UFC Fight Night 171 Preview & Predictions

Main Event: Anthony Smith vs. Glover Texeira

It realistically could go either way in this main event. Smith has hardly been convincing, he is obviously powerful man, but does not seem like actually contender level fighter even if he did challenge Jon for the title and was a game opponent. Still, he has the physical attributes to put Glover out.

Glover's chin is not completely gone, but being up there in age means that his durability will always be an issue, particularly against powerful guys like Smith. Glover obviously has good boxing and power himself as well, and Smith has been KOd many times by even smaller men.

So all-in all, I think Glover wins this 3 times out of 5, but gets KOd 2 times out of 5 as well.

Glover Texeira via UD.

Co-Main Event: Ben Rothwell vs. Ovince St. Preux

Well, I wonder what kind of Ovince we will see at heavyweight, but he certainly seemed to be fading towards his late LHW career even if he managed to pick up victories. His expertise in Von Flue choke got him out of jail after a poor performance last time, but don't think that would happen against bear of a guy in Ben Rothwell.

There is lot of unknowns about Ovince but Rothwell we at least know to be tough, durable and powerful guy that can make the fight ugly and beat Ovince.







People seem to think moving up a weight will help Ovince, but I am not so convinced, so Ben Rothwell via 3rd round KO.


Alexander Hernandez vs. Drew Dober
I think Hernandez is a great prospect, but his recent performances have flattered to deceive and he certainly seems to have lost some of his initial swagger. Dober on the other is really starting to find his groove in the octagon having scored back-to-back KOs.

So in that regard throwing Hernandez against Dober is bit of a weird matchup. He definitely can win, but he should be outgunned everywhere and would either win by catching Dober or via some sort of wrestling control performance. Young guys also improve fast so he might show up as a completely different version of himself, but I lean toward prime Dober hurting him early and then picking him off for rest of the fight to a dominant decision.

Dober via UD.

Ray Borg vs. Ricky Simon
Well Simon has the power to hurt Borg, but, no... Nah. I dunno Borg is so scrambly and extremely tricky to finish. I think he is gonna fight another weird fight and pull off an SD or something. I mean, Ricky might just be too big and powerful for him as well, its definitely possible that Simon just fucks Borg up, but I lean towards it being a weird fight.

Ray Borg via Split Decision.

Karl Robertson vs. Marvin Vettori
I don't have a mental picture of Robertson, but in my database I list him as a decent, powerful striker without great takedown defence. That would suggest that he has a chance to catch Vettori standing, but considering Vettori went to a decision with Adesanya, I would not bank on that happening. Vettori is a great prospect and well-rounded fighter, definitely has more ways to win this.

Marvin Vettori via UD.

Philipe Lins vs. Andrei Arlovski
I love Arlovski and he definitely had something of a career resurgence before getting stopped by Rozenstruik, but it is just hard to see him winning here. Lins is coming off of a million dollar winning, unbeaten PFL season so obviously he is hungry to succeed to still keep fighting, and is the guy in his prime whereas Arlovski is way past his - and his chin might have been finally cracked for good by Jairzinho. Arlovski has a chance to keep it technical and squeeze a result out of it, but it is just too much of an uncertainty to pick.

Philipe Lins via 2nd round KO.

Michael Johnson vs. Thiago Moises
Well Johnson is legendary for throwing away wins and as he gets into his advancing years the durability should be an issue as well, but realistically 1-2 guy in the UFC should be the kind of opposition he easily cleans out. Not one that you can pick with any confidence, but it SHOULD be one-sided fight.

Johnson via UD.

Sijara Eubanks vs. Sarah Moras
My first instict was that Moras did great in his last fight, but she should have no business in cage with Sijara... but then I remember Sijara just got beat by Bethe Fucking Correia. So I guess this one is bit more up in the air, Moras has a way to win through grappling but Eubanks should be the sharper and more powerful striker.

Eubanks via UD.

Hunter Azure vs. Brian Kelleher
Kelleher is getting up there in age, but realistically he has only lost against very top guys of the division. Is Azure already in that class? It is really hard to say but the way he dispatched TUF winner Katona from UFC was certainly convicing and proved that I had underestimated the guy. I would dare to only say that Kelleher has the experience advantage, but Azure probably the more powerful and durable guy.

At the present odds, I have to pick Kelleher via UD.

Omar Morales vs. Gabriel Benitez
Can't trust on a guy with two KO losses and loss against Barzola to get past a decent unbeaten fighter. Granted, it is not again my most certain pick considering I don't have mental image of Benitez and he certainly has not lost against bad competition aside Barzola.

Omar Morales via UD.

Chase Sherman vs. Isaac Villanueva
Two regional heavyweights who have been picking up straight 1st round KOs outside UFC? Well I have no idea what will happen, basically a coinflip, but it should be fun while it lasts.

Villanueva via 1st round KO.

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