The Back Sports Page’s MMA team makes its debut picking fights this week, and we couldn’t ask for a more fun card to initiate this segment than UFC 252.
I and my colleague Steve Olson have made our selections on the DC/Stipe trilogy, the ‘Suga Show’s biggest test yet versus Vera, and the other heavyweight showcase between JDS and Rozenstruik.
Here we go.
Stipe Miocic (19-3) vs. Daniel Cormier (22-2)
Steve Olson: DC is a different beast at heavyweight, just YouTube him dumping Josh Barnett and Stipe on their heads. To win he needs to rely heavily on his wrestling, but do not underestimate his opponent’s wrestling. Stipe has avenged two of his first three losses; the only one not avenged is Stefan Struve.
DC stopped Stipe in the first, Stipe then returned the favor in the rematch, ending the fight in the fourth. He found a home with those body shots that ended up breaking DC. Stipe’s striking is very good and it feels as though DC doesn’t respect it. He traded too much with Stipe and hung around in the pocket too long which lead to his demise.
Pick: Stipe Miocic by TKO, Rd. 3
Alexis Rodriguez: I see DC attempting to wrestle while also adjusting in order to delete his tendency of keeping his body open for shots. Doing that will allow for more openings to the head though, where Miocic will take advantage.
It will be a close fight, but I think Miocic will come out victorious by taking a more rounds than DC.
Pick: Stipe Miocic by Unanimous Decision
Ryan Truland: We’ve finally arrived. The fight to crown the heavyweight GOAT, DC and Stipe III. Cormier shocked the world in the first match-up when he caught Stipe with that short right hook to secure the heavyweight strap and ‘champ-champ’ status. Then, Stipe found magic with the liver shots in the second fight to take back the belt he feels he should’ve never lost.
This is Cormier’s last fight and I believe he won’t take as many chances in this one. The safest and surest route to victory for DC is his world-class wrestling, and I think he uses it. The smaller cage will aid DC in this fight. Stipe won’t make it easy for DC to take him down, and there’s always the possibility of him finding the Cormier’s chin. Still, wrestling prevails in this one.
Pick: Daniel Cormier by TKO, Rd. 4
Draftkings Odds: Stipe (-106) vs DC (-112)
Sean O’Malley (12-0) vs. Marlon Vera (15-6-1)
Steve Olson: Sugar has some of the best striking in the division and maybe all the UFC. His fight against the tough veteran Eddie Wineland was a thing of beauty. He looked calm, relaxed, picking his shots and looked to be having fun in the cage.
Chito looks to pump the brakes on the Sean O’Malley hype train; much like Derek Brunson did against Edmen Shahbazyan. Expect Vera to match O’Malley’s pressure and use his experience.
Pick: Marlon Vera by Split Decision
Alexis Rodriguez: Marlon Vera is honestly a great fighter and his fights are always entertaining, but ‘Suga’ Sean should take this since Vera can get a little reckless sometimes.
O’Malley should be able to take advantage and score the finish either in the first or second round.
Pick: Sean O’Malley by TKO, Rd. 1
Ryan Truland: This is undoubtedly Sean O’Malley’s toughest challenge yet. Marlon Vera is coming off a loss to Song Yadong, but most people view him as the winner of that fight. He’s a tough veteran that still has a lot in the tank and he still carries a lot of speed with him.
O’Malley has a whole other level of speed though. His ceiling is McGregor and Adesanya level; not just because of his personality, but because of his performances inside the octagon. His utilization of footwork, technique, and speed on the feet is high-level (as he would say). I expect him to be up to the challenge on the mat as well. The ‘Suga Show’ keeps on rolling.
Pick: O’Malley by KO, Rd. 2
Draftkings Odds: O’Malley (-286) vs Vera (+225)
Junior dos Santos (21-7) vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (10-1)
Steve Olson: ‘Bigi Boy’ is looking to rebound after a quick first round knockout against Francis Ngannou. ‘Cigano’, a UFC veteran, is in a similar boat with his last four fight seeing mixed results. He stopped Tai Tuivasa and the always entertaining Derrick Lewis with strikes. Yet, he was stopped in his last two bouts against Curtis Blaydes and a common foe between the two, Ngannou.
Dos Santos looks to put an end to his recent skid by beating the hard-hitting Rozenstruik. JDS seems to have the advantage in the stand-up game by a slight margain.
Pick: Junior dos Santos by KO, Rd. 2
Alexis Rodriguez: JDS will probably keep this one standing, despite Rozenstruik’s lack of grappling experience. This will allow for Rozenstruik to use his power and conserve energy.
After seeing what he did to Overeem, you can’t count this guy out until the final bell rings.
Pick: Jairzinho Rozenstruik by Unanimous Decision
Ryan Truland: This is going to be a fun and wild fight for as long as it lasts. JDS seems as motivated as ever to get back towards a run at the belt. Meanwhile, Rozenstruik looks to prove he can bang with the top guys after getting steamrolled by Ngannou. Deciding who the better striker is a tough one for me.
On one hand, ‘Cigano’ is lightning quick for a heavyweight while still packing a lot of power. He’s also been in there against elite guys time and time again. On the other hand, ‘Bigi Boy’ is such an experienced kickboxer with one-punch knockout ability. Tough call.
Pick: Junior dos Santos by TKO, Rd. 1
Draftkings Odds: Rozenstruik (-143) vs JDS (+115)
UFC 252 is live this Saturday with the main card beginning at 10pm (ET)! Who will be crowned heavyweight king? Does O’Malley’s hype train come to a halt? And which big striker rights their ship?
Tune in Saturday to find out!
**Odds recorded at 12:30pm (ET) on Thursday (8/13)**
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