UFC 235 Predictions & Preview
- MMA News Now
- Mar 1, 2019
- 6 min read
#UFC235 is live March 2nd on PPV! The card is loaded from top to bottom with some really exciting fresh match-ups!
Bantamweight (135 lbs.) Bout: Cody Garbrandt (2) vs Pedro Munhoz (9)
Cody Garbrandt forced his way up the UFC ladder and secured the bantamweight belt in 2016. He worked his way up to the title shot with an extremely impressive 10-0 record, including 3 consecutive first round finishes prior to his title shot. As a result, Garbrandt defeated the consensus greatest bantamweight in UFC history in convincing fashion. However, Cody suffered back to losses to current UFC bantamweight champion, T.J. Dillashaw. Both of these fights were close with both of the fighters getting dropped, however Cody ultimately lost both of these fights via TKO. With these factors in mind, this bout against Munhoz may show us the most hungry version of Cody yet who will be looking to avenge his losses.
The challenge staring him in the face is Pedro Munhoz. Pedro Munhoz may not be the most well-known athlete in the eyes of most casual fans but he has had a fairly sizable tenure in the UFC dating back since 2014 where he has had experience fighting top talents like Raphael Assuncao, Jimmie Rivera and Rob Font. None of these fighters are as big of a challenge as Garbrandt but they have definitely prepared Munhoz for big fight like this.
On Saturday you can expect to see two men feeling that they have a lot to prove. Cody possesses lightning fast hands and frequently looks for a big knockout, however he will need to be weary of Munhoz's kicks that will surely be fired from all angles. Munhoz has a lethal guillotine choke but with Cody's wrestling ability it is unlikely that the fight will be spent on the mat. In my opinion unless Cody 'chokes' or Munhoz can do something spectacular this fight favors Garbrandt who should have the advantage in the striking department. If he can avoid damage to his legs, look for Cody to put his boxing into play early looking for a big stoppage as soon as he can.
Prediction: Winner - Cody Garbrandt via 1st Round TKO
Strawweight (115 lbs.) Bout: Tecia Torres (7) vs Weili Zhang (15)
The second fight on this card is kickboxing showcase in the 115 pound division. Tecia Torres has recently adopted a more patient collected stand-up style and her grappling game has also improved recently. Torres is coming off of two consecutive losses and this fight will be a crucial test to see if she still has the ability that has struck fear into the hearts of her opponents in the past.
On the other end of the spectrum is Zhang. She has only 1 loss in comparison to her 18 professional wins and is on a roll of late being undefeated in the UFC. Like Torres, Zhang is a kickboxer but unlike Torres she has very heavy hands. Zhang has fifteen impressive finishes professionally and will be looking to add to that list on Saturday night.
In my opinion the biggest factor in this fight will be Zhang's size and power. A huge advantage that Torres will possess is her octagon experience; she has spent more time under the UFC moniker and has faced off against former UFC champions and contenders. With this being said, I do not believe that Torres will can win this fight purely based off of the pedigree of fighters that she has battled in past. I believe that Zhang is the proficient striker and her submission game is very legitimate. This should end up being a fairly close fight but I foresee Zhang outclassing her opponent in most aspects of the fight and earning a hard-fought decision victory.
Prediction: Winner - Weili Zhang via Unanimous Decision
Welterweight (170 lbs.) Bout: Ben Askren (NR) vs Robbie Lawler (6)
On a card with two title bouts and ranked fighters on the prelims you may be surprised to see the consensus most anticipated match-up as a bout between an over-the-hill veteran and a wrestler making his UFC debut but as you dive deeper into the attributes of both of these athletes you will understand why so many fans are anticipating this one.
Ben Askren is one of the most fascinating individuals in and out of the octagon. After going 12-0 in the second biggest MMA promotion 'Bellator' amassing wins over highly skilled fighters like Andrey Koreshkov and Douglas Lima, it seemed Askren was on route to the UFC. However, UFC President, Dana White dismissed all this speculation and said that the "boring" Askren did not have a job with his company. Askren had then opted to go overseas and compete for ONE FC in based in southeast Asia where he would go 6-0(1) demolishing all competition in front of him. After an impressive first round finish from a little over a year ago Askren announced his retirement from the sport at the age of 33. Approximately one year after his retirement it had been announced that the UFC had traded for his contract. After an extremely tedious struggle, Askren brings his Olympic-caliber to the octagon against a relentless competitor in Robbie Lawler.
Robbie Lawler has had a very wild career of his own thus far even holding UFC gold at one point. If Lawler wants to end up obtaining the win this weekend he is going to want keep the fight on the feet and turn it into a dogfight like he has done so well in the past. Lawler has 4 'Fight of the Night' bonuses and thrives under harsh conditions. Lawler has showed in passed fights that he can defend takedowns fairly well, if he can keep the fight standing he will find all kinds of success because the main part of Askren's game is his grappling.
In conclusion, this fight will go one of two ways; Lawler manages to keep the fight on the feet and ends up catching Askren and dealing him his first professional loss or Askren gets Robbie to the ground and mauls him until a decision or stoppage. Although Askren hasn't faced any UFC fighters, he has still battled world-class talent and I believe that he will have enough expertise to get the fight to the ground and have his way with Robbie.
Prediction: Winner - Ben Askren via 2nd Round Submission
Welterweight (170 lbs.) Championship Bout: Tyron Woodley (C) vs Kamaru Usman (2)
I believe that this fight is the most underrated of any on the card. After Woodley's last performance against Till he has reached a higher status -- he is now renowned as one of the 'greats' at 170. Another reason why this fight is getting swept under the rug is the chaos surrounding the welterweight division right now. With Covington parading around calling himself the champ and Ben Askren going rampant on Twitter many fans may be drooling at the potential match-ups instead of appreciating the bout taking place this weekend. In Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley you have the most high-caliber and interesting fight on the whole card.
The most terrifying thing that Woodley has in his tool-bag is his earth-shattering right hand. Both fighters are extremely well-rounded but having that right hand can change the flow of the entire fight if Woodley can land it -- a weapon that Usman does not possess. Usman's best shot at escaping Woodley's power and speed is by neutralizing it and taking him to mat and grinding his way to victory. Usman's striking is constantly developing so striking against the champ will be an option, but it will be in his best interest to try and get Woodley to the mat as soon as possible. Woodley has excellent wrestling and takedown defense as well therefore Usman will have his work cut out for him when it comes to grappling.
Looking at this fight from all angles, Woodley seems to be superior in all aspects in the cage. Unless Usman has made some big leaps since his last fight or is able to implement his wrestling I do not foresee him
being ahead on the score cards when the final horn sounds. Although this fight could end in many different ways I believe that Woodley will be too experienced and I think he will end up catching an exasperated Usman desperately working for a takedown.
Prediction: Winner - Woodley via 3rd round KO.
Light-Heavyweight (205 lbs.) Bout: Jon Jones (C) vs Anthony Smith (3)
Although I am a huge personal fan of Anthony Smith and his recent string of big wins has been very impressive I don't think he has a good chance of beating Jon Jones. With this being said, Smith is a world-class athlete and anything can happen in a Mixed Martial Arts match.
Without his doping violations Jon Jones would be regarded as the greatest ever. The majority of Jon Jones's fights in the octagon have been showcases displaying how unique he is as an athlete; in the few exceptions to this where Jon had been tasked with a tough fight he has dug deep and found a way to still come out with his hand raised. Anthony Smith however has been beaten many times (13 if we're counting) and still keeps coming back. Smith has approximately 70 fights including both amateur and professional which gives him a huge ring-time advantage. Smith's best shot at getting the win is to use his experience in unison with his finishing ability and look to catch Jones with a big shot.
Jon Jones is extremely well-rounded and he is typically very successful regardless of where the fight goes. I expect Jones to keep the fight standing and pick Smith apart with his unorthodox striking. This should be a lopsided fight followed by an early finish unless Smith can pull a miracle out or survive all five rounds.
Prediction: Winner - Jon Jones via 1st Round TKO
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