UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez - Predictions and Picks

#7 Preliminary Bouts: ESPN card

Aljamain Sterling headlines the prelim card against Jimmie Rivera

Heading up the ESPN prelims is a fight which could easily have been the co-main event here; it’s certainly the fight on this card with the most title implications outside of Ngannou/Velasquez. At 135lbs, Aljamain Sterling takes on fellow New Yorker Jimmie Rivera. Both men have well-rounded skills and are coming off big wins – Rivera over John Dodson, Sterling over Cody Stamann – but I like Sterling’s superior athleticism and grappling to pull him through here despite Rivera having a likely advantage on the feet. Sterling via tight decision – maybe a split – is my pick.

Also at Bantamweight, Benito Lopez takes on Manny Bermudez. Lopez hasn’t fought since December 2017 but is unbeaten at 9-0, while Bermudez is also unbeaten at 13-0 (2-0 UFC) with a ludicrous 10 submissions. For me, Bermudez is one of the most dangerous prospects in the division, and so I’m taking him to tap out Lopez on Saturday.

At Flyweight, a future contender could be crowned as Andrea Lee takes on Ashlee Evans-Smith. This could be a fun fight as both women love to strike, particularly Lee, but I worry about her against a larger foe that is notably violent with ground strikes. After seeing Lee grounded rather easily at points in her debut, I’m taking Evans-Smith via a ground-and-pound based decision here.

Finally, at Lightweight, Scott Holtzman faces Nik Lentz in a battle of grinders. Despite being 5-2 in the UFC Holtzman’s career in the Octagon has largely been forgettable. Lentz meanwhile is probably coming to the end of his career after almost a decade of UFC action, but he still doesn’t tend to lose to anyone but very dangerous contenders, and so I think he’s got enough to grind out a win over Holtzman, probably by decision.