UFC Fight Night 45 takes place tomorrow night in New Jersey and we’ve got our quick picks for all the fights for you below.
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Main Card:
Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller
Two quality lightweights here, but I feel Cerrone will hold a significant striking advantage here and is crafty enough on the mat to ensure he won’t just be held down by Miller or caught in a submission he can’t escape.
I can see Miller taking a fair amount of punishment on the feet from Cerrone’s kicks and punches over the course of five rounds, but he’s probably tough enough to hang on in there to make it to a decision.
Donald Cerrone to win by decision.
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Edson Barboza vs. Evan Dunham
Interesting fight here and I think the outcome could depend on how Dunham approaches it. If he just engages in a stand-up battle with Barboza for three rounds he’ll come off second best, but if he’s smart he’ll quickly close the distance to nullify the dangerous kicks coming his way and use his wrestling to get Barboza down early and often.
From there he could control the action and stay active enough to keep the ref at bay, but I actually think he’ll go for a submission and get it.
Evan Dunham to win by submission in Rd2.
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Leonardo Mafra vs. Rick Story
Story recent record may be patchy, but he’s still a tough challenge for anyone at 170lbs as Mafra will discover as he gets worn down by Story’s relentless pressure whether striking or wrestling.
Rick Story to win by TKO in Rd3.
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Joe Proctor vs. Justin Salas
This should be a close one. I think it’s likely to be competitive on the feet, but while his submission defense is a concern, I think Salas will get the edge here by using his wrestling.
Justin Salas to win by decision.
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John Lineker vs. Alptekin Ozkilic
A clear striker Vs grappler match-up here. Lineker has brutal one-punch power for the 125lb division, but if Ozkilic can steer clear of that his wrestling should allow him to take his opponent out of his comfort zone and earn him a comfortable decision win.
Alptekin Ozkilic to win by decision.
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Lucas Martins vs. Alex White
Two good strikers on show in the opening fight on the main card and it really could go either way, but White is coming in on a couple of weeks notice and Martins has more Octagon experience under his belt, So i’m tipping him to come out on top.
Lucas Martins to win by TKO in Rd2.
Prelims:
Pat Healy vs. Gleison Tibau
Jessamyn Duke vs. Leslie Smith
Aljamain Sterling vs. Hugo Viana
Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Jerrod Sanders
Claudia Gadelha vs. Tina Lahdemaki
