We go again!
After a stellar night of fights on Thursday night, which saw a new lightweight champion crowned in Eddie Alvarez, we have another title fight on the horizon.
MMA writers' 2016 records
Darragh The Quizmaster Murphy: 59-31
Bourbon Ben Kiely: 55-35
Joanna Jędrzejczyk (11-0) vs. Claudia Gadelha (13-1)
DM: I've gone back and forth on this so many times, I really don't want to pick.
Oddly, in spite of owning a victory over Gadelha, watching Jędrzejczyk's first fight with the Brazilian would lead you to believe that the belt is set to change hands on Friday night.
Gadelha is a much, much better grappler than Jędrzejczyk and I had their original meeting scored for her but I think there's a special kind of confidence coursing through the champion's veins right now.
Jędrzejczyk had her bitter rival rocked in the first round back in 2014 and I believe her striking has progressed further than Gadelha's overall game.
I'm about 51% confident of this but I'm going for retention.
Jędrzejczyk via TKO (round three)
BK: I've just got that feeling about Gadelha. Despite two of the judges not seeing that way, I feel like she won the first fight.
Both fighters have improved substantially since then, but I think the key to victory here is the mental game. Joanna seems to have Luke Rockhold levels of overconfidence going into this one backed by her dominance in her last three fights.
However, with no disrespect to Esparza, Penne and Letourneau, I don't think they're on the Brazilian grappling whizz's level. Joanna clearly has the edge in the striking department, but with a smart gameplan, Gadelha could take this aspect out of the equation entirely.
On the ground, Gadelha wins all night long. The Polish phenom may be changing her moniker to Joanna Former Champion after tonight.
Gadelha via submission (round four)
Andrew Sanchez (7-2) vs. Khalil Rountree (4-0)
DM: I was one of the dozen people who watched this season of the Ultimate Fighter but I don't foresee either light heavyweight finalist giving sleepless nights to Daniel Cormier in the future.
Khalil Rountree only finds himself in this position due to the fact that Cory Hendricks was forced out of the competition after beating him.
Sanchez was someone who looked nothing but in control in the tournament and he should have the beating of Rountree.
Sanchez via TKO (round one)
BK: Like most of you, I didn't watch this season of the Ultimate Fighter. I trust Darragh's judgment.
Sanchez via something
Amanda Cooper (1-1) vs. Tatiana Suarez (3-0)
DM: Suarez is an understandable favourite but I liked what I saw from Cooper when her back was against the wall in the semi-finals.
Cooper is a big strawweight and almost didn't make the limit against Lanchana Green but she managed it at the 11th hour and somehow looked nothing but fresh when it came to fight time.
She's got a warrior's grit and although she may be giving up some technique to Suarez, I'm going for heart paying off.
Cooper by split decision
BK: See above pick.
Cooper by something.
Ross Pearson (19-10, 1 NC) vs. Will Brooks (17-1)
DM: Yikes! As a firm believer in Octagon jitters, I believe this one could go tits-up for Will Brooks but it's quite unlikely.
Not many fighters signing from Bellator have enjoyed the mystique that Brooks holds and it's no surprise given that he's beaten Michael Chandler, one of the world's best lightweights, on two occasions and avenged his only ever career loss.
The fact that Evan Dunham was able to have his way with a very game Pearson leads me to believe that it will be a fairly untroubled debut for Brooks but I don't see him finishing the Brit.
He'll just out-wrestle and remain active from top position, dealing with very little resistance from Pearson.
Brooks by decision
BK: Will Brooks is the real deal, but Ross Pearson is a very tricky opponent for a promotional debut.
It will be interesting to see if Brooks can hang with the top level guys in the big leagues and with Eddie Alvarez holding that coveted strap, perhaps we'll get to see the lightweight title fight that never happened in Bellator. Their loss.
Brooks by decision
Doo Ho Choi (13-1) vs. Thiago Tavares (20-6-1)
DM: Doo Ho Choi terrifies me.
Choi by knockout (round one)
BK: The featherweight division's elite need to stand up and take note. The Korean Superboy is coming for that title shot.
Doo Ho Choi via knockout (round one)
Joaquim Silva (8-0) vs. Andrew Holbrook (11-0)
DM: Silva comes out firing, exhausts himself and is taken down repeatedly for the rest of the fight.
Holbrook is a grappler clever enough not to rush shots without setting them up as he will get chopped up if he starts diving on double legs from the outside.
I foresee him closing the distance, grinding Silva against the fence and maintaining top control when he does get the takedown. I don't see it being a classic, though.
Holbrook by decision
BK: Anything is possible in this crazy sport, but I don't foresee this claiming the Fight of the Night bonus. Hollbrook's superior grappling should see him home to victory.
Hollbrook by decision
