UFC Fight Night 163: Preview and Predictions
After reaching the 500th UFC event last weekend in Madison Square Garden, a new countdown for the UFC begins as we race toward the end of a memorable year for the sport.
Starting with the fifth to last event of 2019, MMA’s leading promotion heads to Moscow, Russia with some home-country heroes in tow.
Headlined by a three-round main event between featherweight contenders Zabit Magomedsharipov and Calvin Kattar, UFC Fight Night 163 is geared almost entirely toward the Russian fan-base.
Zabit Magomedsharipov (17-1) vs. Calvin Kattar (20-3)
Over a five-round fight, I think my opinion on this fight might flip due to Magomedsharipov’s questionable cardio but I’ll side with ‘Zabeast’ edging a decision win here.
Kattar certainly has the power to hurt anyone at featherweight and it can easily be argued he has the best pure boxing in the division. Where he has fallen down in the past however was against a patient, kick-heavy gameplan by Renato Moicano.
While Moicano is certainly more ‘meat-and-potatoes’ when it comes to striking offence than Magomedsharipov, the Russian’s more flashy and diverse arsenal should provide more opportunities.
Add in a proven quality grappling game and I think over 15 minutes in front of a home crowd Magomedsharipov should have enough to get the nod.
Pick: Zabit Magomedsharipov
Alexander Volkov (30-7) vs. Greg Hardy (5-1, 1 NC)
On paper, Alexander Volkov should win this fight at a canter.
He’s technically superior in every way, a proven quantity at the elite level and possesses the mentality to keep the fight within his wheelhouse.
Obviously with this being at heavyweight, Hardy has the power to change this fight much like Derrick Lewis did against Volkov but Hardy hasn’t shown anything close to the level Lewis can fight at.
Pick: Alexander Volkov
Zelim Imadaev (8-1) vs. Danny Roberts (16-5)
This looks set to be a wild fight.
Roberts is probably the more balanced fighter out of the two but he has a habit of either being clipped or wading into a brawl that removes his technical skill from the equation.
Imadeav meanwhile can provide a high pace and is aggressive with his approach on the feet.
It’s a tough pick as you can see either man picking up a KO win but Imadeav has shown to be a bit more durable than the Englishman.
Pick: Zelim Imadaev
Khadis Ibragimov (8-1) vs. Ed Herman (23-14, 1 NC)
Ibragimov showed a ridiculous output in his UFC debut but that high-energy came at a cost as he slowed and was ultimately caught in a submission against Da Un Jung.
Against Ed Herman, that style could result in a KO loss as opposed to a submission but at 39-years old, I’m not sure how well Herman can cope under the high pressure.
Pick: Khadis Ibragimov
Ramazan Emeev (18-3) vs. Anthony Rocco Martin (16-5)
Anthony Rocco Martin has proven to be a really solid, well-rounded fighter in his recent outings but I’m not sure how well he matches with Ramazan Emeev.
While Martin certainly has a chance at counter-punching his way to victory, I think his questionable takedown defence will allow Emeev to grind away in the clinch and dominate where the fight takes place.
Pick: Ramazan Emeev
Shamil Gamzatov (13-0) vs. Klidson Abreu (15-3)
Neither Gamzatov or Abreu are the most controlled fighter and this could easily dissolve into a fairly sloppy firefight.
Both fighters are decent grapplers but I doubt either fighter will want to take the fight to the mat unless they’re in trouble while striking.
While both fighters are happy with taking a shot to give one, I think Gamzatov can wear the damage better than Abreu and that should prove vital.
Pick: Shamil Gamzatov
(Last Predictions: 1/5, Total: 113/194, 58% Success Rate)
(2016: 61%, ’17: 60%, ’18: 58% Success Rate)