Alistair Overeem (45-17-1) (6) vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (9-0) (14)
There is nothing quite like heavyweight MMA! Alistair Overeem has been competing in professional MMA since 1999! He's coming in on a two fight win streak dating back to last November. He has plenty of KO power, and he knows how to get the submissions, having 17 career submission victories.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is on the opposite end of his UFC career. Rozenstruik made his octagon debut this past February, and he has KO'd Junior Albini, Allen Crowder, and Andrei Arlovski in his three fights. All three fights were finished in less than a minute, so we don't really know a ton about his ground game or gas tank.
Overeem definitely has the experience edge. He's been in main event, five round fights. How will the bright lights effect Rozenstruik?! Rozenstruik's win over Arlovski did come in MSG last month, so it is not like he has never competed in front of a big crowd before. I think Rozenstruik has the power edge at this point in their careers. Overeem might have the edge if he can work the clock or get this fight to the ground. Overeem has a SICK guillotine choke in his arsenal. When it comes down to it, I think Rozenstruik's power is going to be too much for Overeem's chin. I like Rozenstruik to end it early. Prediction: Jairzinho Rozenstruik 1st Round KO
Marina Rodriguez (12-0-1) (9) vs Cynthia Calvillo (8-1) (10)
Women's Strawweight is easily one of my favorite divisions in the UFC. There is never a boring fight, and Rodriguez vs Calvillo should be no different. Cynthia did weigh in four pounds over the strawweight limit of 115 lbs. Calvillo has won her last two fights after suffering the only loss of her career to Carla Esparza in December 2017. She has the better ground and submission game, and the extra weight should only help her on the mat.
Rodriguez is a newcomer to the UFC, making her debut in September 2018. She defeated Jessica Aguilar and Tecia Torres in her last two fights. She will have the striking advantage and probably the advantage in the clinch.
I really like both of these women. Cynthia coming in four pounds overweight is just unacceptable. I see the weight giving her an extra advantage on the ground, and Calvillo getting the decision win. Prediction: Cynthia Calvillo Decision
Stefan Struve (29-11) vs Ben Rothwell (36-12)
Back to the big men with these two veteran fighters. Stefan Struve returns to the octagon after "retiring" his last time out. He will be met by Ben Rothwell, who returned this past March following a three year absence. Struve has the reach advantage, but hasn't done the best job using that reach in the past. I think Struve is better on the ground, but Rothwell will have the striking advantage. Neither fighter is coming in with much momentum. Struve has only won one of his last four, and Rothwell is on a three fight losing streak. I think this will be a very ugly fight, and I see Rothwell escaping with a win. Prediction: Ben Rothwell Decision
Aspen Ladd (8-1) (5) vs Yana Kunitskaya (12-4-1) (7)
Women's Bantamweight action up next! The 5th ranked Aspen Ladd takes on the 7th ranked Yana Kunitskaya. Both of these women are young into their UFC careers. Both can get it done on the ground, but both are more of stand up fighters. Ladd was 8-0 before a controversial TKO loss to GDR in July. Yana made her debut in March 2018, losing a title fight to Cyborg. She has won her two fights since, both coming by decision. I'm a really big fan of both women so it is hard to pick a winner. I see Ladd getting the victory. Yana is a tough out, so I see it going the full 15 minutes. I wouldn't be shocked by a late TKO though. Decision: Aspen Ladd Decision
Cody Stamann (18-2) (9) vs Song Yadong (14-3-2) (13)
I love this fight! Both Stamann and Yadong have been impressive as of late. Stamann was on a ten fight win streak before running into Aljamain Sterling in September 2018. He did defeat Alejandro Perez by decision in his only fight since Aljo. Yadong is on a seven fight win streak, including all four of his UFC fights. Yadong landed a bomb that gave him the KO victory over the previously mentioned Perez. I don't see this fight going to the ground. This should be a stand up war. Both fighters are super tough, but both fighters also have KO power. I wouldn't be shocked if this went to a decision, but I also could see either of these guys finishing the fight late. I'm leaning towards Yadong. Prediction: Song Yadong 3rd Round TKO
Rob Font (16-4) (10) vs Ricky Simon (15-2)
Bantamweights Rob Font and Ricky Simon are tasked with opening the main card. Font has alternated wins and losses in his last four fights. His last fight was a decision over Sergio Pettis last December. Ricky had won eight straight before eating a KO from Uriah Faber in July. Both fighters have a solid stand up game, but I would give Font the edge on the mat. Simon needs a win to break into the top 15, and Font needs a win to build momentum and maybe get a top 10 opponent in his next fight. I don't see either of these fighters quitting. Kinda hope I'm wrong about all these decisions, or this could be a long fight card. I like Ricky and his mullet to get the win. Prediction: Ricky Simon Decision
Six more fights on the prelims. We'll do quick picks on the way out.
Thiago Alves (23-14) vs Tim Means (28-11-1) Prediction: Tim Means
Billy Quarantillo (12-2) vs Jacob Kilburn (8-2) Prediction: Billy Quarantillo
Bryce Mitchell (11-0) vs Matt Sayles (8-2) Prediction: Bryce Mitchell
Joe Solecki (8-2) vs Matt Wiman (16-8) Prediction: Matt Wiman
Virna Jandiroba (14-1) vs Mallory Martin (6-2) Prediction: Mallory Martin
Makhmud Muradov (23-6) vs Trevor Smith (15-9) Prediction: Makhmud Muradov
Thanks for reading!