UFC Fight Night one hundred thirteen Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio: B/R Main Card Staff Predictions
The UFC’s International Fight Week feels like it happened an eternity ago and now, they’re taking the demonstrate on the road to Glasgow, Scotland for UFC Fight Night 113. The main card reads as goes after:
- Gunnar Nelson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
- Joanne Calderwood vs. Cynthia Calvillo
- Stevie Ray vs. Paul Felder
- Jack Marshman vs. Ryan Janes
- Khalil Rountree vs. Paul Craig
- James Mulheron vs. Justin Willis
No, don’t worry. That, indeed, is a powerless lineup of fights. While the top three fights on the card are all solid, the drop-off from there is profound, and the loser of each contest could be released afterward.
Still, the Bleacher Report MMA team is here to analyze and predict the outcome for those six contests. So hop on in, folks!
James Mulheron vs. Justin Willis
What a dynamic main card opener. Well, perhaps not. This is Mulheron’s UFC debut, and he’s stepping in on brief notice to face Justin Willis, a massive heavyweight who is also a UFC newcomer. Willis is a banger, plain and plain, and his American Kickboxing Academy training home suggests he can do it, especially over a dude as inexperienced as Mulheron.
Two guys making their UFC debut. What could go wrong?
I’ll take Mulheron. Nothing more than the long flight hurting Willis’ spectacle. Willis gets the benefit of shorter travel and all the benefits that go along with it. Not the most technical reason to pick a winner, but that’s what we’ll roll with in the curtain-jerker.
This could be a quick KO for Willis, but the momentum will slide to Mulheron, who has much more practice in the later rounds of the fight. I’ll pick him to get through a dicey opening framework and come back to win.
There’s only so much thought that can be put into this one. It’s a fight inbetween two unknown heavyweights. I’ll buck the trend of predicting a knockout, tho’, by going with the most likely outcome of two doughy heavyweights facing off; a slow, ugly, boring slog to a decision.
Willis, split decision
Khalil Rountree vs. Paul Craig
Kalil Rountree eventually earned that elusive very first UFC win in February when he knocked out Daniel Jolly in fifty two seconds. The problem is, that didn’t demonstrate people much about whether he had improved his deficiencies, namely takedown defense and wrestling. Those are just the things he’ll need against a strong grappler in Craig. Until he proves he has it, it’s hard to pick him outside a flash knockout. Sound the upset alarms.
Craig, subjugation, Rd. Two
Rountree has the raw physical gifts, but his actual spectacles just make me hesitant to pick him. Craig isn’t that much better, but his roughness makes me lean toward him against someone who underperforms when the lights strike down. I’m not expecting much out of this one.
Craig, unanimous decision
This is an awful matchup for Rountree. His deficient wrestling and grappling abilities play right into Craig’s palms, which makes a subordination win for the Scot seem like the most likely outcome. Plus, I could never pick against anyone with such a sweet surname (except Andrew Craig).
Craig, subjugation, Rd. Two
Yeah. Rountree is an epic talent, but this isn’t a fight that will help him grow. It’s one of those signature “let’s hurt a prospect’s long-term value” fights that only the UFC can make.
Craig, subjugation, Rd. 1
Jack Marshman vs. Ryan Janes
Ryan Janes is thirty five years old and 1-1 in the UFC. He’s a good grappler but has yet to prove he’s a good MMA fighter. Marshman is a brawler out of central casting, a Welshman with a penchant for pugilism. Let’s face it: this is a mismatch.
Marshman has a better win on his record than Janes, and has a better loss. Thus, I’m inclined to side with Marshman. Seems like a good matchup to get Europe another win.
This feels like a fight designed to give the UK crowd something to cheer about. It won’t be an effortless win for Marshman, however. Janes is a threat on the mat, and he’ll have the edge there. My guess is Marshman eventually catches him with something on the feet, however, and everything ultimately goes to script.
Marshman has more practice and more wins over solid competition. Effortless.
Marshman, unanimous decision
Stevie Ray vs. Paul Felder
Poor Paul Felder. He’s an arousing competitor and a good fighter, but he keeps getting all these harsh matchups. Stevie Ray may not be Edson Barboza just yet. Nevertheless, Ray is an exceptional competitor, fresh off a win over Joe Lauzon. This will be another striking display and the youthfull Scot will come out on top.
Ray, unanimous decision
This is most likely to be Fight of the Night. It’s a stylistic matchup that fits that mold. Felder is always up for those kinds of scraps, and he usually gets out-pointed as the fight goes into the 2nd and third. I don’t think I will go against history. Ray is trekking upward, and I’ll buy some of his stock.
Ray, unanimous decision
I’m on board with Harris and McCarter. The fight will be arousing, will be competitive and will be won by Ray. He’s shown better of late, and the quality of his wins speak to that.
Ray, unanimous decision
Nothing else to say, indeed. Felder will put on a good showcase en route to a loss.
Ray, unanimous decision
Joanne Calderwood vs. Cynthia Calvillo
Calderwood has just never taken utter flight in the UFC. She has a 3-2 record there but seems to stumble when it matters most. Calvillo is a flawless 5-0 as a pro, including 2-0 in the UFC. Her third-round obedience over Pearl Gonzalez was pretty. No reason to think she can’t do it again.
Calvillo, conformity, Rd. Trio
We eyed Calderwood’s best self when the UFC permitted her to rival at one hundred twenty five pounds. This fight is not at one hundred twenty five pounds. Calvillo’s grappling will be too much, and she’ll pass the test as she moves forward and JoJo goes to flyweight. It’s just a shame the UFC couldn’t permit Calderwood to fight in her chosen weight class now that they have opened that division.
Calvillo, unanimous decision
Fighting Calderwood in her home country is fairly a test, but Calvillo looks like the real deal. She’ll suspend in on the feet, initiate some takedowns and scrambles, and eventually, she’ll catch JoJo for the subordination. As soon as the referee drops Calvillo’s forearm after proclaiming her the victor, my only question is going to be, how long do I have to wait to see her rival again?
Calvillo, subordination, Rd. Two
The UFC is clearly bullish on Calvillo, and they very likely wouldn’t have put her into this fight with Calderwood if they didn’t think it was hers to win.
Calvillo, unanimous decision
Gunnar Nelson vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
I’ll lean Nelson here, but it’s not as one-sided as it might seem. Ponzinibbio can strike anytime. But Nelson will be flowing once this hits the ground.
Nelson, subjugation, Rd. Two
Nelson has looked fantastic since his loss to Demian Maia, and that will proceed when surrounded by a favorable crowd. Ponzinibbio is dangerous on the feet, but it’s nothing Nelson hasn’t faced before. He’ll work himself into the clinch and get a takedown. From there, it will be academic for the rising contender.
Nelson, subordination, Rd. Two
Ponzinibbio is always a danger to score the knockout, but as McCarter points out, that’s not a fresh challenge to Nelson, who is always growing as a fighter. Both guys will have their moments, but Nelson will wear Ponzinibbio out with ground control and eventually slip his forearm under the chin to earn a conformity.
Nelson, conformity, Rd. Three
Ponzinibbio’s got a good streak going, but yes, this is Nelson’s fight to lose, and I’m not expecting him to do so.