UFC: Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale - Predictions and Picks

#3 Pannie Kianzad vs. Macy Chiasson

Pannie Kianzad has far more experience than opponent Macy Chiasson

The UFC installed the Women’s Featherweight class back in February 2017 with a title fight between Germaine de Randamie and Holly Holm, but since then the division has only seen a handful of further fights; three more title fights and a clash between Holm and Megan Anderson. TUF 28 sounded like a potential kickstarter, but in all honesty it didn’t quite work out.

The reason for that was largely that the cast was made up of more natural 135lbers, rather than big 145lbers like Anderson or Cris Cyborg. Case in point, Kianzad looked like the standout fighter going into the season, but for the most part she’s fought her career at 135lbs. The same cannot be said for Chiasson, though – who makes up for her lack of experience (2-0) with a large frame clearly suited for 145lbs.

Chiasson was probably the more impressive of the two during the reality show tapings; she took out both of her opponents by first round knockout, including UFC veteran Larissa Pacheco, while Kianzad saw both of her fights go the distance. However, while it’s tempting to pick the dangerous finisher, TUF history would tell you that it isn’t always smart.

With her striking power and large frame, Chiasson might yet have a bright future in the sport, but with a full training camp for both women I’m just not confident in taking such an inexperienced fighter over a more well-rounded opponent who’s beaten Jessica-Rose Clark and Lina Lansberg and has been in there with veterans like Sarah Kaufman and Tonya Evinger.

In the end I suspect that Kianzad might find herself in trouble standing, but will have enough of a grappling game to lean back on to grind out a tough win.

The Pick: Kianzad via unanimous decision