3 fight cards in a week? What are you trying to do to me MMA gods! Well Momma didn’t raise no pussy! So your boys here fight fans and ready to breakdown this Saturdays card. Some casuals have given this card a hammering. Saying it lacks quality. Well degenerates, simple question is, can you bet on it? HELL YEAH! So that’s all we need to know! Plus, I think it’s a BANGER in disguise. Let’s get into it!

Opening the card. Who’s got the best tash? Obviously it’s GM3.

EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VS GERALD MEERSCHAERT

Edmen Shahbazyan was highly touted as a prospect in the UFC when he came on the scene in 2018 via DWCS. After a rough run of late, he got back on track last time out with a win against AJ Dobson.

GM3 has lost 2 out of his last 3. But he did break a 2 fight losing streak last time out beating Bryan Barberena via rear naked choke. Gerald does love a submission after all.

We have ourselves a striker v grappler fight here. Edmen ain’t gonna want this going to the ground. Whilst GM3 will want it there ASAP. The pick with my head is simple. Edmen will be uber dangerous in RD1, and I think he gets it done via KO at worst before the end of RD2. I won’t be betting that though. Give me GM3 by sub at +500. That’s all heart not head!

PREDICTION – EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN VIA KO.

We roll it over to the Welterweight division next to see if a prospect can take the next step.

MICHAEL MORALES V NEIL MAGNY

Ecuador’s Michael Morales is an undefeated prospect with a record of 16-0 as a professional. He faces off against UFC Veteran Neil Magny who derailed Mike Malott’s Canadian homecoming last time out.

Both these guys are really well rounded. Morales certainly has the edge in striking. But Magny may have a slim advantage in the grappling department. The safest play in this fight is the it goes the distance. Magny is very durable, and Morales won his last 2 via decision against Jake Matthew’s and Max Griffin. I think the Morales gets it done. But it won’t be as easy as some people think.

PREDICTION – MICHAEL MORALES VIA DECISION.

Almost at the half way stage! Who wants an Ultimate fighter finale? ME! Featherweights are up!

KAAN OFLI V MAIRON SANTOS – FW TUF FINAL.

I’ll firstly admit that I haven’t watched a lot of this seasons Ultimate Fighter season. But from what I have seen of these two guys, I think we are in a for a good little dust up!

Ofli is on a 8 fight win streak, is very well rounded and has some slick submission skills. Racking up 5 wins by SUB in his 14 fight career.

Brazils Mairon Santos enters with a record of 13-1, again is very well rounded but prefers to keep the action standing and look for the KO. 7 of his wins have come by KO. Santos is 7 years younger than Ofli at 24 years old.

This is a fight I’m really looking forward to. Let’s see what they got. I’m going to take the betting underdog on this one. I think it’s a closer fight than the betting line suggests.

PREDICTION – KAAN OFLI VIA DECISION.

3 down, 3 to go. Go on then let’s have another final! Middleweights tee off to see who takes home the trophy in the 185LB division.

ROBERT VALENTIN V RYAN LODER – MW TUF FINAL.

Now you know I always keep it real. So I can’t say I’m too excited about this fight. Again I’ve not seen a whole load of tape on them. It just looks like a striker v grappler match up with 2 guys who would get battered by most middleweights on the UFC roster.

Valentin has some nice striking, with 1 or 2 solid submissions. Ryan Loder has more of a wrestling base, but can strike a little. But not on Valentin’s level. I don’t really like anything from a betting standpoint. If I had a gun to my head I’d take the under 2.5 rounds at -150. But I aren’t confident in it. I’ll be glad when this one’s over.

PREDICTION – VALENTIN VIA SUBMISSION.

Now we go back to the good stuff! The main roster and the co-main event! Are you ready ladies? Time to bring the heat.

ANGELA HILL V TABATHA RICCI 

Angela Hill is a total UFC veteran who should be in the hall of fame one day for just been fun to watch, and one of the coolest female fighters on the roster. She owns a record of 17-13.

Baby Shark Tabatha Ricci much like Hill is fun to watch, has some decent hands, and a very good submission game. She got back to winning ways last time out beating Tecia Pennington via split decision.

I think this will just play out on the feet. Rick might try get it to the ground. But I just see them throwing down for 3 rounds and see who gets the judges not at the end. Angie has a habit of losing close fights, so I’ll go with the younger faster Ricci to get the nod from the judges and take the W.

PREDICTION – TABATHA RICCI VIA DECISION.

ITS TIME FOR THE MAIN EVENT OF THE EVENING! I don’t think you will want to go for a piss break during this one! It’s going to be a fire fight!

JARED CANNONIER V CAIO BORRALHO

I loved this fight as soon as it was announced. It just screams WAR. It should be on a card with fans in a packed arena. Stick it as an opener on a PPV. It’s just a great match up.

Borralho is part of the Fighting Nerds team that is making waves at the moment. He is 16-1 and ranked at number 12 in the middleweight division. He is on a 15 fight win streak. Yes I said FIFTEEN! He beat Paul Craig via KO last time out.

Jared Cannonier has fought a who’s who at 185. Adesanya, Vettori, Whittaker, Anderson Silva etc. He also owns a win over former MW champ Sean Strickland back in 2022. The experience gap is huge in regards the competition they have both been in with. Jared is currently ranked 7 in the 185 rankings.

This is supposed to be Borralho’s shot to see if he is ready to make a run at the title. If he wins its Top 5 opposition next. If he loses, some idiot on the internet will say he’s a fraud. He isn’t. This kid will be around for years to come. He’s that good. I just aren’t sure if this is just a fight or 2 to soon. So I’m leaning for an upset win in this one.

It’s going to mainly take place on the feet. I think both guys will have their moments. But ever since it was announced I just can’t get the image of Jared catching him with a big shot eventually. An we all know Jared hits like a truck. Couple that with the difference in experience, I see Jared getting it done before we hear the final bell.

PREDICTION – JARED CANNONIER TO WIN VIA KO.

Enjoy the violence.

Phil.