Source

UFC on ESPN 2: Barboza vs. Gaethje

Edson Barboza vs. Justin Gaethje - Gaethje |KO/TKO| [Rd 3]
David Branch vs. Jack Hermansson - Branch |Submission| [Rd 2]
Josh Emmett vs. Michael Johnson - Emmett |Decision|
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Michelle Waterson - Waterson |Decision|
Paul Craig vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu - Nzechukwu |KO/TKO| [Rd 1]
Sheymon Moraes vs. Sodiq Yusuff - Yusuff |KO/TKO| [Rd 1]


Jessica Aguilar vs. Marina Rodriguez - Rodriguez |Decision|
Desmond Green vs. Ross Pearson - Green |Decision|
Kevin Aguilar vs. Enrique Barzola - Aguilar |Decision|
Kevin Holland vs. Gerald Meerschaert - Holland |KO/TKO| [Rd 2]
Ray Borg vs. Casey Kenny - Borg |Decision|
Maryna Moroz vs. Sabina Mazo - Mazo |Decision|
Mark De La Rosa vs. Alex Perez - Perez |Decision|
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#Most Confident Pick/s:

  • Kevin Holland

Prediction Results : 9 - 4
Perfect Picks (Method & Round) : 4/9
Pick and Method : 5/9
Confident Pick/s : 1/1
Main Event Picks : 1/1

Best Performance/s of the Night :

[1] Justin Gaethje, Jack Hermansson

Gaethje used the perfect blueprint to beat Barboza. Barboza is a tremendous striker when at distance, but when under constant pressure his performance goes down. If I am correct Michael Johnson used the exact gameplan to beat Barboza. This win is huge for Gaethje's stock. Two consecutive 1st round KOs and this must put himself at a position to fight a Top 5 contender next or even get a #1 contender match.

Hermansson is definitely going to get ranked come the next UFC rankings and this will be huge for him. Honestly speaking, I wasn't expecting that kind of a performance from him and neither did I have him winning. He came at Branch very aggressive and he just submitted a good BJJ black-belt. This opens up the Top 10 opponents for him and I can't wait to see how he performs. He got the fire and he is focused and that is a dangerous guy.

[2] Josh Emmett, Paul Craig

Emmett wasn't looking particularly impressive up until that big one punch KO. Swinging big punches and hooks. In fact I thought Johnson has taken control of the fight and winning a decision. He returned after some layoff, but did prove that he is indeed a 'KO artist' and that knockout of Lamas wasn't just random.

Craig's got heart! FOR SURE! He was never out of the fight. Always attacking from the bottom. And he even did better than Kennedy in the striking department in the last two rounds. That submission was slick and he deserved that POTN award.