UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski Picks and Predictions

Home to many of the best kick boxers in the world, the UFC is finally making its way to Rotterdam, Netherlands. With a card filled with some of Europe's best heavy hitters, it's not hard to imagine we'll be seeing a number of finishes through out the event. Highlighting the card is a showdown between two excellent strikers when former K-1 Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem takes on former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski. If one heavyweight fight wasn't enough we'll also see Stefan Struve take on Antonio Silva in what should be close match up. In addition we'll also see Gunnar Nelson, Albert Tumenov and Germaine De Randamie in action.


Alistair Overeem v. Andrei Arlovski

@alistairovereem

This is a really fun match up. Not only do we have two really skilled strikers, but there's also a little drama between the two. Both have been training at Greg Jackson's, but instead of staying neutral in this one it seems like Jackson is going to be cornering Andrei in the fight, which is understandable, Jackson has been working very closely with Andrei for a while, Alistair is a fairly new addition to the team and won't be having the Jackson team cornering him for this one. That being said I personally ride or die with Alistair so no surprise I'm going with him in this fight but I'm also pretty confident he can get the win here as well. In open space standing I think its a super close match up. Overeem has a more varied stand up arsenal using kicks knees and punches while Arlovski is mainly a boxer with excellent hands. I think the big advantages for Overeem are going to be in the clinch and if he can get Arlovski to the mat. I think of the two, they both don't have great chins but I think Overeem's is a little worse then Arlovski. If Arlovski can tag Overeem there's less likelyhood he'll be able to recover. Overeem 1st round TKO

Overeem: Kid P, Gooms, DJ Mark
Arlovski: Doc Law

Antonio Silva v. Stefan Struve

Another interesting heavyweight match up on paper. Both Stefan and Antonio have been struggling recently in the UFC. Both are coming off tough losses and really need this win. Stefan is going to have a number of natural advantages over Silva in this one but in the past he hasn't always been able to utilize those advantages as well as he could be. If he lets Antonio get inside that reach of his he can be in a lot of trouble in this fight. I feel Antonio is the heavier hitting in this one and for Stefan to be successful here he needs to keep Antonio on the outside, eating jabs and kicks. I think Antonio is going to be able to get inside and win the fight there. Antonio via 2nd round Gnp TKO

Silva: DJ Mark
Struve: Kid P, Gooms, Doc Law

Albert Tumenov v. Gunnar Nelson

@gunninelson

This is probably going to be the most competitive and skill based fight on the card. Both fighters are highly skilled, top prospects and I'm expecting a very close and entertaining fight in this one. I'm leaning towards Tumenov in this, with my mindset being that he'll be able to stop Gunnar from taking him to the mat where I think Gunnar will have the advantage. I envision Tumenov getting the better of the stand up by pressuring Gunnar and not giving him the space he needs to utilize his karate background. Tumenov by dec 

Tumenov: Kid P, Doc Law, DJ Mark
Nelson: Gooms

Germaine de Randamie v. Anna Elmose

Honestly I'm not very familiar with Anna Elmose and what she's been able to do in MMA, but I do know Germaine and have been impressed with her performances. Germaine has been out for over a year so there might be some ring rust but I'm confident that she'll be skilled enough to handle whatever Elmose can throw at her. Germaine de Randamie by decision

De Randamie: unanimous
Elmose:

Mykyta Krylov v. Francimar Barroso

In this match up I'm really only familiar with Mykyta Krylov, I don't know much about Francimar other then he's had a hand full of fights in the UFC and won most of them. Krylov also has a number of UFC fights and won most as well, also interesting to note all his fights have ended before going to the judges. I've been impressed with what I've seen of Krylov and feel he'll get the win here as well. Krylov 1st round submission

Krylov: unanimous
Barroso:

Karolina Kowalkiewicz v. Heather Jo Clark

Personally I feel like I've always underestimated Heather's abilities inside the cage. She's a tough vet that can really grind you if you let her. That being said I think a long lay off and a difficult opponent will be too much this time. Kowalkiewicz is the younger fighter going in, having already gotten her UFC debut out of the way by scoring a big win over Randa Markos. This should be a tough match up but well within Kowalkiewicz's ability. Kowalkiewicz by dec

Kowalkiewicz: unanimous
Jo Clark:


It's MMAzing 2016 Standings
1. Doctor Law - (43-18) - .705
2. DJ Mark- (40-21) - .656
3. Lavender Gooms  - (37-24) - .607
4. Kid Presentable - (35-26) - .574