UFC Fight Night Predictions Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Ciryl Gane

                 UFC Fight Night Predictions

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Ciryl Gane 

Saturday February 27th 5:00 PM EST

ESPN+ 

All odds are from FanDuel 

Prelims 

Light Heavyweight 

Dustin Jacoby (13-5) -194 favorite vs Maxim Grishin (31-8-2) +154 underdog 

In the first matchup of the evening we have some Light Heavyweights going at it to prove that they belong in the UFC. Dustin Jacoby comes into the first fight of the night at 13-5 in his MMA career. The former kickboxer was once in the UFC before. He was released from the promotion back in 2011 after back to back losses. After passing through promotions such as World Series of Poker and Bellator it took him nine years to make it back for a tryout on Dana White’s contender series. He won by decision then in August in his UFC debut he won by TKO. Jacoby is on a three fight winning streak and will continue his climb after making back to the UFC. He will look for the knockout as 9 of his 13 wins are by TKO. He is a standup specialist who is vulnerable on the ground. However this fight is for Jacoby because his opponent Maxim Grishin is also a stand up artist. Actually a former kickboxer as well. Grishin comes into this fight at 31-8-2 with the record 3-1-1 in his last five fights. However Grishin is an MMA veteran and can submit you on the ground. Give the ground game a slight advantage for Grishin. If Jacoby can keep the fight standing he can win. He can win on the bottom but his chances decline. Grishin can also stand. Maybe he’ll work takedowns to tire Jacoby out then use that kickboxing skill to finish him. The game plan for both will be interesting. Hopefully it becomes two kickboxers standing and not two kickboxers grappling. 

Prediction: Grishin over Jacoby via decision 

Bantamweight 

Vince Cachero (7-3) +168 underdog vs Ronnie Lawerence (6-1) -170 favorite 

In the second bout of the evening we have a 135 pound contest. The betting underdog coming into the fight Vince Cachero is coming off a loss in his UFC debut. He’s 2-3 in his last five fights and will be looking to get back to winning. At 31 Cachero is new to the UFC and somewhat new to fighting full time. He’s only had ten fights but seems to be an all around fighter. He has good striking with a capable grappling ability. Cachero is one tough dude he is hard to put away. The betting favorite Ronnie Lawerence will have his hands full in this one. Lawrence is on a three fight winning streak that stretches all the way from February of 2019 to August of 2020. Nonetheless Lawrence would be considered to be on a hot streak. A win here will help the 28 year old climb up the ladder. He likes to stand as three of his six wins are by knockout. Lawrence doesn’t look to go to decision but sometimes for these lighter weights the power isn’t there. Expect him to want to stand in this one especially since Cachero last loss was a knockout. Expect a technical fight more than a brawl. 

Prediction: Lawrence over Cachero decision 

Light Heavyweight 

William Knight (9-1) -110 Pick em vs Alonzo Menifield (9-2) -110 Pick em 

If you needed an example of a pick em the third fight of the evening would be that. Both fighters love to stand and bang. They like to watch bodies hit the floor as they would say. William Knight also known as the “Knightmare” , pretty clever if you ask me, has crazy power. He has nine wins and eight of them are by knockout. Knight is currently on a three fight winning streak a win here especially by knockout will get him more marquee fights. Especially in such a weak Light Heavyweight division. His opponent Alonzo Menifield is another knockout artist. He also has eight of nine wins by knockout. These two fighters are nearly identical as you can see even by record. Menifield started off 9-0 with a big win over Paul Craig it looked like he was ready to make a big run at Light Heavyweight. After two straight losses his last being to Ovince Saint Preux which would have put him into the top 15 of the Light Heavyweight division. Menifield loss and is trying to get back to his winning ways. A knockout here in a brawl would be a good way to do that. Should be a barn burner in this one. Expect someone to be dropped. 

Prediction: Menifield over Knight TKO RD 2

Women’s Bantamweight 

Alexis Davis (19-10) +176 underdog vs Sabina Mazo (9-1) -220 favorite 

In this Prelims fight we will have a UFC veteran going up against an up and coming prospect who has been on fire as of late. The Women’s Bantamweight division has seen a lot of Alexis Davis over the years. Davis has been in the UFC since 2013 but a loss here could see that time coming to an end. Davis is on a three fight losing streak with her last win against Liz Carmouche in 2017. Davis needs a win here. She usually uses her cardio and grappling skills to wear on opponents. Davis hasn’t finished anyone by knockout since 2014 so don’t expect her to brawl. She will look to grind the young prospect out. Maybe Davis has some vet tricks up her sleeve because she’ll need them. Sabina Mazo is only 23 with a great start to her MMA career. Mazo is 9-1 while also riding a three fight winning streak. The UFC put Davis up against Mazo to give Mazo somewhat of a named opponent. People that have watched UFC should know of Davis she’s been around for awhile. A win here will get Mazo’s name out there more. She has very similar styles to Davis as she looks to grind out her opponent. Expect her to do the same here. She will look to use her striking to set up takedowns. Don’t expect a crazy brawl between these two ladies. Probably will be more of a technical fight with two fighters trying to force their will on the other. Expect this one to go the distance. 

Prediction: Mazo over Davis Decision 

Welterweight 

Alex Oliveira (22-9-1) +104 underdog vs  Ramazan Kuramagomedov (8-0) -128 favorite 

We have a very similar fight as the last contest. Alex Oliveira has taken many trips to the UFC octagon. This fight will be Oliveira’s eighteenth fight in the octagon. Oliveira has fought guys such as Donald Cerrone, Carlos Condit, Gilbert Burns, and others in his long UFC career. He has an all around game. With a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a dark blue prajied in Muay Thia. Oliveria as well will need to use his experience to win this fight. His opponent is stepping in on short notice. Sit in your seat before you read the next sentence. Ramazan Kuramagomedov stepped in on short notice as Oliveria’s former opponent Randy Brown pulled out. A win here for Kuramagomedov will certainly be a big win. Kuramagomedov was once in the UFC for a brief fight as he won a split decision on Dana White’s Contender Series. White wasn’t impressed, ruling not to give him a contract. Kuramagomedov would go on to win two more fights getting him a UFC contract at 8-0. As one of Khabib’s teammates expect Kuramagomedov to try to smother Oliveira in grappling exchanges. He will look to dominate Oliveira on the ground. Let's see if Oliveria can use that jiu jitsu to stop it. That’s what it will come down to. A win here for Kuramagomedov will be huge after not getting the nod nearly two years ago. Oliveira will look to respond from his last outing which ended in a loss. He looks to show he’s still got it. The Russian against the Cowboy lets get it on. 

Prediction: Kuramagomedov over Oliveira submission Round 3 

Women’s Strawweight 

11 Angela Hill (12-9) -400 favorite vs Ashley Yoder (8-6) +300

Another fight where someone is stepping in on short notice. However this fight will be a rematch. Angela Hill beat Ashley Yoder back in 2017 by decision. The heavy favorite in this contest Angela Hill is looking to get back to winning after losing two straight to Claudia Gadelha and Michelle Waterson. Hill has amazing striking that’s the vocal point of her game. She will look to take that same style in this one. She’s been calling for the Tecia Torres  fight but to get that fight she needs to win especially as a heavy favorite. Hill will look to keep the fight standing. At 36 Hill is not looking to waste time except to look to finish early so she can get the top 10 fights she really wants. Yoder will look to avenge her loss but take a fight on short notice. Which is a low risk big reward. Yoder won her last fight and is 3-2 in her last five fights. She will look to take Hill down. Yoder is a submission and grappling artist. She has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. For her to win she will have to keep the distance short and go for takedowns when she can. She will look to tire Hill out with her grappling taking away power from Hill’s combination. If Hill defends the takedown Yoder has no chance for the upset. However if Yoder can get Hill to the ground anything can happen. Expect either a Hill knockout or Yoder shocking the world by working Hill on the ground. 

Prediction: Hill over Yoder TKO Round 2 

Lightweight 

Alexander Hernandez (12-3) -205 favorite vs Thiago Moisés (14-4) +164 underdog 

In the final fight on the Prelims we will have two young guys who aren’t prospects we know they have skill but both are looking to put it together. Alexander Hernandez has been a UFC prospect for sometime now it’s time for him to put it together. He’s MMA famous for talking smack to Cerrone then getting absolutely pieced up for 15 minutes. Hernandez was looked at as the next best thing at that point. Since that loss he’s gone 2-1. Hernandez does have an all around game. He has a brown belt in jiu jitsu but uses it for more defense. Hernandez is a good striker but can take you to the ground. Hernandez has the ability to be a top Lightweight in this fight he needs to prove it. His opponent Thiago Moisés at 25 years old is coming into this fight winning his last two. His wins over veterans Michael Johnson and Bobby Green showed Moisés was here to stay a little longer. He has an amazing submission game. With a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Six of his fourteen wins are by submission. Five of them are by decision. Where Moisés just mauled his opponent on the ground. However Hernandez may have the answer for that. He may have the takedown defense to never get to the ground. Moisés first win in the UFC was by knockout he will need that striking to set up his takedowns. Hernandez has talked a lot of smack saying he will “dismantle” Moisés. Which he may on the feet. That doesn’t faze Moisés though. He told the media the trash talk doesn’t bother him much as Green did the same. You should be excited for this fight between two young guys with talent going to figure it out. Expect Hernandez to try to keep it standing as Moisés tries to wear him down to set up his submission attempts. It’ll be a good fight. 

Prediction: Hernandez over Moisés by Decision 

Main Card 

Saturday, February 27th, 8:00 PM EST

ESPN+

Featherweight 

Alex Caceres (17-12-0-1) -215 favorite vs Kevin Croom (21-12-0-1) +175 underdog 

In the opening fight of the main card we have two guys that have taken some trips around the block. Alex Caceres is coming into this fight at 17-12 with one no contest. Caceres has looked really good lately winning three fights in a row. He has looked really good on the ground in those fights. Caceres has crazy good cardio. He loves to grapple and bring the pressure on his opponents. His grappling game is the big part of his game but he can still knock you down. He has three wins by TKO in his careers but they are rare. He will look to his grappling to win. Which would probably be your game plan when your opponent is nicknamed the Hard Hitting Hillbilly. Yes, that's Kevin Croom's nickname which matches him perfectly. Expect that Croom has ten wins by submission and six wins by knockout. Croom can hit hard but he can grapple as well. Croom was on a four fight winning streak but Vegas commission took away his last win because he tested positive for marijuana. He made the point he can bang a hooker but not smoke weed and fist fight in Vegas. Which is a very good point. Croom winning streak ended without a loss. He looks to start up a new one here. He has the style too. He can stay off his back and has power. Expect Croom to make this a brawl. The opening fight will be a good expect Croom to go for it. 

Prediction: Croom over Caceres Decision 

Bantamweight 

8 Pedro Munhoz (18-5-0-1) +124 underdog vs 9 Jimmie Rivera (23-4) -152 favorite. 

The second main card fight is really a good one. Munoz and Rivera were destined to fight each other at some point. Both fighters are two guys that seems to be just out of the elite of the Bantamweights. Munhoz is 3-2 in last five fights with wins over Cody Garbandt and Bryan Caraway. He however is on a two fight losing streak losing to Frankie Edgar and Aljamain Sterling. Two quality losses. Munhoz will look to get back into title contention with a win here. Both men aren’t the biggest at all so don’t expect it to be a reaching contest. Munhoz has a really good game. He can stand and bang like he showed in the Garbandt fight. He has five wins by knockout but he is very good on the ground with eight submission wins. Munhoz is 34 so he needs to start that streak now since a Bantamweight title fight will be hard to come by in the next couple of years. Especially with all this young blood. Jimmie Rivera has a very similar style to Munhoz that’s what makes this fight so interesting. They both are top 10 with good striking and grappling. They fight very similar. Rivera is 2-3 in his last five fights. He won last time in July of 2020 over Cody Stamann. His two losses in the last three outings were Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. Yes the champion and number contender in the division. Apparently everyone lost to them as well. Rivera has crazy cardio and loves to apply pressure. Wonder if he’ll do the same knowing Munhoz loves that kind of fight. Rivera has seventeen by decision he doesn’t get tired often. That could be the difference. This fight probably decides who’s on the outside and who’s on the inside of the title picture. The fight may be the best technical fight on the card and should be a fun one. 

Prediction: Munhoz over Rivera Decision 

Women’s Flyweight 

Montana De La Rosa (11-6-0) +118 underdog vs Mayra Bueno Silva (7-1-0) -144 favorite

We have an old fashion grappling contest on our hands in the third fight of the Main Card. The slight underdog in this fight Mayra Bueno Silva comes into this fight coming off a submission win. Which was a big way to respond after suffering the first loss of her career. Silva looks to continue to climb the Flyweight mountain. She will obviously look to grapple in this one. That’s her game. Unless she wants to divert from that game plan and let her hands fly. Don’t really see that happening. Her opponent though Montana De La Rosa is as well a big time grappler. 8 of 11 wins by De La Rosa are by submission. She lost her last fight by decision. She as well is not a fan of throwing her hands so don’t expect her too. We probably have a grappling matchup with punches involved. Unless they respect each other to much and we watch a terrible kickboxing fight. A win here will get one of these a fighters a top 25 matchup next. It’s big for both. 

Prediction Silva over De La Rosa by decision 

Co Main Event 

Light Heavyweight 

Nikita Krylov (27-7-0) +285 underdog vs Magomed Ankalaev (14-1-0) -375 favorite 

We have two Eastern European fighters squaring off in Las Vegas in the co main event. Nikita Krylov comes into the fight a pretty big underdog even with some big wins. Krylov is not a stranger to upset though. He last fought in March of 2020 where he upset Johnny Walker. He beat Ovince Saint Preux two fights before that. He lost to Glover Teixeira in the middle of those two wins but the point is the man can fight. Krylov comes from the Ukraine where he learned to be a black belt in karate. He developed his grappling game now he can finish wherever. He has 26 wins and 25 of them are finishes. 10 by knockout 15 by submission the man looks to end it. Expect him to have to use his cardio but he will look to end it. Don’t really know why he’s such a big underdog because he is a threat. His opponent Magomed Ankalaev though is a very great fighter. He’s on a five fight winning streak after losing his first fight to Paul Craig. Ankalaev is a finisher as well. He’s knocked out nine of his fourteen wins. He can use his Sambo to set up his big punches. His boxing is incredible. There's a reason why he’s such a favorite. Ankalaev is very good and could be a huge factor in the division very soon. 

Prediction: Krylov over Ankalaev submission Round 2 

Main Event 

Heavyweight 

4 Jairzinho Rozenstruik (11-1-0) +225 underdog vs 7 Ciryl Gane (7-0-0) -290

We have back to back weeks of a big boy main event. It’s always fun when two 200+ pound men get in a smaller octagon and duke it out. Why? Well mostly because someone can drop at any point because of the power. The same goes for this one. Ciryl Gane is a pretty big favorite on this one. It’s because he’s a very athletic heavyweight. He is unbeaten in just seven fights. He got this fight after an eye opening knockout of Junior Dos Santos. The French man went 7-0 in Kickboxing before joining MMA. He’s been on a tear ever since. A win here will project him into the top 5 of the division. He could be two fights from a title fight at that point in just nine to ten fights. Gane has the ability to do so. He has three wins by submission. That’s probably what he’ll go for to win. He’ll look to neutralize Rozenstruik’s power with wrestling. He’ll try to tire out Rozenstruik taking away from that power. Jairzinho Rozenstruik however is not someone to sleep on. Derrick Lewis last week dropped Curtis Blaydes by stopping a takedown with a punch. Bet Rozenstruik could be looking to do the same. Rozenstruik is not just some guy with crazy power. He knows how to strike he’s a former kickboxer. His only loss is to Francis Ngannou by knockout. Which happens to everyone expect the greatest of all time Heavyweight Stipe Miocic. Rozenstruik is also coming off a win against Dos Santos. It’s hard to takedown heavyweights because how heavy they are. Rozenstruik will use his weight to stop those takedowns attempts. It only takes Rozenstruik to end it. After getting beat up by Overeem for 24 minutes and 56 seconds he dropped him in the final round to win the fight. Rozenstruik is constant throughout the fight. Don’t think if he gets tired the power goes away it doesn’t. This fight is really interesting because it could be who’s after Jon Jones for a title shot. Cant wait for it. 

Prediction: Rozenstruik over Gane TKO Round 1

By Matthew Doherty