It’s the rematch for the world heavyweight title on Saturday as Daniel “DC” Cormier looks to cement his legacy as the “best fighter of all time” (his words, not ours).
by @Chad Cooper
This top heavy card, available only on the ESPN+, looks somewhat chalky, and will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The 5-fight main card begins at 9 p.m. CST, with a 4-fight undercard at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
For those really bad-off degenerates like me, UFC Fight Pass will stream four fights beginning at 5:30 p.m. CST.
Main Event
World Heavyweight Title
Daniel Cormier (c) (22-1-0, 1NC) vs. No. 1 Stipe Miocic (18-1)
The chubbster Daniel Cormier shocked the world by knocking out Stipe Miocic in the 1st round at UFC 226 back in July of 2018. Since then, DC has spent time doing commentary at UFC events other than fighting.
He stepped into the cage just once since his win and that easy victory over IG comedian Derrick Lewis last November. Stipe hasn’t fought since the loss, which was the first L of his career. Not a DC fan, but don’t see a lot on paper that says this will be any different.
DC is 40, and could be the last fight of his career. The “losses” to Jon Jones haunts him, but he knows he can’t beat JBJ. DC is quicker that Stipe, but is older and has a back surgery on his resume, so a Stipe win by KO/TKO at +210 looks juicy (and a much longer reach), but we are going the other way.
Odds: DC -145, Stipe +125
PICK: DC KO/TKO, Rd 2 (+260).
Co-Main Event
Welterweight
This is a first-time match up between former lightweight champ Showtime Pettis and Mr. 420, Nate Diaz. Pettis looks for his first 2-fight win streak in 5 years.
He was on a roll then lost to Clay Guida. Another roll then lost 3 in a row. Despite all that, he comes to the cage with a crazy KO win over Stephen “Wonder Boy” Thompson and has looked sharp in the Embedded video series.
Diaz on the other hand last fought in 2016 with a decision loss to Conor McGregor, who now likes to pick on drunk elder men who hate his Proper Whiskey. Hell, Diaz was even smoking the goofy root early this week at open workouts and is he motivated by the win?
I will sprinkle some cheese over Diaz +850 by submission, but my pick is Pettis.
No. 7 Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (22-8) vs. Nate Diaz (19-11)
Odds: Pettis -130, Diaz +110
PICK: Pettis UD (+145)
Middleweight
No. 2 Yoel Romero (13-3) vs. No. 7 Paulo Costa (12-0)
One of my favorite fighters, “Soldier of God” Yoel Romero is back after a year layoff with a Fight of the Night loss to Robert Whittaker.
Homeboy is a true fighter that is capable of fireworks anytime of the fight. Costa is an undefeated Brazilian who is a legit KO artist, but shows he takes a lot of punches.
If this goes past the 2nd round, I like the gas tank of Yoel more than the unknown of Costa. Decision bet is +400…
Odds: Yoel -160, Costa +130
PICK: Yoel KO Rd 2 (+150)
Featherweight
Gabriel Benitez (21-6) vs. Sodiq Yusuff (9-1)
“Super” Sodiq is a heavy favorite here and looks to be stronger. He looks to stay undefeated in the UFC and seems to be very composed.
Benitez is a Mexican born fighter who was very sharp in his last fight, which was a win over Humberto Bandenay via slam that KO’d him.
Benitez needs to try to wear out Sodiq, but don’t think that happens here. Like a UD or TKO win for Sodiq.
Odds: Sodiq -280, Benitez +225
PICK: Sodiq via UD (+170)
Middleweight
No. 8 Derek Brunson (19-7) vs. No. 10 Ian Henisch (13-1)
Derek Brunson needs a big win here. The former “next Anderson Silva” hasn’t won 2 consecutive fights since 2017. He last won via UD over Elias Theodorou came in May. If he wants a middleweight title fight, his time is now and he needs a flashy win. Heinisch is a former drug dealer who spent time in the slammer in the Canary Islands.
He has a big right hand, but does have issues with takedowns, which Brunson needs to take full advantage of. I am at a crossroad here in this fight. Which Brunson will show up?
Odds: Henisch -150, Brunson +130
PICK: Brunson via UD (+380)
Prelims • 7 p.m. on ESPN
Devonte Smith (10-1) vs. Clay Collard (14-7-0, 1NC)
No. 3 Raphael Assuncao (27-6) vs. No. 9 Cory Sandhagen (11-1)
Christos Giago (17-7) vs. Drakkar Klose (10-1-1)
Manny Bermudez (14-0) vs. Casey Kenney (12-1-1)
Early prelims • 5:30 p.m. on UFC Fight Pass
Hanna Cifers (9-3) vs. Jodie Esquibel (6-5)
Kang Kyung-Ho (15-8-0, 1NC) vs. Brandon Davis (10-5)
Sabina Mazo (6-1) vs. Shana Dobson (3-2)
Poliana Botelho (8-2) vs. Maryna Moroz (9-3)