Mixed Picks: UFC 272 (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 cover the fights I'm knowledgeable about.

UFC 271

Welterweight: Colby Covington beats Jorge Masvidal

Covington has the size, cardio, and has just recently fought in a previous headliner. He's also the betting favorite. Masvidal is 37 and has so many miles on him. He definitely has the tools to shut Covington's lights out, but I see Covington grinding him out.

Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev beats RDA

RDA hasn't fought since 2020, and Fiziev has been on a roll. RDA has the pressure and Fiziev tends to tire in round 3, but he's also the better striker on paper. However, this is MMA striking. But I don't know if RDA can bully his way to victory over Fiziev. Fiziev seems like a bigger Petr Yan, but we will have to see.

Featherweight: Edson Barboza beats Bryce Mitchell

I was surprised to find Mitchell is the favorite in this fight but I can see why. He comes forward and pressures and Barboza is really bad on the backfoot and runs himself onto the cage. So the style matchup is bad for Barboza. However, just because that's the style to beat him doesn't mean everyone is good enough to do it. Mitchell might prove me wrong but I don't see him having the striking chops to do it.

Welterweight: Kevin Holland beats Alex Oliveira

Holland is too young and too big for Oliveira. Oliveira can take you down and submit you. But I see Holland eventually finding his opening.

Strawweight: Marina Rodriguez beats Xiaonan Yan

Rodriguez should actually be in line for a title shot. She's just too big and too good for Yan.

Women's flyweight: Mariya Agapova beats Maryna Moroz

Agapova has reach, really good boxing, and footwork, and is a southpaw. She's really tough to beat.