UFC Edmonton predictions: Moreno vs. Albazi

Jamey-Lin Horth x Ivana Petrovic

Bet: Horth wins
Low confidence

Analysis: Horth is stronger and has a good fight IQ. If she invests in takedowns and control, she could do well. Petrovic in her last fight, against the terrible Na Liang, had some difficulty in the opening round, which is an aggravating factor for not betting on her.

Chad Anheliger vs Cody Gibson

Bet: Gibson wins

Analysis: Gibson will have a height and wingspan advantage, and there’s also the fact that his specialty, which is ground fighting, is also Anheliger’s Achilles heel. I wouldn’t doubt Chad being finished.

Serhiy Sidey vs. Garrett Armfield

Bet: Armfield wins

Analysis: Armfield is more used to the UFC atmosphere and is more complete than Sidney. But it could be an even fight. In the judges’ decision, I trust Armfield more. They’re both the same age.

Alexandr Romanov x Rodrigo Nascimento

Bet: Nascimento wins

Analysis: Boring fight alert! There’s a high probability that this fight will go to decision, if you take into account the Brazilian’s style. Even so, I believe he has more weapons to win than Romanov, who I dare say, is almost past his HR…

Jack Shore x Youssef Zalal

Bet: Zalal wins

Analysis: Zalal is in a better phase and has a height and wingspan advantage. Shore’s physique is a bit curious, even though his specialty is jiu-jitsu. Zalal has never been finished and I don’t think this will be the first time. Shore has had a few fights in the UFC and although he’s had a few wins, when the level has gone up a bit, he’s been beaten (Ricky Simón and Joanderson Brito).

Charles Jourdain vs Victor Henry

Bet: Jourdain wins

Analysis: Almost ten years younger and despite coming from two defeats, he was facing dangerous fighters. I don’t think he’ll be able to finish Henry, let alone knock him out, but on control, gas and volume, Jourdain has a better chance of getting back into the win column.

Ariane da Silva x Jasmin Jasudavicius

Bet: Jasudavicius wins

Analysis: Ariane’s evolution is clear, but even so, she’s only been given a tough time. Last time it was Karine Silva and now Jasudavicius, fighting practically at home. The Canadian’s grappling should make the difference. I see Ariane stuck on the fence or falling to the ground from below, and from there, not being able to get out.

Aiemann Zahabi vs Pedro Munhoz

Bet: Zahabi wins

Analysis: Zahabi is in a better phase, with four wins, two of them by knockout. Although Munhoz has never been knocked out, at 38 he is already in decline. I see Zahabi with more technique to control and score throughout the rounds.

Mike Malott x Trevin Giles

Bet: Malott wins

Analysis: After a disappointing performance in January, Malott returns to the octagon, again in his home country. Now, perhaps even with easier competition. Giles is coming off two defeats, one by knockout and one by submission. I see Malott’s grappling making all the difference and I wouldn’t doubt a finish from him. An important detail: the two have already faced each other in a grappling event, with Malott winning on a judges’ decision.

Marc-Andre Barriault vs Dustin Stoltzfus

Bet: Barriault wins

Analysis: Despite looking like a forty-year-old, Barriault is “only” 34! He’ll be fighting at home and look, they did everything they could to find a beatable opponent for him… Stoltzfus has seven fights in the UFC and only two wins, against guys who are pretty good. Not that Barriault has won much better contests, but he has more wins and is stronger.

Caio Machado vs Brendson Ribeiro

Bet: Ribeiros win

Analysis: Machado fights like he’s always sparring, smiling, joking… the detail is that inside the UFC, he’s only losing and moving around the octagon with the speed of a turtle. Now he’s decided to move down a category, I don’t know what the weight cut will be like. Ribeiro hasn’t put in good performances, but he has knockout power and is already used to the category. Even in his last fight, Brendson showed a slight improvement in his fighting style. Whoever loses here, I think it’s very difficult for him to renew his contract with the UFC. So it’s good to win and put on a show. And on that, I’m betting more on Ribeiro.

Derrick Lewis vs Jhonata Diniz

Bet: Diniz wins

Analysis: Lewis, at 39, still has knockout power and a lot of experience. But I think Diniz’s phase is better and if he manages to win, he’ll take a big step towards his dreams in the UFC. Jhonata has a good fight IQ and can keep the gas flowing if the fight goes the distance. He just needs to be able to evade Derrick’s powerful blows and not go for the straight punch. Keeping his distance and winning on volume would be ideal. I think it’s very difficult for this fight to go to the ground.

Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield

Bet: Namajunas wins

Analysis: I think Blanchfield still needs to evolve in all areas, given that she’s only 25. Namajunas at 32 is a complete fighter and is at her peak. I think she’ll do whatever she wants to Erin over the three rounds. Rose is stronger and Blanchfield’s ground and pound game won’t be developed easily.

Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi

Bet: Albazi wins

Analysis: When I started watching the UFC frequently, more than two years ago, I always heard about the “Mexican Wave”, when fighters from that country were dominating some categories and holding belts, with Moreno heading those names. Two years later, we can clearly see that this wave was actually a tidal wave. Mexican athletes are in a terrible phase, for the most part.

Albazi is very tough and can use a few falls to kill Brandon’s game. The only detail is that Amir is returning from almost a year and a half out of action following surgery. But if he’s 100%, he has every chance of winning.