UFC Gdansk – Main event and co-main event preview & picks

UFC goes to Poland this weekend and has lined up some exciting fights for the combat sports fans. The major highlight of the weekend would hands down be the showdown between Donald Cerrone and Darren Till. The fight night headliners, the fight has already captured the imagination of MMA fans across the world. 

Just hours before UFC kickstarts the event, we preview and reveal the predictions for the main event and the co-main event of the fight night. 

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Jodie Esquibel

Not the most enticing debut fight for the former Invicta FC fighter, Esquibel is matched up against former strawweight title challenger in Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Just a year ago, the Polish kickboxer was undefeated in MMA and on the verge of facing dominant champion Jedrzejczyk for the UFC strawweight title. Less than 12 months later, she's no longer in the title hunt, having suffered two back-to-back losses against the aforementioned champion and then to Claudia Gadelha.

Both Esquibel and Karolina are uber-tough and given their tendencies to march forward, we have an exciting fight on our hands. However, Esquibel has competed at atomweight in the past and will be the smaller fighter in the cage tomorrow night. She also will be giving up reach to Kowalkiewicz, who while not a KO artist not unlike the divisional champ, is a high-volume striker. She also gets better as the rounds go on and I see this one going to a decision, with the Polish fighter getting the nod.

Prediction: Karolina Kowalkiewicz wins via decision.

Donald Cerrone vs Darren Till

This fight was a headscratcher when it was announced a month back. 'Cowboy', although riding a 2-fight losing streak for the first time in his career, is among the most recognizable names in the UFC, and his decision to fight against the undefeated yet rather unknown Till raised many eyebrows. But it shouldn't, as Cerrone's history shows us that he is game if nothing else, and he is one guy who means it when he says “anyone, anywhere, anytime”.

Also, Darren Till is an absolute monster and will be in his third fight this year too, when he steps inside the octagon against the veteran Cerrone. Among the larger welterweights in the division, Till is an accomplished striker in his own right and is as tough as they come. His steady schedule this year also means he hasn't gotten too out of shape and that increases his prospects against someone like Cerrone who is very durable. He also is a southpaw fighter, traditionally a sore spot for Cerrone who has had a history of struggling against well-timed body shots.

No two ways about it, Cerrone has the more accomplished resume with wins over high-profile names in Benson Henderson, Edson Barboza among others. However, he's coming off a fight that he lost after being injured in the buildup to it and it wasn't that long ago. He also has been in a few wars in his lifetime and the question begets, 'When does the decline start?”.

Not saying that Cerrone is on a decline, but I like Till's confidence heading into this one and also the fact that he is a southpaw fighter with some power. He has to realize what a win over someone like Cowboy could mean for his career, and that can only be a motivating factor for the Liverpool prospect.

Prediction: Darren Till wins via TKO, 3rd round