“The Soldier of God” Yoel Romero attempts to slay a dangerous “Dragon” in Lyoto Machida for UFC Fight Night 70. Romero brings plenty of power and gritty wrestling to the Octagon, while Machida’s karate can always end fights in devastating fashion. Which of these two competitors finds his way back to the top of the middleweight division?
There are also plenty of excellent fights which promise plenty of exciting violence leading up to the main event. Read on as we break down this thrilling mixed martial arts card below.
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“The Solider of God” Yoel Romero (9-1) takes on his stiffest test to date in Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (22-6) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 70.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Despite being 38 years of age, Romero is one of the most promising new contenders in the UFC Middleweight Division. He’s arguably the best wrestler in the division with an Olympic silver medal in freestyle wrestling in 2000 and a fourth-place finish in 2004.
Romero is also a multiple-time world champion in wrestling. His strong wrestling base also gives him plenty of knockout power, finishing eight of his nine wins by KO/TKO.
But The Soldier of God’s wrestling chops don’t seem to translate too well in mixed martial arts competition. He’s landed just 36 percent of his takedowns in his UFC career, struggling to ground the likes of Derek Brunson and Ronny Markes (not exactly top competition). Considering his struggles in offensive wrestling, Romero may have his hands full with the elusive Machida.
Machida isn’t just elusive; he also has stellar takedown defense from his background in Judo and Sumo. The Dragon has avoided 76 percent of takedowns against him in his UFC career. He then punishes his opponents on their feet with pinpoint accuracy in his kicks and punches.
Machida has the most knockdowns (11) in the history of the UFC Light Heavyweight Division, where he spent the most time during his career. He’s had two knockouts since moving down to middleweight: a liver kick KO of C.B. Dolloway and a head kick KO of Mark Munoz.
Writer’s prediction: Machida (-180) beats up on a fatigued Romero for a fourth round TKO.
Welterweight: Santiago Ponzinibio vs. Lorenz Larkin
Line: Santiago Ponzinibio (+170) vs. Lorenz Larkin (-220) – view all UFC lines
One of the better strikers in the UFC, Lorenz “The Monsoon” Larkin (15-4) may have found a home in the welterweight division. Larkin struggled against the bigger fighters in middleweight, dropping fights against hulking fighters Francis Carmont, Costas Philippou and Derek Brunson. He impressed in his welterweight debut, knocking out journeyman John Howard in the first round in January.
Larkin has an interesting stylistic matchup against Argentinian brawler Santiago Ponzinibio (19-2). Preferring to duke it out toe-to-toe, Gente Boa has won 11 fights by knockout or technical knockout. But he’s very hittable, as Ponzinibbio absorbs four significant strikes per minute, which may spell doom against a powerful striker such as Larkin.
Writer’s prediction: Larkin (-220) by first round KO.
Middleweight: Eddie Gordon vs. Antonio Carlos Junior
Line: Eric Gordon (+175) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (-225) – view all UFC lines
The Ultimate Fighter’s Season 17 winner Eddie “Truck” Gordon (7-3) brings plenty of raw strength and power into the Octagon. But he hasn’t had the best of starts in the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. Gordon won the TUF 17 season with an impressive first round knockout of Dhiego Lima but has since dropped back-to-back fights, one by knockout.
Gordon can bounce back nicely against the heralded Brazilian Jiu Jtsu practitioner Antonio Carlos Junior (4-1). The BJJ black belt has finished three of his four professional wins by submission. But Carlos Junior is a novice on his feet, landing just one significant strike per minute while absorbing three. Gordon is big and difficult to take down let alone control on the canvas.
Writer’s prediction: Gordon (+175) by third round TKO.
Canadian brawler Steve “The Boss” Bosse (10-1) makes his UFC debut against Brazilian striker Thiago “Marreta” Santos (10-3).
Bosse, a former hockey enforcer, excels in close-range brawls utilizing his bricks for fists to knock opponents senseless. The Boss has won eight of his 10 professional wins by knockout or technical knockout, holding notable wins against former UFC fighters Wes Sims, Marvin Eastman and Houston Alexander. If Bosse can close the distance, then this will be his fight to lose.
Santos seems to be a more polished Muay Thai stylist, landing about four significant strikes per minute, but he’s looked rather chinny in his career. Santos was badly hurt on the feet against Cezar Ferreira in his UFC debut before tapping out to a guillotine choke. He was also stopped by an unheralded fighter in Vicente Luque (7-4-1) in the Brazilian regional circuit a little over three years ago.
Writer’s prediction: Bosse (+150) by first round KO.
Here comes Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira (11-2-1) stepping in on short notice to save the day once again. Oliveira has seemingly excelled when he’s prepared the least in all of his UFC fights that were booked on short notice. He put a striking clinic on a promising prospect in Gilbert Burns before suffering from a last-minute third round armbar. Oliveira was also impressive in choking out dangerous veteran KJ Noons in the first round in May.
The Brazilian Cowboy gets a chance to hand Joe Merrit (6-0) his first professional defeat. Merrit has showcased some slick striking in his young career with all six of his professional fights coming by way of knockout or technical knockout. But he’s yet to face top competition. His six opponents combine for a 12-29 record; only one of them has a winning record.
Writer’s prediction: Oliveira (-450) by second round submission.
Quick Picks
Levan Makashvili (+165) def. Hacran Dias by unanimous decision
Lewis Gonzalez (+125) def. Leandro Silva by unanimous decision
Steve Montgomery (-155) def. Tony Sims by unanimous decision
Sirwan Kakai def. Daniel Martinez by unanimous decision.
UFC Fight Night 70 is a juicy event for hard-hitting action. Create a betting account now and win some money on every punch, kick and submisison in the Octagon.
