UFC Prague Predictions: Blachowicz vs. Santos
UFC is certainly the global leader in combat sports and it shows no sign of slowing down now. The MMA empire makes its debut in the Czech Republic for the second edition on the ESPN+ platform.
The main event features two violent veterans of the sport as Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos seek to extend their winning streak in the light heavyweight division. In the co-main event, the return of the Stefan Struve as he meets Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
John Dodson also makes his return as he takes on prospect, Petr Yan. The rest of the card doesn’t involve many big names, however, there is a gang of aggressive, exciting European prospects.
Who should you put your money on? Check out the predictions below:
Jan Blachowicz (#4) vs Thiago Santos (#6) (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: This is exciting. Blachowicz is on a 4-fight win streak and continues to show why he is a top contender. He has fought his way up the rankings and faces a guy who is never afraid to throw hands. Thiago Santos has a hammer tattooed on his chest, but he might have actual hammers in his fists. Santos recently made the jump to light heavyweight from middleweight, and the power followed him into the bigger division. The winner of this fight should be next in line to fight for the belt. Both fighters are dangerous and have earned this opportunity.
Thiago Santos def. Jan Blachowicz via KO in round 1.
Stefan Struve (#15) vs Marcos Rogerio De Lima (Heavyweight)
Connor: Lima was victorious in his heavyweight debut and aims to claim a spot in the top-15 of the division vs the “Skyscraper”. Lima is known for KO power. Struve is on a bit of a slide and will look to regain his footing in the division with a win. He needs to use his range well, and he’s comfortable on the ground with a number of submission wins on his resume. This has to be a fight that puts Struve back in a rhythm.
Stefan Struve def. Marcos Rogerio De Lima via submission in round 2.
Gian Villante vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: Villante has proven that you can punch him in the face as much as you want, he loves it. He is always up for a brawl. Oleksiejczuk has not fought in the UFC since 2017, but is always pursuing the KO. This will prove to be tough given the heart and toughness of Villante. If this fight stays on the feet, the crowd and all those watching at home could be in for a show. Oleksiejczuk has shown his ability to take the fight to the mat when he wants too. Villante has also shown some great takedown defense. Keep an eye on these two, we could be in for some fireworks.
Gian Villante def. Michal Oleksiejczuk via KO in round 2.
Liz Carmouche (#6) vs Lucie Pudilova (#14) (Flyweight)
Connor: Carmouche has not been as active as of late, only fighting once a year since the start of 2014, but she is a veteran of the sport and is always a threat. She has faced some of the top competition and has shown she can do it all with wins via KO, submission, and decision. The young Pudilova will look to put on a show for the hometown crowd and begin her climb up the ranks in the flyweight division.
Lucie Pudilova def. Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision.
John Dodson (#9) vs Petr Yan (#14) (Bantamweight)
Connor: As a fan of Dodson, it has been up and down in his recent fights. He still has speed, but things just have seemed to go against him in recent fights as he is 2-2 since 2017. Yan has been on a tear as of late, riding a 6-fight win streak. He has looked dominant since his arrival in the UFC back in June 2018. This is a great matchup for Yan as this will be the toughest competition he has faced yet. I think he is ready for this fight though.
Petr Yan def. John Dodson via unanimous decision.
Magomed Ankalev vs Klidson Abreu (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: This fight is hard to predict because this is the UFC debut for Abreu. This is also the third fight for Ankalev in the UFC. This will be a wrestling vs jiu-jitsu matchup, and should be exciting even with lack of experience on the big stage. Abreu is 14-2 as a pro, and has a great ground game with a love for the rear naked choke. It is important to note that Ankalev lost his UFC debut via submission. Abreu has been a heavyweight in the past, so it will be interesting to see how the weight cut affects him in this fight.
Magomed Ankalev def. Klidson Abreu via unanimous decision.
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