UFC 238 Preview

What an amazing card we have here in my city of Chicago this weekend. Obviously I will be in attendance and I cannot wait to see this incredible card in action. Here is my preview of all the action including two title fights!

Henry Cejudo (C) vs. Marlon Moraes

Marlon Moraes (-130) vs. Henry Cejudo (+110)

What an awesome Main Event this is for the Windy City! We have the Flyweight Champion Henry Cejudo jumping up ten pounds to try and get a second belt. We also have straight killer Marlon Moraes there to try and win it as well in the wake of champion TJ Dillashaw’s failed drug tests. Cejudo is a dominant Olympic Wrestling Champion who has built a strong striking arsenal that beat Mighty Mouse and Dillashaw. Moraes is a beast who has been finishing everyone in the first round which is really unheard of for the 135 lb. division.

This is a very tough fight to predict because both of these guys are highly skilled and incredibly tough. Both guys will have their moments but I think Moraes wins this with a 4th round finish.

Valentina Shevchenko (C) vs. Jessica Eye

Valentina Shevchenko (-1375) vs. Jessica Eye (+900)

As you can see with the odds here the co main event on paper is a mismatch. That is not because Jessica Eye is not worthy of a title shot. It is because Valentina is such a beast at 125 and she really does not have anyone near her level in the division. I mean she beat 145 lb. Holly Holm and came within inches of beating the Women’s Goat Amanda Nunes. This has Shevchenko Second Round finish written all over it.

Tony Ferguson vs. Donald Cerrone

Tony Ferguson (-145) vs. Donald Cerrone (+125)

This is how I feel about this fight…

Were just allowed to watch this happen? Two of the gamest, most skilled, and baddest dudes to ever grace the octagon are going to throw down on Saturday. Everyone knows Tony Ferguson at this point. The man has won 11 fights in a row, he came back and won 6 months after knee surgery, and oh yeah he kicks pipes for fun in training.

Never doubt the man, the myth, the legend Cowboy Cerrone though. This will be his 49th MMA fight and he holds the record for UFC wins and UFC finishes. He has been incredibly focused since he became a dad and still brings one of the best all around games to the 155 lb. division.

Again this is going to come down to who wants it more and who can outlast the other. I think Ferguson is just a little too crazy and will be able to sneak shots in on Cowboy to win this on the scorecards. Tony Ferguson by close decision.

Jimmie Rivera vs. Petr Yan

Petr Yan (-325) vs. Jimmie Rivera (+265)

Another interesting Bantamweight fight on this card as Petr Yan will show where is he at against Jimmie Rivera who looks to have settled into a Gatekeeper role. If Yan beats rivera convincingly he is a legitimate contender, and if River wins it will show he has some fight left in him. Yan seems to have the tools to defend the pressure from Rivera and maybe snag a couple takedowns in there as well. I think Yan wins a decision here.

Tai Tuivasa vs. Blagoy Ivanov

Tai Tuivasa (-145) vs. Blagoy Ivanov (+125)

We got the big boys starting off the pay per view and this should be a fun one. Tuivasa actually fought on the Chicago Card last year beating Andrei Arlovski, however he is coming off his first loss to JDS. Ivanov is solid but not spectacular and to be honest barely got by Ben Rothwell in his last fight. I do not see him making it out of the second round with Tuivasa. Tuivasa by Second Round KO.

Tatiana Suarez vs. Nina Ansaroff

Tatiana Suarez (-900) vs. Nina Ansaroff (+600)

Very interesting Strawweight Battle we have here on Saturday. Tatiana Suarez otherwise known as the female Khabib is fighting fast rising Nina Ansaroff. Ansaroff was close to retiring a couple years ago, now she has won 4 in a row and is one fight away from trying to join her fiance Amanda Nunes in the champions club. Suarez is just too much of a beast though and will just do her thing which is smother Ansaroff for 15 minutes. Suarez by big decision here.

Aljamain Sterling vs. Pedro Munhoz

Another fun fight in the action packed 135 lb. division. This is probably the number one contender fight which is weird because you would think it would be in the Jimmie Rivera slot. But I guess the promotion is pushing Yan more than these guys. Both Aljo Sterling and Pedro Munhoz are on winning streaks and look to make the next step. Aljo is a well rounded fighter with excellent wrestling and Munhoz has great Jiu Jitsu and big hands (just ask Cody). I think this will be back and forth and Aljo with nip out a decision.