The Dragon returns in his home country of Brazil
This card has me excited! We have some great matchups to watch unfold. Also, this event is taking place in Brazil so you know it's going to be good. Brazil never fails to put on some exciting fights, and the card is free! So you have no excuse not to watch it! Anyways let's take a look at some of my predictions.
Lineker vs Vera
Lineker is the definition of a pressure fighter. He loves to chase you down and back you up against the cage where he can use his boxing to force you into a brawl. He never stops coming and repeatedly smashes his fists into your head and body. He's never been KO'd or TKOED in the UFC which is insane when you take into account his fighting style. His opponent Vera is on a solid 3 fight win streak. He is also coming off two back to back finishes, one where he landed a nasty head kick that sent Brad Pickett crumpling to the mat. Vera is young and is talented, but I don't think he will be able to handle Linekers savage style of fighting. Expect to see vera welt under Linekers pressure and be finished for the first time in his career. I have Lineker by first-round TKO.
Santos vs Hermansson
Santos is a vicious striker and has terrifying power. His fight with Steve Bosse will give you nightmares. The way Bosse hit the mat and stiffened up like a piece of wood after receiving that head kick from hell was brutal. Santos could knockout out anyone in the division if he lands cleanly, but he does have a weakness that Hermansson can exploit. Santos has shown to struggle when you take him down to the mat. Hermansson can take advantage of that weakness with his great wrestling and Destructive ground and pound. If Santos can't stop the takedown, his night could end horribly. This is a tough one to call for me, but I got to go with Santos, I feel he will be pumped up by the Brazilian crowd and will deliver another knockout to go on his highlight reel. Santos by 2nd round Ko.
Trinaldo vs Miller
Miller is one of my favorite fighters in MMA. He's always exciting and showcases a ground game that is a pleasure to watch. He's been in this division for a long time and has had some wars over the years, especially that bloodbath of a fight with Lauzon. If he wants to win this fight He'll have to utilize that grappling and make this a scrap with Trinaldo, get in close and clinch whenever given the chance. Problem is I see Trinaldo using his reach to keep Miller away and should pick up a win here. His gas tank isn't the best, but he will pace himself while coasting to a decision. Trinaldo by Unanimous decision.
Font vs Munhos
Font and Munhos are some of the best top prospects in the Bantamweight division. Years from now we may see these two fighting for the belt, but As of right now, I feel Font is the better fighter. He's been more dominant thus far and has a better overall skill set in my opinion. Munos can still win this fight if he can get Font on his back. He's dangerous on the ground, and over half of Muhnos wins have been by Submission. Sadly I don't think that will happen, Font will pick Munhos apart and keep it standing.He will silence the Brazillian crowd with a win. Font by Unanimous decision.
Maia vs Covington
I hope Covington has been wearing a backpack throughout his training camp to get ready for Maia to ride his back for Three rounds. To be serious though I'm actually surprised Covington is the favorite here. Don't get me wrong I think Covington is a great fighter, but he hasn't fought anyone near Maia's talent yet. Covington is a great wrestler and probably has a better stand up game than Maia, but he only needs to get you down once to drown you in his sea of grappling knowledge(just ask Carlos Condit).Covington will want to use his wrestling in reverse and keep it standing, but I don't think he will able to stop Maia from getting him down a few times, and It only takes once with him. Maia by third-round submission.
Machida vs Brunson
Machida vs Brunson is a fight of two polar opposites. Machida is a patient fighter and is looking to counter. Brunson is wild and aggressive and over commits on a lot of his punches. When you look at both of these men's styles you would have to say it heavily favors Machida. Unfortunately, I'm not sure it truly does, he's been gone for over Two years and is 39 years old. Does he still have the reflexes that his style needs to work? He's also coming off two loses where he took a lot of damage. Even after all the things I just mentioned, I think he will still beat Brunson. It won't be pretty, it might even be boring, but I expect Machida to keep a safe distance and counter poke his way to a decision.
Thanks for reading! Who do you think will win these match ups?
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