There's A Sneaky Good UFC Card On Tonight
As I wrote that headline, I realized it’s probably something I’m going to say very often here on Barstool Sports dot com. The UFC’s roster is at a point now where certain divisions are shallow, but every card is worth watching. Even this card, UFC on FOX 23, headlined by Valentina Shevchenko vs Julianna Peña, two names which you may not have heard before, is great on paper. Plus, it’s on FOX, so it won’t have the brutal, dragged out pacing of an FS1 card.
Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko vs Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña
If you’re a fight fan, the two women main eventing this card are no strangers.
Valentina Shevchenko systematically picked apart Holly Holm for five straight rounds back in July, showing she may be the best technical striker in the bantamweight division. Julianna Peña won The Ultimate Fighter on the infamous Rousey vs Tate season, and has won every fight she’s had in the UFC since, most recently defeating Cat Zingano at UFC 200.
This fight is to determine a #1 contender to Amanda Nunes’ championship, and it’s a tough call. Shevchenko is a counter striker with superb footwork, and Peña is a gritty bully. Peña’s attack is relentless, and if she’s able to bring this fight to the ground, it could be major trouble for Valentina, who showed she doesn’t have much to offer from her back against Nunes in March. I don’t think that will be the case, however, because as long as Peña’s attack doesn’t overwhelm her, Shevchenko should be able to keep this on the feet utilizing her (very underrated) grappling and clinch ability.
Like most technician vs brawler match-ups, this should lean in the favor of the more well-rounded fighter.
Valentina Shevchenko via unananimous decision
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal
Here we have Donald Cerrone continuing his streak of fighting every four days, this time against Jorge Masvidal. The general rule for picking on Cerrone fights, is you go with him until he’s in a title fight. Cowboy’s becoming the new Urijah Faber in being able to win every fight but the big one. Plus, Jorge Masvidal is the king of split decision losses.
Donald Cerrone via split decision
Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski vs Francis “The Predator” Ngannou
Few nicknames in mixed martial arts are as accurate as “The Predator” is for Francis Ngannou. Francis is a fucking killer.
@francis_ngannou
9 Victories
#UFCDenver
Saturday pic.twitter.com/IT2X7ZnGQ0— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 27, 2017
I’m picking him here, and I’d like to state that I’d pick him against the actual Predator. Andrei is coming off three consecutive losses, and it’s gonna be time to consider other options after a fourth. Ngannou is a future Heavyweight Champion of the world.
Francis Ngannou via KTFO
As for the rest of the fights, my picks are as follows:
Alex Caceres
Nate Marquardt
Aljamain Sterling
Li Jingliang (yes that’s a real name)
Jordan Johnson
Eric Spicely
Jeremy Kimball
Eric Shelton
Jason Gonzalez