UFC Vegas 39 is set for our MMASucka staff picks, as fighters are ready to make the octagon walk. This afternoon’s fight card will take place from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Subscribers to ESPN+ have access to all of today’s matchups, including the five main card bouts starting at 4:00pm ET (1:00pm PT).
Results from the full UFC Vegas 39 fight card can be found here at MMASucka.
The Fights
Top-ranked strawweights (115 lbs.) Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez both look to make a statement in the main event at being next for a divisional title shot against current champion Rose Namajunas.
Dern rides the better momentum with four straight wins including a first-round submission in April over Nina Nunes. An additional victory for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace would add to her already impressive resume, as she sits with only one professional defeat through twelve MMA fights. Dern’s opponent, Rodriguez, burst onto the scene with her 2018 performance on Brazil’s version of Dana White’s Contender Series. The Brazilian will fight in her second straight main event, taking advantage in her May 25-minute contest over Michelle Waterson.
Randy Brown and Jared Gooden aim to steal the show in the co-main event at a catchweight of 174 pounds. Gooden missed the mark by three pounds at weigh-ins Friday with a portion of his fight earnings heading to Brown.
Main card fighter Deron Winn was forced out of his bout with Phil Hawes due to an illness just hours leading up to the fight. As a result, only four fights will be counted this evening for our UFC Vegas 39 picks. See who the MMASucka staff are picking further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from both UFC and Bellator events. Main card fights and selected preliminary fights will be selected for PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will be composed of the full fight card.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
See below for our UFC Vegas 39: Dern vs. Rodriguez staff picks.
Staff Records after Dana White’s Contender Series 42:
1. Nate Freeman: 185-101
2T. Wesley Riddle: 180-106
2T. Michael DeSantis: 180-106
4. Frazer Krohn: 167-119
5T. Jeremy Brand: 154-128
5T. Ash Camyab: 154-108
5T. Mike Lynch: 154-122
8. Andrew Benjamin: 121-124
9. Tim Wheaton: 108-82
10. Chris Presnell: 60-26
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Sabina Mazo (9-2) vs. Mariya Agapova (9-2)
Jeremy Brand: Mazo via UD
Wesley Riddle: Mazo via UD
Michael DeSantis: Mazo via UD
Ash Camyab: Agapova via UD
Frazer Krohn: Agapova via UD
Mike Lynch: Agapova via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Mazo via UD
Chris Presnell: Mazo via UD
Staff picking Mazo: 5
Staff picking Agapova: 3
Tim Elliott (18-11-1) vs. Matheus Nicolau (14-3-1)
Jeremy Brand: Elliott via UD
Wesley Riddle: Nicolau via Round 2 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Nicolau via SD
Ash Camyab: Elliott via Round 1 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Elliott via UD
Mike Lynch: Nicolau via Round 1 SUB
Nate Freeman: Nicolau via SD
Chris Presnell: Elliott via SD
Staff picking Elliott: 4
Staff picking Nicolau: 4
Randy Brown (13-4) vs. Jared Gooden (18-6)
Jeremy Brand: Brown via UD
Wesley Riddle: Brown via Round 1 TKO
Michael DeSantis: Brown via Round 1 TKO
Ash Camyab: Brown via UD
Frazer Krohn: Brown via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Gooden via Round 1 TKO
Nate Freeman: Brown via UD
Chris Presnell: Brown via UD
Staff picking Brown: 7
Staff picking Gooden: 1
Mackenzie Dern (11-1) vs. Marina Rodriguez (14-1-2)
Jeremy Brand: Dern via Round 3 SUB
Wesley Riddle: Dern via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Dern via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Rodriguez via UD
Frazer Krohn: Rodriguez via Round 4 TKO
Mike Lynch: Dern via Round 2 SUB
Nate Freeman: Dern via Round 2 SUB
Chris Presnell: Rodriguez via UD
Staff picking Dern: 5
Staff picking Rodriguez: 3
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