Are you ready to welcome back Conor McGregor to the octagon at UFC 246? You can bet the UFC and Donald Cerrone are.
Alexa Grasso came in 5.5 pounds over the limit for her fight with Claudia Gadelha and the strawweight bout has been canceled by the NSAC. Gadelha did make weight and will likely be paid her “show” money, but not the win bonus. No reason was given for why Grasso missed the weight.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6:30PM ET/3:30PM PT)
SABINA MAZO (7-1-0) VS. J.J. ALDRICH (8-3-0)
Andrews: Kind of a tossup strikingwise, but I will go with the ground game of Aldrich for the advantage.
Andrews Predictions: J.J. Aldrich via UD
#7 TIM ELLIOTT (15-9-1) VS. #12 ASKAR ASKAROV (10-0-1)
Andrews: Elliott is good but he is 33 years old and six years older than Askarov. Timmy has the experience factor here but I think Askarov gets the upset.
Andrews Predictions: Askar Askarov via submission
ALEKSA CAMUR (5-0-0) VS. JUSTIN LEDET (9-2-0, 1NC)
Andrews: Ledet gets a second chance against another DWCS opponent. Can he atone for his past fight? He has the the physical advantage, but I have to give it to Camur to make another impression.
Andrews Predictions: Aleksa Camur via TKO
TSN 5 PRELIMS/ESPN PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
DREW DOBER (21-9-0, 1NC) VS. NASRAT HAQPARAST (11-2-0)
Andrews: Nasrat is seven years younger and while he gives up a ton of experience to Dober, I think he finds a way to stop it after encountering some early resistance.
Andrews Predictions: Nasrat Haqparast via TKO
ANDRE FILI (20-6-0) VS. SODIQ YUSUFF (10-1-0)
Andrews: I usually go with technical Fili, but I like Yusuff here to end it impressively.
Andrews Predictions: Sodiq Yusuff via TKO
#7 ROXANNE MODAFFERI (23-16-0) VS. #9 ROXANNE MODAFFERI (23-16-0)
Andrews: Barber should be able to overcome Modafferi with her striking.
Andrews Predictions: Maycee Barber via UD
MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)
#11 ANTHONY PETTIS (22-9-0) VS. DIEGO FERREIRA (18-2-0)
Andrews: Pettis has the big name, but Diego has the ground game to stifle “Showtime.” On a side note, Ferriera looked fatigued at the weigh-ins. I originally thought Diego, but after the weigh-ins, I’m going with “Showtime.”
Andrews Predictions: Anthony Pettis via UD
BRIAN KELLEHER (19-10-0) VS. ODE OSBOURNE (7-2-0, 1NC)
Andrews: This fight is gift wrapped for Osbourne. He should take it via submission. Being on DWCS has its benefits.
Andrews Predictions: Ode Osbourne via TKO
#12 ALEXEY OLEINEIK (57-13-1) VS. MAURICE GREENE (8-3-0)
Andrews: Can Greene keep the fight standing? Alexey is the veteran who doesn’t mind striking if it gets you to the ground. Alexey gets the upset.
Andrews Predictions: Alexey Oleineik via TKO
#3 HOLLY HOLM (12-5-0) VS. #5 RAQUEL PENNINGTON (10-7-0)
Andrews: Pennington feels she won the last bout, but although Holm has not looked great in her last couple of bouts against top competition, there’s no denying her technical skills.
Andrews Predictions: Holly Holm via UD
MAIN EVENT
#4 CONOR MCGREGOR (21-4-0) VS. #5 DONALD CERRONE (36-13-0)
Andrews: I think Cerrone has mellowed out as of late in the octagon. I expect Conor to be on his game and if he is, he will keep Cerrone guessing. I expect Cerrone to get the fight to the ground in the later rounds and starch him. If he can, then he wins. But the fight starts on the feet.
Andrews Predictions: Conor McGregor via TKO
