The MMA Plus team present their predictions for the main card bouts of UFC Fight Night in Krakow, Poland; headlined by Brazilian Gabriel Gonzaga taking on Croatian sensation Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ in a rematch eight years in the making
Heavyweight: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic
Jorden
The is a question of head vs. heart for me. A rematch eight years in the making that is big deal for me, personally. Gonzaga’s original destruction of the iconic Cro Cop shattered so many hopes, and I’ve often wished for the Croatian to get a shot at redemption. However, I don’t feel that time has done many favors for the 40-year-old Cro Cop. He may still be effective in a K-1 setting, but struggled to maintain effectiveness at the end of his previous stint with the UFC, and I feel a further four years may have seen his MMA ability diminish further.
Gonzaga – submission, round 2
Alistair
With the heavyweights, we all know anything can happen – that’s what makes it so exciting. Crop Cop coming back to the UFC is big news and who would be better to return against than the man who knocked him out so brutally in 2007? The Croat will be motivated – that’s a given – and if he can avoid the takedown and dictate the pace of the fight, he can knock Gonzaga out cold late on. Cro Cop R4 KO
Daryl
In this hotly anticipated rematch, anything is possible as both fighters are showing the expected wear and tear that comes with competing in the Heavyweight division for over a decade.
Cro Cop will be desperate to avenge the loss he suffered to the Brazilian the first time around, but unless he can prevent Gonzaga from taking the fight to the ground, he’ll struggle to do so.
Prediction: Gonzaga by submission, round 3.
Roberto
I am of the same opinion as Jorden when it comes to this heavyweight clash, for me to this is the matter of head vs. heart. My head is telling me that Gonzaga will use a combination of his improved striking to set up take downs and his ground game to submit his opponent.
On the other hand, my heart, which has got me in trouble before (thanks Rampage) is hoping that Cro Cop can use well documented striking and hopefully have the takedown defence to avenge the devastating Knockout loss he suffered in 2007 at the hands of the Brazilian. So I have a choice do I go with my head and pick a Gonzaga or heart and pick the Zagreb native?
Prediction: The head it is, Gonzaga by submission, round 3.
Light-heavyweight: Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz
Jorden
A potentially explosive contest with a clash of two powerful standup fighters. Blachowicz’s memorable UFC debut seems to have overshadowed the previous four opponents of whom he failed to finish, but nevertheless defeated via decision victories. In contrast, Manuwa has only ever claimed victory with a shutout stoppage, three exampled of these being the UFC, and the raw, natural power of his blows will give him the edge on fight night
Manuwa – TKO, round 3
Alistair
At the risk of repeating myself, this one could go either way too. It’s another match of feared strikers, while both men use a variety of techniques from the clinch making this a clash which has fireworks written all over it. Indeed, Blachowicz told me this would be “a Muay Thai fight with small gloves” when we met in London. I’ll stick my neck on the line and go for Blachowicz – possibly early. Blachowicz R2 TKO
Daryl
This fight pits two heavy-handed Light-heavyweights against one another, and I’d be very surprised if it went the distance.
Although his fellow countrymen are touting the Pole as the next big thing in the division, I feel Manuwa has too much and will score the KO and silence the home crowd.
Prediction: Manuwa KO, round 2.
Roberto
This is an easy one for me. It has been mentioned earlier that former KSW champion Blachowicz may have the better all round game, but I think Londoner Manuwa has the opportunity to showcase his very underrated ground game, his ever improving cardio and his well documented striking to get the win for the away team in front of the Pole’s home fans.
Prediction: Manuwa TKO, round 2.
Welterweight: Pawel Pawlak vs. Sheldon Westcott
Jorden
With a confident-calmness Westcott could be the most excited fighter on this weekend’s card. After an injury setback, the Canadian is finally set to get back in the cage following his Ultimate Fighter final loss to season winner Elias Theodorou. Westcott will prove better conditioned and with a more effective skillset, furthermore, I believe his enthusiasm will go along way in aiding his approach to the fight.
Westcott – submission, round 3
Alistair
It’s been a long time coming for Westcott, who has been inactive through injury since April 2014. The charismatic Canadian lost out to Elias Theodorou back then but has a broad skillset, excellent cardio, and should start as favourite here. Pawel, perhaps naturally smaller than his opponent, uses creative strikes on top but can be controlled once he gets taken down. I can see Wescott grinding out a decision, possibly doing damage on the ground too. Wescott UD
Daryl
Both these fighters are coming off a loss, but prior to his first defeat Pawlak was on a 9 fight win streak, 6 coming by way of KO/TKO, albeit against lesser opposition.
Westcott was also on a good run before losing in the TUF nations: Canada Vs. Australia final to Elias Theodorou, but in what should be a close fight I feel Pawlak, with the support of the crowd, can take the victory.
Both these fighters are coming off a loss, but prior to his first defeat Pawlak was on a 9 fight win streak, 6 coming by way of KO/TKO, albeit against lesser opposition.
Westcott was also on a good run before losing in the TUF nations: Canada Vs. Australia final to Elias Theodorou, but in what should be a close fight I feel Pawlak, with the support of the crowd, can take the victory.
Pawlak: Unanimous decision
Roberto
I’m going to be honest, this one is a bit of a coin toss for me with both fighters looking to rebound from losses in there last outings.
TUF finalist Westcott will look to play the role of spoiler and try to silence the hometown fans by using the well rounded game that got him to the final of TUF: Canada vs. Australia, but I think he will be in trouble against a man who all of his victories bar one have come by stoppage and I think it will be the same old story for Pawlak.
Pawlak: submission, round 3
Strawweight: Joanne Calderwood vs. Maryna Moroz
Jorden
Calderwood says the height of Moroz, in contrast to previous opponents, takes her out of her comfort zone. The diversity may be a useful experiment for the Scottish standout, but her proven ability should not be hindered too greatly by this. Moroz like s a submission and may present complications if the fight spills to the ground, but Calderwood’s continuous attack will be overwhelming.
Calderwood – unanimous decision
Alistiar
On paper this could be a classic case of a striker, Calderwood, against a skilled submission artist, Moroz. Calderwood was a semi-finalist on The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 and holds a decorated background in Muay Thai. On the other hand Moroz, 23, boasts four armbar wins with three in the first round. She is dangerous wherever the fights goes, even on the bottom, so we might see Calderwood try to keep her at range with leg kicks. It’s a close one but I’ll pick Calderwood to take a decision. Calderwood SD
Daryl
With both fighters unbeaten, somebodies perfect record is about to go, and in my opinion it’ll be the Moroz’s.
Calderwood has five wins by knockout, and she’ll have too much on the feet for her Ukrainian opponent.
Prediction: Calderwood by unanimous decision.
Roberto
Simply put Moroz is out of her depth against Calderwood and I think the Scot will use he world class striking to inflict the first career loss of her career.
Calderwood: TKO round 3
