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Welcome back to We Want Picks! This exciting event features Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier in the main event. Let’s dive into each fight and break down Jacob’s predictions, including betting odds.
Early Prelims
Mitch Raposo vs. Andre Lima (00:02:25)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Mitch Raposo: Hometown kid with good boxing and wrestling, compared to Adrian Yanez.
- Andre Lima: More dangerous and powerful striker with strong ground skills.
- Prediction: Mitch Raposo to win by decision, using his boxing and mixing in takedowns.
Betting Odds: Andre Lima -200, Mitch Raposo +170
Prelims
Joselyne Edwards vs. Ailin Perez (00:05:25)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Joselyn Edwards: Can be taken down and controlled but has good striking.
- Ailin Perez: Fiery fighter with decent takedowns but can get too emotional.
- Prediction: Ailin Perez to win by decision, but there’s concern about her potentially making mistakes due to emotions.
Betting Odds: Ailin Perez -185, Joselyn Edwards +160
Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez (00:07:25)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Mickey Gall: Chin up pressure striker with good submissions.
- Bassil Hafez: Tough and relentless with takedowns, has a good chin.
- Prediction: Bassil Hafez to win by decision, but hedge with a Mickey Gall submission.
Betting Odds: Bassil Hafez -300, Mickey Gall +240
Niko Price vs. Alex Morono (00:09:30)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Niko Price: Talented but inconsistent and can be sloppy.
- Alex Morono: Well-rounded but sometimes doesn’t listen to his corner and makes mistakes.
- Prediction: Alex Morono to win by decision, but it’s a close fight and hard to trust either fighter.
Betting Odds: Alex Morono -220, Niko Price +185
Main Card
Phil Rowe vs. Jake Matthews (00:12:18)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Phil Rowe: Talented striker with poor decision-making.
- Jake Matthews: Pressure fighter with underrated boxing and grappling.
- Prediction: Jake Matthews to win by decision, using pressure and volume.
Betting Odds: Jake Matthews -160, Phil Rowe +140
Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki (00:15:00)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Grant Dawson: Sloppy but relentless grappler, vulnerable when the fight goes long.
- Joe Solecki: Skilled grappler who can capitalize on Dawson’s sloppiness.
- Prediction: Joe Solecki to win by decision, weathering Dawson’s early storm and taking over in later rounds.
Betting Odds: Grant Dawson -415, Joe Solecki +345
Roman Kopylov vs. Cesar Almeida (00:18:05)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Roman Kopylov: Fast, rangy striker with good takedown defense.
- Cesar Almeida: Powerful but slower striker with high kickboxing credentials.
- Prediction: Roman Kopylov to win by decision, using speed and movement.
Betting Odds: Roman Kopylov -110, Cesar Almeida -110
Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski (00:20:45)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Randy Brown: Tall, rangy striker but can get too flashy.
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Tough and durable with good pressure.
- Prediction: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos to win by decision, outworking Brown with pressure.
Betting Odds: Randy Brown -160, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos +140
Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov (00:23:05)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Jailton Almeida: Strong wrestler but can be exposed by better grapplers.
- Alexandr Romanov: Powerful wrestler but has shown issues with cardio.
- Prediction: Alexandr Romanov to win by decision, surviving Almeida’s early attacks and taking over.
Betting Odds: Jailton Almeida -255, Alexandr Romanov +215
Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (00:27:20)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Kevin Holland: Accurate striker with good Jiu-Jitsu, needs a win to remain relevant.
- Michal Oleksiejczuk: Powerful striker but struggles with cardio and consistency.
- Prediction: Kevin Holland to win by decision, using range and striking accuracy.
Betting Odds: Kevin Holland -275, Michal Oleksiejczuk +235
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa (00:29:07)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Sean Strickland: Durable, technical striker with good cardio.
- Paulo Costa: Powerful but not technical enough for top-level competition.
- Prediction: Sean Strickland to win by decision, outworking Costa with jabs and movement.
Betting Odds: Sean Strickland -240, Paulo Costa +205
Main Event
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier (00:32:50)
Jacob’s Thoughts:
- Islam Makhachev: Dominant wrestler with improving striking.
- Dustin Poirier: Strong striker but easier to take down.
- Prediction: Islam Makhachev to win by decision, dominating with his grappling.
Betting Odds: Islam Makhachev -700, Dustin Poirier +500
Picks Summary
- Mitch Raposo
- Ailin Perez
- Bassil Hafez
- Alex Morono
- Jake Matthews
- Joe Solecki
- Roman Kopylov
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
- Alexandr Romanov
- Kevin Holland
- Sean Strickland
- Islam Makhachev
Stay tuned for UFC 302 and enjoy the fights! For more detailed insights and betting tips, check out the full video breakdown by Jacob from We Want Picks.
