Dustin Poirier -120 vs Cub Swanson +100 - absolutely love Dustin Poirier in this fight, there's something special about him and i can really see him possibly being champion one day. He's got the size at featherweight, excellent grappling, striking is coming along and his only real weakness is his defense. As for Cub, I know he's finally healthy and the results are amazing, his unorthodox striking has been giving people major problems lately. However, Swanson doesn't have much of a chance here as Poirier will get him down and finish him.
3 units Dustin Poirier -120
Gunnar Nelson -260 vs Jorge Santiago+220 - this is one of those fights, where the linesmaker can't go too high because of the name recognition, but in actuality this line is really about -400. Don't see Santiago putting up much resistance here, down to 170 for this one having picked up a couple of wins at Titan FC. Another shot with the UFC, where he hasn't had much success(1-4) Jorge is a skilled fighter, but his miles are piling up, a fighting career which includes 6 losses by ko/tko is past his best days and at this point in time might not be good enough to make a home in the UFC.. On the other hand, Gunnar just getting started and has the aggressiveness and wrestling to dominate this fight from start to finish.
2 units Gunnar Nelson -260
Paul Sass -130 vs Danny Castillo +110 - I think a lot of people were surprised that Sass got subbed by Matt Wiman, but sometimes that first loss is just what a young fighter needs to get to the next level. I believe this applies to Sass who has great upside. I like the age matchup too, Sass at 24 vs Castillo at 33. Sass is a strong lightweight with a powerful submission game. Castillo is a solid fighter and will have to stay on his feet to win. I don't see how this doesn't become a grappling match thus I see Sass finishing the fight.
2 units Paul Sass -130
Jimi Manuwa -200 vs Cyrille Diabate +180 - Seen the undefeated Manuwa against Kingsbury and I took a couple of things from that, he has good power punches and knees but he may have cardio issues. Manuwa will have his hands full with the well seasoned Diabate, a talented striker who is very well rounded. Cyrille has advantages on the feet and on the ground, only concern would be his age, at 39 it could be any fight now where Diabate's mind won't agree with his body. Hope its not this fight.
1 unit Cyrille Diabate +180
Renan Barao -300 vs Michael McDonald +250 - i've seen Barao a few times now, and i know what he brings to the table; aggressive and strong, he also has with his diverse attack a very nice long reach which has pretty much been the reason why he's out striking everyone. Can McDonald counter or can he move in and out with his speed? I think he can do both, the one thing that McDonald has over other fighters is his speed and accurate punching. Barao has shown he wants to stand, so this gives McDonald a chance to win a decision. Youngest ufc champion ever, sure why not.
1 unit Michael McDonald +250
"opinions" on other fights;
Josh Grispi -120 vs Andy Ogle +100 - Grispi has faded after a promising start to his career, 3 straight losses and now he's in a must win. Ogle with homefield will give it everything he has to win. It comes down to Grispi who has more skills, but does he really want it? I will go with the hustle and energy of Ogle to send Grispi home with a 4th straight loss.
James Te-Huna -220 vs Ryan Jimmo +190 - looking at Te-Huna to win this one, Jimmo very stiff and I see him getting hit more and backing up most of the fight. Te-Huna looking for a bigger fight after this one. Could it be I'm still upset that Jimmo beat Perosh in his debut? maybe
good luck,
boldtiger mma
3 units Dustin Poirier -120
Gunnar Nelson -260 vs Jorge Santiago+220 - this is one of those fights, where the linesmaker can't go too high because of the name recognition, but in actuality this line is really about -400. Don't see Santiago putting up much resistance here, down to 170 for this one having picked up a couple of wins at Titan FC. Another shot with the UFC, where he hasn't had much success(1-4) Jorge is a skilled fighter, but his miles are piling up, a fighting career which includes 6 losses by ko/tko is past his best days and at this point in time might not be good enough to make a home in the UFC.. On the other hand, Gunnar just getting started and has the aggressiveness and wrestling to dominate this fight from start to finish.
2 units Gunnar Nelson -260
Paul Sass -130 vs Danny Castillo +110 - I think a lot of people were surprised that Sass got subbed by Matt Wiman, but sometimes that first loss is just what a young fighter needs to get to the next level. I believe this applies to Sass who has great upside. I like the age matchup too, Sass at 24 vs Castillo at 33. Sass is a strong lightweight with a powerful submission game. Castillo is a solid fighter and will have to stay on his feet to win. I don't see how this doesn't become a grappling match thus I see Sass finishing the fight.
2 units Paul Sass -130
Jimi Manuwa -200 vs Cyrille Diabate +180 - Seen the undefeated Manuwa against Kingsbury and I took a couple of things from that, he has good power punches and knees but he may have cardio issues. Manuwa will have his hands full with the well seasoned Diabate, a talented striker who is very well rounded. Cyrille has advantages on the feet and on the ground, only concern would be his age, at 39 it could be any fight now where Diabate's mind won't agree with his body. Hope its not this fight.
1 unit Cyrille Diabate +180
Renan Barao -300 vs Michael McDonald +250 - i've seen Barao a few times now, and i know what he brings to the table; aggressive and strong, he also has with his diverse attack a very nice long reach which has pretty much been the reason why he's out striking everyone. Can McDonald counter or can he move in and out with his speed? I think he can do both, the one thing that McDonald has over other fighters is his speed and accurate punching. Barao has shown he wants to stand, so this gives McDonald a chance to win a decision. Youngest ufc champion ever, sure why not.
1 unit Michael McDonald +250
"opinions" on other fights;
Josh Grispi -120 vs Andy Ogle +100 - Grispi has faded after a promising start to his career, 3 straight losses and now he's in a must win. Ogle with homefield will give it everything he has to win. It comes down to Grispi who has more skills, but does he really want it? I will go with the hustle and energy of Ogle to send Grispi home with a 4th straight loss.
James Te-Huna -220 vs Ryan Jimmo +190 - looking at Te-Huna to win this one, Jimmo very stiff and I see him getting hit more and backing up most of the fight. Te-Huna looking for a bigger fight after this one. Could it be I'm still upset that Jimmo beat Perosh in his debut? maybe
good luck,
boldtiger mma
