UFC Stockholm Predictions: Gustafsson vs. Smith

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Ericsson Globe, in Stockholm Sweden will host UFC Stockholm: Alexander Gustafsson vs Anthony Smith on Saturday June 1st.

The card has plenty of light heavyweight talent outside the main event, like Volkan Oezdemir taking on Ilir Latifi and Jimi Manuwa facing off against Aleksandar Rakic. The prelims start at 10:00am ET on ESPN+ and the card continues on ESPN+ for the main card at 1:00pm ET.

Check the UFC Stockholm predictions below.

Daniel Teymur vs Sungbin Jo (Featherweight)

Jordan: We open the main card this weekend with a make or break fight for Sweden’s Daniel Teymur. His perfect record quickly disappeared on arrival to the UFC. After three fights with the promotion, he is still without a win and will need to pick one up or he’ll certainly be cut. He faces newcomer Sung Bin Jo, who boasts a 9-0 record with all his victories coming via stoppage within the distance. At 26 years old, standing 5’11″, he could well be a force in the UFC featherweight division. He’ll need to prove he’s capable of competing at this level first and foremost.

Sung Bin Jo def. Daniel Teymur via unanimous decision.

Connor: Teymur has been in the UFC since 2017 but has had a rough patch in his last couple fights, and will look to get back on track and show that he deserves to be in the UFC. He will take on UFC newcomer Bin Jo, who is tall for the featherweight class. Bin Jo has finished every fight in his professional career, and will hope to show that he belongs on the biggest stage.

Sung Bin Jo def. Daniel Teymur via submission in round 2.

Damir Hadzvioc vs Christos Giagos (Lightweight)

Jordan: Damir Hadzovic has looked good during his five fight UFC run. 3-2 in the big league so far. After picking up back-to-back wins against Nick Hein and Marco Polo Reyes, Hadzovic will be keen to make it three in a row, joining the stacked list of ones to watch in the lightweight division. A second UFC stint for 29-year-old Christos Giagos started terribly as he was added to the long list of people submitted by Charles Olivera. He did however, quickly bounce back with a win over Japanese veteran Mizuto Hirota. Giagos credentials are hard to judge as of yet, we’ll certainly find out more come fight night.

Damir Hadzvioc def. Christos Giagos via unanimous decision.

Connor: This is a very evenly matched fight. I anticipate this to be a war for 3 rounds. Giagos will look to take the fight to the ground and grind out a win with his wrestling. Hadzvioc will aim to keep the fight standing where he should have an advantage.

Christos Giagos def. Damir Hadzvioc via unanimous decision.

Makwan Amirkhani vs Chris Fishgold (Featherweight)

Jordan: After bursting onto the scene with a quick flying knee TKO win over Andy Ogle, many looked forward to Amirkhani’s potential rise into contention. However, with only five fights in as many years the momentum has subsided. Holding a 4-1 record in the company Amirkhani was last seen scraping by Jason “The Kid” Knight more than a year ago at UFC Liverpool. He now faces Liverpool’s own Chris Fishgold. After a devastating UFC debut defeat, Fishgold got back to winning ways beating Daniel Teymur just a few months back. The former Cage Warriors lightweight belt holder will need to show his championship quality to emerge victorious in this one.

Chris Fishgold def. Makwan Amirkhani via submission in round 2.

Connor: This fight should feature some incredible mat work. Fishgold is a submission specialist, but so is Amirkhani. I do not foresee much stand up in this match. Fishgold is relentless with takedown attempts, but Amirkhani will be game for the challenge. This match will feature some high level grappling, but Amirkhani has more UFC experience and brings more threats to the table.

Makwan Amirkhani def. Chris Fishgold via TKO in round 3.

Jimi Manuwa (#11) vs Aleksandar Rakic (Light Heavyweight)

Jordan: In a division of entertainers, Jimi Manuwa is perhaps the most entertaining of them all. With thunderous power, he has brought the hammer down on many opponents during his career. Unfortunately, as of late, Manuwa has been the nail more often than not. Dropping his last three fights, being KO’d twice in the process. At 39 years old, his time at the top of the sport may be coming to an end. Aleksandar Rakic will want to make sure of that by adding a fourth consecutive loss to Manuwa’s record. The 27-year-old is riding an 11-fight win streak, only ever losing in his MMA debut all the way back in 2011. This fight represents a huge step up In opposition, the rewards great as are the risks in this fun fight at 205lbs.

Jimi Manuwa def. Aleksandar Rakic via TKO in round 1.

Connor: Rakic is primed for his rise in the light heavyweight division. He will need a big finish against Manuwa to make a push in a now crowded division. Manuwa’s slide continues as he will have a hard time managing distance and range on the taller Rakic. Rakic can also take the fight to the mat if he chooses, showing off his wrestling skill.

Aleksandar Rakic def. Jimi Manuwa via TKO in round 2.

Volkan Oezdemir (#7) vs Ilir Latifi (#9) (Light Heavyweight)

Jordan: After exploding onto the light heavyweight scene, Volkan Oezdemir has found the road back to a title shot a tough one. 0-3 in his last three fights, doesn’t look good for the former title contender. However, he did enough last time out to get the win in my eyes and was harshly treated by the judges in his fight against rising star Dominick Reyes. The match-ups get no easier, next up is Ilir Latifi who is a real handful for anyone at 205lbs. The Swedish wrestler will look to exploit the flaws in Volkan’s game and force the fight to the floor. Oezdemir has that lights out power that can end the fight at any moment. He’ll need to find a home for his power to avoid going 0-4.

Volkan Oezdemir def. Ilir Latifi via TKO in round 1.

Connor: Oezdemir is in need of a win. He has had a bad stroke of luck in fights where he had opportunities to win, but has not been able to capitalize. Oezdemir has gone from championship contender, to fighting for his top 10 ranking and relevance in a crowded division. Latifi finds himself in a similar position trying to stay afloat in the light heavyweight rankings.

Volkan Oezdemir def. Ilir Latifi via TKO in round 2.

Alexander Gustafsson (#2) vs Anthony Smith (#4) (Light Heavyweight)

Jordan: After putting Sweden on the MMA map, Alexander Gustafsson will enjoy a home crowd cheering him on and baying for the blood of Anthony Smith this weekend. With both men coming off a defeat to Jon Jones, this fight will look to establish the best of the rest. Both lost in dominant fashion and will want to make a statement in this one to remain relevant at the top of the light heavyweight division.

Gustaffson has been inactive over the years, having only fought six times since his first loss to Jon Jones in 2013. At 32 years old, Gustafsson should be at or close to his fighting prime. On his day, he’s one of the very best and he’ll need to be his best to taste victory for the first time in over two years. Anthony Smith is the polar opposite, he never seems to be out of the cage. In the time his opponent had 6 fights, Smith has had 18. It’s the type of work ethic that allowed him to run through the division in a matter of months and get a shot at the champ. He fell short but was brave and honorable in defeat. A true 50/50 fight at the top of the 205lb division, truly worth topping this UFC Stockholm event.

Anthony Smith def. Alexander Gustafsson via TKO in round 3.

Connor: Both of these fighters belong at the top of the division and are talented fighters. This should be a great fight, but what comes next for the winner? There is too much talent in the division and new fighters vying for a shot at the belt. My guess is they will need to wait their turn for another shot. That or weed out the upcoming prospects.

Anthony Smith def. Alexander Gustafsson via TKO in round 3.

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Make sure to follow The Scrap News (@thescrapnews) on Twitter.
Follow our writers Connor Rogowsky (@rogowskyc) and Jordan Ellis (@JordanEllisUK).



About Post Author

Connor Rogowsky

Connor "Rags" Rogowsky is a The Scrap's Co-Founder and a MMA writer during his free time. Rogowsky played football and track collegiately, and holds a Masters of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.Make sure to follow Rags on Twitter (<a href="http://www.twitter.com/rogowskyc">@rogowskyc</a>).
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