15 March 2019, by: Quintin van Jaarsveld

UFC FIGHT NIGHT LONDON – PREDICTIONS

The Octagon returns to the United Kingdom as English sensation Darren Till takes on dangerous American Jorge Masvidal in
the main event of UFC Fight Night London at the O2 Arena on Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time).

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The headliner promises to be a welterweight war between two of the fiercest strikers in the division. Till will be looking to rebound after coming up short in his first title bout, while Masvidal will be seeking to play spoiler.

The co-main event sees Till’s fellow Brit Leon Edwards battle Gunnar Nelson in another intriguing welterweight contest, both bullish to break into the upper echelon of the division.

In a third must-see match-up, former light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir squares off with rising star Dominick Reyes. History will also be made as Jack Marshman and John Phillips become the first Welshmen to go head-to-head in the Octagon to kick-off the main card.

Till says he won’t be satisfied with anything other than a first-round finish, a bold statement considering “The Gorilla” is coming off the devastation of a first-ever defeat in his maiden title tilt against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228.

What it shows is that the 26-year-old hasn’t lost any of the beaming confidence that fuelled his 16-fight unbeaten streak prior to September’s setback in Dallas. He’s promising to walk Masvidal down, but don’t expect the new face of British MMA to charge forward with reckless abandon.

An experienced Muay Thai maestro, the Liverpudlian knows how and when to strike. He’s equally capable of quick finishes – like the first-round TKO of Donald Cerrone (one of five first-round stoppages on his record) – and staying patient and disciplined, as he displayed in his tactical decision win over Stephen Thompson in his last headline bout on home soil.

In Masvidal, he has a game opponent for a slugfest, hence the nickname “Gamebred”. A UFC veteran who first gained notoriety through street fighting videos on YouTube, Masvidal has stopped seven of his opponents inside the Octagon in the opening round. The 34-year-old is more of a volume striker as of late as opposed to his harder hitting opponent, but he hasn’t lost his killer instinct.

It’s a pressure fight for both men: Till has the weight of expectation of the home crowd on his shoulders and as the No. 3- ranked welterweight contender, he’s gambling somewhat by squaring off against the 11th-ranked Masvidal, while the latter is on a two-fight losing skid. In what should be a thrilling fight, I see Till taking out his older opponent.

Prediction:

“It’s not about how hard you hit…” catches up with as he looks to rebound at . — UFC (@ufc)

Edwards is a surging welterweight with just two losses in his 10-fight UFC career, the first a razor-thin split decision defeat to Claudio Silva in his promotional debut back in 2014 and the other, dropping a decision to Kamaru Usman (who recently took the title from Woodley) in 2015.

He’s since strung together an impressive six-fight win streak and most recently scored the biggest win of his career when he beat “Cowboy” Cerrone over five rounds. A well-rounded fighter, “Rocky” will be buoyed by fighting in his home country.

Nelson is a submission specialist, with 11 of his 17 wins – including the latest over Alex Oliveira – coming by tapout. The Icelander hasn’t had a breakout win over a ranked opponent yet – that’s what this fight against the 10th-ranked Brit represents for “Gunni”.

While Nelson is super slick on the ground, Edwards has never been submitted and has the footwork and takedown defence to keep Nelson at bay, especially in the opening rounds when he’s at his most dangerous.

Prediction:

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Contrasting career trajectories have brought this light heavyweight collision about. Oezdemir, who had looked phenomenal in brutal back-to-back first-round knockouts of Misha Cirkunov and Jimi Manuwa in 2017, enters the clash on a two-fight losing streak, while Reyes is undefeated in his nine-fight pro career, and is a flawless 4-0 inside the Octagon.

Context is needed though: Oezdemir’s recent losses were against Daniel Cormier in a championship showdown at UFC 220, and against a red-hot Anthony Smith, who went on to challenge Jon Jones for the title. Reyes passed his first true test against former title challenger Ovince Saint Preux in his last bout, and faces another step-up in competition in “No Time”.

Expect these two big, explosive strikers to trade leather, and Oezdemir to land the fight-finishing blow.

Prediction:

In what should be a fast-paced bantamweight bout, London’s own Wood will bring the heat to the more reserved Quinonez. The hometown hero doesn’t work by the hour – 13 of his 15 wins are by stoppage, nine by knockout and four by submission.

His Mexican foe, on the other hand, goes to a decision 63% of the time. Wood is a relative newcomer in the UFC and gives up Octagon experience to Quinonez, who’s won four straight in the promotion, but I see “The Prospect” living up to his moniker in his backyard.

Prediction:

What was your favorite card? — UFC (@ufc)

Roberts is rarely in a boring fight and is prepared to take a few to give a few. “Hot Chocolate” bagged his second Fight of the Night bonus when he beat David Zawada last time out and knocked out Oliver Enkamp the last time he fought in his hometown of London.

Silva’s a tricky opponent for the former pro boxer, as the Brazilian’s wicked jiu-jitsu skills have earned him the nickname “Hannibal”. He’ll shoot early and often; predictable but problematic for Roberts and his shaky takedown defence.

Prediction:

The significance of this middleweight match-up could inspire something special. Not only will the whole of Wales be watching the historic clash between two of its native sons in the world’s leading MMA promotion, but the loser may well be sent packing with both having lost their last two fights. Marshman will most likely target Phillips’ weakness on the ground to pick up a vital win.

Prediction:

The Battle for ??????? Wales!

Who you got between & ?

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Arnold Allen v Jordan Rinaldi (featherweight bout)

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Marc Diakiese v Joe Duffy (lightweight bout)

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Nicolae Negumereanu v Saparbek Safarov (light heavyweight bout)

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Tom Breese v Ian Heinisch (middleweight bout)

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Danny Henry v Dan Ige (featherweight bout)

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Molly McCann v Priscila Cachoeira (women’s flyweight bout)

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Mike Grundy v Nad Narimani (featherweight bout)

Prediction:

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