Quick Picks: UFC Vegas 80 (Patreon)

Grant Dawson vs Bobby Green

This is effectively a striker versus grappler matchup  with Dawson likely needing takedowns. Green is inconsistent and has poor fight IQ, so I find it hard to trust him to be reliable in a five rounder against a relentless wrestler. Dawson used to have cardio issues but they seem to have been remedied. Dawson should win via grappling, probably by sub.

-

Joe Pyfer vs Absul Razak Alhasan

Two strikers clash in a fun one. Pyfer has the sharper boxing and counters while Abdul is better with kicks. I don’t like how Abdul constantly throws those kicks from punching distance, which has repeatedly seen him caught in his career and even knocked out. Yet he doesn’t learn his lesson. Look for him to get tagged with punches yet again here.

-

Joaquin Buckley vs Alex Morono

Buckley is more offensively dynamic and powerful, but he struggles with volume and cardio. Morono is average at everything, but he does throw more volume and has superior endurance. Buckley likely is able to land hard shots on Morono which should lead him to a TKO at some point. If not, we could have a close decision.

-

Drew Dober vs Rick Glenn

Two brawlers should stand toe-to-toe and put on a show. Dober tends to be a bit cleaner and has more power, but Glenn is tough and workmanlike. Dober should tag the durable Glenn often en route to a decision win with a shot at a TKO.

-

Bill Algeo vs Alex Hernandez

Hernandez talks a big game and comes out of the gate strong but his cardio is very poor. When he tires, he doesn’t just slow down, he completely falls apart. Early on he’s faster and sharper but the question is how long he can keep it up before gassing out. As of now I’ll pick Algeo to struggle early before eventually rallying on a gassed Hernandez, but this fight is riddled with red flags. I may shift my pick by the time my final breakdown is out on the Picks Podcast later this week.