UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira Predictions
UFC 172 will be held at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Md. The main event will feature light heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending against Glover Teixeira. The card is stacked and MYMMANEWS team has their predictions for the evening.
Last week Kyle, Eric and I all went 9-4 in a three-way tie (I finished 4th overall with 430 points and Eric was 5th with 220 points on PICKAFIGHT APP – the points were specific to method of winning and round and time, and fighter of course). Let’s see how we fare off this week:
Patrick Williams (7-3) vs. Chris “The Real Deal” Beal (8-0)
We kick off the evening in the bantamweight division between newcomers Patrick Williams and Chris Beal.
Williams is a two-time state wrestling champion at Arizona State (his wrestling teammates included Cain Velasquez, CB Dollaway, and Ryan Bader). Beal was the number one (male) pick for Team Rousey on TUF 18. Beal is undefeated and has decent striking, so he will want to keep this fight standing and stuff Williams’ take down attempts. This should be a close fight.
George: Chris Beal via DEC.
Eric: Patrick Williams via TKO Rd. 2
Kyle: Patrick Williams
Danny “Last Call” Castillo (16-6) vs. Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman (19-6)
This fight will take place in the lightweight division with both opponents looking to bounce back from a losing performance. Both fighters are excellent wrestlers who will be looking to win the take down and control the fight on the ground. After going 4-4 in his first UFC stint, Brenneman was released and went on a four-fight winning streak and he was signed on by the organization again. Brenneman was lost in an upset to Beniel Dariush via TKO.
Another loss for “The Spaniard” may cost him his job in the UFC. Castillo has gone 6-3 with the organization with his last loss a decision to Edson Barboza.
George: Danny Castillo via DEC.
Eric: Danny Castillo via DEC.
Kyle: Charlie Brenneman
Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke (3-0, 1 NC) vs. Bethe “Pitbull” Correia (7-0)
The ladies will battle it out in the bantamweight division putting their undefeated records on the line. Correia is ranked 12 and Duke 14 in the UFC rankings. Correia squeaked out a split decision in her UFC debut against Julie Kedzie while Duke won via decision over Peggy Morgan. Duke specializes in muay thai and also holds a purple belt in BJJ at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. Correia holds a BJJ blue belt and purple belt in Kung Fu. Correia has a vicious ground and pound game and will hold the edge in experience. Should be a close fight with the winner moving on up in the division to top contention.
George: Jessamyn Duke via DEC.
Eric: Jessamyn Duke via TKO. Rd. 2
Kyle: Bethe Correia
Takanaro “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (34-9, 1 NC) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-4-1)
A big fight in the lightweight division between a very experienced (and some will call him a MMA legend) Gomi vs. Vallie-Flagg. Both fighters are coming off of losses in their last bouts (both in UFC) and will be looking for a win to move on up, and possibly keep their jobs safe. Gomi has phenomenal wrestling skill and knockout power. Vallie-Flagg will want to stuff the take down attempts and win the stand-up battle in this match.
George: Takanaro Gomi via TKO Rd. 2
Eric: Takanaro Gomi via DEC.
Kyle: Takanaro Gomi
Joseph Benavidez (19-4) vs. Tim Elliot (10-4-1)
A battle of the flyweights between UFC ranked #2 Benavidiez against #8 Elliot. This will be a high paced fight between two speedy fighters with great conditioning. Benavidez recently lost in a title fight against Demetrious Johnson via TKO. Elliot lost his last bout via decision to Ali Bagautinov. A win will help either fighter climb back up to a title hunt, while a second consecutive loss will put either fighter in jeopardy in dropping in UFC rank.
George: Joseph Benavidez via DEC.
Eric: Joseph Benavidez via DEC.
Kyle: Joseph Benavidez
Max “Blessed” Holloway (8-3) vs. Andre “Touchy” Fili (13-1)
Featherweight action between the well rounded Fili against dangerous striker Holloway. Both fighters are coming off of impressive tko victories and will look to capitalize on another win to build their way up to top contention. Fili is dangerous on his feet and on the ground and this fight might steal the show.
George: Andre Fili via Submission Rd. 3
Eric: Andre Fili via TKO Rd. 2
Kyle: Max Holloway
Jim Miller (23-4, 1 NC) vs. Yancy Medeiros (9-1, 1 NC)
The winner in this lightweight fight can add an impressive opponent win on their resume and boost them up the ladder. Miller is a great wrestler and a BJJ black belt. Medeiros has solid striking and has six of his seven victories coming by way of TKO/KO. A classic striker vs. grappler battle.
George: Jim Miller via DEC.
Eric: Jim Miller via SUB. Rd. 2
Kyle: Jim Miller
Luke Rockhold (11-2) vs. Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch
Rockhold is #5 UFC ranked facing #12 ranked Tim Boetsch in the middleweight division. Rockhold, the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, is a brown belt in BJJ with good stand up. Boetsch is a great wrestler with a solid chin. Rockhold will have the edge in striking, Boetsch will need to out wrestle Rockhold and stay on top. A win for either fighter should put them in a closer position for a title shot.
George: Tim Boetsch via DEC.
Eric: Luke Rockhold via DEC.
Kyle: Luke Rockhold
Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (16-4)
A high profile fight in the light heavyweight division. Davis is a phenomenal wrestler and Johnson a very dangerous striker with devastating knockout power. Davis is currently ranked #4 in the UFC rankings and Johnson at #14. Davis winning could push him for a crack to fight for number one contender status or possibly a title fight. A win for Johnson would add to his resume of impressive victories and push him up to the top 10 ladder.
George: Phil Davis via DEC.
Eric: Phil Davis via DEC.
Kyle: Phil Davis
Jon “Bones” Jones (19-1) vs. Glover Teixeira (22-2)
The light heavyweight championship main event of the evening. Jones is arguably one of the best fighters in the history of the sport going for his seventh title defense. Jones has made life a living hell for his opponents with his build and strong wrestling and unorthodox striking. Teixeira is on a 20 fight winning streak. Think about that for one second, he has not lost IN NINE YEARS. What makes Teixeira so dangerous is that he is a black belt in BJJ and a ferocious striker (13 tko/ko victories, 6 submission victories, 3 decisions). Jones will have the edge (as always) in height and reach. The last time Jones fought a BJJ black belt he was nearly submitted and injured his arm from a tight arm bar. Jones would over come adversity submitting Vitor Belfort in that fight. This fight should be very good, it could go anywhere from a fast ending or a hard-fought judge’s decision.
George: Jon Jones via DEC.
Eric: Jon Jones via DEC.
Kyle: Jon Jones
