Quick Picks: UFC Vegas 79 (Patreon)

Rafael Fiziev vs Mateusz Gamrot

I worry about his cardio and defensive grappling but I favor Fiziev to score enough early offense to get his hand raised. He’s the better, faster, more powerful striker with strong takedowns defense while fresh. Gamrot will have to push him to get him to tire, it won’t happen in its own.

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Bryce Mitchell vs Dan Ige

Mitchell has the better style on paper but between his recent injuries and personal issues, I find him untrustworthy. Ige is inconsistent and struggled badly with takedown defense but if he can keep this standing he’s superior. I favor the better fighter and betting favorite Mitchell but not by much. So it‘s dog or pass from a betting perspective.

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Marina Rodriguez vs Michelle Waterson-Gomez

We‘ve already seen this fight and it was an uneventful decision for Rodriguez. I don’t see what has changed since.

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Bryan Battle vs AJ Fletcher

The takedown defense of Battle has been poor and Fletcher is the better wrestler. However, the volume and cardio advantages are with Battle. It may not be easy but Battle will be the pick.

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Charles Jourdain vs Ricardo Ramos

He has decent technique but Jourdain tends to get unnecessarily wild. His path to victory is to take advantage of his cleaner striking and higher volume. Ramos has a poor chin and is hittable, but he does have the grappling edge and Jourdain has poor wrestling. I favor Jourdain but I understand the close odds and choice as the main card opener.