UFC On ESPN+ 34: Staff Picks

Back Sports Page’s MMA team returns! This time to pick the biggest fights on this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 35: Overeem vs Sakai.

Myself and Alexis Rodriguez are taking our best shots at picking the victor of the hard-hitting main event clash between Alistair Overeem and Augusto Sakai, Alonzo Menifield’s toughest test yet versus Ovince Saint Preux, and the underrated welterweight scrap between Michael Pereira and Zelim Imadaev.

Here we go.

Alistair Overeem (46-18) vs Augusto Sakai (15-1-1)

Alexis Rodriguez: Overeem is looking for one more run at the title, and Sakai is looking to establish himself with a marquee victory over a legend. His Thai style is very cerebral and calculated; while Overeem has really evolved over the years into a complete fighter.

Overeem has been knocked out, but his durability is top notch. I see ‘The Demolition Man’ using his superior clinch work and take-downs to tire out Sakai as it gets into the later rounds.

Pick: Alistair Overeem by Unanimous Decision

Ryan Truland: I think Overeem has one last run left in him, but he’ll first have to get passed former Contender Series product Augusto Sakai. He’s already proven to be a UFC mainstay, but we’ll soon find out if he’s ready to contend.

Even at 40 years old, Overeem is incredibly difficult to beat. He’s looked great since moving to Elevation Fight Team in Denver, CO. Sakai has never been locked in a cage with someone as dangerous as ‘Reem.

This one might become a war of attrition, which I’d give the edge to Overeem. He’ll be dangerous for 25 minutes, but it’s yet to be seen whether or not Sakai can go a full five rounds. You never know at heavyweight, but I think Overeem eventually breaks Sakai down the stretch.

Pick: Alistair Overeem by KO, Rd. 4

Draftkings Odds: Overeem (-159) vs Sakai (+130)

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

Alexis Rodriguez: This one was rescheduled after it was originally slated to happen on the Edgar/Munhoz card. Menifield was a late replacement then and now he has had a bit more time to prepare.

However, I still see OSP winning with his superior clinch work and wrestling. Menifield could win on a knockout, but OSP will use his ground work to come out with a decision victory or possibly even a submission.

Pick: Ovince Saint Preux by Submission

Ryan Truland: We’ve had a couple extra weeks to think about how this one will play out, but my thoughts haven’t changed. OSP is a former title challenger and still has some left in the tank.

The problem is that he’s running into a promising prospect who seems up to the challenge. OSP is back in his natural weight class and could pull out a victory if he schools Menifield on the ground.

I believe that Menifield will enter this contest with improved grappling skills to keep this one on the feet where he’ll be dangerous. He won’t finish OSP in 15 minutes, but he’ll do enough in the judges’ eyes.

Pick: Alonzo Menifield by Unanimous Decision

Draftkings Odds: Menifield (-134) vs OSP (+110)

Michael Pereira (23-11) vs Zelim Imadaev (8-2)

Alexis Rodriguez: Both guys are on official two fight losing skids and both are also finishers. Pereira is one of the most exciting and wild fighters in the UFC.

Meanwhile, Imadaev may have lost two in a row, but he is still a dangerous fighter. Still, Pereira should come out on top using his wacky style and may come away with a finish.

Pick: Michael Pereira by TKO, Rd. 1

Ryan Truland: There’s a lot you can say about Michael Pereira. His walk-outs normally take longer than his actual fights. His antics often carry into the octagon where he showboats and dances as if there isn’t a trained killer across from him.

His opponent, Zelim Imadaev takes a more business like approach to his fights. He’s still searching for his first UFC win, but he’s still just 25 there’s still time to right the ship.

Both guys will fight with a sense of urgency which will hopefully lead to fireworks. Unfortunately for Imadaev, fireworks are frantic, which is exactly what Pereira likes.

Pick: Michael Pereira by TKO, Rd. 1

Draftkings Odds: Pereira (-112) vs Imadaev (-112)

UFC on ESPN+ 34: Overeem vs Sakai is live this Saturday! Tune into the prelims at 6pm (ET) and the main card at 8pm (ET), both on ESPN+.

**Odds recorded at 9:00pm (ET) on Thursday (9/3)**