This Saturday June 10th, the UFC returns to our screens live from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for the next PPV event UFC 289. Maybe not the typical name value on the card that previous PPV cards have featured, nonetheless a well-put-together card top to bottom with some bangers that will keep you entertained throughout, the Women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes looks to defend her Bantamweight title against Irene Aldana who is eager to cause an upset. In this article I’m gonna predict the outcome of each fight on the main card and make my pick for fight of the night, always a tricky one in such an unforgiving sport but do enjoy making these predictions and hopefully you enjoy reading them.
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Eryk Anders
Not two guys with the most name value, especially for the opening bout of the main card on a PPV but definitely one that could start us off with a bang. Both men have been involved in some fun scraps throughout the years, Im taking Barriault via decision in this one 30-27 controlling the bout with his wrestling as Anders doesn’t typically react well to that.
Pick: Barriault unanimous decision
Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr
Two fan favourites here in very much a fan-friendly fight. Nate Landwehr has found fame of late due to his exciting fight style and captivating microphone skills. It’s a must-win if Dan Ige wants to fight for a title before calling it a day on his career. I’ve gone back and forth on this one and ultimately landed on a Dan Ige win via decision in a very close fight perhaps even controversial scoring.
Pick: Dan Ige split decision
Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt
No disrespect intended to either man but charging fans in the US £75 for this PPV is criminal, with this as the third to last fight and no real name value on the card outside the co-main & main. This should be a great bout though, regardless of their name recognition. Ten of Malott’s eleven fights have ended in round one while ten of Fugitt’s twelve have resulted in a finish. Here I’m backing Mallot for another quick start and to implement his submission game early and get the first-round stoppage.
Pick: Malott 1st round submission
Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush
Now moving onto the people’s main event, a bout between two men with Lightweight title aspirations, former champion Charles Olivera takes on Beneil Dariush who is on an eight-fight win streak. I’m not ready to write Charles off yet after one loss, especially when you consider his last three victories have come against Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. I’m picking Charles to win via TKO in the third and final round.
Pick: Olivera 3rd round TKO
Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana
Now for the actual main event of UFC 289, Amanda Nunes defends her Bantamweight title against the hard-hitting Mexican Irene Aldana. Perhaps a straightforward pick for most when comparing the resume of the two but the same could’ve been said about Peña before she dethroned Nunes at UFC 269. I can’t shake the feeling that Nunes has one foot out the door and that this truly is a golden period for Mexican mixed martial arts. Very typical of myself, I’m gonna get behind the underdog here and pick Irene Aldana to cause an upset and become the new Bantamweight champ via TKO in the fourth round, and new.
Pick: Aldana 4th round TKO
Fight of the Night prediction
Two fights are jumping out at me when I attempt to make this pick, the people’s main event between Charles Olivera and Beneil Dariush and the Featherweight bout between Nate Landwehr and Dan Ige. Two fights that I expect to deliver, ultimately I’ve landed on the Charles versus Beneil bout as my pick for fight of the night, this is one I truly can’t wait to watch unfold.
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