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UFC 207
UFC 207 Team Plus Predictions

UFC 207 marks the final event of 2016 and the return of Ronda Rousey. Here are Team Plus’ predictions for the last show of the year.

Amanda Nunes v Ronda Rousey – for the Women’s UFC Bantemweight Belt:

Rob: Man, I keep on changing my mind on this one. Part of me feels the way Rousey has acted in the aftermath of her shock defeat against Holly Holm has removed the air of invincibility she once had and exposed the gaping holes in her stand-up that many of us thought was evident from the beginning. If that has not been addressed I can see her being stopped yet again by Nunes if the Brazilian can stop the fight hitting the canvas.

On the other hand if she has addressed the holes in her striking and effectively utilize in conjunction with her ground game it could be a bad night for the American Top Team trained champion.

Nunes by TKO Round 2

Andreas: It may be a one sided build up, but Nunes – as the champion – is the most formidable name Ronda has ever fought. As she showed against Tate, Nunes knows how to create openings safely, which will be her biggest key against an aggressive Rousey. Ronda has the judo to control her opponents, which has been successful in the past but I don’t see how she will cope with Nunes’s smothering ground game if the fight goes that way. On the feet as well, Nunes is superior and I predict the champ to take a finish within four rounds at UFC 207.

Nunes TKO Round 4

Seán: Ronda returns in the last card of 2016. After the shock of losing her belt to Holly Holm in 2015 the former champ hasn’t reacted the way you would want. Not doing any media, talking about suicide and all the other things that we have seen Rousey do over the last 13 months suggests her head isn’t in the fight.

And as we saw against Miesha Tate if your head isn’t in the fight Amanda Nunes will punish you. The first female Brazilian champ was sensational at UFC 200 and training at ATT with people like Mike Brown is only going to make someone even better. Rousey doesn’t seem like she’s in the right frame of mind for the fight. She’ll fight emotional and Nunes will capitalise. Expect an early finish.

Nunes by TKO Round 2 

Stuart: I’m going to go for the unpopular pick and back Rousey to return better and badder with a point to prove and leave UFC 207 with the title and having silenced her critics. I think Nunes will have the better of the fight early on but will fade and Rousey will take over going into the deep waters.

Rousey by late Stoppage

Stephen: Ronda Rousey’s return to the octagon against champion Amanda Nunes is a great matchup. Rousey is a very quick starter and will look to apply the pressure early on. The American needs to use her world class judo skills which have proved dividends throughout her career. If she sticks to her game plan I believe Rousey will be too much for the champion on her first title defence and finish it inside three rounds via TKO.

Rousey by TKO Round 3

Dominick Cruz v Cody Garbrant – for the UFC Bantemweight Belt:

Rob: If the champion can weather the 1st round storm I just think his famed “neo footwork” and precision striking will allow Cruz to pick apart Garbrandt en-route to scoring a late 3rd, early 4th round stoppage of the Team Alpha male trained fighter.

Cruz by TKO Round 4

Andreas: Cody “No Love” is one of the most interesting title challengers to appear in recent memory. He’s fought the best names at 135lbs, embarrassing a number of guys with his vicious knockout ability. But Cruz is a technical magician, absorbing just 2.09 strikes per minute (Fight Matrix) it will be tricky for Garbrandt to close in and finish the champion. The safe money is on Cruz to carefully pick apart a young, flustered Garbrandt at UFC 207.

Cruz by Decision

Seán: This is a fight that reminds me of DJ vs. Cejudo. Garbrandt is the man to defeat the unbeatable. In reality Cruz’s footwork, calmness and higher fight IQ is going to make this an easy night’s work for the champ.

Cruz by TKO Round 5

Stuart: I’m choosing Cruz to school Garbrandt over five rounds and make him look silly as he ducks and dives while landing counters. Garbrandt will get frustrated and be one step behind from the opening bell.

Cruz by Decision

Stephen: Both fighters styles are polar opposites. Cruz with his unorthodox style and footwork picks his strikes whilst taking minimal damage. No one has yet been able to crack Cruz’s game plan and I can’t see Garbrandt being the first. The champion has possibly the highest fighting IQ in the UFC and I believe will be too unorthodox for Garbrandt to figure out. It may go the full 25 minutes but I believe Cruz will dominate the fight and win via unanimous decision.

Cruz by Decision 

T.J. Dillashaw v John Lineker:

Rob: Simply put I think Dillashaw will be able to avoid the power punches of Linker and pick him during this encounter.

Dillashaw by Decision

Andreas: Stylistically, a zinger of a match-up, Lineker will look to utilise his power (and size advantage) against the evasive Dillashaw. It’s such an underrated fight at UFC 207, but Dillashaw should look to tire out Lineker and use his crisp boxing – from the outside – to earn himself his title rematch.

Dillashaw by decision

Seán: TJ has the movement and the skill to outpoint Linker, but the power and speed of Linker will play a huge role in this fight. TJ should win, but Linker will make it interesting.

Dillashaw by Decision

Stuart: Lineker has a punchers chance in this fight but I think Dillashaw will prove he is better than the rest with his speed and movement. I cant see Dillashaw finishing Lineker but likely takes it on points.

Dillashaw by Decision

Stephen: Lineker contains a lot of power whilst Dillashaw possesses great speed movement and wrestling skills. The former champ will look to gain another title shot against the winner of Cruz vs Garbrandt and I believe the arsenal of skills he possesses will help him walk away with the victory via points.

Dillashaw by Decision

Dong Hyun Kim v Tarec Saffiedine:

Rob: This for me could also be a close fight. I think the “Stun Guns” could be a factor in this fight against decorated striker Saffiedine but despite his absence from the octagon I think Kim will make a triumphant return after his lay off to nullify Saffiedine enroute to a decision win.

Hyun Kim by Decision 

Andreas: It’s been a while out for “Stun Gun,” but if he’s still half as prolific as we remember him to be, I expect him to finish Saffiedine at UFC 207, who often struggles with those who control the centre of the cage, case and point being his last fight against Rick Story.

Kim by late TKO

Seán: “Stun Gun” was slated to face Gunni Nelson at UFC Belfast, but after an injury to SBG trained Nelson he was pulled and this math up suits him a lot better. Saffiedine will stand and trade all day long and against a hungry Kim isn’t the best idea. Look for Kim to get the late stoppage.

Kim by TKO Round 3

Stuart: I’m not a fan of Saffiedine and think Kim will walk all over him for the duration of the fight. Could possibly secure a finish towards the end of the fight after just wearing Saffiedine down.

Kim by Stoppage in Round 3

Louis Smolka v Ray Borg:

Rob: With both fighters coming off disappointing losses a win is a must for them. This is a close one but I think Smolka will bounce to stop Borg in this encounter.

Smolka by TKO Round 2

Andreas: This one could be a sensational one for the grappling aficionados. Borg has proven in his two losses his difficulty to deal with any fighter with a decent ground game, and Smolka has very effective jiu-jitsu, especially against tired opponents. He should take the win.

Smolka by Decision

Seán: Smolka needs a win after his upset loss to Brandon Moreno and Ray Brog is the perfect man to get it against. Both will look to go to the ground and I feel Smolka has the edge.

Smolka by Submission Round 2

Stuart: I’ve always liked Smolka but I’ve got to go with Borg in this one. Smolka is coming off a bad loss and I feel Borg is the all round better fighter and will punish him on the ground.

Borg by Decision 

Stephen: Louis Smolka squares off against Ray Borg in the first bout of the main card. Smolka was submitted in his last outing which plays to Borg’s advantage due to him being a very good grappler and submission artist. I see Borg taking him to the ground and eventually finishing the fight inside 2 rounds via submission.

Borg by Submission Round 2

Jonny Hendricks vs. Neil Magny:

Rob: Again I’m struggling on this one. Hendrick of old returns against Magny one overhand from the man called “Big Rigg” could mean lights out for his opponent.

Unfortunately I suspect Neil Magny will come out on top in this encounter but it will be close call.

Magny by Decision

Andreas: There have been very few indicators from Hendricks’s last two fights over a return to form. “Big Rigg” has the revered wrestling but through Magny’s 11inch reach advantage, he should be able to pick the former champion apart on the feet for the win. If needs be he can also call upon his strong grappling.

Magny by Decision

Seán: Both guys need a win and need it badly. “Big Rigg” is nearly finished, but a win here could propel him back up the rankings. To get it against Magny and his 11 inch reach advantage he’ll need to conjure up some of the spirit that nearly beat GSP. However I think that his spirit died against Wonderboy. Expect Magny to finish late.

Magny by TKO Round 3

Stuart: Jonny Hendrick’s slide will continue as Magny will use his massive 11 inch reach advantage to make sure Hendricks never has a chance to close the distance or get going. This one could be ugly for Hendricks fans as Magny will get the win.

Magny by Decision

Stephen: In the final fight of the preliminary card former welterweight champion Johnny Hendricks will clash against Neil Magny. In what could be his last fight at welterweight Hendricks has heavy hands and superb wrestling skills which should bode well against his opponent. I see Hendricks winning via TKO in the third round.

Hendricks by TKO Round 3