WSOF 7 Predictions

World Series of Fighting 7 Predictions

December 3, 2013

By Ryan Porzl

Nick Newell vs. Sabah Fadai

Nickname:                                           Notorious    | The Persian Warrior

Height:                                                    5'10         |            5'7

Age:                                                          27           |            28

MMA Record (WSOF Rec):             10-0 (1-0)   |   7-2, 1NC (0-0)

Arm Length:                                            74 in.       |       Unknown

Team:                                      American Top Team |      Deftac Cebu

Weight Class:                                         Lightweight (155 pounds)

Notes: Fadai's WSOF debut

Preview: Newell is undefeated with ten wins. His recent win was over Keon Caldwell by submission at WSOF 4 (August 10, 2013). Fadai is unbeaten in two fights (1 win, 1 no contest). His recent win was over Cody Krahn by submission at MFC 35 (October 26, 2013).

Predictions: Newell. I don't know much about Fadai so I'm going in blind. Nevertheless, Newell should pull it off as he's a great wrestler and has won many fights by submission. Fadai is also coming off a thirteen month layoff which could affect him. Newell has also begun training at American Top Team which can take his skills to another level.

Elvis Mutapic vs. Jesse Taylor

Nickname:                                           The King       |      JT Money

Height:                                                     6'0            |          6'1

Age:                                                          27            |           29

MMA Record (WSOF Rec):              13-2 (0-0)    |      26-9 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                         Unknown     |        73.5 in.

Team:                                                    Unknown     |    Team Quest

Weight Class:                                       Middleweight (185 pounds)

Notes: Mutapic and Taylor's WSOF debut. WSOF Middleweight Tournament semifinals

Preview: Mutapic is riding a five fight win streak. His recent win was over Sam Alvey by unanimous decision at MFC 36 (February 15, 2013). Taylor is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over John Phillips by submission at Cage Warriors 52 (May 4, 2013).

Predictions: Mutapic. Taylor is one of those guys with a glaring weakness. He's a submission magnet including two straight submission losses in a row from November 2011 to May 2012. Mutapic is also comfortable on the ground as he's won most of his fights by submission (though his last submission win was over a year ago) and won them both on top and off his back. Mutapic has also got knockout power as he's scored some quick knockouts during his five fight win streak including a 25 second win over Ultimate Fighter Brazil season 2 winner Cezar Ferreira.

Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Lance Palmer

Nickname:                                        Insane                   |       The Party

Height:                                                5'8                      |           5'6

Age:                                                     28                      |            26

MMA Record (WSOF Rec):       22-3-1 (1-0)             |      7-0 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                      69 in.                    |      Unknown.

Team:                                           Millenna MMA          |  Team Alpha Male

Weight Class:                                          Featherweight (145 pounds)

Notes: For the WSOF Featherweight Championship. Palmer's WSOF debut. Palmer is replacing Rick Glenn.

Preview: Karakhanyan is riding an eight fight win streak. His recent win was over Waylon Lowe by submission at WSOF 5 (September 14, 2013). Palmer is undefeated with seven wins. His recent win was over Jared Downing by split decision at RFA 8 (June 21, 2013)

Predictions: Karakhanyan. I will admit, I don't know too much about Palmer but I'll still think Karakhanyan is too much at this point. First of all, both prefer to submit their opponents but Karakhanyan is the better grappler as he's won more fights by submission than Palmer has fights. He also a good grappler and has competed in grappling tournaments before. Karakhanyan has also won a few fights by knockout (last one was April 2012) while Palmer has never won a fight by knockout so if anyone has an advantage standing up, it should be Karakhanyan. Experience can be another factor as Karakhanyan has competed in over 25 fights and 7 years while Palmer has only competed in 7 fights. Usually when a young fighter has had less than 10 fights and are undefeated, they may get reckless, not know how to conserve energy, and may be too explosive early on which can be exposed by a near 30-fight veteran.