UFC Houston will see the return of the famed Chan Sung Jung, otherwise known as “The Korean Zombie” to the promotion as he faces off against grinder Dennis Bermudez.
Also on the UFC Houston card, two women’s strawweight bouts which pit rising star Alexa Grasso against Felice Herrig and Jessica Andrade against the returning Angela Hill.
Current Standings before UFC Houston:
Andreas: 6-2
Stuart: 6-2
Stephen: 5-2*
Seán: 5-3
Rob: 4-4
Note: Winning method will be used as a tie-breaker if everything is even at the end of the year.
*Stephen did not make a full set of predictions for Event 1.
UFC Houston Main Card Picks (2017, Event 3)
The Korean Zombie vs. Dennis Bermudez:
Rob: As a big Korean Zombie fan I want the fairytale which for me is a win over Bermudez so it would be stupid to pick a fighter who has not fought in over three years due to military service and injury. Unfortunately, I’m not known for my intelligence so despite the odds that are seemingly stacked against him I’m going for Chan Sung Jung by twister…only joking, by hard fought decision at UFC Houston.
Korean Zombie by Decision
Andreas: As happy as I am to see the return of “The Korean Zombie” I’m finding it hard to see how he copes against a very gritty Bermudez. Although Jung has been out of action for over three years, he did admit that hasn’t hindered his training regime. I believe Jung will be in tremendous shape come fight night, but with little to go off in terms of recent performances, it’s hard to gauge how he will fare against a well tested Bermudez.
“The Menace” learned a lot from his two losses to Ricardo Lamas and Jeremy Stephens, and in 2016 looked great against Tatsuya Kawajiri and Rony Bezerra. Jung will pose a great threat, especially if he can take the back of Bermudez, but at UFC Houston I’m picking the New Yorker to go over after three rounds.
Bermudez by Decision
Seán: The Korean Zombie is back at UFC Houston and damn if I ain’t excited about it. That man is a straight up killing machine. Who could possibly forget that twister win over Leonard Garcia or his fight with Dustin Poirier? Bermudez can be one truly boring f–ker at times but that won’t be the case with the Korean Zombie. Jung by some crazy sh-t.
Korean Zombie by KO/TKO
Stuart: After Korean Zombie spent three years out of the fight game, I find it impossible to predict where he will be at as a fighter. Same can’t be said for Bermudez who’s progressed and won two fights since he learned his lesson about entering a firefight with Jeremy Stephens. I see him taking Jung down and using his superior wrestling to take control of this fight.
Bermudez by Decision
Stephen: In the main event this weekend “The Korean Zombie” returns to the UFC. In his first fight since a loss to Jose Aldo. Although I rate Jung highly, I believe Bermudez will be too tough a challenge on his return. Bermudez goes into this bout following an undefeated 2016, he possesses a diverse skill set whilst not taking much damage which is why I see him outscoring his opponent at UFC Houston.
Bermudez by Decision
Alexa Grasso vs. Felice Herrig:
Rob: This fight will be the toughest test of Grasso’s career to date against women’s MMA veteran Herrig. But I think if she can avoid being taken down, I think it is a test she can pass with flying colours so I’m picking the Mexican by TKO late in the second.
Grasso by KO/TKO
Andreas: People certainly don’t give Herrig the credit she deserves and as we saw against Kailan Curran when the opponent permits it, she looks great. However, I don’t think Grasso is the kind of foe who is out there to make Herrig look good and I expect the Mexican talent to cruise past Herrig without too much of an issue. Grasso needs to be weary of Herrig’s ground game, but if she avoids it she should come through unfazed.
Grasso by Decision
Seán: Grasso is on her way up, Herrig is most certainly on her way down. Herrig has one of the worst records in the UFC at 11-6 and I don’t see her lasting with the new ‘star’ of the strawweight division.
Grasso by Submission
Stuart: From what I’ve seen Grasso is the real deal and has already fought opponents of Herrig’s caliber in Invicta FC so this isn’t the step up people have been wanting. Herrig may have looked good against Curran (who doesn’t?) but she’s nowhere near the level of the young Mexican who has contender status in her future.
Grasso by Decision
Stephen: Grasso was a standout in her UFC debut and currently holds an unbeaten record of 9-0. She now faces Herrig in which should be her toughest test to date. Grasso will look to keep it on the feet and make use of her crisp striking whilst avoiding her opponent\s advanced ground game. If she utilizes her striking and avoids the takedowns she should pick up her second UFC victory at UFC Houston.
Grasso by KO/TKO
Abel Trujillo vs. James Vick:
Rob: I get the feeling that Vick will be a little too slick for Trujillo and as long as he can avoid his opponent’s power, I see him getting the decision here.
Vick by Decision
Andreas: This is the fight this week which I was dreading to pick. It’s a 50/50 clash of sorts, with Trujillo and Vick both proven inside the Octagon. If you give “Killa” an inch, he’ll take a mile, I expect him to smother Vick and get the ground and pound stoppage. Trujillo needs to be careful though because Vick has a decent guillotine.
Trujillo by KO/TKO
Seán: This is the fight between two guys who you just can’t like. Trujillo is on a nice run of form with five wins in his last six outings while Vick is looking to rebound from getting KO’d dead by Beneil Dariush last year. It’s the classic striker versus wrestler and by classic, I mean boring three round decision. I’m going Trujillo mainly because I don’t see Vick keeping him off.
Trujillo by Decision
Stuart: I’m expecting a lot of my colleagues to lean towards Trujillo in this match-up but I prefer hometown boy Vick. He’s the much bigger guy going into this fight and will have a six-inch reach advantage. Trujillo won’t be able to get on the inside to land the power shots and “The Texecutioner” should pick him apart from distance.
Vick by Decision
Stephen: Vick vs. Trujillo is a fight in which one is looking to extend their unbeaten run and the other is looking to bounce back from his first career loss. Vick is a big lightweight but despite this I see Trujillo landing the bigger strikes and potentially finishing the bout or manhandling his opponent on the ground.
Trujillo by KO/TKO
Ovince Saint Preux vs. Volkan Oezdemir:
Rob: I think going into this fight, OSP will be very motivated after being on the wrong end of a brutal knockout the hands of Jimi Manuwa at UFC 204 last October and I believe that will spell trouble for Volkan Oezdemir who will be making his UFC debut. In saying that the 27-year old Swiss fighter has made an impressive start to his MMA career, winning 11 of his first 12 fights but he has yet to face
In saying that the 27-year-old Swiss fighter has made an impressive start to his MMA career, winning 11 of his first 12 fights but he has yet to face someone the level of Saint Preux. I think OSP will be able to dictate the fight wherever it goes and will get the submission in the second round.
OSP by Submission
Andreas: In the famous words of Big Sean, I fully expect OSP to ‘bounce back’ from his devastating KO loss to Manuwa last October. With all due respect to Oezdemir, the 12 wins on his record are against pretty terrible opposition, OSP may not be the greatest 205lbs has to offer but he’s certainly better than the guys the Swiss fighter has beaten.
OSP by KO/TKO
Seán: OSP was fighting for the interim light-heavyweight title less than a year ago and went five rounds with Jon Jones. Fast forward to October in Manchester and Manuwa knocked his block off. But even after getting knocked into 2017 a couple of months earlier than the rest of us, he should walk through new boy Oezdemir. Oezdemir isn’t a bad fighter but he got a raw deal for his first fight. OSP by KO in the first.
OSP by KO/TKO
Stuart: With OSP looking to bounce back from defeats to Jones and Manuwa at UFC Houston, he shouldn’t have any problems with Oezdemier. A much stronger wrestler and grappler, OSP needs to avoid a banana peel and the heavy hands of his less experienced opponent but this should see him get back to fighting top-10 guys.
OSP by KO/TKO
Stephen: OSP vs. newcomer Oezdemir is one in which I see OSP having much trouble. He has usually prevailed in fights against mid-ranked competition and I can’t see this time being much different. His clean striking ability and talent should be enough to see him secure the win.
OSP by KO/TKO
Anthony Hamilton vs. Marcel Fortuna:
Rob: This is a bit of a shot in the dark for me, but despite Anthony Hamilton having more Octagon experience than Marcel Fortuna I feel the debutant will rely on his grappling experience that has seen him submit five of his opponents to get the win, again by submission.
Marcel Fortuna by Submission
Andreas: In my opinion, Fortuna is an absolute stylistic nightmare for Hamilton. Having won five of his eight wins by submission, Fortuna matches up well against Hamilton, who is less than efficient when it comes to defending submission attempts from awkward positions. Although I think Fortuna has the edge with his submissions, Hamilton is still a tough one to take down. At UFC Houston, I feel he will try and grind him out for the win instead.
Fortuna by Decision
Sean: This is a fight most people are going to struggle to stay up for regardless if you’re a casual fan or a diehard. Hamilton was bulldozed by Francis Ngannou is his last outing while Fortuna is making his octagon debut. But he’s 8-1 and Hamilton is a good first fight.
Fortuna by Decision
Stuart: Although I’m not a big Anthony Hamilton fan, I’m even less enamored with Marcel Fortuna. Stepping up to Heavyweight, the Brazilian hasn’t fought in nearly two years and his only experience is from the Dragon House promotion. Despite his BJJ black belt, Fortuna doesn’t seem up to standard and Hamilton should enjoy a rare victory at UFC Houston.
Hamilton by KO/TKO
Stephen: Hamilton vs. Fortuna is the only heavyweight bout of the night and one in which I believe Hamilton walks away the victor. Fortuna has historically spent his career at light-heavyweight which is why I see the more legitimate heavyweight Hamilton finishing his opponent.
Hamilton by KO/TKO
Jéssica Andrade vs. Angela Hill:
Rob: Since the drop to strawweight, Jessica Andrade has been on a tear stopping all of her opponents and I think she will make it three in a row against former Invicta champion Angela Hill who has been thrown straight into the deep end for her second run with the promotion. I see the Brazilian submitting Hill in round two.
Andrade by Submission
Andreas: This is a difficult one to write, not because it’s a difficult fight to pick, but because of Hill’s deserving position in the UFC. After things initially fell through last year due to USADA’s testing pool, Hill finally gets the UFC contract she’s earned through her improvements in Invicta. Hill is such a cool cat; especially for dressing up as Sagat but Andrade is a straight up beast on the ground, and I just don’t see how Hill will be able to cope with that.
Andrade by Submission
Sean: Hill was released by the UFC once before for not being good enough. And while she went on to become a champion in Invicta I don’t think she has made the improvements needed to properly compete at this level. Andrade has looked like a straight killer at 115lbs and with a win here is the next challenger to Joanna Champion’s crown. I think it might go similar to the JoJo fight. Takedown and submission.
Andrade by Submission
Stuart: With Hill returning to the UFC as Invicta strawweight champion, there is no doubt she has improved since her first spell with the promotion. However, other than champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, there is no stronger opponent in the division than Andrade. With her terrifying power, technical ground game and dominance at 115lbs, she will solidify her claim to number one contender with another win.
Andrade by Submission
Stephen: On her return to the UFC Hill comes up against no.5 ranked Andrade. Hill is a fearless fighter the fans seem to get behind. Both fighters possess good striking but I don’t see Hill bettering her opponent in any department. Andrade’s ground game could be what edges her the fight.
Andrade by Submission
Who will claim the top spot this week, with Andreas and Stuart at deadlock? Find out at UFC Houston, Saturday night on BT Sport 2.
