UFC Fight Night 83 takes place in Pittsburgh on Sunday night and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
Donald Cerrone vs. Alex Oliveira
I’m not convinced moving to welterweight is the best move for Cerrone, but Oliveira is also someone who’s been fluctuating between the two divisions, so it’s not too much of a step into the unknown.
Both fighters are entertaining to watch on the feet and so this should be a fun one, but Cerrone has the stronger ground game and while he’s moved away from submission finishes in the past few years, they were his main route to victory before that.
After some competitive exchanges on the feet I expect Cerrone to realize there’s easier routes to victory here and transition nicely between striking and the takedown in the middle rounds, leading to a submission win.
Donald Cerrone to win by submission in Rd3.
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Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro
Carneiro holds a significant advantage in the submission department here, but his all-round skill set is lacking and that should play into Brunson’s hands as he’ll be difficult to take down and will cause problems for the Brazilian with his striking and clinch work, with the end result being a TKO finish in the second round.
Derek Brunson to win by TKO in Rd2
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Cody Garbrandt vs. Augusto Mendes
Mendes is a terrific Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner, but he has a tough task on his hands here making his debut against an up and coming talent like Garbrandt on just a week’s notice.
If Mendes can’t get Garbrandt down early then he’s quickly going to find himself coming off second best against ‘No Love’s’ superior striking and I think with his youthful enthusiasm he might find an early finish here.
Cody Garbrandt to win by TKO in Rd1.
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Dennis Bermudez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Bermudez is coming off a couple of losses, but I still believe he’s a talented fighter who’s still got a lot to offer in the featherweight division.
I think he bests Kawajiri here as he’s a good enough wrestler to match up with the Japanese fighter in that regard, while also being much more of a threat on the feet. ‘The Crusher’ is tough though, so perhaps a decision victory is the most likely outcome here.
Dennis Bermudez to win by decision.
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Chris Camozzi vs. Joe Riggs
Riggs is a true veteran of the sport with well over 50 fights and as you might expect has suffered a number of injuries along the way, so you can’t help but feel that at 33 years of age that it’s taken it’s toll on him.
Camozzi is by no means a world beater, but he’s dependably workmanlike in his approach and with a notable height and reach advantage I think he’ll plod his way to a decision victory here.
Chris Camozzi to win by decision.
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Shane Campbell vs. James Krause
This could prove to be a close fight, but while Krause has the better ground game I favor experienced kickboxer Campbell’s striking in this match-up and think that he’ll keep the fight upright and outpoint his opponent on the scorecards.
Shane Campbell to win by decision.
Prelims:
Alex Garcia vs. Sean Strickland
Oluwale Bamgbose vs. Daniel Sarafian
Anthony Smith vs. Leonardo Augusto Guimaraes
Nathan Coy vs. Jonavin Webb
Ashlee Evans-Smith vs. Marion Reneau
Lauren Murphy vs. Kelly Faszholz
Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Anthony Hamilton
