This last weekend’s UFC 178 PPV event did not disappoint. It was one of the best main cards I’ve seen in quite some time. Conor McGregor completely lived up to the hype by KO’ing Poirier in the first round and I would be surprised if they don’t give McGregor a title shot right away with all of the hype he currently has behind him. We also saw Donald Cerrone come from behind to really destroy newcomer Eddie Alvarez with leg kicks in their fight. Cat Zingano got a come from behind victory to earn a feel good story and the next title shot against Ronda Rousey.
But the night wouldn’t feel complete without a little controversy. That controversy came in an absolute battle between Tim Kennedy and Yoel Romero. Kennedy almost finished Romero at the end of the second round, but he was stopped by the bell. Romero stayed on his feet throughout, but you could tell he was dazed and not all there. Once he found his stool he took an extra minute to gather himself before answering the bell. The rules state that Kennedy should have won by TKO in this instance, but instead Romero came out throwing for the fences once the third round started because he knew he wouldn’t be able to take any more punishment. As it happened one of these strikes landed and Romero ended up violently finishing Kennedy early in the third. I didn’t like that decision because it cost me some cash.
I almost forgot about the main event where Demetrious Johnson simply destroyed Cariaso.
2014 Record: 44-27 for +14.51 units.
Now on to the upcoming Fight Night in Sweden. The main event features up and comer Gunnar Nelson against Rick Story, while the other good fight on the card is the young Max Holloway battling it out with Corassani.
Rick Story vs Gunnar Nelson
Gunnar Nelson is going to be a huge factor at Welterweight as he moves up the ladder while his buddy McGregor moves towards Featherweight glory. Nelson is currently slotted into the #11 slot on the Welterweight leaderboard, while Rick Story is not to be found in the top 15, but he is still considered a very strong fighter who has turned into a bit of a journeyman.
Story seems to win over an unknown fighter then be given a shot against a ranked fighter who he then fails to beat. He is coming off a win over Leonardo Mafra in July and that means he’s ready to lose to a ranked fighter in Gunnar Nelson. Story has lost to Kelvin Gastelum, Mike Pyle, Demian Maia and Martin Kampmann in the past 3 years. Each of these fighters are currently ranked except Kampmann who would have been ranked back then. In between each of these losses he has beaten much lesser known opponents.
I personally think Nelson is an absolute beast and I expect him to get the finish in this fight, which should set him up for a top 10 contender in his next bout.
Take Nelson by submission +150 @ 5Dimes.
Akira Corassani vs Max Holloway
Max Holloway is only 22 years old and he seems like he is starting to find his game after 3 wins this year. In 2013 he lost to Dennis Bermudez and Conor McGregor (both decisions – one split), both of who are now #5 and #8 respectively in the division. Holloway’s only other loss came to Dustin Poirier in 2012. I expect Holloway to continue his winning streak and once again make a case for another shot at one of the bigger names in the featherweight division.
I expect Holloway to knockout Corassani, who was KO’d in his last fight in the octagon against Dustin Poirier.
Take Holloway inside distance -131 @ 5Dimes.
Gunnar Nelson • Max Holloway • UFC Fight Night