UFC 188: Velasquez vs Werdum - Preview and Predictions

Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez (5-1-0) vs Charles “Boston Strong” Rosa (10-1-0)

Yair Rodriguez and Charles Roza during the pre-match conference

A classic striker vs grappler dynamic, the general consensus surrounding this match seems to indicate that TUF Latin America winner, Yair Rodriguez has been over-matched. As an up and coming fighter in the UFC, he faces trial by fire against an elite featherweight wrestler in Charles Rosa.

I see Yair trying to keep this match standing throughout, and in the process, try and out-strike Charles Rosa and prevent him from getting too close. He has to display considerable takedown defence and hope that he can TKO Rosa while keeping the fight standing. Rodriguez’s chances slim greatly if the fight gets taken to the ground.

Not famous for his striking game, Rosa will clearly look for the takedown and finish the fight early with either submissions or ground and pound. His loss to Dennis Siver nonetheless procured fight of the night honours, and proves that he can go the distance with a striker. If this fight continues on till the 3rd round, expect Rosa to drag Rodriguez into the deep end and “drown” him.

Prediction: Rosa via Submission, Round 2

Kelvin “The Kid” Gastelum (11-1-0) vs Nate “The Great” Marquardt

Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum has been a perennial underdog through-out his career but enters this match on equal footing with former Strikeforce veteran Nate Marquardt. Both fighters are well rounded but Kevin Gastelum’s ground game is advanced and often underrated for a budding 23 year old fighter.

After not making weight for the last 2 fights in the welterweight division, Gastelum has been re-woven into the Middleweight category – something he is looking forward to reversing at the earliest given the talented nature of the weight class.

Expect this fight to be pretty one-sided. Marquardt, despite being a veteran, seems past his prime, and is coming off 4 losses in his last 5 fights, while KG has everything to prove to Dana. Expect Gastelum to finish Marquardt either by striking or submission, and possibly a quick finish if they go to the ground early.

Prediction: Gastelum wins via Submission/TKO, Round 1