Make sure to watch the Full video or read the short article below.
Early Prelims
André Lima vs. Mitch Raposo (0:37)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- André Lima: Talented striker with good defensive grappling and solid get-ups.
- Mitch Raposo: Good straight shots, solid takedowns, and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, but facing a tougher opponent on short notice.
- Prediction: André Lima to win by decision, using his superior striking and movement.
Betting Odds: André Lima -218, Mitch Raposo +188
Prelims
Joselyn Edwards vs. Ailin Perez (4:52)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Joselyn Edwards: Struggles to stop takedowns and relies on striking.
- Ailin Perez: Strong wrestler with dominant grappling, but needs to manage her gas tank.
- Prediction: Ailin Perez to win by decision, controlling Edwards with her wrestling.
Betting Odds: Ailin Perez -195, Joselyn Edwards +170
Mickey Gall vs. Bassil Hafez (6:35)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Mickey Gall: Known for his grappling but has been inconsistent.
- Bassil Hafez: Strong grappler, recently went to a split decision with Jack Della Maddalena.
- Prediction: Bassil Hafez to win by TKO, using ground and pound to finish Gall.
Betting Odds: Bassil Hafez -275, Mickey Gall +240
Niko Price vs. Alex Morono (9:19)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Niko Price: Powerful but inconsistent and prone to getting knocked out.
- Alex Morono: Technical striker with good cardio, looking to avenge his previous loss to Price.
- Prediction: Alex Morono to win by KO, finding the chin of Price and finishing him.
Betting Odds: Alex Morono -220, Niko Price +185
Main Card
Phil Rowe vs. Jake Matthews (12:20)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Phil Rowe: Long reach, good boxing, and solid clinch game.
- Jake Matthews: Pressure fighter with underrated boxing and grappling.
- Prediction: Phil Rowe to win by decision, using his reach and striking to outpoint Matthews.
Betting Odds: Phil Rowe +140, Jake Matthews -160
Grant Dawson vs. Joe Solecki (14:48)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Grant Dawson: Superior wrestler with strong jiu-jitsu.
- Joe Solecki: Good grappler but outmatched in both wrestling and striking.
- Prediction: Grant Dawson to win by submission, likely in the later rounds.
Betting Odds: Grant Dawson -330, Joe Solecki +270
Roman Kopylov vs. César Almeida (17:30)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Roman Kopylov: Smooth striker with good MMA experience.
- César Almeida: Elite kickboxer with powerful striking.
- Prediction: César Almeida to win by decision, using his kickboxing to outstrike Kopylov.
Betting Odds: Roman Kopylov -118, César Almeida -102
Randy Brown vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (22:03)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Randy Brown: Tall, rangy striker with good boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Tough, powerful striker with relentless pressure.
- Prediction: Randy Brown to win by decision, using his reach and striking to outpoint Zaleski.
Betting Odds: Randy Brown -162, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos +142
Jailton Almeida vs. Alexandr Romanov (24:44)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Jailton Almeida: Strong grappler with powerful ground and pound.
- Alexandr Romanov: Good wrestler with cardio issues.
- Prediction: Jailton Almeida to win by TKO, using ground and pound to finish Romanov.
Betting Odds: Jailton Almeida -255, Alexandr Romanov +215
Kevin Holland vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (27:50)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Kevin Holland: Versatile striker with good jiu-jitsu.
- Michal Oleksiejczuk: Powerful striker but lacks grappling skills.
- Prediction: Kevin Holland to win by submission, taking advantage of Oleksiejczuk’s weak grappling.
Betting Odds: Kevin Holland -260, Michal Oleksiejczuk +220
Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa (31:01)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Sean Strickland: Technical striker with good cardio and defense.
- Paulo Costa: Powerful striker with knockout potential.
- Prediction: Paulo Costa to win by KO, using his power to finish Strickland.
Betting Odds: Sean Strickland -240, Paulo Costa +205
Main Event
Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier (34:31)
AJ’s Thoughts:
- Islam Makhachev: Dominant grappler with improving striking.
- Dustin Poirier: Strong striker but struggles against elite grapplers.
- Prediction: Islam Makhachev to win by submission, controlling Poirier and finishing him on the ground.
Betting Odds: Islam Makhachev -555, Dustin Poirier +405
Picks Summary
- André Lima
- Ailin Perez
- Bassil Hafez
- Alex Morono
- Phil Rowe
- Grant Dawson
- César Almeida
- Randy Brown
- Jailton Almeida
- Kevin Holland
- Paulo Costa
- Islam Makhachev
Join us for UFC 302 and enjoy the fights! For more detailed insights and betting tips, check out the full video breakdown by AJ from We Want Picks.
