By Safeer MS
UFC 300 is a 13-fight PPV card with exciting matchups. Even the 4 fights in the early prelims are worthy of becoming a headliner for a Fight Night event. Of the 8 fighters in the early prelims, 3 are former undisputed UFC champions. The first fight of UFC 300 is a bantamweight fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Cody Garbrandt, two former UFC champions.
Here are the predictions for the early prelims of UFC 300.
1. Deiveson Figueiredo versus Cody Garbrandt
Deiveson Figueiredo will take on Cody Garbrandt, the former UFC bantamweight champion, in the first fight of UFC 300. After he lost the title to Brandon Moreno a second time, the Brazilian moved up to bantamweight at UFC Austin. The Brazilian was successful in his debut against Rob Font. On the other hand, Cody Garbrandt has not been the same since he lost the title to TJ Dillashaw. However, he is on a two-fight winning streak in the division.
Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo by second-round knockout
Even though Figueiredo is fighting up a weight class, his power has transitioned well in his new division. He was able to hurt Rob Font in his last fight. Font has a victory over Garbrandt by unanimous decision. Moreover, Garbrandt might be smaller than Figueiredo inside the octagon. The speed of Garbrandt might prove tricky but he has been gun-shy and will be very wary of Figueiredo's power.
2. Bobby Green versus Jim Miller
Jim Miller has fought at UFC 100 and UFC 200, winning both fights. At UFC 300, Miller will face off with fellow veteran, Bobby Green. However, Green's two-fight winning streak in the division snapped in his last fight at UFC Austin against Jalin Turner. On the other hand, Miller is on a two-fight winning streak and is riding high.
Prediction: Jim Miller via first-round knockout
Even though Bobby Green is a ranked fighter, unlike Jim Miller, UFC 300 is too soon for him after the brutal knockout at the hands of Jalin Turner. Moreover, Green has succumbed to the power punches of Southpaw fighters and Miller has a killer left straight.
3. Jéssica Andrade versus Marina Rodriguez
UFC 300 only has two female bouts. The first one is an all-Brazilian affair between Jéssica Andrade and Marina Rodriguez. Both Rodriguez and Andrade ended their slump with finishes in their last fight. Andrade finished Mackenzie Dern and Rodriguez did the same to Michelle Waterson-Gomez.
Prediction: Jéssica Andrade by third-round knockout
Andrade is pound-for-pound the hardest puncher in women's MMA. Rodriguez does not have power but has volume and distance striking to her advantage. However, Rodriguez could not deal with a power puncher like Amanda Lemos. MMA math does not always work but Andrade has a finish over Lemos.
4. Jalin Turner versus Renato Moicano
Jalin Tuner rebounded from a two-fight split decision losing streak with a finish off Bobby Green at UFC Austin. Renato Moicano is coming off a hard-fought victory over Drew Dober. The Turner vs Moicano match was the last fight announced by the promotion for UFC 300.
Prediction: Jalin Turner via first-round knockout
Jalin Turner is big for the division and packs a punch and kick. Moicano has shown poor striking defense throughout his career and Turner is the last person to show that weakness. The length of Turner will make it easy for him to set up a head kick or a straight one-two to knockout Moicano.
