UFC Fight Night 37 takes place in London, England this weekend and we’ve got our predictions for the all bouts for you below.
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Main Card:
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Jimi Manuwa
Manuwa isn’t someone who should be overlooked despite not having fought the same level of competition as his opponent as he’s a vicious striker who can simply overwhelm opponents with his aggressive, offensive action.
However, he’s not faced someone like Gustafsson before who provides good technical striking, maintains distance well and will have better cardio which will play a big role if this fight moves beyond the fifteen minute mark.
Gustafsson’s also got the better ground skills, so he’s simply got more ways to win here. I think he’ll fight smart in the early rounds and then turn up the heat as his opponent begins to tire and end up claiming a TKO win, perhaps via ground and pound in the fourth round.
Alexander Gustafsson to win by TKO in Rd4.
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Michael Johnson vs. Melvin Guillard
This is a bit of a tricky one to call as both of these lightweights have been somewhat inconsistent in the their recent Octagon outings, with perhaps their mental game being their biggest issue.
Johnson is a little more well-rounded than Guillard, but it’s been his vastly improved stand-up that’s been impressing of late. However, I still feel like Guillard is the quicker and more dangerous of the two in the striking exchanges, and while he’s vulnerable on the ground I think he gets the job done on the feet as the two engage in some fist-flying fireworks in the early stages of the fight.
Melvin Guillard to win by KO in Rd1.
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Brad Pickett vs. Neil Seery
Pickett was originally supposed to make his flyweight debut against Ian McCall which would have been a great fight, but instead an injury means the newcomer Seery has to step in on short notice instead.
It’s a tough ask for Seery to take on a talented veteran like Pickett out the blue like this and to be honest there’s nothing to suggest he’s going to be a threat to ‘One Punch’ making a successful transition to 125lbs. Seery’s best on his feet and would do well to keep it there, but Pickett will show versatility as he matches him there and then takes him down to the mat and produces either a TKO or submission finish.
Brad Pickett to win by TKO in R2.
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Gunnar Nelson vs. Omari Akhmedov
Nelson looks like he could be a force in the welterweight division with good stand-up and a great ground game meaning he’s comfortable wherever the fight takes him.
Akhmedov made a solid start to his UFC career and has good power, but I think he’s going to find Nelson a bit too much too handle and will be undone on the mat, with the end coming by way of submission.
Gunnar Nelson to win by submission in Rd2.
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Prelims: (Predicted winner in bold)
Cyrille Diabate vs. Ilir Latifi
Luke Barnatt vs. Mats Nilsson
Bradley Scott vs. Claudio Henrique da Silva
Davey Grant vs. Roland Delorme
Igor Araujo vs. Danny Mitchell
Phil Harris vs. Louis Gaudinot
