UFC On ESPN 15: Staff Picks

Back Sports Page’s MMA writers return to give their thoughts on the biggest fights scheduled for this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 15: Edgar vs Munhoz.

Myself and Alexis Rodriguez have selected our winners in each of the main card bouts, which includes Frankie Edgar’s anticipated bantamweight debut against Pedro Munhoz.

Here we go.

Pedro Munhoz (18-4) vs Frankie Edgar (22-8-1)

Alexis Rodriguez: This is a career crossroads for both guys. Munhoz was on the verge of arriving to the bantamweight title scene; meanwhile, Edgar is trying to break ground in a new division.

Munhoz has some great power with his short hooks and his submission game is dangerous. Edgar is still the crafty striker with great footwork and effective wrestling.

I think he’ll do just enough to win most rounds in an exciting, technical affair.

Pick: Frankie Edgar by Unanimous Decision

Ryan Truland: Finally, it seemed like we were never going to see this fight, but Saturday it’s going down. The New Jersey native, Frankie Edgar has been on the UFC’s roster since 2007; safe to say he’s been around. From being lightweight champ, to fighting for the interim featherweight belt, to now taking his best swing at the bantamweight contenders, and he’s still not done.

Like my colleague Alexis Rodriguez said, this might be Frankie Edgar’s last hurrah though. His last chance to climb back into title contention.

His opponent, Pedro Munhoz is a tough night out for any bantamweight, and he’s in need of another victory over a big name.

As for the fight itself, Edgar has the wrestling advantage as usual, but both men are BJJ black belts and capable off of their backs. Moreover, the two of them are very willing to trade on the feet in search of the knockout. Munhoz has a ton of power for the division, but nothing Edgar hasn’t seen before. This one should be competitive wherever it ends up, but something tells me Edgar takes the right step towards contender-ship this Saturday.

Pick: Frankie Edgar by TKO, Rd. 3

Draftkings Odds: Munhoz (-265) vs Edgar (+210)

Ovince Saint Preux (24-14) vs Alonzo Menifield (9-1)

Alexis Rodriguez: Saint Preux struggled in his heavyweight, but now he finds himself back at light-heavyweight against late replacement Alonzo Menifield.

Menifield had a really tough time combating the grappling in his last outing, which is a cause for worry against the experienced Saint Preux.

OSP should pull out a decision with some effective clinching and grappling.

Pick: Ovince Saint Preux by Unanimous Decision

Ryan Truland: OSP was one and done at heavyweight after getting edged out by Ben Rothwell back in May. Now he’s back in his natural weight class (205lbs) and looking to get back on track.

The problem is that it will not be easy against a lesser-known, but formidable opponent in Alonzo Menifield. Although already 32, Menifield is young in terms of fighting years, which is evident from his hunger to improve.

From the opening bell, Menifield is looking for the knockout, and he often finds it. He faces his most experienced competition yet and OSP will be looking to use that to his advantage. Menifield will do everything do avoid a grappling match.

I think the younger, hungrier fighter gets the job done by finding the veteran’s chin pretty early on.

Pick: Alonzo Menifield by KO, Rd. 1

Draftkings Odds: Menifield (-130) vs OSP (+105)

Marcin Prachnio (13-4) vs Mike Rodriguez (10-4-1)

Alexis Rodriguez: Pracnio hasn’t fought in two years and has been stopped in his only two UFC appearances. Rodriguez has won a fight, but is also looking to keep himself on the UFC’s roster.

Someone here will go down and I think Rodriguez’s well rounded abilities will prove too much and too fast for Prachnio.

Pick: Mike Rodriguez by TKO, Rd. 1

Ryan Truland: Marcin Prachnio has yet to earn a victory in the UFC (0-2); in fact he’s hoping to make it past the opening round for the first time. Meanwhile, Mike Rodriguez is (1-2-1) since he earned his UFC contract with an emphatic flying knee KO on DWCS Season 1 in 2017.

Look for both these men to fight with some desperation on Saturday night, which may lead to one helluva scrap.

I expect Rodriguez to show us some new wrinkles in his striking game that will aid him towards a much sought after victory.

Pick: Mike Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision

Draftkings Odds: Rodriguez (-240) vs Prachnio (+188)

Daniel Rodriguez (12-1) vs Takashi Sato (16-3)

Alexis Rodriguez: This is a fun fight and may be the fight of the night for the entire card. Rodriguez is going to be aggressive, while Takashi Sato will definitely be game.

Rodriguez is on a hot streak and his momentum should enable him to pull away with a decision.

Pick: Daniel Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision

Ryan Truland: This is an underrated welterweight match-up kicking off Saturday’s main card. Sato is an entertaining prospect out of Japan who’s always looking to finish his opponent. A black belt in Judo, Sato prefers to mix it up on the feet and strike.

His opponent, Daniel Rodriguez has fought long and hard to get to the UFC, and he’s yet to lose since signing the contract. After COVID-19 forced his May bout with Kevin Holland to be canceled, he now finds himself fighting Sato.

An easier match-up than Holland, Rodriguez will now be the bigger man inside the octagon Saturday and I think he’ll carry more power which will be the difference.

Pick: Daniel Rodriguez by Unanimous Decision

Draftkings Odds: Rodriguez (-190) vs Sato (+150)

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UFC on ESPN 15: Frankie Edgar vs Pedro Munhoz is set to go down this Saturday! Catch the prelims at 6:00pm (ET) on ESPN+ and then the main card at 8:30pm (ET) on ESPN/ESPN+.

**Odds recorded at 2:30pm (ET) on Thursday (8/20)**