Mixed Picks: Font vs. Aldo (Patreon)

By Sam (@LiberationistMA)

This is going to be different from the typical fight picks you're used to seeing. Rather than picking every fight, I just give you the picks I feel strongly about.

Bellator 272: Pettis vs. Horiguchi | 12.3.2021

Bantamweight title fight: Sergio Pettis beats Kyoji Horiguchi

Horiguchi has had a long layoff. Roufusport also does well against karate fighters.

UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Aldo | Saturday 12.4.2021

Bantamweight: Louis Smolka beats Vince Morales

Smolka is younger, more experienced, and has fought tougher opponents. Morales is who he is and may be too good for regionals but not good enough to stay a UFC vet.

Welterweight: Alex Morono beats Mickey Gall

Morono is only two years older than Gall but has more than twice the experience. Gall also isn't all that good.

Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov beats Jared Vanderaa

Vanderaa is taking this fight on a week's notice against undefeated Murzakanov who is making his UFC debut. Seems like a situation born out of necessity for money and will be a tough fight for Vanderaa to win.

Lightweight: Chris Gruetzemacher beats Claudio Puelles

I think the pressure and toughness of Gruetzemacher will be too much for Puelles.

Bantamweight: Manel Kape beats Zhalgas Zhumagulov

Kape's wrestling and striking should be too much for Zhumagulov.

Middleweight: Brendan Allen beats Chris Curtis

This is a short-notice fight for Curtis who fought less than a month ago. Allen has improved striking from Sanford and a good ground game. He's also bigger than Curtis. The volume might be too much for Curtis who tends to wait to counter.

Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute beats Jamahal Hill

Crute's versatility should be enough to beat Hill's power-striking.

Lightweight: Clay Guida beats Leonardo Santos

Santos is actually older than Guida and should tire out as Guida puts on the pace.

Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev beats Brad Riddell

There's a lot of similarities here. Both have 10-1 records, they're similar in age, they both are kickboxers, and they have both spent time at Tiger Muay Thai. Chances are, they've sparred against each other. Fiziev however seems to be more durable and have better power.

Haney vs. Diaz Jr. | Saturday 12.4.2021

WBC boxing lightweight title fight: Joseph Diaz Jr. beats Devin Haney

So let me preface this by saying, Diaz Jr. is the underdog so the smart money is picking Haney. Haney is not only slick but also throws a lot of punches. But as far as underdogs go, Diaz Jr. has a good shot for an upset. He's a southpaw who's willing to engage, and will also be Haney's toughest fight. We've seen a lot of upsets in boxing since the start of the pandemic, so maybe we'll see one before the year ends.

Davis vs. Cruz | Saturday 12.5.2021

WBA (regular) lightweight title fight: Gervonta Davis beats Isaac Cruz

Both are small and fight on the inside. Davis should be better at this.