UFC Vegas 66 staff picks and predictions: Cannonier to rebound with a win?

The UFC’s 2022 season is coming to an in depth with a… nicely, not a bang. The final present of the 12 months just isn’t an enormous tentpole occasion. As an alternative it’s one for the MMA sickos with a couple of recognized characters, however largely full of fighters seeking to make statements and put themselves on the radars of MMA casuals in all places.

The primary occasion has two guys who’ve made some waves within the middleweight division, not only for their performances within the cage. Jared Cannonier is coming off a lopsided loss to Israel Adesanya for the title. Sean Strickland is coming off a thunderous TKO loss to Alex Pereira. Each want a win to indicate they’re nonetheless related within the divison, however just one can have it. So, who will or not it’s? Right here at BE, our workers is usually siding with Cannonier to rebound from his final defeat.

The co-main occasion for this one is Arman Tsarukyan vs. Damir Ismagulov within the light-weight division. Opinion on this one is extra break up, with the workers barely siding with previous major eventer Tsarukyan.

You’ll be able to take a look at all our picks beneath and please keep in mind to share yours within the remark part!

Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland

Anton Tabuena: Strickland will stick along with his regular method, stroll him down and attempt to put on him out, however he’ll most likely eat plenty of massive pictures, particularly leg kicks right here. If Cannonier needs to be the stronger striker that lands the very best pictures early, however to me the query is that if he can deal with Strickland’s tempo if the combat reaches the latter rounds. I’m unsure, however I’m going with Cannonier. Jared Cannonier by TKO.

Tim Bissell: The good factor a couple of match up like that is not less than considered one of these guys goes to lose. I’m selecting Strickland to win this one as a result of I feel it’s going to go to the scorecards and I don’t belief Cannonier’s potential to do sufficient over 5 rounds (or three) to spectacular the judges. In judges’ choices Cannonier is 1-4 within the UFC, having misplaced on scores to Israel Adesanya, Rob Whittaker, Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. The one resolution he’s gained was in opposition to Ion Cutelaba again in 2016. The rationale for this, I really feel, is that Cannonier is nice in bursts however these bursts are too usually adopted by lapses and lulls (maybe due to the power spend in these bursts). So if considered one of his excessive depth assaults doesn’t end the combat, he has to wrestle to maintain up. Strickland could be very exhausting to place away. He’s solely been completed twice in his profession, as soon as by a spinning again kick delivered by Eliseu Zaleski dos Santos. The opposite loss was due to one of many hardest punchers in fight sports activities: Alex Pereira. I don’t assume Cannonier would be the third man to cease Strickland, so I’m anticipating a protracted combat the place Strickland does extra, each on the toes and within the grappling exchanges, a lot to the delight of the judges. Sean Strickland by unanimous resolution.

Zane Simon: It’s not simply Alex Pereira. I’ve plenty of questions as to simply how Sean Strickland’s fashion interprets in opposition to quite a lot of high ranked opponents within the middleweight division. His straight-up, lively hand, high-volume strain fashion is made to win rounds in opposition to opponents who don’t have the consistency of type and energy to harm him. However plenty of elite expertise at 185 does have that. Cannonier isn’t the slickest technician or deepest striker, however he’s awfully constant in throwing massive energy pictures spherical after spherical. Can Strickland push ahead aggressively and keep protected sufficient to see the ultimate bell? I’ll guess he can’t. Jared Cannonier through KO, spherical 3.

Tim Burke: May as nicely wait until the final present of the 12 months to lastly begin making picks. I feel I can nonetheless win this factor! And talking of this combat, I nonetheless don’t actually get what makes Cannonier so nice. He definitely does hit with the ability or accuracy that Alex Pereira does, and he’s not going to out-grapple Strickland right here. I could also be repeated what some have stated above, however I see Strickland taking a semi-wide resolution right here. Sean Strickland by unanimous resolution.

Workers selecting Cannonier: Chris, Kristen, Anton, Lewis, Zane, Stephie
Workers selecting Strickland: Bissell, Dayne, Tim

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Damir Ismagulov

Tim Bissell: Tsarukyan wins with regards to enjoyable issue right here. However I feel Ismagulov will likely be too crisp and scientific for him. If Tsarukyan doesn’t discover pleasure when hanging, he will likely be tempted to shoot for takedowns, however Ismagulov’s 90% takedown protection score will make that troublesome. I feel this one will go the space with Ismagulov stifling Tsarukyan for an in depth resolution. Damir Ismagulov by resolution.

Zane Simon: We’ve seen it a pair instances now. Give Arman Tsarukyan an opponent that may wrestle with him, and he’ll get caught in a reasonably unconvincing kickboxing bout. He’s acquired plenty of grit and willingness to throw, and a few first rate kicks to his title. However the longer he has to face, the extra his hanging feels awkward and compelled. That’s by no means been an issue for Damir Ismagulov, who makes up for any potential lack in pace and energy with a implausible consistency of technical type in all places. His jab, particularly is a factor of magnificence, and he fights behind it remarkably nicely. If Tsarukyan can hulk him to the mat and maintain him there, then he’s acquired the center and grit to win, however I’ll take Ismagulov to win by resolution.

Tim Burke: As a man who does play-by-play for a residing, Ismagulov is barely simpler to spell than Tsarukyan. I all the time lean in direction of the least work for me. Damir Ismagulov through resolution.

Workers selecting Tsarukyan: Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Lewis, Stephie
Workers selecting Ismagulov: Bissell, Chris, Zane, Tim

Amir Albazi vs. Alessandro Costa

Tim Bissell: This occasion was presupposed to be the litmus check for Albazi as a possible flyweight contender. Previous to getting Costa on brief discover he was matched up in opposition to Brandon Royval after which Alex Perez. In Costa he meets a man who’s lone Octagon look is a Contender collection break up resolution that wasn’t ok to earn him a direct contract. Albazi has already proven he has what it takes to beat precise UFC competitors, so he needs to be the decide right here. I feel he’ll overwhelm Costa on the toes earlier than snatching up his neck or an arm. Amir Albazi by submission.

Zane Simon: Costa’s not unhealthy, however I don’t assume he’s in any respect prepared for this type of strain, tempo and wrestling. Albazi’s good and he’s going to get an excellent alternative to push his A-game on this one. Amir Albazi through TKO, spherical 2.

Tim Burke: Why is that this this the flyweight bout on the principle card over Kape/Dvorak? Dumb. I perceive eager to showcase Albazi however and he’s good, however I don’t assume this will likely be that entertaining. Amir Albazi by resolution.

Workers selecting Albazi: Bissell, Chris, Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Lewis, Zane, Stephie, Tim
Workers selecting Costa:

Alex Caceres vs. Julian Erosa

Anton Tabuena: Do you know that Caceres has already been with the UFC for 12 years? He’ll by no means be among the many elite, nevertheless it’s actually spectacular how he’s made a pleasant and lengthy profession being a gatekeeper of kinds. He’s an underrated and artful vet that I’d decide over many of the newer prospects he’s been going through, however this needs to be lots harder in opposition to somebody like Erosa, who additionally has plenty of expertise and might greater than match his floor recreation. Julian Erosa by resolution.

Tim Bissell: I’m selecting Juicy J right here as a result of I feel he has extra instruments to complete the combat than Bruce Leeroy. Of his 14 UFC wins Caceres has solely had 5 stoppages (1 KO and 4 submissions). He’s additionally been completed six instances in his UFC profession (which quantities to greater than half of his UFC losses). I additionally really feel like now could be a horrible time for anybody to face Erosa, who appears to have discovered his strengths within the cage, proven by his 5-1 file since rejoining the UFC in 2020. Final day out he appeared implausible in disarming and hurting Hakeem Dawodu and I feel the identical gameplan he employed there can pay dividends this weekend. Julian Erosa by submission.

Zane Simon: Alex Cacere’s principal subject has all the time been that he’ll enable opponents to have no matter bout most closely fits them. I feel, for essentially the most half, he’s simply blissful to deal with having massive moments in fights and making an attempt out enjoyable, artistic strategies. If that occurs to be standing or within the clinch or on the bottom, it doesn’t actually matter, he’ll compete there. That’s a really harmful option to combat Julian Erosa, who’s all the time at his most susceptible when opponents can strand him at vary early and drive him to leap into the pocket unguarded to fulfill massive counters. Let Erosa have his combat, his method, and his a momentum-building strain fighter who will discover methods to harm you each step alongside the way in which. Julian Erosa by resolution.

Tim Burke: Again when Cacares wasn’t the considerably well-rounded fighter he’s now, he misplaced lots through submission. And his answer was to maintain dropping weight lessons. When he lastly acquired to bantamweight, on the first UFC present on massive Fox in opposition to Cole Escovedo in 2011, I gave considered one of my best predictions of all time on this very site.

“Alex Caceres sucks. He may drop to amoebaweight and he’d get submitted by a virus.”

Yeah, I wasn’t the wordsmith I’m as we speak. However he gained that night time, and impressed me, and made me a fan. Alex Caceres through TKO, spherical 1

Workers selecting Caceres: Chris, Tim
Workers selecting Erosa: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Lewis, Zane, Stephie

Drew Dober vs. Bobby Inexperienced

Zane Simon: Single exchanges and moments really feel like they need to reward Inexperienced an terrible lot. He’s the slicker striker and an excellent reactive counter fighter. Dober goes to bull ahead with energy continually, Inexperienced ought to be capable of decide him off lots. However, Inexperienced’s fashion of defensively-minded offense doesn’t all the time jive with judges, and it additionally requires him to make the precise proper learn lots. Opponents who can keep within the bout and maintain tempo with Inexperienced are inclined to land loads of their very own strikes, and get plenty of rounds scored for them. Dober could also be much less refined and he could also be extra hittable, however he’s extremely robust and lands massive. Drew Dober by resolution.

Tim Bissell: I’m unsure what Bobby Inexperienced has left within the tank. Towards Drew Dober, I can’t appear him both staying with Dober for tempo or doing sufficient to drive his opponent to decelerate. So I feel Dober will do sufficient for a call or drive Inexperienced to fade and rating a late TKO. Drew Dober by resolution.

Tim Burke: Dober does lots. Inexperienced doesn’t. Judges like guys that do lots. Typically it’s that straightforward. Drew Dober through resolution.

Workers selecting Dober: Bissell, Dayne, Lewis, Stephie, Zane, Tim
Workers selecting Inexperienced: Chris, Anton

Cody Brundage vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

Zane Simon: I like plenty of the methods Brundage has been utilizing his abilities within the Octagon. It looks like he’s acquired head for alternatives once they strike and like he will get higher and higher concepts as fights go on. However he’s very prepared to cede strain and tempo and Oleksiejczuk seems to be like a bulldozer at middleweight. Michal Oleksiejczuk through KO, spherical 1.

Tim Burke: See above about the entire PBP/having to spell names factor. Cody Brundage through TKO, spherical 1

Workers selecting Brundage: Chris, Tim
Workers selecting Oleksiejczuk: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Stephie

Cheyanne Vlismas vs. Cory McKenna

Zane Simon: If McKenna can push the sort of takedown and grappling-heavy recreation she’s able to, she’s acquired a path to victory right here. However, she actually likes to field and she or he doesn’t have an excellent command of vary in any respect. Vlismas, alternatively, appears to have excellent vary and timing, and a few first rate pop in her punches to go along with it. If she retains to her distance and retains McKenna scrapping, she ought to come out forward. Cheyanne Vlismas through resolution.

Workers selecting Vlismas: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Stephie, Zane, Tim
Workers selecting McKenna: Chris

Jake Matthews vs. Matt Semelsberger

Anton Tabuena: Matthews has extra upside, however I’m guessing he’ll find yourself with an identical Caceres kind of lengthy profession. I don’t assume he’ll ever attain the heights some folks projected early on, however he’s discovered his area of interest and I feel he’ll be ok to beat guys on this stage. Jake Matthews by Determination.

Zane Simon: A giant step down for Jake Matthews and one other step up for Semelsberger that I’m unsure he’s ready for. I like the sport Semelsberger is engaged on. He is aware of methods to strike in quantity, he can land with energy, he’s acquired chin. However he nonetheless has to persuade himself that he can compete with different massive punchers, particularly when he can’t appear to clearly deter them along with his personal strikes. Matthews should be a one-punch/kick at a time sort of man, however he’s selecting his moments with higher type and timing than ever. By the point Semelsberger grits his tooth and actually tries to make this combat his, it might be too late. Jake Matthews by resolution.

Workers selecting Matthews: Bissell, Chris, Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Stephie, Zane, Tim
Workers selecting Semelsberger:

Mentioned Nurmagomedov vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov

Zane Simon: This combat looks like a horrible lure for Nurmagomedov, and I’m in no way positive why he took it. Kakhramonov is a comparatively unknown newcomer and Nurmagomedov has already had a pair signature wins. Beating this man gained’t do a lot for his stature within the division, however dropping would harm a hell of lots. Add in Kakhramonov’s excessive cardio, excessive tempo wrestling fashion, and there’s each likelihood Nurmagomedov will get out hustled to a call loss. I’m gonna keep on with him, although. Kakhramonov’s dedication to takedowns make his entries considerably predictable and sometimes wild. There’ll be plenty of probabilities for Nurmagomedov to catch him coming in. And if it stays at vary, his kicking recreation might be an enormous subject. Mentioned Nurmagomedov by resolution.

Workers selecting Nurmagomedov: Chris, Anton, Zane, Tim
Workers selecting Kakhramnonov: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Stephie

Maheshate vs. Rafa Garcia

Zane Simon: There’s no actually good cause to select Maheshate right here. He’s a slick, trigger-counter puncher with stable dimension, pace, and energy, however that’s not a combat Garcia tends to lose. Garcia will not be the very best at something as a light-weight, but when opponents can’t maintain him from wrestling, he places collectively a very nice all-round MMA fashion that does nicely to get him rounds. And he’s by no means been KO’d. That stated, I simply have a intestine feeling that Maheshate pulls it out. If nothing else, I’m positive he’ll get to land a pair large pictures early that may have Garcia harm. What he could make of it from there may be anybody’s guess. Maheshate through KO, spherical 1.

Tim Burke: Miesha Tate through resolution.

Workers selecting Maheshate: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Stephie, Zane, Tim
Workers selecting Garcia: Chris, Anton

Bryan Battle vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov

Zane Simon: I’m nonetheless not that offered on Brian Battle’s ability set. He’s acquired a really regional ‘I can robust my method via something’ sort of vibe, and has benefited lots from fairly smooth UFC matchmaking thus far. Fakhretdinov isn’t any sort of constant hanging risk, however his wrestling recreation is precisely the sort of factor that’s exhausting to simply intestine via and are available out forward. Battle’s takedown protection hasn’t been any nice shakes thus far both. Rinat Fakhretdinov through resolution.

Workers selecting Battle: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Stephie, Tim
Workers selecting Fakhretdinov: Chris, Anton, Zane

David Dvorak vs. Manel Kape

Zane Simon: Suppose Kape is simply too quick and too highly effective for Dvorak to play a busy, bullying hanging/grappling recreation in opposition to. Particularly since Kape is extra more likely to strain and maintain Dvorak away from the elements of his fashion the place he feels most comfy. Manel Kape through TKO, spherical 2.

Workers selecting Dvorak: Bissell, Chris, Tim
Workers selecting Kape: Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Stephie, Zane

Sergey Morozov vs. Journey Newson

Zane Simon: Too many questions on Newson’s sturdiness nonetheless linger. Morozov isn’t elite, however he doesn’t have plenty of gaps in his recreation the place Newson can keep protected. Sergey Morozov through KO, spherical 1.

Workers selecting Morozov: Bissell, Kristen, Dayne, Anton, Stephie, Zane
Workers selecting Newson: Chris, Tim

After a foul week of picks for UFC Orlando, the workers responded with some wonderful prognosticating forward of UFC 282. Anton and Zane went 11-1 with their picks (the draw between Blachowicz and Ankalaev marring their try at an ideal file). Kristen was shut behind with a 10-2 file. These data launches Zane and Kristen into the primary and second spot within the chief board. Myself, Steph and Victor went 9-3. Chris, who determines his picks with a coin flip, hilariously went 6-6 on the night time.

Chief board (as of Sept 3):

1. Zane – 96-49 (.662)

2. Kristen – 92-42 (.687)

3. Dayne – 92-50 (.621)

4. Bissell – 90-55 (.635)

5. Stephie – 89-56 (.631)

6. Anton – 51-23 (.689)

7. Victor – 36-17 (.679)

8. Lewis – 12-8 (.600)

9. Chris – 17-20 (.460)

Chief board place relies on variety of appropriate picks. Right decide share acts as a tiebreaker.