One Of The Greatest Heavyweight Fights In History Gets Its Rematch Tomorrow Night At UFC 211
On December 13, 2014, Stipe Miocic and Junior dos Santos engaged in a five round war that went to a razor thin decision. Junior was slightly favored by the judges, and both men came out of the fight better than when they went in. Over two years later, they’ll meet in the Octagon for a second time. This go around, Miocic is the Heavyweight Champion and the gold is on the line.
Stipe Miocic (c) (-125) vs Junior dos Santos (+120) for the UFC Heavyweight Championship
When you look at the stats for these two, you could describe them using the phrase “virtually identical”. Seriously, Stipe and Cigano are as even as they come.
They’re very different fighters, however, and they’re going to have very different strategies to win this fight. Stipe has been vocal about having no interest in getting into another slugfest, and would much rather rely on his superb grappling ability to retain the gold. This didn’t work out too well for him in 2014 when he went 1 for 18 on takedown attempts, but he’s been one of the best in the division at making improvements and I can’t see him having as much difficulty this time around. For Dos Santos, this fight needs to be exactly what it was last time: a slobber knocker. Cigano is a fantastic boxer and utilizing that is his best route to victory, obviously. The issue with that is Stipe has become more and more boxing focused in his recent fights, and has HEAVY hands. I think the champ who’s in his prime has this one in the bag over the former champ leaving his prime. Plus, he learned a thing or two from Octagon Bob.
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Winner: Stipe Miocic
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (c) (-150) vs Jessica Andrade (+150) for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
This is my mortal lock of the night. Joanna Champion is a violent motherfucker who murders everyone she steps into the Octagon with. Andrade is no joke, and has been very dominant since dropping to 115, but nobody stands a chance against Joanna right now.
Her weight cut did look rough, though.
Winner: Joanna Jedrzejczyk (MORTAL LOCK)
Demain Maia (+115) vs Jorge Masvidal (-115)
This is an insanely good fight. “Gamebred” Jorge Masvidal has been on a tear and recently KNOCKED OUT Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, something only 2 other men were able to accomplish. Demain Maia stands in his way, however, and he’s the best grappler in UFC history. With a win tomorrow, he’s almost guaranteed the next shot at Tyron Woodley’s Welterweight Championship, and that motivation along with his human cellophane-esque grapplefuck game is why I’m taking the underdog.
Winner: Demain Maia
Frankie Edgar (-125) vs Yair Rodriguez (+120)
My fellow Jersey boy Frankie Edgar takes on one of my favorite prospects in the sport in Yair Rodriguez. Yair’s style can be best described as a kid playing a fighting game and button mashing. He throws insane kicks, spinning shit, and unpredictable combinations all the time. Edgar on the other hand is much more traditional, and primarily uses his wrestling ability to win fights. Who I root for here is funny, because if I watch the fights at home, I’d probably cheer for Yair. Like I just said, he’s one of my favorites. But if I go out to watch the fights, I cheer Edgar all the way. You just can’t root against a packed East Coast bar cheering for Edgar. Can’t do it.
I think Yair’s unorthodox style will be enough to get him a decision victory here.
Winner: Yair Rodriguez
Other predictions for the card: Krzysztof Jotko, Eddie Alvarez, Jason Knight.
This is the UFC’s first huge card of the year, and I highly recommend purchasing it on pay per view, or watching it in any other way you see fight. Main event should be fireworks. How bout we rally behind my good pal Stipe, too? Send him some support, he IS the first man to bring a championship to Cleveland in many years.