Hello fight fans, welcome to the new year where hopefully we’ll see more unbelievable fights put on by Dana White and the UFC. This first big fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor is surely one way to start of the year right. Also, just as a reminder, these fight predictions are made strictly by research and statistics so please don’t put all your betting money on everyone we choose even though we believe our predications will be correct. You have to remember, this is the fight game, a single blow can drop someone to the canvas.
Marina Rodriguez vs. Amanda Ribas
Starting off the main card is a women’s strawweight bout between the number 8 and number 9 ranked fighters in their division. With Rodriguez coming off a loss in her last bout meaning she’ll really want to turn things around with a win in this bout against Ribas. Ribas coming off a submission win over Paige Van Zant in her last bout will be looking to keep her loss column at only 1. These ladies are very close to each other in terms of height, weight and reach so one shouldn’t have an advantage over the other in terms of physical stature. Based on their statistics, the fight can go either way it just depends on whether it remains on their feet or is taken to the ground. Rodriguez has nearly 10% more wins by KO/TKO over Ribas with almost one full significant strike landed per minute. On the other hand, Ribas has a much more superior ground game over Rodriguez with over 5 times the number of takedowns with every other takedown attempt being successful. Over all I see this fight going to the ground early and a submission win for Amanda Ribas.
Matt Frevola vs. Ottman Azaitar
The second fight of this main card is a lightweight bout between two unranked fighters looking to crack the top ten in the lightweight division. Again, both fighters are very equally matched however Azaitar is holding a very impressive 13-0 professional fighting record. After a look at the stats for this fight it too could go either way with Frevola having an exceptional ground game and Azaitar being the better striker of the two combatants. That being said there is one that I believe is holding back Frevola from winning this fight. Although he is by far the better ground game fighter, Azaitar has never been taken down in any of his 13 fights. This I believe will lead to a first or second round KO/TKO for Ottman Azaitar.
Jessica Eye vs. Joanne Calderwood
The third bout to take place for the UFC 257 Main Card is the 6th and 7th ranked fighters in the women’s flyweight division. This a big fight for both ladies as it would nearly secure a fight with the number 2 or 3 ranked fighters in their division. This fight however appears to have an overall advantage for the number 7 ranked fighter Joanne Calderwood. Although physically very equal, Joanne has 15% more wins by KO/TKO over Eye. She also lands over two more significant strikes per minute with 50% of her total strikes thrown landing. When it comes to grappling, Calderwood has over triple the number of takedowns over the course of the bout with more submissions. In my opinion this fight will improve Calderwood’s record to 15-4 with a win over Eye.
Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler
The much-anticipated co-main event of the evening has been in great discussion since the fight was announced. The number 6 ranked fighter Dan Hooker is taking on the unranked Michael Chandler in what should be a very quick paced lightweight bout. Chandler had made a name for himself fighting in Bellator but looking to take his first win in his UFC debut against Hooker. Chandler coming off a win in his last fight certainly must be feeling good about his chances stepping in the octagon against Hooker who came of a decision loss against Dustin Poirier in his last fight. A tough fight to call however I believe that with the experience that Hooker has in the UFC it will ultimately bring him to victory. I don’t expect this fight to end up a wrestling match as both fighters are predominantly strikers. This could be a dog fight to end but overall, I believe Dan Hooker will have his fist raised in the end.
Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor
For what should be one of the greatest rematches to happen in the UFC, this lightweight bout between Poirier and McGregor is surely to be a spectacular battle. Poirier will be looking to make the record 1-1 against McGregor as he suffered a loss previously to him six years ago. Poirier has proved himself to be a changed fighter holding an 8-2 record since the two-last fought. McGregor is coming off a spectacular win against Donald Cerrone that took place this time last year. A fight that is once again tough to call as both fighters are very similar in strikes landed per min and significant strikes. Poirier takes a slight advantage if the fight ends up being a wrestling match but McGregor’s takedown defense will be something that Poirier has to contend with. Although the fight is fairly evenly matched when they are standing up, McGregor clearly has a heavier set of hands over Poirier as there is 35% more finishes by KO/TKO for McGregor. If McGregor shows up in the octagon looking as good as he did against Donald Cerrone, I believe that he will make his 2-0 against Poirier. Although I may be a little biased towards McGregor due to the fact I’ve been a fan of his since his debut. I think he will be the winner of this bout.
The prelims start at 8:00pm EST on TSN. The main card is a PPV event that can be purchased on UFC.com