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411’s MMA Roundtable Preview – UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Tybura
WELCOME:
Fabricio Werdum fights Marcin Tybura in the main event of UFC Fight Night! In the co-main event, Bec Rawlings faces Jessy-Rose Clark. At welterweight Tim Means takes on Belal Muhammad. Also at welterweight, Jake Matthews battles Bojan Velickovic. Plus, Elias Theodorou vs. Dan Kelly, Alexander Volkanovski vs. Shane Young, and more!
THE STAFF:
Preliminary Card
UFC Fight Pass
Heavyweight Bout: Rashad Coulter vs. Tai Tuivasa
Flyweight Bout: Jenel Lausa vs. Eric Shelton
Strawweight Bout: Alex Chambers vs. Nadia Kassem
Fox Sports 1
Lightweight Bout: Damien Brown vs. Frank Camacho
Heavyweight Bout: Anthony Hamilton vs. Adam Wieczorek
Lightweight Bout: Will Brooks vs. Nik Lentz
Flyweight Bout: Ryan Benoit vs. Ashland Mokhtarian
THE MAIN CARD:
Featherweight Bout: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Shane Young
Jeffrey Harris: Alexander Volkanovski, Decision
Robert Winfree: Alexander Volkanovski, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Volkanovski, Decision
The staff picks Alexander Volkanovski, 3-0.
Middleweight Bout: Elias Theodorou vs. Dan Kelly
Jeffrey Harris: Elias Theodorou, Decision
Robert Winfree: Elias Theodorou, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Theodorou, Decision
The staff picks Elias Theodorou, 3-0.
Welterweight Bout: Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic
Jeffrey Harris: Jake Matthews is really in a must-win situation here and really needs a win to arguably keep his spot on the roster. Bojan Velickovic is coming off one loss, and he could also face a cut without a win or impressive performance. Jake Matthews will have the crowd on his side and the homefield advantage here, fighting in Australia against the Russian in Bojan Velickovic. I’m leaning toward Jake Matthews here, who will be hungry for a win with his superior firepower.
Winner: Jake Matthews, TKO, Round 2
Robert Winfree: This is a battle of two prospects in the division, and both of them share a common weakness: neither really excels in ugly bloody fights. Not to say they crumble at the first hint of blood but they’re both visibly better when things are technical and more clinical as opposed to ugly and visceral. Under those conditions I favor Velickovic just a bit, he’s a better striker and Matthews isn’t the best takedown artist in the world.
Winner: Bojan Velickovic, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Matthews is a strong grappler and if he can get on top of Velickovic, it will be a great position for him. However, Velickovic is tough to take down, and he should be the bigger fighter here, as this is Matthews’ return to welterweight after a seven-fight stint at lightweight. I think it will be close, but I’m leaning toward Matthews because of his advantages if he gets on top.
Winner: Matthews, Decision
The staff picks Jake Matthews, 2-1.
Welterweight Bout: Tim Means vs. Belal Muhammad
Jeffrey Harris: Both fighters are looking to extend their winning streaks right now. Both fighters are entertaining and generally fun to watch. I like Tim Means for this one. I believe he will be the more dangerous opponent and will be looking to finish Belal Muhammed with his powerful striking. Means is the more battle-tested and experienced opponent in this fight, and I see that coming through for him here.
Winner: Tim Means, TKO, Round 1
Robert Winfree: In direct contrast to our previous competitors, we have Tim Means and Belal Muhammad. Means loves an ugly fight, and Muhammad loves throwing hands. Means will do better in close quarters as his elbow game is on point, but his defense is a bit of a liability getting there. Muhammad has faded in the past and is far from a defensive marvel himself, I’m leaning towards Means.
Winner: Tim Means, TKO, Round 2
Dan Plunkett: I think Means will win this standing.
Winner: Means, TKO, Round 2
The staff picks Tim Means, 3-0.
Flyweight Bout: Bec Rawlings vs. Jessy Rose-Clark
Jeffrey Harris: The local hometown favorite, Bec Rawlings, is in desperate need of a win here to avoid going 0-3 in the UFC, losing at home, and boasting a .500 MMA record. She faces the debuting in the UFC Jessy Rose-Clark, who is a 7-4 fighter. Based on the looks of it, the UFC is trying to give Rawlings a fight she can win to keep her on the roster. Rawlings has her flaws, but I believe she can walk away with a victory that’s been eluding her in the UFC for a while.
Winner: Bec Rawlings, Decision
Robert Winfree: This is a designated win for the local fighter, and while Rawlings has been very unimpressive she likely gets it done here.
Winner: Bec Rawlings, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Rose-Clark is a late replacement for Joanne Calderwood. She is really a bantamweight, having fought professionally at flyweight once before and missing the weight by six pounds. I’m torn on the match-up, but the late notice and Rose-Clark’s past issues making flyweight have me leaning toward Rawlings.
Winner: Rawlings, Decision
The staff picks Bec Rawlings, 3-0.
Heavyweight Bout: Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura
Jeffrey Harris: The former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum faces the surging prospect Marcin Tybura. At 32 years old, Tybura isn’t exactly the type of young blood the heavyweight division really needs. However, he does have three straight wins, and he’s coming off a dominating performance over Andrei Arlovski. He gets a big test here in the experienced former champion, who has some of the best grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the entire sport. This is a quick turnaround for Werdum after a quick submission win over Walt Harris at UFC 216. But that was basically a warmup fight for him where Harris didn’t score any offense at all. I think Tybura has bit off more than he can chew here so to speak. He won’t be able to deal with Werdum’s exceptional grappling. Werdum dominates this fight and eventually takes this fight to the mat and submits Tybura.
Winner: Fabricio Werdum, Submission
Robert Winfree: Tybura is a decent heavyweight, Werdum is an exceptional heavyweight. As long as Werdum doesn’t get sloppy or completely overlook Tybura’s offense he should take this one relatively quickly.
Winner: Fabricio Werdum, Submission, Round 1
Dan Plunkett: If Werdum is allowed to use his boomerang in this fight, I’m picking Werdum. If he’s not allowed to use his boomerang, I’m still picking Werdum, unless Colby Covington manages to hit Werdum with his own boomerang while Tybura distracts the referee..
Winner: Werdum, Boomerang, Round 2
The staff picks Fabricio Werdum, 3-0.
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