Page 8 - UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Velasquez

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

Modified Feb 11, 2019 14:34 GMT

It's a big night of fights on ESPN on Saturday with Francis Ngannou vs. Cain Velasquez

#8 Early Preliminary Bouts: ESPN+ card

Does former champ Renan Barao have anything to offer any more?

Former UFC Bantamweight champion Renan Barao headlines the Early Prelim card, showing how far he’s fallen since his title loss in 2014. Opponent Luke Sanders clearly isn’t a world-beater, as his losses to the likes of Rani Yahya and Andre Soukhamthath have proven, but I suspect Barao is so shot that he simply can’t compete with a UFC-level opponent at this stage. Sanders via decision – or late TKO – is my pick.

At Strawweight, former title challenger Jessica Penne takes on fellow veteran Jodie Esquibel. Both women are crying out for a win, as Esquibel lost her first 2 UFC fights while Penne hasn’t won since 2014, but I worry than Penne’s 2015 loss to Joanna Jedrzejczyk broke her as a competitor and so I’m going with Esquibel via decision.

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Finally, another Strawweight fight opens proceedings, as Aleksandra Albu – an Instagram favourite amongst fans – takes on TUF veteran Emily Whitmire. Albu looked good in her last fight – a 2017 win over Kailin Curran – and I’m not sure that her layoff will affect her against Whitmire, who like Albu lacks experience. I’m taking Albu via decision here.

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

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Edited by Vikshith R