UFC 221: Rockhold vs. Romero (Preview & Predictions)

UFC 221 is here and following the chaotic proceedings at the weigh-ins, the main-event matchup is still intact.

Nevertheless, one ought to note that as Yoel Romero missed weight by 2.7 pounds, he’s ineligible to win the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship even if he were to defeat Luke Rockhold. However, if the latter wins the fight, he shall be crowned as the new Interim Champ.

Additionally, UFC 221 boasts several other intriguing matchups as well. So, without further ado, here are the predictions & preview for UFC 221—

*Indian fans can watch UFC 221 at 8:30 am on Sunday, February 11th Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD*

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#Main Card (PPV)

#1 Luke Rockhold vs. Yoel Romero

Romero missed weight on both attempts and now faces a bitter-sweet task at hand, which is to fight and try his level best to beat Luke Rockhold, however without the eligibility to take home Interim UFC gold.

On the other hand, Rockhold faces a conundrum of his own, as he’s up against an opponent who may have a slight weight advantage on him come fight-night. Regardless, this is still a fantastic matchup and would be a grappler/grappling fans’ dream matchup come to fruition.

Well, that’s provided this fight goes to the ground since both fighters carry tremendous KO power on the feet; Rockhold with his kicks and Romero with his punches, kicks, knees and elbows.

This fight plays out even-steven in both the striking and grappling departments, and fans can expect Romero’s chances to be high in the first 2 rounds of the bout. While Romero has indeed proven that he carries his finishing power late in fights, Rockhold is savvy and conditioned enough so as to run away with this fight, if he weathers the early storm. Barring a flash KO by Romero early, Rockhold likely out-points the former en route to a decision victory.

Result: Luke Rockhold def. Yoel Romero via Decision

#2 Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes

Mark Hunt has to stop the takedown at UFC 221

Mark Hunt has asserted that should he get past Curtis Blaydes, he’d like a rematch with UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. And with the latter currently booked in a champion vs. champion fight against Daniel Cormier, chances of ‘Hunto’ fighting Miocic seem slim, despite the lack of contenders in the division of giants.

Regardless, Hunt faces a mountainous task at UFC 221, as he does battle with one of the best wrestlers in the division today, the young and hungry Curtis Blaydes. Hunt will look to keep this fight on the feet, and time the latter with an uppercut or the uppercut/hook hybrid a la Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock, as Blaydes ducks in for a takedown.

While Hunt can knock out any man on the planet if he connects flush on the chin, Blaydes is young, big and durable enough to eat the veteran’s shots and survive so as to take this fight to the mat. Blaydes’ wrestling-heavy game-plan is likely to work in this matchup—enough so as to sway the judges in his favor.

Result: Curtis Blaydes def. Mark Hunt via Decision

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#3 Tai Tuivasa vs. Cyril Asker

Tai Tuivasa is one of the most exciting prospects in the Heavyweight division today.

Tuivasa carries immense KO power in his strikes, and can end this fight at any point, as he possesses deceptively good cardio for a man his size. Tuivasa also has underrated grappling—something that’d help him counter Asker’s wrestling game.

Expect Tuivasa to stuff Asker’s takedowns, and proceed to stun the latter with a slick 1-2, and end the fight with a few follow-up strikes.

Result: Tai Tuivasa def. Cyril Asker via TKO

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#4 Li Jingliang vs. Jake Matthews

Jingliang is the vastly superior striker here, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.

Jingliang has to bide his time in the early going, and avoid engaging in a grappling affair with Matthews, especially early on. The Chinese striking phenom is then likely to catch Matthews as the latter wades into range in a straight line; dropping & finishing him with a picture-perfect right cross-left hook combo.

Result: Li Jingliang def. Jake Matthews via KO

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#5 Tyson Pedro vs. Saparbek Safarov

Tyson Pedro may very well be set to capture the UFC Light-Heavyweight title over the next couple of years.

Pedro is an extremely well-rounded fighter, and has an excellent understanding of timing and distance management. On the other hand, Safarov isn’t the best defensive striker in the world, but has decent grappling.

Pedro is likely to catch Safarov in the pocket, and pursue him with volume punching relentlessly for the stoppage victory.

Result: Tyson Pedro def. Saparbek Safarov via TKO

#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Damien Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Damien Brown is a slick, well-rounded fighter

Damien Brown and Dong Hyun Kim seem to be pretty well-matched up in both the striking and grappling departments.

Brown is the more technical striker of the duo and utilizes his jab to maintain distance and set the rhythm in a great way. Brown is likely to out-strike Kim, and with the grappling exchanges being even-steven, the judges are likely to award the decision in favor of Brown.

Result: Damien Brown def. Dong Hyun Kim via Decision

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#2 Israel Adesanya vs. Rob Wilkinson

Israel Adesanya is an excellent kickboxer, and that statement isn’t merely derived from his days in GLORY Kickboxing.

In fact, Adesanya has proven his mettle in other organizations as well and now looks to conquer the MMA world with his elite kickboxing skills. On the other hand, Wilkinson isn’t a bad striker, so to speak, but does have a few holes in his striking defense.

Furthermore, Wilkinson’s offensive striking sees him repeat patterns and attempts which an elite striker such as Adesanya can easily read. Expect Adesanya to unleash a barrage of leg kicks right off the bat, and end this fight with a well-placed liver kick.

Result: Israel Adesanya def. Rob Wilkinson via KO

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#3 Jeremy Kennedy vs. Alexander Volkanovski

Kennedy and Volkanovski are both excellent fighters, and this bout indeed has the potential to earn Fight of the Night honors.

Kennedy is an excellent finisher, and could likely rock, drop and submit Volkanovski if her chooses to push the pace early on. However, given Kennedy’s style of using the first round to primarily gauge distance & timing, and this being a 3-rounder, the bout will likely see the final bell.

Kennedy is likely to dominate this fight not only on the feet but also on the mat; with the judges resultantly scoring the bout for him.

Result: Jeremy Kennedy def. Alexander Volkanovski via Decision

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#4 Ben Nguyen vs. Jussier Formiga

Ben Nguyen has all the makings of a star, however, has the habit of leading with his chin.

Leaving one’s chin up in the air and moving forward with complete disregard for the opponent’s power isn’t advisable, especially against the divisional elite. However, against someone who’s not as accurate with his striking, such as Formiga, Nguyen could get away with it.

Expect Nguyen to push the pace, and turn this into a grinding affair; edging Formiga on the scorecards.

Result: Ben Nguyen def. Jussier Formiga via Decision

#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Ross Pearson vs. Mizuto Hirota

Ross Pearson looks to put on a show at UFC 221

Ross Pearson still possesses considerable pop in his punches and truly understands how to bets utilize his boxing skills inside the Octagon.

While the veteran MMA slugger may be struggling against the divisional elite today, against someone like Hirota, Pearson could very well let his hands go without much fear of being countered hard. Pearson is likely to catch Hirota with alternating left-right hooks inside the pocket; finishing the fight with a few follow-up strikes.

Result: Ross Pearson def. Mizuto Hirota via TKO

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#2 Teruto Ishihara vs. Jose Alberto Quinonez

Ishihara seems to have stagnated as of late, as in most fights where he finds himself unable to KO his opponents, he loses track of time as well as his game-plan.

Regardless, against Quinonez, one can expect Ishihara to come out all guns blazing and likely finish this one in the very first round. Ishihara is likely to catch Quinonez with a cross at long range and stalk the latter; tagging him at will until the referee steps in to stop the fight.

Result: Teruto Ishihara def. Jose Alberto Quinonez via TKO

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#3 Luke Jumeau vs Daichi Abe

Luke Jumeau is a very underrated grappler, who also seems to be making steady improvements in his striking game.

Jumeau is likely to start off cautious and maintain a slow rhythm to his striking game. Regardless, he could time a reactive takedown as Abe tends to get aggressive when the action is seemingly slow.

From there onwards, it’s Jumeau’s world, as he will look to choke Abe out, or utilize constant ground and pound, to create an opening to lock in a submission.

Result: Luke Jumeau def. Daichi Abe via Submission