by Amanda Ribas vs Paige VanZant
Pick – Ribas
Reason – Ribas has already shown in her 9-1 start that she can submit an opponent and knock them out. She can also out point and outwork them. She has great cardio, great skills and can defeat you any number of ways.
Paige VanZant will be a tough out for Ribas as despite her run of the mill 8-4 record, she has proven she can take a beating and keep coming. No one will ever again question the toughness of Paige. She is more than just looks but Ribas will win by decision.
Jessica Andrade vs Rose Namajunas
Pick – Thug Rose
Reason – Andrade hasn’t fought in the states since 2018, and that trend will continue this week. Whatever the case may be, this world traveler needs to test out those road wary legs one more time against a Thug Rose out for revenge. She will have her hands full and need to be on her horse.
Namajunas stunned the world in 2017 with a Strawweight Title victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk. And then she did it again a few months later. She appeared to be on a path to nonstop stardom until Andrade picked her up and slammed her out cold. She hasn’t fought since, but hasn’t forgotten about it either.
Peter Yan vs Jose Aldo
Pick – Yan
Reason – A two fight losing streak, and losses in his last 5 out of 8 fights have tarnished the once untouchable record of Aldo. Can he get back on track against the feisty Yan?
At 14-1 with victories over Urijah Faber, Jimmie Rivera and John Dodson, Yan is the real deal. I fully expect him to keep it up this weekend with a decision victory over the legend.
Max Holloway vs Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski
Pick – Volkanovski
Prediction – As 2018 came to and end, Max Holloway was seen as the best pound for pound fighter in the world. My goodness, what has happened since? 2019 was a bad year for Holloway, very bad! He took a chance and fought Dustin Poirier for the interim UFC Lightweght Championship and was taken apart for five rounds. He would close out 2019 by dropping his UFC Featherweight Championship belt to Alexander Volkanovski in a fight where he appeared to not even try.
As for Volkanovski, he is on an 18 fight win streak, and has run through names such as Holloway, Aldo and Chad Mendes with little to no issue. I see him keeping it up on the beach.
