UFC 251 might be one the best cards that we have seen in a long time! With the main card having three title fights, it doesn’t get better than that! I want to clarify that here at N6ix Sports, we are no professionals when it comes to writing on sports but it’s something that we all take interests in and are trying to keep everyone up to date with the latest news in the sports world. Before you go betting on the guys that I’m picking for UFC 251, please remember that these are just predictions.
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige Vanzant
At first glance, there isn’t much that stands out in this fight, both ladies have a good winning record inside the octagon and are nearly identical when it comes to their stats. Ribas has an 8% KO advantage but other than that its too close to call how the fight will really end. Ribas lands more significant strikes per min over Van Zant but Paige throws 6% more over the course of the bout. That being said, Ribas’ significant strike defense is nearly double that of Van Zant. If the fight gets taken to ground I have a feeling that Paige will be working harder to over come Ribas as she has an advantage in every category. To top it all off, I think were all hoping that Van Zant’s arm will hold up during the fight as its been broken twice within the last two years. My overall opinion, as much as I’d like to see Van Zant win this bout I’m going to give it to Amanda Ribas.
Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
For what should be an exciting fight no matter who wins, this fight could go either way. Thug Rose has a slight height and leg reach advantage over Andrade but Andrade has over triple the percentage of wins by KO over Namajunas. On the other hand Rose has double the percentage of win by submission over Andrade. Jessica lands twice as many significant strikes per minute but also takes her fair share in shots absorbed per min which to me sounds like she can leave herself vulnerable at points during the bout. In the grappling department Andrade actually has an advantage over Rose as well with one exception; Rose attempts twice as many submissions when she’s on the ground compared to Andrade. Overall the fight can literally go either way. If it’s a stand-up fight with haymakers being tossed, I’m giving the fight to Andrade but if its on the ground, Namajunas all the way. Final decision, Thug Rose for the win, more so because I’m a fan.
Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo
This fight should be one where both stay on their feet and not much time spent on the mat. Both fighters have incredible percentages of wins by KO and absolutely nil when it comes to wins by submission. Yan has the advantage over Aldo in significant strikes landed per min as well as triple the amount of knockdowns per fight which to me shows that Yan is hitting much harder than Aldo is. Yan attempts to take down his opponent more than Aldo but Jose is slightly more successful when it actually comes to take them to the mat. To keep this one short, I believe that Yan will overcome Aldo as the winner of this bout.
Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway
Personally, this fight may be the hardest one to call. Both men have outstanding records and couldn’t be any closer when it comes to statistics. Yes, there is some slight advantages one has over the other but nothing that would make me pick a definitive winner for this bout. The only thing that would be worth mentioning would be Volkanovski having the advantage in taking Holloway to the mat and finishing him that way. But you can’t deny that Max doesn’t have some of the best take down defense in the game. Only because I’ve been a huge Holloway fan over the years, he’s going to be my pick for this fight but I wouldn’t be mad if either fighter came out on top.
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal
In what could be one of the most exciting fights in the UFC, this bout again could be just too close to pick an outright winner. Statistics are nearly identical. Both men from what it looks like throw haymakers each time they punch and both land and defend nearly the same while the fight is standing up. It could literally be decided by one punch but I hope for the viewer’s sake that’s not the case. If I had to pick a fighter to win this bout, I’d have to say Usman only because he’s been given the opportunity to have a full training camp leading up to this fight. That being said, Masvidal is an absolute savage for taking this fight only seven days from when its supposed to happen. The only way I see Masvidal winning is if he can keep the fight standing as Usman triples him in take downs but also has never been taken down by an opponent in his 17 fight record.
With three title fights on the line, all UFC fans are looking forward this Saturday night! Prelims start at 8:00pm and the Main Event starts at 10:00pm on TSN and ESPN+.