UFC Fight Night Denver: Korean Zombie vs. Yair Rodriguez Predictions
UFC Fight Night 139, otherwise known as UFC Fight Night Denver plays tribute to the UFC’s 25th anniversary this coming Saturday, November 10. In the main event, Yair Rodiguez comes in on short notice to do battle with the ‘Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung who was originally scheduled to face Frankie Edgar.
Chan Sung Jung vs. Yair Rodriguez
The Korean Zombie was forced to put a hold on his MMA career in October 2014 due to his requirement to serve in the Korean military. Before serving, Jung beat some of the best in the division and challenged Jose Aldo for the featherweight title. Following his military service, Jung landed a fight with Dennis Bermudez and scored a 1st round knockout showing no sign of ring rust. The Korean Zombie is exactly what he sounds like. Constant pressure, great power, always walking forward and making it a fun fight. This should be a classic example of forward pressure versus the counter striking of Yair Rodriguez. Rodriguez is coming off his first UFC defeat against Frankie Edgar in May 2017. As previously stated, this should be an instant classic. The dynamic and explosive style of “El Pantera” and the durability and power of Jung will make for a dogfight.
Pick: Korean Zombie via 4th Round KO/TKO
Donald Cerrone vs. Mike Perry
This one has the best story line on the card. Donald Cerrone has trained with the best in the world at Jackson Wink MMA for years. Mike Perry relocated to Albuquerque following two straight losses in the octagon. In his first bout after training at Jackson Wink, “Platinum” looked great against a very talent Paul Felder earning a split decision victory. As you can imagine, drama ensued when the fight was announced. Cerrone took to the JRE MMA Show to share his thoughts:
“Winkeljohn called me and says, ‘You know what, I thought about it and if we don’t have Perry, then I don’t get paid, and I need to get paid for this,’” Cerrone said. “Basically tells me I’m no longer welcome in the gym.”
After two and a half hours of Cowboy sharing his thoughts and calling the gym a “puppy mill”, Winkeljohn was quick to defend himself by stating:
“Loyalty is two sides, Cowboy is not loyal to anybody in the gym. He’s on his own. He does his own thing. He has not, from what I can remember in the last 10 years, ever helped anybody out with their own camp. He’s as narcissistic as they come.”
The story wrote itself and both men always come to fight. Cowboy will no doubt have the experience advantage and more tools on the feet but Perry has the ability to knock people dead with one shot. My heart says Cowboy but my mind says…
Pick: Mike Perry via Unanimous Decision
Mike Trizano vs. Luis Peña
Before we talk about the fight, lets all just accept that Peña has the best nickname in the game. “Violent Bob Ross” lives up to his nickname more than anyone for obvious reasons. The two men both competed on The Ultimate Fighter season 27 where Peña was forced out of competition due to and injury and Trizano went on to win that season. Many picked Peña to win the season so this fight very well could have been the original finale. This will be Trizano’s first fight since winning TUF 27 and will be Peña’s second fight after winning his debut.
Pick: Luis Peña via Unanimous Decision.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ray Borg
If the rumors are true and the UFC does end the flyweight division, this fight means very little in the bigger picture. This will be the first fight for Ray Borg since losing to Demetrious Johnson in his first title opportunity. While Borg often relies on his wrestling, he is a threat everywhere. He has shown improvement in his hands and movement every fight and he will need to be at his best against Benavidez. Benavidez is coming off a loss to Sergio Pettis but before the loss, he won three straight, including a win over current champ, Henry Cejudo. Benavidez is an extremely well-rounded fighter and posses every tool to win.
Pick: Ray Borg via Split Decision
The Rest of the Card:
Germaine de Randamie def. Raquel Pennington via KO/TKO
Mayce Barber def. Hannah Cifers via Decision
Ashley Yoder def. Amanda Cooper via Decision
Chas Skelly def. Bobby Moffett via Submission
Beneil Dariush def. Thiago Moises via KO/TKO
Julian Erosa def. Devonte Smith via Decision
Davi Ramos def. John Gunther via Decision
Joseph Morales def. Eric Shelton via Decision
Joby Sanchez def. Mark De La Rosa via KO/TKO
