UFC 245: Usman vs. Covington - Predictions and Picks

The Prelims: UFC Fight Pass card

Former title challenger Jessica Eye is in action on the Fight Pass prelims

Headlining the UFC Fight Pass portion of the card is a 145lbs clash between Daniel Teymur and Chase Hooper. Hooper – just 18 years old – impressed on Dana White’s Contender Series, but he’s still very raw and I think he might be in over his head with Teymur, who while limited, is a dangerous striker and a wily veteran. Teymur via decision is my pick – but after some early scares.

At Flyweight, grapplers Brandon Moreno and Kai Kara-France go to war. Kara-France has done well in the UFC thus far and is currently 3-0 in the promotion, but he’s also very open defensively, and Moreno should be able to make the most of that with his superior experience. I’m going with Moreno via submission.

At Flyweight, former title challenger Jessica Eye faces Viviane Araujo. This is a tricky one to pick as Araujo has looked fantastic thus far in the UFC, taking out Talita Bernardo via KO and outpointing Alexis Davis, but assuming Eye hasn’t suffered any long term damage from her KO at the hands of Valentina Shevchenko, I’d say this is a winnable fight for her if she can mix up her boxing and wrestling nicely. Eye by decision is my pick.

Finally, the night’s opener sees Middleweights Punahele Soriano and Oskar Piechota face off. A talented fighter in all areas, Poland’s Piechota has lost his last two fights, but simply fell victim to a world-class grappler in Rodolfo Vieira and a very gritty veteran in Gerald Meerschaert. Soriano – like many graduates of DWCS – looks talented but very raw, and so I’m going with Piechota here, as he’s the more proven fighter. Piechota via submission is my pick.