UFC Fight Night 162 takes place in Singapore this weekend and we’ve got our quick picks for all the fights below.
Main Card
Demian Maia vs. Ben Askren
For a change Maia will actually have the striking advantage here, so Askren won’t be able to do what other high-level wrestlers have done, which is simply to stifle his takedowns and beat him up on the feet.
However, after a brutal KO loss last time out I don’t expect Askren to want any part of the stand-up battle anyway and so he’ll be looking for takedowns right from the start, and though Maia absolutely can cause him problems there, he’s not quite as dangerous off his back and I think Askren will be ultra-cautious with his wrestling and also outlast the veteran Brazilian cardio-wise to earn a grinding decision victory.
Ben Askren wins by decision.
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Michael Johnson vs. Stevie Ray
Ray is a solid all-rounder, but I don’t think that will be enough against Johnson, who is also similarly well-rounded, but on the feet where the fight is most likely to be contested is the sharper of the two, with quicker hands and more activity, which will help him to a win on the scorecards.
Michael Johnson wins by decision.
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Frank Camacho vs. Beneil Dariush
Camacho is a fun action brawler, but he actually has a respectable ground game that he rarely employs due to his eagerness to slug it out.
I expect he’ll have to utilize those skills here, but I don’t believe he will be able to deal with Dariush’s stronger grappling and will succumb to a submission in the second round.
Beniel Dariush wins by submission in Rd2.
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Ciryl Gane vs. Don’Tale Mayes
It’s always nice to see new heavyweights under the age of 30 emerging in the UFC, and though Gane in particular is very green with only four fights to his name there’s a lot to like about him so far.
Both fighters are large framed heavyweights who pack finishing power in their punches, but Gane seems to have a higher ceiling skill-wise and together with being the better athlete he’s also shown signs of a promising ground game. I think it’s strikes that earns him the first round victory here though.
Ciryl Gane wins by KO in Rd1.
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Muslim Salikhov vs. Laureano Staropoli
Salikhov’s knockout power has been impressive so far in the UFC and though Staropoli is dangerous in his own right, he’s quite hittable and I think he’ll find the Dagestani’s potent and unpredictable arsenal of strikes a real handful here, resulting in a second round TKO finish.
Muslim Salikhov to win by TKO in Rd2.
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Prelims (predicted winners in bold)
Rafael Fiziev vs. Alex White
Enrique Barzola vs. Movsar Evloev
Randa Markos vs. Ashley Yoder
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Maurice Greene
Alexandra Albu vs. Loma Lookboonmee
Jeff Hughes vs. Raphael Pessoa
