UFC 170 Predictions

UFC 170 Predictions

February 20, 2014

By Ryan Porzl

Ernest Chavez vs. Yosdenis Cendeno

Nickname:                                           EJ             |        Pink Panther

Height:                                                5'8             |             5'8

Age:                                                     30             |              29

MMA Record (UFC):                    6-0 (0-0)       |         9-2 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                    Unknown      |         Unknown

Team:                                    Total MMA Studios |     MMA Masters

Weight Class:                                   Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes: Both Chavez & Cendeno's UFC debuts

Preview: Chavez is undefeated with six wins. His recent win was over Jorge Valdez by TKO at BAMMA USA – Badbeat 9 (May 31, 2013). Cendeno is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over Torrance Taylor by split decision at CFA 12 (October 12, 2013).

Predictions: Cendeno. I'll admit, this one is a toss up. I don't know anything about either guy and there's barely anything to go on. Neither have a wikipedia page and their stats aren't displayed on UFC.com. Anyway, both seem to be the same. They prefer to win their fights by knockout, they never won a fight by submission, and they've never been knocked out. Cendeno sounds like a good pick. Having lost two fights in his career, he should know his limitations more and what will or won't work. Usually when fighters are undefeated, they tend to be careless and probably take risks they shouldn't or waste energy.

Rafaello Oliveira vs. Erik Koch

Nickname:                                             Tractor            |    New Breed

Height:                                                      5'8               |         5'9

Age:                                                           32               |          25

MMA Record (UFC):                        15-6 (2-4)         |     13-3 (2-2)

Arm Length:                                          71.5 in.            |        70 in.

Team:                                              AMA Fight Club    |    Roufusport

Weight Class:                                    Lightweight (155 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Oliveira is coming off a loss to Edson Barboza by TKO at UFC 162 (July 6, 2013). Koch is riding a two fight losing streak. His recent loss was to Dustin Poirier by unanimous decision at UFC 164 (August 31, 2013).

Predictions: Koch. Koch is in a slump but his two losses are to two top 10 fighters in Dustin Poirier and former title contender Ricardo Lamas. Koch is very well-rounded as he's won most of his fights by submission but has a black belt in taekwondo and trains at Roufusport which features great striking and wrestling coaches. Oliveira's takedown defense isn't very good so Koch shouldn't have a difficult time taking him down and submit him or grind him out to a decision. This fight seems like a bounce back since Oliveira is a huge step down compared to Lamas and Poirier. Oliveira has also not been very active as he only fought once in 2012 and once in 2013.

Zach Makovsky vs. Josh Sampo

Nickname:                                          Fun Size           |     The Gremlin

Height:                                                   5'4                |           5'5

Age:                                                        31                |           29

MMA Record (UFC):                        17-4 (1-0)       |       11-2 (1-0)

Arm Length:                                       Unknown         |       Unknown

Team:                                               Team Extreme    |   St. Charles MMA

Weight Class:                                       Flyweight (125 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Makovsky is riding a three fight win streak. His recent win was over Scott Jorgenson by unanimous decision at UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 (December 14, 2013). Sampo is riding a five fight win streak. His recent win was over Ryan Benoit by submission at UFC The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale (November 30, 2013).

Predictions: Makovsky. Makovsky looked really good in his UFC debut against Scott Jorgenson as he was not only a good wrestler but also showed good striking. The win was even more impressive since Jorgenson was debuting at flyweight after being a top 10 bantamweight as well as Makovsky taking this fight in less than two weeks notice. Sampo is also a very one-dimensional fighter as he's mostly a submission fighter with no knockout wins and thus doesn't appear to be a threat standing. Makovsky is also a great wrestler and grappler with takedown defense. If he can keep the fight standing then he should be able to pick Sampo apart. Makovsky has lost three times by submission but the first two were early in his career while the recent was against top bantamweight Eduardo Dantas.

Cody Gibson vs. Aljamain Sterling

Nickname:                                    The Renegade |     The Funk Master

Height:                                                5'10         |                5'7

Age:                                                      26           |                24

MMA Record (UFC):                     11-3 (0-0)   |           8-0 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                     Unknown    |          Unknown

Team:                                       Team Rhino Elite | Serra-Longo Fight Team

Weight Class:                                    Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes: Both Gibson & Sterling's UFC debuts

Preview: Gibson is riding a six fight win streak. His recent win was over Evan Esguerra at TPF 17 (November 14, 2013). Sterling is undefeated with eight wins. His recent win was over Joel Roberts by submission at CFFC 30 (November 2, 2013).

Predictions: Gibson. Gibson seems to the be the more well-rounded of the two with both knockout and submission wins. Sterling seems to be one-dimensional as he's won most fights by submission. While he has won by knockout, that was one time two and a half years ago. Sterling's also very predictable as he not only wins by submission most of the time but with the rear-naked choke. Though Gibson has lost by submission two times, he should know what not only his weaknesses are but what to prepare for.

Raphael Assuncao vs. Pedro Munhoz

Nickname:                                          None                |  The Young Punisher

Height:                                                  5'5                  |           5'7

Age:                                                       31                  |            27

MMA Record (UFC):                      21-4 (5-1)          |      10-0 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                       67.5 in.             |       Unknown

Team:                            Ascension Mixed Martial Arts |     Black House

Weight Class:                                    Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes: Munhoz's UFC debut. Munhoz is replacing Francisco Rivera.

Preview: Assuncao is riding a five fight win streak. His recent win was over TJ Dillashaw by split decision at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields (October 9, 2013). Munhoz is undefeated with 10 wins. His recent win was over Billy Daniels by submission at RFA 14 (January 24, 2014).

Predictions: Assuncao. Munhoz may be impressive but he's taking this fight on short notice and will be facing a top 10 UFC Bantamweight. Munhoz may be undefeated but this is a huge step up in competition and will be outclassed. Munhoz also fought less than a month ago. While his fight lasted less than a minute, it still takes a lot out of a fighter to train for weeks, fight, and go right back into training. Both fighters are mostly grapplers but Assuncao has great takedown defense which will make it difficult for Munhoz to get the fight to the ground.

Alexis Davis vs. Jessica Eye

Nickname:                                          Ally-Gator     |          Evil

Height:                                                    5'5             |          5'6

Age:                                                         29             |           27

MMA Record (UFC):                      15-5 (2-0)      |  10-1, 1NC (0-0, 1NC)

Arm Length:                                         68 in.           |        63.5 in.

Team:                                 Cesar Gracie Fight Team | Strong Style Fight Team

Weight Class:                                Women's Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Davis is riding a four fight win streak. Her recent win was over Liz Carmouche by unanimous decision at UFC Fight For The Troops 3 (November 6, 2013). Eye is unbeaten in eight fights (seven wins, one no contest). Her recent fight was a no contest against Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166 (October 19, 2013).

Predictions: Davis. Eye is not much of a finisher and Davis has finished many of her fights. Davis is also a very good grappler with good takedown defense and has won most of her fights by submission. Another factor to consider that Eye's only loss to date was by submission. Not only is she a good grappler but Davis has shown knockout power and a good chin as she faced Amanda Nunes. That fight showed Davis survive Nune's power and finish her off by TKO with punches which is the only time to date the heavy handed Nunes was TKOed in a fight.

Robert Whittaker vs. Stephen Thompson

Nickname:                                    None                  |        Wonderboy

Height:                                          5'11                   |              6'0

Age:                                                23                     |              31

MMA Record (UFC):              11-3 (2-1)             |           8-1 (3-1)

Arm Length:                                 71 in.                 |              75 in.

Team:                                         Tristar Gym           |     Pitch Black MMA

Weight Class:                                       Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Whittaker is coming off a loss to Court McGee by split decision at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 (August 28, 2013). Thompson is riding a two fight win streak. His recent win was over Chris Clements by TKO at UFC 165 (September 21, 2013).

Predictions: Thompson. Thompson is very good striker being a former undefeated kickboxer with a lot of power. Thompson should not have to worry too much of the ground as he has pretty good takedown defense and Whittaker hasn't won by submission in 2½ years. This fight may be fought standing up which works to Thompson's favor as he has a four inch reach advantage and being the more polished striker. Thompson is also hard to put away as he's never been finished and only lost to Matt Brown. In fact, Thompson is the only person Matt Brown beat on his current win streak that he was unable to finish. The five other opponents didn't make it out of the second round as they were all knocked out. In all, that shows that Thompson can take a punch.

Mike Pyle vs. TJ Waldburger

Nickname:                                        Quicksand   |        None

Height:                                                   6'1         |         5'11

Age:                                                        37         |          25

MMA Record (UFC):                    25-9-1 (8-4) |     16-8 (4-3)

Arm Length:                                          74 in.      |        75 in.

Team:                                         Syndicate MMA |  Grappler's MMA

Weight Class:                                    Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: Pyle is coming off a loss to Matt Brown by KO at UFC Fight Night: Sonnen vs. Shogun (August 17, 2013). Waldburger is coming off a loss to Adlan Amagov by KO at UFC 166 (October 19, 2013).

Predictions: Pyle. The strengths and weaknesses of Waldburger are out there. He's a grappler and is prone to getting knocked out. While Pyle is most a grappler as well, he has shown in some of his recent fights that he can be dangerous standing up as he won all three of fights in 2012 by knockout as well as earn one knockout of the night bonus. Pyle also has very good takedown defense and should be able sprawl n' brawl if necessary. Pyle has been knocked out four times in his career but three of those were against fighters who have tremendous power including Jake Ellenberger, Rory McDonald, and Matt Brown. Pyle shouldn't have to worry about getting knocked out since Waldburger doesn't show any power. His only TKO win was a doctor's stoppage.

Rory McDonald vs. Demian Maia

Nickname:                                         Ares                |          None

Height:                                                6'0                 |            6'0

Age:                                                     24                 |             36

MMA Record (UFC):                   15-2 (6-2)           |     18-5 (12-5)

Arm Length:                                     76.5 in.             |          72 in.

Team:                                             Tristar Gym         |  Wand Fight Team

Weight Class:                                    Welterweight (170 pounds)

Notes:

Preview: McDonald is coming off a loss to Robbie Lawler by split decision at UFC 167 (November 16, 2013). Maia is coming off a loss to Jake Shields by split decision at UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields (October 9, 2013).

Predictions: McDonald. McDonald is a big talented welterweight. He has a long reach and has proven in the Jake Ellenberger fight that he knows how to use it. McDonald's takedown defense is excellent and if he can keep the fight standing then he'll win easily. Maia has tried to round out his skills but he's never gotten comfortable striking which can make it easier for McDonald to use his reach to jab and frustrate Maia. Maia has also not shown any knockout power as his only knockout win was his first by TKO (his other two TKO wins were because of injuries). Maia is an excellent grappler but McDonald is very good as well and has never been submitted in his career to date.

Daniel Cormier vs. Pat Cummins

Nickname:                                            DC               |       Durkin

Height:                                                  5'11              |         6'2

Age:                                                       34                |          33

MMA Record (UFC):                       13-0 (2-0)       |     4-0 (0-0)

Arm Length:                                       72.5 in.           |     Unknown

Team:                       American Kickboxing Academy | Reign Training Center

Weight Class:                                  Light Heavyweight (205 pounds)

Notes: Cormier's Light Heavyweight debut. Cummins' UFC debut. Cummin' is replacing Rashad Evans.

Preview: Cormier is undefeated with thirteen wins. His recent win was over Roy Nelson by unanimous decision at UFC 166 (October 19, 2013). Cummins is undefeated with four wins. His recent win was over Willie Smalls by submission at SCL: Chaos in the Cage: Pit of Fury (May 18, 2013).

Predictions: Cormier. There's no way around it. Cormier has proven to be one of the best heavyweights in the world with wins over the likes of Jeff Monson, Antonio Silva, Josh Barnett, Frank Mir, and Roy Nelson. He's an Olympic level wrestler with very good striking and knockout power. Cummins has everything going against him. He's a good wrestler but probably not on par with Cormier. He's very inexperienced with only four fights. He hasn't beat any great fighters with his last two opponents being tomato cans with negative records. Cormier is, by far, a gigantic step up in competition. Cummins is also taking this fight with less than two weeks notice. Two weeks is hard to prepare for any fight in the big leagues but it's extremely difficult to prepare for a fighter like Cormier.

Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann

Nickname:                                          Rowdy          |        None

Height:                                                   5'6             |          5'5

Age:                                                        27             |           33

MMA Record (UFC):                       8-0 (2-0)       |       7-0 (1-0)

Arm Length:                                         66 in.          |         66 in.

Team:                                   Glendale Fighting Club |  Revolution MMA

Weight Class:                           Woman's Bantamweight (135 pounds)

Notes: For the UFC Woman's Bantamweight Championship

Preview: Rousey is undefeated with eight wins. Her recent win was over Miesha Tate by submission at UFC 168 (December 28, 2013). McMann is undefeated with seven wins. His recent win was over Sheila Gaff by TKO at UFC 159 (April 27, 2013).

Predictions: Rousey. Even with Sara McMann being a very skilled fighter, it's hard to predict against Rousey. Other than a brief scare with Liz Carmouche, Rousey has not only never lost but hasn't even been threatened yet. She's a big, strong bantamweight with excellent judo. She also showed a lot in the recent Miesha Tate fight as she showed she can hold her own striking and can still be a threat beyond the first round. McMann is an excellent wrestler but what happens if she can't take Rousey down? Rousey has shown she can hold her on standing up but McMann hasn't. This fight also seems to be too soon for McMann as she's taking a big step up in competition. Rousey is no Sheila Gaff and she's not a small bantamweight who will charge at McMann and leave herself open to be taken down.