Tonight's UFC Card Is Built Around A Completely One Sided Main Event
In the wrestling world, there’s a lot of talk about someone named Mojo Rawley. We’ve discussed him on the Rundown, on the blog, on SiriusXM, every medium we have. Why? Because he’s best friends with Rob Gronkowski. Mojo owes his entire career to Gronk. The WWE employs him and pushes him solely because of that friendship.
There’s a man in the main event of UFC Fight Night tonight named Artem Lobov. Never heard of him? He’s Conor McGregor’s best friend, and because of that, he has a fight against the #4 ranked featherweight in the world.
Artem was quickly eliminated from the first round of The Ultimate Fighter: McGregor vs Faber, and Conor made Dana put a clause in that said he’d be allowed back on. Lobov then ran through competition in the house and made it to the live finale, where he lost to Ryan Hall. Since then, he’s gone 2-1 in very boring fights, most notably picking up an impressive win over the unranked Teruto Ishihara in his last fight. Somehow, that has “earned” him a spot in tonight’s main event, where Cub Swanson will demolish him. Lobov does have a decent chin, so I’ll guess he makes it to the main event rounds, but none of his skills are half as good as Cub’s. Also, Conor McGregor nor Coach John Kavanagh will be in Lobov’s corner for this fight.
Odds: Swanson (-700) vs Lobov (+500)
Other notable fights on this card include Il Iaquinta vs Diego Sanchez in the co main event, where “Raging” Al will attempt to return from his two year layoff and shake off the ring rust, which he’s already tried to do against media members.
I’m got Iaquinta coming out on top in this fight, despite the fight gap, because Diego, as I’ve said before, didn’t impress me against Lauzon or Held in his last two.
Odds: Iaquinta (-340) vs Sanchez (+380)
Ovince St. Preux takes on Marcos Rogerio De Lima in a fight that casual fans will be unable to talk about due to the amount of syllables in each of their names. OSP’s on a bad run right now, even when you take the Jon Jones fight out of the equation, but I’m still taking him here over Lima, who’s been 50/50 in his last 4.
Odds: St. Preux (-155) vs Lima (+145)
John Dodson looks to bounce back after a tough split decision loss to John “Motherfucking” Lineker against Eddie Wineland in this exciting bantamweight bout. I think UFC sees Dodson as a future competitor for the 135 title, and is teeing one up for him here. Wineland’s no walk in the park, however, I’ll take Dodson.
Odds: Dodson (-425) vs Wineland (+380)
My favorite fighter of all time, Massachusetts native Joe Lauzon faces off against Stevie Ray. There’s no breakdown needed here, you know who I’m picking. WAR LAUZON!
Odds: Lauzon (+165) vs Ray (-175)
Finally, rounding off the main card, “Platinum” Mike Perry, possibly the biggest hardo in the company (complete with face tattoos), will stand and bang with Jake Ellenberger. I talked in my Daniel Cormier vs Anthony “Rumble” Johnson 2 preview about how DC had every avenue to win, and Rumble only had a knockout. It’s the same deal here. If Perry wants a win, he needs to knock Jake Ellenberger out…and he will. I’ve picked against Perry in just about every fight he’s ever had, and now it’s time to doubt no longer. Platinum’s hands are the real deal, and he’ll sleep Ellenberger to kick off the night.
Odds: Ellenberger (+120) vs Perry (-130)
Do what you will with my picks (Swanson, Iaquinta, St. Preux, Dodson, Lauzon, Perry), because I’ve been on a bad run recently. In 2017, I’m on a pathetic 34-28-1 run, so fading them probably isn’t your smartest option either. It could be worse, and I could be Tyron Woodley, who pretty much hasn’t predicted a single fight correctly other than his own this year, but hey, I’m trying here. You wanna tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about? Have you stepped into the octagon with a UFC fighter? Didn’t think so. ¯\_(?)_/¯