Ufc 232 Predictions
Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes face off during the UFC 232 press conference on Dec. 27, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Getty Images) Nunes needs to go into the belly of the beast and be willing to exchange. UFC 232 Picks When: Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 9:00PM EST Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada TV: PPV Fight Analysis: UFC 232 is a monster end-of-the-year event. That can be gleaned just by noticing that Cyborg vs. Nunes, a battle between two reigning UFC champions, isn’t even the main event.
UFC 232 Predictions (Main Card)
Jon Jones (23-1-0) VS Alexander Gustafsson (18-4-0)
The Main Event!!! After everything that’s gone on this week it just makes this fight all the harder to predict. After the first fight I hope this time round it lives up to the hype again but with all the extra drama outside the cage who knows. Both fighters are coming off some long layoffs. Jones through suspension and Gustafsson through injury so ring rust might be a factor for both fighters and may dictate the pace in the 1st round.
Looking at the stats Jon has a freakishly long reach advantage even though he’s an inch shorter. Significant Strikes wise they’re both landing over 4 Significant Strikes per minute but Alexander absorbing the more shots 3.4 per minute to Jones’s 2.12 per minute. Ground game wise Alexander handed Jon his first takedown in the UFC ever but I don’t see this fight staying on the ground very long with both fighters having a great takedown defence percentage.
My Prediction for the fight is to stick with my gut and that Jones will finish the fight inside the 25 minutes with a KO. What round I’m still undecided but I do believe it will be in the championship rounds. I just hope for Jon’s sake nothing else happens in his career as another suspension would surely mean the end of his highly controversial career. His claim to be the GOAT and Greatest P4P fighter is definitely a valid one. But it will always be what could have been without the steroids, drugs and traffic collisions. Imagine the greatness he could have achieved with an unblemished career and no suspensions.
Cris Cyborg (20-1-0(1)) VS Amanda Nunes (16-4-0)
The Co-Main Event. This is a fight I have been wanting to see ever since Amanda defeated Meisha Tate for the belt and even more so after Amanda dismantled Ronda inside 48 seconds. The all Brazilian Champ Champ fight I feel will be defining moment in Cyborg’s career. If she beats Amanda convincingly, who I believe is her only real challenge in woman’s MMA she surely earns the title of GOAT all be it somewhat tainted by steroids.
Again looking at the stats height and reach are similar. The main advantage I have for Cyborg is the weight. I have no doubts Amanda will hold her own at this weight but this is a more natural weight class for Cris. Significant Strikes Cyborg lands a ridiculous 7 per minute to Amanda’s 4.5 per minute. Also Amanda absorbing slightly more at 2.88 per minute to Cris’s 1.79. With neither fighter’s stats pointing towards a submission victory the Significant Strikes will almost definitely come into play here with both fighters having KO power.
My prediction for the fight is Cyborg KO inside 3 rounds. My wish is for this fight to be an all-out war and last the full 5 but I don’t see it making the final bell.
Carlos Condit (30-12-0) VS Michael Chiesa (14-4-0)
Both men coming into this on a losing streak Condit 4L and Chiesa 2L this could be a make or break fight. Again another interesting fight I feel with Condit probably looking to keep it standing and Chiesa looking to take it to the ground. Going to the stats both fighters stand up wise are pretty evenly matched with the only big difference being Condit landing the more Significant Strikes. The ground game is where the gap in the stats shows with Chiesa comfortably having the advantage stats wise.
Prediction for the fight for me is Condit by decision. My thought process on this is that Condit is a seasoned veteran and will be able to handle the majority of Michaels ground game even with the odds in Michael’s favour. KO power is on Condit’s side with Chiesa never winning by KO and this again like the Cyborg fight being Condit’s more natural weight.
Ilir Latifi (15-5-0) VS Corey Anderson (12-4-0)
Ufc 232 Live Stream
Another interesting matchup both fighters with a boxing/wrestling background this could make for an exciting fight or a complete bore by cancelling out each other. Andersons Significant Strikes landed are higher with 4.55 to Latifi’s 2.37 per minute. Ground game stats Anderson has an average of 5.5 takedowns per fight but Latifi has an 100% takedown defence record. I see that 100% record disappearing in this fight but Anderson has yet to win by SUB. Anderson does have a 6-inch reach advantage so stand up could prove difficult for Latifi.
Prediction for the fight I’m torn, with the striking, takedown and reach advantage I would normally pick Anderson. But my gut is swaying towards Ilir Latifi by KO due to the fact 3 out of 4 of Andersons losses are knockouts and I feel they will both cancel each other’s wrestling out.
Chad Mendes (18-4-0) VS Alexander Volkanovski (18-1-0)
The first fight on the Main Card Mendes vs Volkanovski. Mendes being the more experienced and tested fighter which could prove important. Being disadvantaged in almost every stat standing up taking it to the ground seems to be the smartest move for Chad. Alexander on the other hand will be looking to stop this and keep the fight standing. With a takedown defence of 82% Alexander will be hoping he can stuff Chad’s takedown attempts. Alexander has the reach advantage and the Significant Strikes advantage with 6.09 per minute to Chad’s 2.76.
Ufc Betting Predictions
Finally, my prediction for the fight is like so many fights on this card torn. If Alexander can keep this standing or land that one punch, I reckon he will get the KO win. But if the seasoned veteran Mendes can take this to the ground and use his experience I feel the will get the DEC or SUB. With Alexander not being tested by experienced fighters but a takedown defence record of 82%, also Mendes only having 1 fight since 2015 I feel Alexander will get the KO win.
This is the first time I’ve written an blog/fanpost and I welcome feedback on my predictions and my article as a whole. I would love to write about MMA for a website fulltime.
Cheers James