature.
Exciting strawweights Claudia Gadelha and Angela Hill are set for battle in the co-main event. Former title challenger Gadelha will make her return to the octagon, lastly defeating Randa Markos in July of last year by unanimous decision. Hill will search for a fourth straight victory and a potential third already this calendar year.
Also on the main card includes fan-favorite Edson Barboza, former Crimson Tide linebacker Eryk Anders, and the rising youthful phenom of Song Yadong. See all our MMASucka staff picks for UFC on ESPN 8 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 on ESPN 8 below.
Staff Records after UFC Fight Night 171:
1. Connor Deitrich: 68-25
2T. Wesley Riddle: 65-28
2T. Michael DeSantis: 65-28
4. Jeremy Brand: 61-32
5. Frazer Krohn: 60-33
6T. Mike Skytte: 58-35
6T. Dan Rose: 58-35
6T. Nate Freeman: 58-31
9T. Matt Bricker: 57-36
9T. McKenzie Guardiero: 57-36
11T. Ed Gallo: 54-27
11T. Ashwin Viswanathan: 54-29
13. Andrew Benjamin: 53-40
14. Ryan Hobbs: 51-42
15. Ash Camyab: 49-44
16. Mike Lynch: 48-30
17. Jack Buchanan: 47-23
18. Mitchell Banuelos: 40-24
19. Jeremy Cook: 14-6
20. Joshua Yale: 7-5
*Note: not all staff has picked for every event*
Song Yadong (15-4-1, 1 NC) vs. Marlon Vera (15-5-1)
Jeremy Brand: Vera via UD
Wesley Riddle: Yadong via UD
Mike Skytte: Yadong via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Yadong via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Yadong via UD
Matt Bricker: Yadong via UD
Connor Deitrich: Yadong via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Yadong via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Vera via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Vera via Round 2 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Vera via UD
McKenzie Guardiero: Vera via UD
Dan Rose: Yadong via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Vera via Round 1 TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Yadong via UD
Nate Freeman: Vera via UD
Jack Buchanan: Yadong via UD
Joshua Yale: Vera via UD
Staff picking Yadong: 10
Staff picking Vera: 8
Eryk Anders (13-4) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (21-4)
Jeremy Brand: Anders via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Anders via UD
Mike Skytte: Anders via UD
Michael DeSantis: Anders via Round 2 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Anders via Round 1 TKO
Matt Bricker: Anders via Round 3 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Anders via UD
Ash Camyab: Jotko via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Jotko via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Anders via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Anders via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Anders via Round 2 TKO
Dan Rose: Anders via Round 3 TKO
Mike Lynch: Anders via Round 1 TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Anders via UD
Nate Freeman: Anders via Round 2 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Jotko via UD
Joshua Yale: Jotko via UD
Staff picking Anders: 14
Staff picking Jotko: 4
Dan Ige (13-2) vs. Edson Barboza (20-8)
Jeremy Brand: Barboza via UD
Wesley Riddle: Barboza via SD
Mike Skytte: Barboza via Round 2 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Barboza via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Barboza via UD
Matt Bricker: Barboza via UD
Connor Deitrich: Ige via UD
Ash Camyab: Barboza via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Barboza via Round 2 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Barboza via Round 3 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Barboza via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Ige via UD
Dan Rose: Barboza via Round 1 TKO
Mike Lynch: Barboza via UD
Ashwin Viswanathan: Barboza via Round 3 TKO
Nate Freeman: Barboza via UD
Jack Buchanan: Barboza via UD
Joshua Yale: Ige via UD
Staff picking Ige: 3
Staff picking Barboza: 15
Claudia Gadelha (17-4) vs. Angela Hill (12-7)
Jeremy Brand: Hill via UD
Wesley Riddle: Gadelha via UD
Mike Skytte: Gadelha via UD
Michael DeSantis: Gadelha via UD
Mitchell Banuelos: Hill via SD
Matt Bricker: Gadelha via SD
Connor Deitrich: Gadelha via UD
Ash Camyab: Gadelha via UD
Ryan Hobbs: Gadelha via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Hill via UD
Frazer Krohn: Hill via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Hill via UD
Dan Rose: Gadelha via UD
Mike Lynch: Gadelha via Round 2 SUB
Ashwin Viswanathan: Hill via UD
Nate Freeman: Gadelha via SD
Jack Buchanan: Gadelha via UD
Joshua Yale: Hill via UD
Staff picking Gadelha: 11
Staff picking Hill: 7
Alistair Overeem (45-18, 1 NC) vs. Walt Harris (13-7, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Harris via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Mike Skytte: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Mitchell Banuelos: Overeem via UD
Matt Bricker: Overeem via Round 1 TKO
Connor Deitrich: Harris via Round 2 TKO
Ash Camyab: Overeem via Round 3 TKO
Ryan Hobbs: Overeem via Round 1 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Harris via Round 2 TKO
McKenzie Guardiero: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Dan Rose: Harris via UD
Mike Lynch: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Ashwin Viswanathan: Harris via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Harris via Round 2 TKO
Jack Buchanan: Harris via Round 2 TKO
Joshua Yale: Overeem via Round 3 TKO
Staff picking Overeem: 5
Staff picking Harris: 13
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