Stevie Ray vs Paul Felder
A potential fight of the night contender on paper, this one should be a good fight as both men are known for their tendency to bring the fight in the octagon.
Stevie Ray is a very well-rounded fighter, who's shown to have some pop in his strikes and has competed professionally in Jiu-Jitsu. But he's been eking out mostly decision wins in his recent fights and most of them have also seen him move away from his earlier aggressive style in favour of a points style approach.
Paul felder, after being a Donald Cerrone clone for the longest time, is starting to really come into his own in his recent fights. His display of precision striking against Ricci in his last fight was his best display in the octagon so far. His time at American Top Team has seemingly been paying dividends and I like Felder in this fight. He's as well-rounded as Ray but has the mental edge going into this fight.
Prediction : Paul felder by TKO, second round
Cynthia Calvillo vs Joanne Calderwood
The biggest hometown star on this card, Calderwood has a lot to prove heading into this fight, following her time off after her last loss against eventual title contender Jessica Andrade at last year's UFC 203. She's been billed as Scotland's big title hope for a while now, but hasn't really been able to build up a lot of momentum so far in her career. Alternating between wins and losses, her biggest fight has seemingly been against the weighing scale and heading into this fight too, she's lost that battle yet again.
A professional Muay Thai fighter, Jojo is set to take on perhaps the most dangerous submission artist in the division, Cynthia Calvillo. A rising star in the company, the undefeated Calvillo seems to have the UFC machine behind her so far as she heads into enemy territory in this fight. But, she's got to be considered a favorite given her grappling ability and her opponent's struggles with both weight and quality submission fighters. Calderwood has a chance of eking out a decision win if she keeps the fight on the feet in front of the local judges, but I feel it's highly unlikely.
Prediction : Cynthia Calvillo by submission, first round
Gunnar Nelson vs Santiago Ponzinibbio
Not the most attractive of main-events, this one though should be a solid fight between two of the most prolific finishers in the division. Ponzinibbio has tremendous power and has shown in the past that despite not being the biggest welterweight out there, he can KO anybody in the division. Racking up a 4-fight win streak, he's deserving of the main event spot on the card and certainly has a chance to win the fight against the super-dangerous Nelson, especially early.
However, this is Gunni's fight to lose as his style is the perfect counter for everything that the Argentinian brings to the cage. Quick in and out movement coupled with a world-class submission game, Nelson gets to decide where he wants the fight to take place. He should be wary of Santiago's right hand in the early rounds, but I do see Nelson being able to take his opponent down and once there, a submission is imminent.
Prediction : Gunnar Nelson via submission, 2nd round
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