UFC Fight Night 108 takes place tomorrow night in Nashville and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
Cub Swanson vs. Artem Lobov
This fight makes no sense as a main event and seems like a slap in the face to Swanson, who deserves a higher ranked opponent after his stellar ‘Fight of The Year’ victory over Doo Ho Choi.
Basically, in virtually every aspect of the fight Swanson has the edge. He’s a fluid, creative, dynamic striker with a wide array of offensive options, but he also has good grappling skills when required too.
Lobov has decent hands and hits hard, but there’s big weaknesses in his game and he’s just not on Swanson’s level, so I don’t give him anything more than a punchers chance here and believe he’ll get put away inside of the first fifteen minutes.
Cub Swanson to win by TKO in Rd3.
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Diego Sanchez vs. Al Iaquinta
You can never completely write off Sanchez, particularly when he remembers that he’s still a solid grappler, but this doesn’t look like a good match-up for him.
Iaquinta is much the better striker of the two and would have a field day if Sanchez just opts to relentlessly press forward in an aggressive, but predictable fashion, while he also has excellent takedown defense too.
The real concern about Iaquinta is his cardio after taking the last two years out, and if there is any weakness there then Sanchez most certainly has the gas tank to make him pay.
I’m not convinced the fight goes as far as the third round though, with Sanchez’s chin having shown signs of cracking in the past year and Iaquinta having the skill and power to hurt him enough to deliver a TKO finish in the second round.
Al Iaquinta to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Ovince Saint Preux vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima
I’ve never been completely sold on OSP, even before his recent alarming slide in form that’s seen him earn just one win in his last four fights.
Too much of OSP’s game seems to rely on his athleticism, which in itself it is beginning to erode, while there’s not been the kind of technical development that you’d hope to have seen from him over the years.
That being said, OSP still has power in his hands and could also use his wrestling advantage to get De Lima to the mat, but he does like to stand and trade, and I think De Lima’s own striking game is good enough to outpoint the down-on-his-luck fighter on the scorecards.
Marcos Rogerio De Lima to win by decision.
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John Dodson vs. Eddie Wineland
This should be a entertaining fight between two explosive, dynamic bantamweight strikers.
There was a time a few years ago when Wineland appeared to have gone off the boil with a smattering of tough losses to his name, but he’s seemed rejuvinated recently and has two solid victories under his belt.
Wineland moves very well, has finishing power in his fists and can piece together quality combinations or catch an opponent on the counter. He’ll also be enjoying a height and reach advantage on Saturday night.
Dodson is also a high-level striking technician though and has a wider arsenal of strikes to choose from, with kicks being a potent weapon for him, as his speed and knack for creativing something out of nothing.
I’m looking forward to seeing how this one plays out, but overall I think it’ll be Dodson who lands the better strikes and emerge with either a late stoppage or a decision victory.
John Dodson to win by decision.
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Steven Ray vs. Joe Lauzon
Ray has acquitted himself well in the UFC so far and a win over a respected veteran like Lauzon could help take him to the next level.
To do so the Scottish fighter will have to keep the fight standing though, as submission defense isn’t ths strongest aspect of his game and Lauzon is as crafty as the come on the mat.
Lauzon is not a big takedown artist though and while he’s reasonably capable on the feet, there’s nothing particularly special about his offense and defensively he can tend to retreat into his shell when coming under fire.
Ray is well versed on the feet, is the more mobile of the two and has decent enough takedown defense to make life difficult for Lauzon, so I’m taking him to do enough to earn a decision win here.
Steven Ray to win by decision.
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Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Perry
Ellenberger has largely being underperforming for a good few years and it’s strange to see as at one time he was a significant player in the welterweight ranks.
He lacks confidence these days though and is often gunshy, in addition to looking increasingly shop-worn, so it’s hard to pick him nowadays, even in a fight like this that a few years ago he would have been heavily favored to win.
On paper Perry isn’t as talented a fighter, but he’s hard-headed, certainly doesn’t lack confidence and has enough power to put away Ellenberger if he’s not firing on all cylinders, and I think that will be how the fight ends.
Mike Perry to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Prelims:
Sam Alvey vs. Thales Leites
Brandon Moreno vs. Dustin Ortiz
Michael McBride vs. Scott Holtzman
Jessica Penne vs. Danielle Taylor
Fight Pass:
Alexis Davis vs. Cindy Dandois
Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Proctor
Hector Sandoval vs. Matt Schnell
