As the anticipation builds for UFC 277, fight fans are gearing up for another unforgettable night of mixed martial arts action. With champions defending their titles and hungry contenders vying for their shot at glory, the Octagon is set to be ablaze with intensity. From explosive knockouts to technical submissions, every fight promises heart-pounding excitement and unforgettable moments.
Women’s Bantamweight Championship
(C) Julianna Pena (+220) vs. (#1) Amanda Nunes (-270)
Julianna Pena shocked the world by taking Amanda Nunes to the mat and submitting her in their last fight. Nunes started off hot, chopping away aggressively at Pena’s legs and landing big blows with the right hand. Pena withstood Nunes relentless attack, used her jab, gassed Nunes out, took her down and got the submission victory. The question is, will she be able to do it again? Possibly, but I expect Nunes to come out with a different game plan and look like the Amanda Nunes we know. She seemed to have checked-out in her last fight, did she lose motivation? Who knows, maybe seeing Pena in the black and gold will reignite the fire.
Prediction: Nunes def. Pena (KO/TKO – Round 1)
Flyweight Interim Championship Fight
(#1) Brandon Moreno (-210) vs. (#2) Kai Kara-France (+175)
I’m not 100% sure who earns their shot against Deiveson Figueiredo, but Dana White might want to start writing up the 50K Fight of The Night bonus for these 2 guys already, because this is going to be a dogfight. 5 rounds for this fight gets MMA fans even more excited for this fight. The flyweight division never disappoints, almost always putting on a lightning fast display of MMA. Both Moreno and Kara-France have shown their ability to make it a brawl, which I do think will happen. Moreno has shown he has more in the gas tank than Kara-France when it goes into the deep waters. That could play as a major key in this fight, along with Moreno’s ground game. As the fight goes, Moreno will take a fatigued Kara-France to the mat and submit him.
Prediction: Moreno def. Kara-France (Submission – Round 4)
Heavyweight Bout
(#5) Derrick Lewis (+110) vs. (#11) Sergei Pavlovich (-130)
Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis has lost 2 of his last 3 and is looking to bounce back. He faces a heavy-handed 15-1 Russian in Pavlovich this Saturday night. Pavlovich has yet to fight a top 10 guy in the UFC (and win). This is the biggest test of the Russian’s life. Will he be able to prevail? Not in my mind. Derrick Lewis tends to slow down hype trains in the Heavyweight division, and that trend will continue with a KO of Pavlovich late in Round 1.
Prediction: Lewis def. Pavlovich (KO/TKO – Round 1)
Flyweight Bout
(#4) Alexandre Pantoja (-180) vs. (#6) Alex Perez
Quite an important night for the Flyweight division. The winner of this fight could potentially fight the loser of Moreno vs. Kara-France, not the winner due to the Interim belt. Although it does make sense for Pantoja to fight Moreno ASAP, it won’t happen soon. Pantoja has defeated Moreno once out of the UFC and once in the UFC, 2-0. Alex Perez is perhaps one of the most successful fighters to come from Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) but that might be the most success he will see. Unable to defeat any of the top 5 flyweights, this is Perez last opportunity to stay on track for a title shot. Perez hasn’t fought in 2 years, octagon rust is a real thing.
Prediction: Pantoja def. Perez (Submission – Round 3)
Light Heavyweight Bout
(#4) Magomed Ankalaev (-500) vs. (#5) Anthony Smith (+380)
Nothing against “The Lionheart” but Ankalaev is simply that guy. Ankalaev has been shutting out the lights on opponents in the Light Heavyweight division and his hype train will continue to roll after barreling through Anthony Smith. “The Lionheart” is one of the most confident fighters on the roster but he is going up against the next champion of the division. Ankalaev hasn’t shown opponents many weaknesses or potential ways to defeat him, he is well-rounded in all aspects of MMA. There is a reason Ankalaev is a -500 favorite, Saturday night will prove why.
Prediction: Ankalaev def. Smith (KO/TKO – Round 2)
Comments