UFC 252 is just about upon us now, as Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic headline the event Saturday, August 15th, on ESPN+ pay per view. The stacked card will decide who the baddest man on the planet is and who will be crowned the Heavyweight Champion of the world. Here is everything you need to know, whether you are just watching it for fun, or if you have a favorite fighter, or if you’re looking to win some money from it.
Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic
Beginning with the big dogs, Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic each have one win over one another in their previous two fights. Cormier knocked on Stipe in just the first round back at UFC 226, and Stipe exact his revenge at UFC 241 by knocking out DC in the fourth round. This is said to be Cormier’s last fight in the UFC, whether he comes out with a win or loss. Coming into this bout, Cormier has said he’s fixed the problem from the last fight with Stipe, which was when Stipe started pounding DC with hard body shots in round four. Cormier also said he plans on doing more wrestling in this fight, which is what he’s been known for. With all this being said, Cormier looked like the better fighter in four of the five rounds between the two bouts.
Personally, I believe DC will stick to his game plan for this fight of more wrestling, and I think he will pull out the victory. In my opinion, I see the fight going slower than the previous two, therefore I think it will go to a decision in the end.Stipe is no slouch when it comes to wrestling himself, and I believe these two will be a little more cautious, seeing as how they’ve each been knocked out by each other.
My pick: DC by five-round decision
Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera
Moving onto the co-main event, “The Suga Show” Sean O’ Malley is a fast rising star, who’s quickly becoming a huge draw. This will be O’ Malley’s third fight in the last four months. His previous two fights came with quick knockouts in the first round. However, this will be ‘The Suga Show’s” toughest test to date as he’s taking on a UFC veteran in Marlon “Chito” Vera. Vera is coming off a close loss to Song Yadong in May and is looking to end the tear that O’ Malley has been on. Currently, O’ Malley is a -280 favorite, with Vera being a +220 underdog. Marlon has never been finished in his MMA career and personally, I think he will be able to keep that streak after this fight. O’ Malley has insane precision and power, and I believe he will be able to land on Vera a lot, as Chito has been in some wars in his past. I see this fight going in O’ Malley’s favor, however, I do think it will be his toughest test and can easily see this fight going the distance as well.
My pick: O’ Malley wins by decision.
Junior Dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Now let’s talk about the other three fights on the main card. Junior Dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik is a heavyweight fight between two powerful punchers. Rozenstruik recently got pummeled by Francis Ngannou and is looking to get back in his winning ways. Dos Santos has been in the game forever now and still has hope to get another title shot someday. Dos Santos is a +125 underdog at the moment, and I really like his chances in this fight. Rozenstruik has only fought one other man who’s his caliber, and that was Allistair Overeem.
Overeem was 1 second away from a dominating performance until Rozenstruik threw everything he could into one last punch and got the knockout win. I can see this fight going either way, but I feel more confident in Junior Dos Santos pulling out a win.
My pick: Dos Santos by finish.
John Dodson vs. Merab Dvalishvili
John Dodson fights Merab Dvalishvili in a Bantamweight Bout. Dodson is becoming a gatekeeper for the division but is certainly not one to take for granted as he finished a stud in Nathaniel Wood in his last fight. Dvalishvili is on a four-fight win streak. Dvalishvili has gone to decision in his last six fights, so don’t expect a finish from him. Dodson has been fighting the best in the division for years now, and I expect him to win this fight rather easily. Dodson goes to his fair share of decisions as well.
My pick: Dodson by decision
Herbert Burns vs. Daniel Pineda
In the first fight on the main card, Herbert Burns will fight Daniel Pineda. Herbert Burns, the brother of Welterweight fighter Gilbert Burns, weighed in 3.5 pounds overweight today. Burns is on a five-fight win streak, with finishes in all of those wins. Pineda is a veteran holding a record of 26-13-2. Burns is currently a -285 favorite, and I believe for good reason. Look for Burns to extend his finish streak this fight as he looks to hopefully break into the top 15 soon.
My pick: Burns by finish.
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