It’s almost time to see if Irish #5-ranked featherweight sensation Conor McGregor can back up his latest array of smack talk.
He faces #10-ranked German veteran Dennis Siver in the main event and Siver certainly won’t roll over. It’s a golden opportunity for him to make a massive statement.
Meanwhile, friends Donald Cerrone and Benson Henderson hook up once again, but this time in the UFC.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman shares her thoughts on the main event matchups.
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“STORMIN'” NORMAN PARKE (21-2-0) VS GLEISON TIBAU (39-10-0)
Wiseman: Parke has a better finishing record, especially when it comes to submissions. However, Tibau has fought higher level competition. Tibau has the majority of his wins via decision, but when it comes to the submission game he will give Parke a run for his money. The power advantage goes to Tibau, but he has been known to gas in his previous fights. I see Parke giving Tibau a run for his money, but both of them being able to counter the other.
Wiseman Prediction: Gleison Tibau via decision.
“PRIMETIME” URIAH HALL (10-4-0) VS RON “CHOIRBOY” STALLINGS (12-6-0, 1NC)
Wiseman: When Hall is on, he is one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. His striking and unique ability to put together combinations is staggering. Stallings replaced Louis Taylor, who replaced Costas Philippou and I feel sorry for him. Hall is not happy about Taylor and Philippou bailing and Stallings is going to feel the brunt.
Wiseman Prediction: “Primetime” Uriah Hall via TKO.
#3 DONALD “COWBOY” (26-6-0) CERRONE VS #5 “SMOOTH” BENSON HENDERSON (21-4-0)
Wiseman: This fight is so hard to call. Henderson is coming off a loss from Rafael Dos Anjos via KO and Cerrone is coming off a 6-fight win streak. When we look at their skill setting, both have kicks and ground games, but with Cerrone, he threatens off his back yet isn’t consistently able to get up. Henderson has stronger wrestling, but when he kicks he tends to drop his left hand, which was the beginning of the end against Dos Anjos. Even though Cerrone has lost twice against Henderson, both fighters have grown so much since then. Cerrone has started going through rounds in his changing room before the fight which has helped him start faster, as he is known for slow starts. That will only cause this fight to be even more incredible.
These fighters are talented, gifted in so many areas of the game, either able to win. However, I’m going to go with Cerrone this time. Yes he just came off a fight two weeks ago, but the way he is performing now is so different than 2010. Henderson is going to have his hands full and we are in for Fight-of-the-Night.
Wiseman Prediction: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone via unanimous decision.
MAIN EVENT
#5 “NOTORIOUS” CONOR MCGREGOR (16-2-0) VS #10 DENNIS SIVER (22-9-0, 1NC)
Wiseman: Siver is a short tank, which means McGregor will have the reach advantage. Considering he already fights long in his stance, reach is not something else that Siver needs against him. Sure, Siver is able to get in and out of the pocket in a hurry, but McGregor has incredible timing. We haven’t seen McGregor on his back yet, but with his lateral movement I don’t have Siver being the man to put him on his back.
Wiseman Prediction: “Notorious” Conor McGregor via TKO.
