UFC 239 Predictions

This card is the highlight of International Fight Week is filled with some extremely compelling matchups! Let me know what you think of my predictions and previews below!

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Lightweight (155 lbs.) Bout: Michael Chiesa (NR) vs Diego Sanchez (NR)

My opinion on this bout will most likely differ from that of the majority of people. In his past few fights Diego Sanchez has displayed a fire of sorts where as Michael Chiesa seems to be losing that flame lately. Chiesa's striking on paper should be superior to Sanchez's but I think that Sanchez will be able to overcome the punishment on the feet and get the fight to the ground. This fight most likely goes one of two ways; either Chiesa gets a hold of a neck or limb in their grappling exchanges and submits Sanchez, or Sanchez withstands the punishments and uses his superior ground and pound to TKO Chiesa. Based purely on their past few performances, I believe that the latter of the two possibilities will take place.

Prediction: Winner - Diego Sanchez via 3rd round TKO

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Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.) Bout: Luke Rockhold (NR) vs Jan Blachowicz (6)

This fight is very crucial to the career of both fighters. A win for either of them can put them very close to a title shot. Jan Blachowicz has a very impressive striking arsenal however he tends to rush in and throw caution to the wind -- this caused him to suffer a knockout loss in his last fight. Rockhold is a proficient striker as well but the real difference comes in the ground game. Rockhold seems to be the more prolific grappler and that will be the deciding factor in this fight. The most likely result would be Rockhold hold Blachowicz to the mat and getting in some effective strikes on the feet which will earn him the UD win.

Prediction: Winner - Luke Rockhold via Unanimous Decision

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Welterweight (170 lbs.) Bout: Ben Askren (5) vs Jorge Masvidal (4)

This fight is pretty clear-cut to me on how it will play out. I expect Jorge Masvidal to try and punch a whole in Askren's face while Askren scurries relentlessly to secure a takedown and pin Masvidal to the mat. I think that Askren's gameplan will be successful during this bout; Askren has already faced and defeated a more dangerous fighter in Robbie Lawler after facing a lot of adversity. I believe that Askren will have learned from this fight and will implement better striking defence with a more cautious approach. I'm predicting that Askren suffers minimal damage on the feet and will secure a submission win in the second after having a hold of Jorge for most of the scrap.

Prediction: Winner - Ben Askren via 2nd round Submission

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Women's Bantamweight (135 lbs.) Championship Bout: Amanda Nunes (c) vs Holly Holm (2)

Amanda Nunes has taken home the Women's GOAT status with her last win over Cyborg Santos but that does not mean that fans should sleep on Holly Holm. Holly has already shocked the world when she dethroned Ronda Rousey in 2015 and may try to implement the strategy she used against Cyborg in their fight. Although Holm lost the fight to Cyborg due to the champ's superior size and strength it may have been the perfect training for a bout with a smaller striking phenom in Amanda Nunes. I believe that the difference will come in Nunes' power and after a few excellent striking exchanges I forsee a 4th round overhand right planting Holly Holm.

Prediction: Winner - Amanda Nunes via 4th round Knockout

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Light Heavyweight (205 lbs.) Championship Bout: Jon Jones (c) vs Thiago Santos (2)

Much like Jorge Masvidal, Thiago Santos i going to be purely head-hunting when he steps into the cage on Saturday. Santos's only shot in this fight is catching Jones early with a huge punch before he tires out. With this in mind, Jones has been shown to have a good chin, having never been knocked out in his MMA career. Jones has a superior skillset to Santos and I believe after evading most of the offence on him he will be able to pick apart Thiago and knockout him out after breaking his spirit in the second round.

Prediction: Winner - Jon Jones via 2nd round Knockout