Thankfully, I will be on vacation starting Friday afternoon.
Unfortunately, I will be off the grid for one of the best PPV's of the year.
Volk-Ortega : I think Volk wins and makes it look easy. That's not to say I think it's a no brainer. It's a good fight. Ortega obviously has the BJJ and power to find a finish, but I think Volk is too good. Ortega doesn't have great takedowns and Volk is a good wrestler, so I think it stays standing. Volk is such a tactician on the feet and doesn't really take risks like Max does, so I don't think Ortega will be able to land clean, either. I don't know if we have really seen Volk's chin tested or not, though, so if Ortega does win, I think it is by KO or he hurts him with a punch and then jumps on him and finds a sub.
Valentina-Murphy : I hope it's a quick one for y'all watching live.
Nick-Lawler : When one of the guys in the main event is calling this the main event, you know it's a big fight (even if it's not a particularly meaningful fight). I think BC on MK put it best, hopefully this gets a little sloppy with some back and forth momentum swings ala Lawler-Askren. No idea who wins. Anyone who says they do is lying.
Blaydes-Rozenstruik : I don't like puncher's chance's, so I'd go with Blaydes. But Blaydes has struggled with big power punchers before (Francis (x2), Lewis). I think Blaydes, but wouldn't be comfortable with the odds.
Andrade-Calvillo : Kind of the same as Blaydes-Rozenstruik. I think Andrade, but Andrade usually relies on bullying her opponents. Calvillo is physically strong and I think naturally bigger. I'd go with Andrade, but not feel good about it.
Moraes-Merab : This is a big fight for both guys. Big step up in competition for Merab and Moraes really needs a win. Being 33 coming off 3 straight losses at BW is not where you want to be. Tough fight for Moreas, though. I think Merab wins.
Hooker-Haqparast : Bad asses. Props to both guys for even making it to the fight, especially if they both make weight. If they moved Nick-Robbie to 185 the week of the fight, they should have moved this one to 170. I'm surprised the odds are so close. I think Hooker wins. He just has much more experience at the highest level and although 9 of Haqparast's wins have been by KO, only one of them was in the UFC. Hooker's tough as nails, too. I don't know. I can't help but to look at this as a get right fight for Hooker and he's only a -150 favorite. Maybe I just don't know enough about Haqparast.
