UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya (Preview & Predictions)

#2 Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega

Frankie Edgar is taking a huge risk by battling Brian Ortega on short notice after Holloway pulled out of the event.

Ortega may not have a full camp behind him, however, the late change in opponent is also likely to affect Edgar’s strategy & rhythm. Edgar has to keep this fight on the feet, and avoid going to the mat against Ortega, as the latter seems to be savvy at pulling off chokes mid-scramble from awkward angles on the mat.

Fans can expect this fight to play out with both fighters staying wary on the feet, as Edgar will look to avoid the clinch, and stick and move throughout. Edgar’s excellent wrestling is likely to ensure that his takedown defense holds up, and he out-strikes Ortega on the feet for the decision victory.

Prediction: Frankie Edgar def. Brian Ortega via Decision

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#3 Sean O’Malley vs. Andre Soukhamthath

Sean O’Malley may not be a technically sound fighter, so to speak.

However, UFC President Dana White seems to be high on the prospect, and that in turn seems to have earned him a spot on the PPV portion of the UFC 222 card. O’Malley is likely to utilize his athleticism and aggressive striking to overwhelm Soukhamthath, and sway the judges in his favor so as to warrant the decision win after 3 rounds.

Prediction: Sean O’Malley def. Andre Soukhamthath via Decision

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#4 Stefan Struve vs. Andrei Arlovski

Both Struve and Arlovski have taken considerable damage over the course of their long careers.

Regardless, Struve is much younger than Arlovski, and will have a huge size and reach advantage against the former UFC Heavyweight Champion. Look for Struve to jab his way out of danger, whenever ‘The Pitbull’ tries to wade into punching range.

Arlovski still carries immense power in his hands, and could set Struve on roller-skates if he connects clean, however, Struve is likely to use his 7-foot frame and maintain his distance from the smaller Arlovski—enough so as to warrant a decision victory.

Prediction: Stefan Struve def. Andrei Arlovski via Decision

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#5 Cat Zingano vs. Ketlen Vieira

A few years back, Cat Zingano was perhaps the best pound-for-pound female fighter in the world.

However, Zingano subsequently suffered serious knee injury issues, as well as significant problems on the personal front such as the suicide of her husband/coach. Zingano did come back to score a TKO victory over current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes, however, then lost by way of Submission to Ronda Rousey and Decision to Julianna Pena.

Zingano hasn’t fought in about 2 years, and against someone as dangerous as the undefeated BJJ specialist Ketlen Vieira, all odds are stacked against ‘Alpha’ Cat. However, when speaking about Zingano, one simply cannot discount the explosive striking and powerful wrestling she brings to the table.

Provided that she isn’t mentally checked out—as she’d admitted to being in the Pena fight—Zingano pieces up Vieira on the feet en route to a TKO stoppage after a barrage of follow-up strikes on the ground.

Prediction: Cat Zingano def. Ketlen Vieira via TKO