Saturday night, The American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX, will host UFC 185. Two titles will be on the line, with Carla Esparza defending her Strawweight Title against the undefeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk, as well as a Lightweight Title fight between Anthony Pettis and Rafael dos Anjos. Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance Saturday, I won’t even be able to watch the fights on the overpriced PPV. One of my best friends has decided to get married on that night, pretty inconsiderate of him if you want my personal opinion, but there’s just some people out there who only think of themselves. I’ll just be following these fights through Twitter, while drinking White Russians in a fancy ass suit I got in a box set at Sear’s, but it doesn’t really matter because I already know exactly how the fights are going to go.
“Flyweight” – #10 Chris “Kamikaze” Cariaso (17-6) vs Hungry Cejudo (7-0):
Cariaso was on a three-fight win streak before he lost his title shot against Demetrious Johnson at UFC 178, and Cejudo is coming off a decision victory over Dustin Kimura at 135lbs after a failed weight cut attempt at 125lbs. The win over Kimura was enough to get the former Olympian another shot at the flyweight division. I actually think Cejudo has a real chance in this one. Cariaso isn’t much of a finisher, and I think Cejudo can win rounds over Cariaso with his wrestling, but Cejudo’s toughest opponent so far has been the scale. After making weight, Cejudo wins this fight by decision.
Heavyweight – #8 Roy “Big Country” Nelson (21-10) vs #9 Alistair Overeem (38-14):
These two heavy hitters may not be in the prime of their careers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t put on an exciting fight for the fans. Both guys are 2-3 in their last 5 fights, but they are also both coming off highlight KO victories; Overeem KO’d Struve and Nelson KO’d Bigfoot (the fighter, not the blurry mythic creature). Many sites have Nelson as the underdog in this fight, but Overeem’s chin isn’t what it used to be. I don’t think he can handle Nelson’s power. Big Country will land a big overhand early, and finish this one in the first round.
Welterweight – #1 Johny “Big Rig” Hendricks (16-3) vs #5 Matt “The Immortal” Brown (21-12):
Both welterweights are coming off losses to current champion Robbie Lawler, and both are trying to fight their way back to a title fight. Although Brown is one of the toughest fighters to ever step foot into the octagon, I have Hendricks winning this one. I think he is more determined as a contender than he is as a champion, and he will be looking to take control of the fight early and be able to keep it that way. Both fighters posses KO power, but Hendricks will be able to land more punches and take the fight to the ground at any moment that he isn’t. Hendricks takes this fight by decision.
Strawweight Title – Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza (11-2) vs #1 Joanna Jedrzejczyk (8-0):
Jedrzejczyk comes from a Muay Thai background, and it shows in her striking. She will be stepping in to face the champ with a 5 inch height advantage, which would come in handy for a striker; but not against someone like Esparza. She easily dominated Rose Namajunas with her wrestling and she will be able to do the exact same with Jedrzejczyk. Expect to see Esparza run straight at her and immediately go for the takedown, and then control the fight from the ground. Esparza wins by 2nd round submission.
Lightweight Title – Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (18-2) vs #1 Rafael dos Anjos (23-7):
Dos Anjos looked good in his dominate victory over Nate Diaz, he showed his striking ability and dangerous leg kicks. Before dominating Diaz, dos Anjos also KO’d Ben Henderson and has beat other big names such as Donald Cerrone. I think he will have a harder time doing that to Pettis. Pettis is too fast and moves too much, also, he can beat dos Anjos on the ground. Expect a lot of cool looking kicks and foot movement in this one, but it will end before the 5th round. Pettis wins by TKO in round 3.
Feel free to keep me posted on the fights through Facebook and Twitter, I will be checking my phone in between line-dancing and holding my date’s hair back as she vomits into a plant.
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