As always it’s fight week, prediction week, for those of us on the Inside Fights staff. Joining me to predict this mid-week card are:
Ryan Frederick
Luke Rockhold vs. Constantinos Philippou
Sawitz: I’ve never been all that convinced that Philippou was a Top 10 guy and this is an awful matchup for him. Rockhold’s a tough out and I don’t think Philippou is good enough anywhere to get the win. Rockhold.
Frederick: I like Rockhold in this fight. He is more well-rounded and a five-round fight suits him better. Philippou is going to need to test Rockhold’s chin if he is going to win. Philippou is coming off that loss to Francis Carmont in a horrible fight, and Rockhold is a better fighter than Carmont. This isn’t a flashy main event but I’m glad it is five rounds so we can see who is ready for title contention. Rockhold
Lorenz Larkin vs. Brad Tavares
Sawitz: So far Larkin has looked like he belongs at middleweight but Tavares looks like just another guy. He’s a tough out, and a good test for a lot of fights, but he should’ve blown Bubba McDaniel out of the water and didn’t. He lets crappy guys hang with him for no discernable reason and doesn’t have that killer instinct to put guys away that he should. Larkin’s going to hang around and wind up with the win because of it. Larkin
Frederick: I love this fight as a co-main event as it is a quality matching of two fighters on the rise at 185 pounds. Larkin is one hell of a standup fighter and Tavares is a solid well-rounded fighter. Larkin is going to win it if it stays standing so Tavares needs to mix in taking the fight to the ground. I like Larkin in this fight and to be a title contender in the near future. Larkin
T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton
Sawitz: Dillashaw is in an interesting spot. He’s a Top 10 bantamweight who just hasn’t quite shown it yet. Easton is a great test for him. I like Easton, and the rumor mill has churned all over with tales of how incredible powerful he is in the gym. He just hasn’t translated that into the UFC yet. I think he does here. Easton
Frederick: Both men are top ten fighters but are in a weird position coming off of losses. However, with the way the bantamweight division is, all it will take is one or two wins to get you back in contention. Both men are quality fighters, but Dillashaw has looked better in his appearances in the Octagon. To me, this is a toss-up fight, and I’m going with the Team Alpha Male team member. Dillashaw
Derek Brunson vs. Yoel Romero
Sawitz: Romero’s got one of the best wrestling resumes in MMA and yet … he’s known for planking guys with his explosive striking. So far he looks like he could streak his way to a title shot based on his athleticism alone. Romero takes it … but it’s a lot closer than people think.
Frederick: On a fight card with three solid middleweight bouts, this one may provide the most action and fun. Romero is an absolute beast with six knockout wins, and he has the power to knock out a bull. Brunson is a very solid fighter with good power as well, and he has a good submission game. Romero is an Olympic medalist in wrestling, but you need to watch his work on the feet. I’m going with Romero in this one. Romero
Cole Miller vs. Sam Sicilia
Sawitz: Miller is always looking like he’s about to emerge as a Top 10 guy … and then doesn’t. He’s a great fighter, very talented, but doesn’t quite have that final gear. Sicilia might … and I could see this winding up being a savage KO. Sicilia
Frederick: This is a fun opener and both men are looking for a win to move up the rankings. Miller has his sights set on a future showdown with Conor McGregor, but he needs to score wins to get that fight. Sicilia has a lot of power but will need to look out for the slick submission game that Miller has. Miller is fighting near his hometown and wants to get that big win in front of the hometown crowd. I believe he does and by submission. Miller
John Moraga vs. Dustin Ortiz
Sawitz: It’ll be interesting to see how Moraga responds from the unmitigated ass-kicking he took from Demetrious Johnson. He SHOULD win here … key word is should. This is a very winnable fight but Moraga sometimes looks like a killer and sometimes doesn’t. Moraga
Frederick: Moraga is looking to bounce back from a loss in his chance to become the UFC Flyweight Champion while Ortiz is looking to establish himself in the division with a win over a former title challenger. Both are very good fighters and this will be a fun fight on the feet. I’m going with the former title challenger in this one. Moraga
