Women's MMA GOAT Returns at UFC 250: Prediction/Preview from Stitty Wap Sports

We are back with another UFC PPV event this Saturday, June 6th from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV. The card is headlined by Amanda Nunes as she looks to defend her Featherweight (145) pound title for the first time since KO'ing long-reigning 145-lb queen, Cris Cyborg (she also holds the Bantamweight/135 title). Now the rest of the card is not filled with a bunch of high-profile names, the only real notable name is former Bantamweight (135) Champ, Cody "No Love" Garbrandt. HOWEVER, there are a ton of up-and-coming stars that could very well be the face of the UFC over the next few years, so it is a great card for those that want to jump on a fighter's bandwagon early in their careers. I will be previewing some of these notable fight while also giving my pick for the Main Event, Co-Main Event, Fight of the Night, and highlighting some of these young stars. Enjoy and remember to #RideWithStittyWap.

UFC 250 odds

• Amanda Nunes (c) -575 vs. Felicia Spencer +425 - Women's Featherweight (145)

• Cody Garbrandt -150 vs. Raphael Assuncao +125 -- Bantamweight (135)

• Aljamain Sterling -125 vs. Cory Sandhagen +105 -- Bantamweight (135)

• Neil Magny -150 vs. Anthony Rocco Martin +125 -- Welterweight (170)

• Sean O'Malley -440 vs. Eddie Wineland +340 -- Bantamweight (135)

• Chase Hooper -155 vs. Alex Caceres +130 -- Featherweight (145)

• Anthony Ivy vs. Gerald Meerschaert -- Middleweight (185)

• Cody Stamann -260 vs Brian Kelleher +210 -- Bantamweight (135)

• Charles Byrd -170 vs. Maki Pitolo +145 -- Middleweight (185)

• Alex Perez -150 vs. Jussier Formiga +125 -- Flyweight (125)

• Alonzo Menifield -240 vs. Devin Clark +200 -- Light Heavyweight (205)

• Herbert Burns -270 vs. Evan Dunham +220 -- 150-pound Catchweight

(via CBSSports)

MAIN CARD (Overview/Fighter Profile/Prediction) #RideWithStittywap

Women's Featherweight Title Fight/Main Event (145)

C: Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes, (19-4 MMA, 12-1 UFC), (Favorite)

#4: Felicia "FeeNom" Spencer, (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), (Underdog)

The Women's GOAT returns to action this Saturday. She will look to defend the Featherweight belt for the first time since taking it from the long-reigning boogeywoman in the division, Cris Cyborg. Felicia Spencer looks to make the most of her first title shot coming off a TKO win and only suffering one defeat thus far in her career, to, Cris Cyborg by decision.

For Nunes, business as usual. She is by far the most destructive striker in Women's MMA history, her speed, power, and ferocity cannot be matched seeing as she has knocked out every notable name in the sport. She has a very skilled ground game as well, which was on full display in her Bantamweight title defense against Germaine de Randaime. Her Achilles Heel? Her tendency to empty the tank. What is one of her biggest strengths also is a flaw in a sense. While she is the better overall fighter, Felicia Spencer has a helluva chin which she showed going 3 hard rounds with Cyborg. Amanda needs to pace herself in this one or things could get real interesting in the championship rounds.

For Spencer, she needs to have that same heart and toughness she had against Cyborg. Granted she lost that fight but she was by no means in over her head. She is nowhere near the powerful striker Amanda is but she is not out of her league either. If she can take Amanda's best punches early on she has a real shot given Nunes has faded in later rounds in past fights.

BET/PREDICTION (Nunes by TKO)

Don't get me wrong, I think this fight will be a lot closer than the Vegas line is showing. BUT! Ultimately I believe Amanda's power will be too much. To her credit, Spencer ate everything Cyborg threw her way, but, Nunes is a whole different animal. I don't love Spencer's inability to make people miss and "The Lioness" is much more technical than Cyborg. I see her taking shot after shot early and eventually going down in the 2nd-3rd round.

Men's Bantamweight/Co-Main Event (135) | LOCK OF THE NIGHT

#9: Cody "No Love" Garbrandt (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), (Favorite)

#5: Raphael Assuncao, (27-7 MMA, 11-4 UFC), (Underdog)

How the mighty have fallen. Once regarded as two of the best in the Bantamweight/135 division, both guys need this win to have any hope of a title run in this loaded division. The loser of this fight will not only have an ultra tough road back to the top, they might also receive a pink slip from the UFC.

For Garbrandt, three straight KO losses sent him from superstar potential to in danger of dropping out of the rankings. Two of those losses came in title bouts against TJ Dillashaw (for what its worth he called out TJ for using EPO which TJ popped for after dropping to 125 for the Cejudo fight) and Pedro Munhoz, one of the most powerful strikers in the division. Nevertheless, Cody needs to get back to the form that won him the title against the 135 GOAT Dominick Cruz. He has super elite level boxing power and speed which is also a major issue for him. Once he has an opponent hurt he swings for the fences often leaving himself super vulnerable, which has lost him the last 3 fights. It will be interesting to see how a camp change to Mark Henry's gym (Marlon Morares, Frankie Edgar, Eddie Alvarez) makes a difference as he is regarded as one the best striking coaches in the game.

For Assuncao, one of the longest tenured contenders in the Bantamweight division. He has always bee the guy to be on the cusp of a title shot to only lose the #1 contender fight (Dillashaw, Morares). At years old, coming off of two straight losses, his title hopes will be all but over with a loss here. He has real elite level grappling skills and very good Muay Thai but typically struggles against guys with very diverse games as he often gets caught on his heels. The key for Assuncao is to avoid the hammers Cody throws, get the fight to the ground, and test Cody's unproven grappling skills.

PREDICTION/BET (Garbrandt by TKO)

I am rolling with Cody "No Love" in this one. While Assuncao is very skilled in the Muay Thai game, he does not possess the one-shit KO power that has plagued Cody in the last 3 fights. Cody is far superior in the speed/power game and has proved he can maintain that over 5 rounds. The best path to victory for Assuncao is getting the fight to the ground but given Cody's high-level wrestling ability I see him having big issues taking it there. Cody lands an overhand right and gets back on track for the title.

STITTY WAP FIGHT OF THE NIGHT

Bantamweight (135) -- Aljamain Sterling (-125) vs. Cory Sandhagen (+105)

Possibly the most important fight on the card. The winner of this fight will be the #1 contender in the 135/Bantamweight division barring a super lackluster performance. Both men are arguably more entitled to fighting for the vacant belt (Cejudo retired last month and Yan/Aldo is scheduled next month for the title). Both of these guys have very unique stylesa and are very well-rounded. Aljo "Funkmaster" Sterling, fighting out Serra-Longo in New York, has long been a top contender who has not been able to secure the #1 contender spot in the division. Sandhagen, training out of Elevation fight team with Trevor Wittman (Justin Gaethje's gym) has taken the division by fire, and looks to extend his record to 6-0 in the UFC. There are other fights that might be a little more entertaining for the filthy casual fans but this one has the most at-stake and I full expect these guy to leave it all out there.

For Funkmaster, footwork and wrestling/grappling are the key here. Sandhagen likes to really rely on his volume and range to keep his opponent's off-balance and keep them against the cage. It will take some time to really adjust to the awkward stand-up game so the best bet here for Sterling might be to wear him down with wrestling and look for the submission.

For Sandhagen, range and pressure are key. As we saw with the Munhoz fight, Sterling likes to rely on footwork and head movement to counter from the outside. This strategy takes a lot of energy and considering Team Elevation is known for their cardio, Sandhagen needs to really push forward and wear him down. The Sandman is able to transition very well in scrambles with his long limbs but probably does not want to get in a grappling match with Aljo.

BET/PREDICTION (Aljamain by Decision)

Doesn't get much better than this, two heavy level fighters on a streak colliding for a shot at the belt. I was pretty torn here because either guy winning would not shock me in the least bit. Given that this is only a 3 rounder and Sterling has the advantage in the wrestling/grappling department I'm rolling with the Funkmaster. I think he will be able to move and stick for the first round and wrestle if he gets tagged by anything big. I do see him wearing down but I think he will do enough to take the first two and win a close decision.

STITTY WAP NOTABLE FIGHT(S)

Sean O'Malley -440 vs. Eddie Wineland +340 -- Bantamweight (135) O'Malley by TKO.

What an awesome underrated fight this will be. I do believe the line is a little too high for this one, Eddie might be an old vet but he is always game. This will definitely be the biggest test to date for the "Sugar Show." I do think the two years O'Malley had off (USADA bullshit positive test) really improved his game drastically. A big win gets him a fight with someone in the top 15.

Chase Hooper -155 vs. Alex Caceres +130 -- Featherweight (145)

Hooper by Submission.

What a beautiful disaster of a fight. 20-year old jiu jitsu ace Chase Hooper and Ben Askren's son takes on Bruce Leeroy. Hooper was nearly finished in his fight against David Teymur but kept his composure and finished the fight one the mat via TKO. Bruce Leeroy, on the other hand, seems to be the chew toy for the new kids. He has exchanged win-losses throughout his UFC career but has a very different striking style. He could very easily catch Hooper with a punch or kick early but I see Hooper using his superior grappling to defeat a guy who has been submitted quite a few times.

STITTY WAP HONORABLE MENTIONS

Cody Stamann -260 vs Brian Kelleher +210 -- Bantamweight (135)

Stamann by Decision

Neil Magny -150 vs. Anthony Rocco Martin +125 -- Welterweight (170)

Magny by Decision

Alex Perez -150 vs. Jussier Formiga +125 -- Flyweight (125)

Formiga by Submission