UFC Fight Night: Lee vs Oliveira
3-14-20
From Brasília, Brazil
Available on ESPN
By Dylan Hager
2020 Picks Record:
Overall 41-42
Main Card 23-14
Prelim 18-28
UFC makes the return to Brazil this weekend, but with no fans! Lightweights Kevin Lee and Charles Oliveira headline the empty arena show. Fans will not be allowed in the arena due to the Corona Virus. Lee vs Oliveira is a sneaky great main event, and the whole card is actually pretty loaded. I don't think this card has gotten the hype it deserves thanks to last weekends ppv and the ongoing Corona hysteria. To the picks!
Kevin Lee (18-5) (8) vs Charles Oliveira (28-8 (1)) (13)
Major fight in the Lightweight division! Kevin Lee makes his return to the Octagon after stopping Gregor Gillespie last November. He's met by the man with the most submission wins in UFC history, Charles Oliveira.
After a one fight stop at Welterweight, Lee made his return to Lightweight in MSG last November with a Knockout of the Year contender head kick. He has lost his previous two fights before stopping Gregor. He has good hands, but his best skill is his wrestling. Lee is coming in a couple pounds overweight. Will the extra weight give him an extra advantage on the ground?
Charles Oliveira is coming into this fight on a six fight win streak that nobody is talking about. His last loss came against Paul Felder in December 2017. All six wins on this win streak have came via finish, four submissions and two TKO's. He's a very well rounded fighter, and it seems like he is finally putting everything together.
This should be a great fight! All the hype is on Kevin Lee after his stoppage last November. Oliveira is fighting in his home country, and he is on an awesome run. I'd give Oliveira the edge in the striking game. On the mat, it's Lee's wrestling vs Oliveira's BJJ. I think Oliveira adds another submission win to his record. Prediction: Charles Oliveira 3rd Round Submission
Demian Maia (28-9) (5) vs Gilbert Burns (17-3) (12)
The co-main this weekend is a hardcore fans dream! Grappling legend Demian Maia steps into the Octagon with Gilbert Burns. After losing three straight five round fights to the absolute top of the Welterweight Division, Maia won three fights in 2019 over Lyman Good, Rocco Martin, and Ben Askren. Burns is on a win streak of his own, winning four straight since falling to Dan Hooker in July 2018.
I'm so excited for this fight! Maia doesn't have much of a striking game. He basically uses his strikes to set up his grappling. Burns will have the advantage on the feet. Burns also has great grappling skills, but is anybody as good as Maia on the ground? I've been back and forth all week, but I think I like Burns in the is one. Maybe? Burns can compete with Maia on the ground, and I think his striking will give him the edge. Prediction: Gilbert Burns Decision
Renato Moicano (13-3-1) (7 FW) vs Damir Hadzovic (13-5)
Renato Moicano makes the move to 155 lbs after a very good run at 145 lbs. He'll be met by Damir Hadzovic. Moicano is 2-3 in his last five after starting his career 11-0-1. He was stopped in his last two fights by Jose Aldo and The Korean Zombie. Hadzovic is 2-1 in his last three. Last time out he lost a decision to Christos Giagos.
Hadzovic has the better striking, but Moicano is great on the ground. If Moicano can take the punching power at 155, I think he gets the win. Hadzovic has good ground and pound. He's got pretty good power, but I don't think he can really compete with Moicano's BJJ game. Prediction: Renato Moicano 3rd Round Submission
Johnny Walker (17-4) (10) vs Nikita Krylov (25-7) (12)
Johnny Walker is back! Walker is 3-1 in the UFC with every fight ending in the first three minutes of the fight. He'll be standing across the cage from Nikita Krylov. Krylov is 1-2 in his last thee. I like Krylov's chances better the longer this fight goes. If Krylov can get this fight to the ground or stretch it out past the first round, I think Krylov gets the win. Johnny has great power. He does use a lot of energy dancing to the cage. I think Walker finishes this one early. Prediction: Johnny Walker 1st Round TKO
Francisco Trinaldo (24-7) vs John Makdessi (17-6)
Fun Lightweight action kicks off the main card. Trinaldo is coming off a win over Bobby Green. He has alternated wins and losses in his last seven fights. Makdessi has won three straight. His last win came against Jesus Pinedo last March.I like Trinaldo in this one. Both guys are good on the feet, but I think Trinaldo has the advantage on the ground. Trinaldo has beaten the better competition, and I like him to win another decision this weekend. Prediction: Francisco Trinaldo Decision
Seven fights make up the prelim card this weekend. I'm very excited for Formiga vs Moreno and Markos vs Ribas. Both should be absolute dynamite! Quick picks for the prelims!
Jussier Formiga (23-6) (3) vs Brandon Moreno (16-5-1) (5) Prediction: Jussier Formiga
Randa Markos (10-7-1) vs Amanda Ribas (8-1) Prediction: Amanda Ribas
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (21-6) vs Alexey Kunchenko (20-1) Prediction: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Rani Yahya (26-10 (1)) vs Enrique Barzola (16-5-1) Prediction: Rani Yahya
Maryna Moroz (9-3) vs Mayra Bueno Silva (6-0) Prediction: Maryna Moroz
Gustavo da Silva (10-4-2) vs David Dvorak (17-3) Prediction: Gustavo da Silva
Veronica Macedo (6-3-1) vs Bea Malecki (1-0) Prediction: Bea Malecki