UFC 204 Expert Picks and Preview

Who ya got for UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson 2 this weekend? “The Count” is a currently a running as a -250 favorite to retain his UFC middleweight title over the 46-year-old Hendo. Do the top UFC experts agree? Find out for yourself as we list down the fight picks and predictions of those experts for that title fight, as well as other fights in the UFC 204 main card.

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UFC 204 Experts Picks and Predictions

Bleacher Report

MATCHUP | PICK
Ovince St. Preux vs. Jimi Manuwa | St. Preux via unanimous decision
Vitor Belfort vs. Gegard Mousasi | Mousasi via TKO
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson | Bisping via unanimous decision

Bleacher Report featured columnist Steven Rondina has offered his picks for the top three fights on the card, and he’s gone chalk for all three. He sees St. Preux (-150) and Bisping (-250) both prevailing by unanimous decision, and Mousasi (-350) stopping veteran Vitor Belfort.

Rondina neatly listed down the many reasons why Hendo shouldn’t be in this title fight. However, he is still amazed by how the fight was made, and the different storylines surrounding this matchup. Of course, this is a rematch of their UFC 100 bout, when Hendo delivered one of the most iconic knockouts in MMA history.

While he doesn’t completely rule out Hendo’s chances of winning, he still ultimately sides with the better fighter – Bisping – to win and retain his title.

Fansided

MATCHUP | PICK
Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson | Bisping
Vitor Belfort vs. Gegard Mousasi | Mousasi via decision
Jimi Manuwa vs. Ovince St. Preux | Manuwa via stoppage
Stefan Stuve vs. Daniel Omielanczuk | Struve
Mirsad Bektic vs. Jeremy Kennedy | Bektic

Fansided‘s Riley Kontek made picks for all five main card fights, and likes wins for both Mirsad Bektic (-800) and Stefan Struve (-160). And while he agrees with Rondina on Bisping and Mousasi winning, he sees Jimi Manuwa (+120) pulling off a slight upset over Ovince St. Preux.

He gives St. Preux the advantage in wrestling, but Manuwa has the edge on the feet. Manuwa possesses a lot of power with his kicks and punches, and Kontek believes that will earn him a late stoppage win in a back-and-forth contest.

As for the title fight, Kontek believes Bisping will ultimately come out on top over Henderson. Despite Hendo’s H-Bomb still in his back pocket, the 46-year-old is nowhere near what he was physically. As a result, Bisping avenges his loss to Hendo.

UFC on FOX

MATCHUP | Daniel Cormier Pick | Kenny Florian Pick
Vitor Belfort vs. Gegard Mousasi | Mousasi | Mousasi
Daniel Cormier vs. Dan Henderson | Bisping | Bisping

UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and UFC analyst Kenny Florian were both in agreement in their picks for the main and co-main event of UFC 204. DC and KenFlo both went with Gegard Mousasi to beat Vitor Belfort. Cormier thinks Mousasi can land some timely takedowns against Belfort, while Florian likes Mousasi’s consistency over Belfort’s brief blitzes early in fights.

Cormier isn’t as convinced with his pick for the title fight; he even asked Hendo for his advice. In the end, Cormier went with Bisping, although he warns the Brit that he might be jinxing him. Florian is a little more definitive of his pick of Bisping. He likes the Count’s speed and footwork, and expects Bisping to eventually wear the aging Henderson out.

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