UFC 203: Miocic vs. Overeem, Preview and Predictions
Saturday night, the UFC returns to pay-per-view with a massive card in the form of UFC 203. Live from Cleveland, the card features a title fight in the main event, as well as the debut of a former pro wrestling superstar.
In the main offering, Stipe Miocic comes home with the UFC Heavyweight Championship and attempts to defend it for the first time since beating Fabricio Wrdum. Opposite him will be former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem, who looks to continue the pattern of playing hot potato with the belt.
Further down the card, we will see the UFC and pro MMA debut of former WWE star CM Punk. He will make his long-awaited debut against undefeated prospect Mickey Gall, in what should attract a plethora of eyes to the MMA world. Will Punk be able to transition to MMA at his age?
Also on the card are names such as Fabricio Werdum, Urijah Faber and Bethe Correia, among others. Overall, it looks to be a great card that should attract a ton of attention and be a great night of fights. With that, let’s examine the card and make some picks for the night.
Main Card
Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem
The main event should be a good one with heavyweight gold on the line, as Stipe Miocic looks to defend his belt for the first time against former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem. This might be the most evenly matched heavyweight bout possible for a title bout. While Overeem is known for his kickboxing prowess, it’s Miocic’s boxing that has looked top-notch in recent fights and earned him his victories. And while Overeem is a striker, he has shown an improvement in his wrestling and ground game in recent times. Miocic is a wrestler, so he can probably do a decent job at defending the clinch and takedown attempts of Overeem. This is a coin toss match, but I think Miocic defends his home turf in a great fight.
Fabricio Werdum vs. Travis Browne
Heavyweights occupy the co-main event, as former champion Fabricio Werdum competes for the first time since losing the belt against Travis Browne. Browne is a big striker that has kind of gotten away from that strategy in recent fights. A further problem is that Werdum has improved his striking ten-fold, making this competitive. The other issue is that Werdum is world-class on the ground, and if he gets Browne there, it will be a quick night. Either way, Werdum should take this bout by whatever method necessary.
CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall
WWE star CM Punk will finally make his MMA debut in the next bout against undefeated Mickey Gall. The UFC committed to Gall, but that was before they realized that he is actually a very serviceable prospect. On the other hand, Punk is completely inexperienced, still a novice and has a ton of mileage on his body from the more enduring world of pro wrestling. It pains me to say I don’t see any scenario where Punk takes this. Gall will take this bout however he pleases.
Urijah Faber vs. Jimmie Rivera
The old guard and the new blood will compete at bantamweight next, as Urijah Faber looks to push toward another title shot against young gun Jimmie Rivera. Faber and Rivera have very similar styles and toughness. The biggest difference between the two is youth. Faber has a ton of mileage on him and is past his prime. Rivera is a hot prospect that has all the makings of a potential title challenger. Faber is likely the favorite, but I will take Rivera in this fun bout.
Joanne Calderwood vs. Jessica Andrade
Strawweight sluggers will duke it out next, as Scotland’s Joanne Calderwood takes on Brazilian powerhouse Jessica Andrade. This matchup will see technical prowess take on power. Calderwood is very quick and technical, using movement and clinch work to tire opponents. Her knees and elbows are especially dangerous. Andrade is more deliberate in her attempts to land home run shots. She can more than definitely knock anybody out, but if her movement is to plodding, she is going to get lit up. Andrade is a dangerous adversary for anybody, but I think Calderwood and her technique prevail.
Prelim Card
Jessica Eye vs. Bethe Correia
In the prelim headliner, Cleveland’s own Jessica Eye looks to defend her home turf against former title challenger Bethe Correia. Both Eye and Correia are strikers that primarily use boxing as their main weapon. Eye has proven to be tough as nails, as has Correia. The difference is Correia has been overhyped as a result of her title shot against Ronda Rousey in the past. Eye’s ground game is better and I think she is technically more sound than Correia. She wins in front of her home crowd, igniting the fans into a frenzy.
Nik Lentz vs. Michael McBride
On late notice, Michael McBride gets the call to perform for the UFC, but gets perennial top-25 fighter Nik Lentz in his debut. Lentz has a simple game plan and that is to get his opponent to the mat. He has good ground skills from the top, which is what he’ll try to show against McBride. McBride has a good record, but it’s against low-level guys on the regional level. Lentz should have no problem disposing of his nemesis in this one.
Caio Magalhaes vs. Brad Tavares
Middleweights collide in the next bout, as Brad Tavares returns from a long layoff to take on Brazil’s Caio Magalhaes. Magalhaes is a grappler who is coming off the disgraceful suspension for spitting blood at Josh Samman. He is a grinder that will force clinches and takedowns on opponents. Tavares is a big-time striker with good takedown defense. He will defend the shots of Magalhaes and use his supreior striking to finish Magalhaes before the judges intervene.
Ian McCall vs. Ray Borg
The flyweights are up next, as Ian McCall returns from a long layoff to take on the young and talented Ray Borg. McCall’s long layoff is a huge concern. Before the break, he had been one of the best in the world at flyweight, but his disappearance has caused questions. Borg has been active and has been one of the best young fighters at 125. In terms of matchup, they have similar skills, but McCall has more mileage on his body. I think Borg wins this fight in what should be an exciting bout.
Yancy Medeiros vs. Sean Spencer
The Fight Pass headliner should be a good one, as welterweights Yancy Medeiros and Sean Spencer compete in what should be a barn burner. Both Medeiros and Spencer are both strikers. Medeiros holds the power edge, while Spencer holds the technical edge. In terms of ground work, I think Medeiros holds a big edge, which may be important here. Spencer has shown some solid takedown defense, but he gives up size, aggression and power to Medeiros which is a big difference. Medeiros wins.
CB Dollaway vs. Francimar Barroso
Light heavyweights collide in the next outing, as CB Dollaway looks to make 205 a permanent home against Brazilian grinder Francimar Barroso. Dollaway and Barroso are actually both grinders. Barroso likes to work takedowns and work from top position, but he’s not going to outwrestle Dollaway. On the feet, Dollaway’s improvements are evident and he has a good amount of power in his hands. Overall, he’s a better fighter than Barroso. Dollaway takes the win and establishes himself in the top-15 at light heavyweight.
Drew Dober vs. Jason Gonzalez
On late notice, TUF 22 veteran Jason Gonzalez gets a shot in the UFC when he takes on UFC veteran Drew Dober. Dober is a brawler that is aggressive on the feet and has a chin made of granite. He will push forward and look for knockout blows from the onset of the fight. Gonzalez is a massive lightweight who will have a strength advantage, as well as a wrestling advantage. I think he can get down Dober and keep him there. From there, he can tire Dober out and pound him with strikes. Gonzalez takes this in an upset.
Damir Hadzovic vs. Yusuke Kasuya
Kicking off UFC 203 will be an international affair, as European Damir Hadzovic takes on Asian Yusuke Kasuya. Hadzovic is an exciting fighter that is known for his aggression and powerful striking. He moves forward throughout the fight and looks for the massive bomb that will end his opponent’s night. Kasuya will want to grapple with Hadzovic, but I don’t think he will be able to get that done with the more powerful European. Hadzovic wins by knockout.
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