After the devastating loss followed up by the rematch hype, the UFC favourite 'Notorious'finally returns to be avenge his loss to Diaz at UFC 196. In between the battle of the who the baddest of them all is, there's a packed card to excite the fight fanatics amongst you as well.
Here is a look at the fights on the main card.
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(#25)Tim Means vs (#11)Sabah Homasi
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Try to recall Sabah Homasi at TUF 21. Yes, he has improved since. Homasi might not be the name likey to be on the main card, even when compared to Means. However, he has still been working on making a mark with his knockout streak, the recent one being over Jorge Patino just two weeks ago.
And Means too, is more of a striker. Well, now you know why it made to the main card.
Having established that this fight isn't expected to go on ground, both are dangerous clinchers. Means has vicious close range impact and Homasi is like a bull. The "problem" here is, Homasi literally wings it off the opponent in the clinch, whereas Means unloads with a cleaner combination of knees and elbows.Not forgetting the height difference, Means has more leg reach and improved the use of his jabs. Homasi has strength but Means is more disciplined and technical. With both looking for the finish, this fight won't last the distance.
Prediction: Means via TKO OF Round 2
(#13) Hyun Gyu Lim vs (#7)Mike Perry
Lim is huge, like Huge with a capital H, for a welterweight. Perry is much of a new comer in comaparison, but not to be underestimated either.
With his powerful punches, fast and sudden strikes, none of his opponents have ventured past round two so far against Lim. He is also a dangerous clincher who knows how to crush the opponent with the knees and huge, powerful fists. Perry, on the other hand, might not be as powerful.
If only Perry had a strong ground game, there could be hope, but neither of them favour the ground. This should be another stand-and-bang affair, albeit a short one.Prediction: Lim via TKO of Round 1
(#14) Donald Cerrone vs (#9) Rick Story
Yes, this is the same hyped up Rick Story we were talking about a few years ago, who was put down by Charlie Brenneman. But hold on. Is Cerrone in this for real?
Admittedly, there has been a lot of improvement in him lately, glimpses of which was seen against Eddie Alvarez and in his last fight against Patrick Cote. Story on the other hand, is known for pinning his oppponent to the cage and beating them up with powerful body shots.
This will ultimately be a bout between a kickboxer and a wrestler.
With Cowboy's intense kicks, poweful punches and step-in knees to the body, there's a good chance that Story might take it to ground. However, Cerrone has a very good guard which Story might not want to mess with.
Prediction: Cerrone via decision
(#1) Anthony Johnson vs (#2) Glover Teixeira
Any fight involving Anthony Rumble Johnson is given to an early finish; the man is probably the premier one-punch knockout artist in the UFC today.
That being said, Glover Teixiera is no pushover either. He is scrappy when the situation arises, but his short, tight punches are fight-enders in their own right, and how long this fight goes on depends on if he can avoid Johnson’ s range and keep this fight in the clinch till Rumble tires.
Johnson’ s power should mean that he would edge this fight, but I’m going for the upset here and backing Glover.Prediction: Teixeira via submission of Round 3
(#9) Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor (C)
After all the bottle throwing, this is the time to actually prove a point, or maybe satisfy one's ego.
The first encounter bet the two was absolute fun to watch. McGregor clearly has the tools to take on the hard headed Diaz. It isn't the question of the weight difference but more of a mental game.
It's aboout what your learn about your opponent.
McGregor tried to knock Diaz out even in their first encounter, when the world knew that was a long shot when it comes to the Diaz brothers. McGregor is fast, precise and really smooth in delivering his strikes. What Diaz might lack in speed though, he covers up in skill.
Diaz is bigger and not to forget, more experienced in the weight class. He is more comfortable and confident than Notorious. Given the upper hand due to his Jiu-Jitsu over McGregor, odds are in the favour of Diaz but Conor might not give up without a fight.
Prediction: Diaz via submission of Round 3
