UFC News + Predictions - Joe Fleury

Throughout 2023, the UFC has held events at a multitude of locations catering to fans all around the world. The variety of locations has shown us how different cultures can create electric arena environments in different ways. The first that comes to mind is the UFC Fight Night card held in Singapore in late August. The crowd singing "Zombie" in unison as The Korean Zombie walked out for his fight with Max Holloway produced goosebumps and sent shivers down the spines of many fans. I do believe that the Singapore crowd was rather lackluster in the fights leading up to the main event, but massively delivered supporting their favorite fighter even in defeat.  The UFC also traveled to Australia twice during the calendar year, once to Perth in February and the other to Sydney in September. The Australian fans were incredible, from prelims to the main event, shouting loud chants of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" to support their native fighters. The fans and the atmosphere were...

Silva vs Magomedov 185 lbs Pick: Sharabutdin Magomedov Confidence Level: Low Frey vs Dudakova 115 lbs Pick: Victoria Dudakova Confidence Level: Medium Wood vs Naimov 145 lbs Pick: Muhammad Naimov Confidence Level: Low Jubli vs Breeden 155 lbs Pick: Anshul Jubli Confidence Level: High Dumas vs Azaitar 185 lbs Pick: Sedriques Dumas Confidence Level: Low Basharat vs Henry 135 lbs Pick: Javid Basharat Confidence Level: High Yahya vs Peek 155 lbs Pick: Trevor Peek Confidence Level: Low Elliott vs Mokaev 125 lbs Pick: Muhammed Mokaev Confidence Level: Low Nurmagomedov vs Gafurov 135 lbs Pick: Said Nurmagomedov Confidence Level: Low Aliskerov vs Alves 185 lbs  Pick: Ikram Aliskerov Confidence Level: High Ankalaev vs Walker 205 lbs Pick: Johnny Walker Confidence Level: Low Usman vs Chimaev 185 lbs Pick: Khamzat Chimaev Confidence Level: High Makhachev vs Volkanovski 155 lbs Pick: Islam Makhachev Confidence Level: Medium  

Yoder vs Ducote 115 lbs Pick: Emily Ducote Confidence Level: Medium Gutierrez vs Alatangheili 135 lbs Pick: Chris Gutierrez  Confidence Level: Medium Alekseeva vs Dixon 135 lbs Pick: Irina Alekseeva Confidence Level: Low McKinney vs Marotte 155 lbs Pick: Terrance McKinney Confidence Level: High Lisboa vs Oliveira 135 lbs Pick: Ravena Oliveira Confidence Level: Low Elkins vs Brown 145 lbs Pick: TJ Brown  Confidence Level: Low  Rodriguez vs Saaiman 135 lbs Pick: Christian Rodriguez Confidence Level: Low Pereira vs Petroski 185 lbs Pick: Andre Petroski Confidence Level: Low Martinez vs Yanez 135 lbs Pick: Adrian Yanez Confidence Level: Low Maia vs Araujo 125 lbs Pick: Jennifer Maia Confidence Level: Low  Yusuff vs Barboza 145 lbs Pick: Sodiq Yusuff Confidence Level: Low 

Marlon "Chito" Vera has put together a 15-7 record in the UFC, finding himself at #6 in the bantamweight rankings. After Chito's unanimous decision victory over Pedro Munhoz, Champ Sean O'Malley made it clear that is who he wanted for his first title defense. I think it makes sense that O'Malley wants this fight as it is a chance for redemption, however, Chito has not proven to be worthy of a title shot considering his previous fights. While always dangerous on the feet, opponents have been able to weather his power in his previous two fights and even hand him a loss in one of them. As stated earlier, this matchup makes a ton of sense for O'Malley but gives the impression he is trying to take the easy way out with his first defense. Aljamain Sterling was a dominant champion and is considered the Bantamweight GOAT by some, so not granting him an immediate rematch after his first loss in eight fights does not feel right. It is also worth noting that in the divis...

October 21st in Abu Dhabi marks one of the year's biggest cards as Charles Oliveira gets his rematch against current World Champion Islam Mackhachev at UFC 294. Islam looks to extend his win streak to 13, while Charles attempts to complete the task he set after losing the belt just a year ago, to get it back. Not being granted the immediate rematch despite being a dominant champion in his reign, Charles was given a difficult opponent in Beneil Dariush who was on an eight-fight win streak entering the bout. Overlooked by many, including the oddsmakers it seemed Charles' magical run was coming to an end. But as he has shown time and time again in his career, just when you think he is done, he puts on his best performance. After finishing Dariush in the first round it became clear he was next in line for a shot at the title. Now with that rematch just a couple weeks away, we look ahead to which fighters may be next in line for a shot at the belt.  The first option is simple. If Ch...

After a long stint of UFC fights every Saturday, the UFC returns after a week off with a card at the UFC Apex headlined by lightweight contenders. De La Rosa vs Aldrich 125 lbs Pick: Montana De La Rosa Confidence Level: Low Kowalkiewicz vs Belbita 115 lbs Pick: Karolina Kowalkiewicz Confidence Level: Low Maness vs Mendoca 125 lbs Pick: Mateus Mendoca Confidence Level: Medium Munoz Jr vs Aoriqileng 135 lbs Pick: Johnny Munoz Jr Confidence Level: Low Murata vs Demopoulos 115 lbs Pick: Kanako Murata Confidence Level: Medium Morono vs Buckley 170 lbs Pick: Alex Morono Confidence Level: Low Lins vs Cutelaba 205 lbs  Pick: Ion Cutelaba Confidence Level: Low  Algeo vs Hernandez 145 lbs Pick: Alexander Hernandez Confidence Level: Low Dober vs Glenn 155 lbs Pick: Drew Dober Confidence Level: Medium  Pyfer vs Alhassan Pick: Joe Pyfer Confidence Level: High Dawson vs Green 155 lbs Pick: Grant Dawson Confidence Level: High