UFC 184: Ronda Rousey Crystal Ball Predictions
We can't wait for Saturday's UFC 184. Four of the baddest women on the planet make up the main and co-main event, with a world title and a No. 1 contender spot at stake.
See who we're picking, why and then let us know who you've got in the comments section and on Twitter!
Ronda Rousey (10-0) vs. Cat Zingano (9-0)
The unpredictability of MMA fights is one of the sport's most appealing aspects. No matter the odds beforehand, anyone can win, and they often do.
We certainly could be in for an upset in Saturday's UFC 184 main event between bantamweight champion Rousey and challenger Zingano. However, Rousey still appears to be well-situated to continue her dominance in the division and stay undefeated.
Rousey's combination of takedown ability, striking power, submission hunting and speed everywhere make her very tough to beat. She is and should be considered a favorite against any 135-pound woman in the world, period.
Zingano is most certainly the best fighter Rousey will have faced. "Alpha" Cat about matches Rousey for size, intensity, aggressiveness and killer instinct.
Ronda Rousey (R) is willing to throw her hands, but that could give Cat Zingano the chance she needs to win.
Additionally, Zingano is the most well-rounded woman to be matched up with Rousey. The also undefeated Zingano throws her hands, legs, knees and elbows with fluidity, is excellent on top and off her back on the ground, and is always superbly conditioned.
Zingano tells us that she plans to be in Rousey's face, and we believe her. There's also every reason to believe that Rousey intends to do the same.
Rousey has showed a willingness to stand and bang on the feet with strikes. It's scored her two KO's recently, but that approach could also give Zingano a chance at changing the complexion of the fight.
Rousey's strikes are quick and strong, but she leaves her head in the same place, on the center line, while she throws them. She's eaten some solid shots to the head as a result, but walked through all the shots.
Eventually, one of those strikes might stun her. Zingano's striking may be good enough to do the trick.
If Zingano can hurt and slow down Rousey, she could take her into deep water. Similarly, if Zingano can survive Rousey's initial onslaught and make it into the second and third rounds, we know that she's got the grit and conditioning to stay dangerous, more dangerous than any other opponent Rousey has faced.
Prediction: Rousey by decision
Holly Holm (7-0) vs. Raquel Pennington (5-4)
Can Holly Holm bring her finishing skills to the UFC?
Holm has the hype behind her, after multiple world titles in boxing and an undefeated streak in MMA, so far, but TUF veteran Pennington has the top-tier experience advantage. She also believes that she has the grappling advantage against the former boxer.
She more than likely does, but even so, "Rocky" will have to balance strikes and feints in with clinch attempts in order to not be predictable. More than likely, she'll be able to do that.
It will be harder to stay away from Holm's pinpoint striking in the process. Holm is exciting, but she is still an unknown quantity in terms of high-level MMA competition.
Pennington looks to be getting better with each fight. One of these women will peak Saturday night, or both.
Either way, we're quite sure that an exciting and close fight is in store.
Prediction: Pennington by decision
Jake Ellenberger (29-9) vs. Josh Koshcheck (17-8)
A fight between similar fighters like this is always hard to tell. With two strong wrestlers who posess KO power like these, there could be fireworks.
There could also be a lot of tentativeness because of mutual respect. Both Ellenberger and Koscheck are top-notch welterweights, but both are also on rough three-fight losing streaks.
Ellenberger's losses are more recent, however, as Koscheck has not fought since late 2013. The former title challenger is giving his UFC career another go and may be refreshed after his time away from competition.
Ellenberger's youth may mean he's slightly less banged up, and could still be the fresher fighter. Either man is capable of ending the fight with one strike, but we'll pick Ellenberger by a hair.
Prediction: Ellenberger by decision
Alan Jouban (10-3) vs. Richard Walsh (8-3)
This is a very good welterweight prospect matchup that may be flying under the radar for most fans, but shouldn't be. Both men are 1-1 in the UFC, but Jouban may have fought slightly stiffer competition, and he very easily could be 2-0 in the promotion, at this point.
Jouban's loss last year to Warrley Alves was controversial, and the Louisiana native still managed to impress even in defeat. Walsh is also coming off of a close loss, last fall, and should be just as raring to go as Jouban.
Prediction: Jouban by third-round submission
Gleison Tibau (40-10) vs. Tony Ferguson (18-3)
Gleison Tibau fought five weeks ago. Can he keep his streak going against Tony Ferguson?
Ferguson is on a four-fight win streak now, while Tibau has won three straight. Both men also each fought recently, with Ferguson picking up a win in December and Tibau just five weeks ago.
We like Ferguson's length and quickness as well as his takedown and submission ability. However, Tibau is very hard to look good against.
He grinds fights down to a virtual halt, if need be, and is excellent at staying out of range on the feet, while dragging opponents down to the mat.
This is hard to predict as Ferguson has looked sharper of late, but Tibau's confidence is at an all-time high after recently making history with the total amount of fights he has in the UFC.
Prediction: Tibau by decision
Mark Munoz (13-5) vs. Roan Carneiro (19-9)
This is an interesting fight for many reasons, but the biggest may be the size difference between the two. Carneiro has looked rejuvenated in his career, even beating three men in a single night last year.
However, the Brazilian is a welterweight, plain and simple. Munoz is a middleweight, and one who found success at light heavyweight, as well. If the fight would have looked intriguing and very competitive on paper, Munoz may come out clearly ahead in our prediction simply because of what we will assume will be a significant size and strength advantage.
Prediction: Munoz by third-round TKO
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto (18-6) vs. Roman Salazar (9-3)
"Kid" Yamamoto is a paradox. In his native Japan, the controversial and always exciting fighter became a world champion and genuine celebrity.
Since moving to the UFC, however, he's lost three straight fights. In fact, his struggles began long before that. Since May 2007, he's lost five out of six bouts. Yamamoto hasn't won since 2010; before that he hadn't won since 2007, and he hasn't fought at all for three years.
Yet, here he is giving it one last shot, against a solid young bantamweight. Salazar lost his UFC debut in October, but before that rattled off four straight wins.
We have no idea what Yamamoto has been doing the past three years. Maybe, gathering more rust and simply getting older.
Perhaps, he's healed his body up a bit and picked up skills. We'd like to say that Salazar has the advantage as the more active, and younger fighter, but you never know.
The "Kid" may still have dynamite in his hands.
Prediction: "Kid" Yamamoto by decision
Dhiego Lima (10-2) vs. Tim Means (22-6-1)
These two big welterweights could provide a sleeper treat for the fans. Lima will need to be quick on the feet and deadly on the ground to fight off Means.
Means will need to impose his will, put Lima on his back and stay out of trouble while there. We're guessing he does.
Prediction: Means by decision
Derrick Lewis (11-3) vs. Ruan Potts (8-3)
Potts has his back against the wall after losing two straight by stoppage in the UFC. Lewis is also coming off of a KO loss, last fall, but should be the quicker and bigger puncher, here.
Potts needs to keep his chin tucked and throw straight shots. Lewis needs to show he won't gas or stick his chin out too far while winging punches.
Prediction: Lewis by TKO
James Krause (21-6) vs. Valmir Lazaro (12-3)
Lazaro lost his UFC debut last summer, while Krause has lost two out of his last three. Krause has been fighting some of the lightweight division's best.
He took Jorge Masvidal to a decision and submitted Sam Stout. We could be surprised, but we think Krause is the safer bet.
Prediction: Krause by decision
Masio Fullen (9-4) vs. Alex Torres (2-1)
Both the Mexican Fullen and the Colombian Torres make their UFC debuts Saturday night. Fullen has a clear experience advantage, but Torres may be the naturally bigger man.
Torres may threaten with his power striking, but we're going with Fullen in this featherweight contest.
Prediction: Fullen by third-round submission
