UFC Fight Night 112 takes place in Oklahoma on Sunday night and we’ve got our predictions for all the fights below.
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Main Card:
Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Lee
Both Chiesa and Lee have similar skill-sets in so much as they are both at their best when it comes to grappling and have a knack for finding finishes by way of rear-naked chokes, while their striking doesn’t pack such a potent threat
Beyond that though, when it comes to sheer athleticism and potential, Lee has the edge but Chiesa makes up for that with his dogged determination, toughness and relentless pace that can eventually break down his opponents.
There’s more buzz around Lee at the moment, but Chiesa can be surprisingly hard to deal with and I think he’ll impose his will as the fight goes on to earn a decision victory.
Michael Chiesa to win by decision.
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Tim Boetsch vs. Johny Hendricks
Hendricks finally has a bit of a spring back in his step after moving up to middleweight and earning a decision win over Hector Lombard last time out.
Now he’s going up against another veteran in Boetsch, who is coming up off a submission loss to ‘Jacare’ Souza last time out and has only picked up two wins in his last six fights.
Boetsch is a decent all-rounder, but a rejuvenated Hendricks is better in almost every regard, and I’d expect him to comfortably outpoint him on the scorecards here.
Johny Hendricks to win by decision.
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Felice Herrig vs. Justine Kish
Herrig enjoyed one of her biggest ever wins last time out when she spoiled the highly touted prospect Alexa Grasso’s UFC debut, and she’ll be hoping for more of the same as she goes up against another undefeated up-and-comer in Kish.
Herrig is a capable striker, and though she lacks finishing power, she makes up for it by also being fairly crafty on the mat and providing a genuine submission threat.
Kish is a muay thai striker first and foremost and will adopt a more aggressive, forward pressing approach than her opponent, and that could be a key factor here as Herrig seemed to thrive last time out when Grasso didn’t apply pressure.
This fight could go either way, but I think Kish will largely be able to keep the fight standing, push the pace and land the more meaningful strikes to seal a decision victory.
Justine Kish to win by decision.
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Joachim Christensen vs. Dominick Reyes
Reyes makes his UFC debut after compiling a 6-0 record to date, including four wins by T/KO, but you have to factor in that he’s not faced a particularly notable level of competition so far.
Christensen is the older, more experienced fighter, but he’s struggled to make his mark in the Octagon, going 1-2 during his time in the UFC so far.
The 6ft 4″ Reyes is coming in on just three weeks notice, but he’s riding high on confidence and with his dangerous striking I think he has a reasonable charge to emerge with another stoppage victory here.
Dominick Reyes to win by TKO in Rd2
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Alex Garcia vs. Tim Means
Garcia is a potent threat from both strikes and submissions, particularly early on in fights, though he’s inconsistent and tends to become less of a threat as the rounds go on.
Means is a tough veteran who enjoys gritty stand-up battles, whether at range or in the clinch and will be able to maintain a higher tempo and more consistent output over the the course of three rounds.
Garcia has the ability to find a finish here, particularly on the mat, but I think it’s more likely that Means wears him down and delivers a late finish.
Tim Means to win by TKO in Rd3.
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B.J. Penn vs. Dennis Siver
Penn still can’t bring himself to call time on his career, and in fairness, this is a more favorable match-up on paper than his other recent fights have been.
That being said, Penn has had some difficulties dealing with what Nick Diaz would term, ‘spinning sh*t’, and that’s one thing Siver happens to be very good at, effortlessly launching into powerful spinning back kicks to the midsection, while his head kicks also come with next to no advance warning. That being said, he’s far more predictable and less dynamic / relentless than Yair Rodriguez.
Also, like Penn, Siver is at the tail-end of his career, is coming off a string of losses that coincided with a failed drug test, and is also emerging from a two-year lay-off.
Penn has looked a shadow of his former self on the feet, but I believe if he can get this fight to the mat he’d still have a considerable advantage over Siver, so based on that I’m going for him, but given ‘The Prodigy’s’ absolutely abysmal showings in recent years it’s by no means a confident pick.
BJ Penn to win by submission in Rd2.
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Prelims:
Clay Guida vs. Erik Koch
Carla Esparza vs. Maryna Moroz
Darrell Horcher vs. Devin Powell
Vitor Miranda vs. Marvin Vettori
Fight Pass:
Jared Gordon vs. Michel Quinones
Jeremy Kimball vs. Josh Stansbury
Johnny Case vs. Tony Martin
