UFC on FOX: Jacare vs. Brunson 2 (Preview & Predictions)

A rematch about half a decade in the making is set to take place this weekend, as Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza battles Derek Brunson.

The co-main event of the evening has perennial Featherweight contender Dennis Bermudez battle Andre Fili. Besides, several other intriguing matchups have also been scheduled for this card.

So, without further ado, here are the complete predictions & preview for UFC on FOX: Jacare vs. Brunson 2—

*Indian fans can watch UFC on FOX: Jacare vs. Brunson 2 Live & Exclusive on SONY TEN 2 & SONY TEN 2 HD on Sunday, January 28th, from 6:30 am onwards*

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#Main Card (FOX)

#1 Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Derek Brunson

Jacare is without a doubt one of the best Middleweights to have ever competed in the sport of MMA.

While the veteran Brazilian Jiu Jitsu savant’s athleticism seems to have taken a hit over the past year or so, he still remains a finishing threat not only on the mat but also on the feet. Jacare knocked out Brunson early in their first encounter back in 2012.

Nevertheless, Brunson has significantly improved his striking, and in 2018, is a much well-rounded fighter than he was five years ago. Expect Brunson’s Takedown-Defense to hold up against Jacare in the opening minutes of the fight, before the former lights up Jacare on the feet en route to a first round KO victory. While Jacare has knockout power as well, the smart bet would be the younger fighter—Derek Brunson—scoring first and landing hard.

Prediction: Derek Brunson def. Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza via KO

#2 Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili

Bermudez is a crafty veteran

Dennis Bermudez could’ve very well been the UFC Featherweight Champion if it weren’t for his seemingly porous defensive striking.

While Bermudez has never been one to care about defense on the feet, when matched up against elite competition, the glaring weakness shows and results in Bermudez ending up staring at the lights. Regardless, Bermudez is the more well-rounded fighter in this matchup.

While Andre Fili isn’t the hardest puncher in the world, he could give Bermudez a brief scare in the early going. Fans can expect Bermudez to establish his rhythm from the latter half of Round 1 onwards, and out-point Fili en route to a clear-cut Decision victory.

Prediction: Dennis Bermudez def. Andre Fili via Decision

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#3 Jordan Rinaldi vs. Gregor Gillespie

Jordan Rinaldi is a decent scrapper, and seems to be steadily improving his timing and distance management on the feet. While his grappling seems to be his primary weapon of choice, Gillespie is much of the same.

Rinaldi is likely to pump out his jab more frequently than he usually does against Gillespie, so as to throw off the latter’s rhythm and frenetic pace. With the grappling exchanges being even-steven, this fight is going to come down to who impresses more on the feet.

Rinaldi is likely to out-strike Gillespie over the course of 3 rounds. While the latter’s pace may help him impress the judges in Round 1, Rinaldi will most definitely use his crisper striking to take this fight across the judges’ scorecards.

Prediction: Jordan Rinaldi def. Gregor Gillespie via Decision

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#4 Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho

Drew Dober is an excellent fighter, with criminally underrated striking.

While Frank Camacho is no slouch on the feet, he does exhibit severe defensive lapses in his striking game. Dober is likely to come out cautious—bobbing and weaving to avoid Camacho’s wild hooks.

Dober enjoys a slight cardio advantage in this matchup, which will help him take control in the second half of the fight. Expect Dober to out-point Camacho with cleaner and more technical striking combinations. In the end, the judges are likely to score this fight in favor of Dober.

Prediction: Drew Dober def. Frank Camacho via Decision

#Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)

#1 Bobby Green vs. Erik Koch

Bobby Green looks to work his back to the upper echelons of the UFC Lightweight Division

Bobby Green is an excellent striker, however, his issues outside the Octagon have severely affected his performances inside it.

Green’s problems—be that as it may—have resulted in his opponents having an easier time with his vaunted striking and KO power. He isn’t as disciplined as he used to be early on in his UFC stint, and fails to hide his power punches behind his jab.

Regardless, Erik Koch doesn’t have the best defensive striking in the world, and Green is likely to find that sweet spot, and knock the latter into oblivion, likely in the very first round.

Prediction: Bobby Green def. Erik Koch via KO

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#2 Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey

Mirsad Bektic is an extremely well-rounded MMA fighter, with crisp striking and underrated grappling.

While Pepey may be good in both the striking and grappling departments as well, he seems to have trouble meshing together the aforementioned departments inside the Octagon. Expect Bektic to tag Pepey from range, with the two combatants staying cautious in Round 1.

While Bektic and Pepey could open up and turn this into a brawl come Round 2, the former has good fight IQ and unquestionable heart, and is likely to stay composed and keep this from turning into an all-out war. In the end, Bektic is likely to walk away the victor on the judges’ scorecards.

Prediction: Mirsad Bektic def. Godofredo Pepey via Decision

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#3 Katlyn Chookagian vs. Mara Romero Borella

Katlyn Chookagian is a decent MMA scrapper and a tad better in all avenues as compared to Borella.

Expect Chookagian to establish her jab in the early going, before seizing control of the rhythm of the matchup. Chookagian is savvy enough to stay wary of Borella’s BJJ in the ground scrambles, and keep this fight on the feet en route to a clear-cut decision victory.

Prediction: Katlyn Chookagian def. Mara Romero Borella via Decision

#4 Randa Markos vs. Juliana Lima

Randa Markos is a good grappler

Randa Markos is a fighter who seems to be consistently underperforming inside the Octagon.

Markos is highly skilled and athletically-gifted, however, she’s yet to exhibit the full extent of her skills in her MMA career thus far. Regardless, in this matchup, Markos is likely to use her crisper combinations to out-point Lima.

In the end, Markos’ agility, technique and volume striking are likely to have her walk away the victor by way of Decision.

Prediction: Randa Markos def. Juliana Lima via Decision

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#5 Justine Kish vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Justine Kish is a good striker who seems to have run into a few problems over the course of her last few fights; primarily owing to holes in her grappling game.

Kish is likely to time Kim as the latter wades into range in a straight line. While Kish counters the latter and continues to build her momentum, Kim may try and take matters to the ground.

Regardless, Kish is likely to use her Takedown-Defense to keep the fight on the feet, and out-point Kim en route to a dominant decision victory.

Prediction: Justine Kish def. Ji Yeon Kim via Decision

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#6 Vinc Pichel vs. Joaquim Silva

Joaquim Silva is the fresher and more dangerous fighter here, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show.

Silva is likely to time Pichel’s 1-2’s and respond with combinations of his own. Silva has good grappling too, and will stuff Pichel’s takedown attempts with relative ease.

Expect Silva to turn up the heat late, and rock Pichel on the feet. Silva is then likely to take matters to the ground and finish the fight by way of submission.

Prediction: Joaquim Silva def. Vinc Pichel via Submission

#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Niko Price vs. George Sullivan

Niko Price possesses excellent striking skills

Niko Price is an excellent fighter and a downright scary striker.

Price has an excellent jab and will use that to keep the equally dangerous Sullivan at long range. While Sullivan is capable of turning anybody’s lights off too, he doesn’t use volume striking to set up his big shots.

On the other hand, Price sets up his strikes well, and catch Sullivan late in the fight, likely in the waning moments of Round 3.

Prediction: Niko Price def. George Sullivan via TKO

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#2 Austin Arnett vs. Cory Sandhagen

Arnett and Sandhagen are your typical run-of-the-mill MMA scrappers.

While both fighters are decent in all avenues, their striking does leave a bit to be desired. Fans can expect Arnett to out-point Sandhagen en route to a decision victory, albeit in an affair that doesn’t showcase a ton of action.

Prediction: Austin Arnett def. Cory Sandhagen via Decision