UFC FIGHT NIGHT 118 PRIMER: Culver’s preview & predictions for the Donald Cerrone vs. Darren Till headlined main card

by jerry culver

UFC Fight Night 118 Preview and Predictions

 

Main Card

Oskar Piechota (9-0) vs. Jonathan Wilson (7-2) – Middleweight 185 lbs.

In the opening bout on the main card Poland’s own Oskar Piechota will look to continue his success when he takes on Jonathan Wilson. Piechota who is unbeaten in ten pro fights is known for his grappling skills, but is coming off of two back to back knockouts in the first round of his last two fights.

Wilson was a 205lb. fighter that has a string of knockouts so with his drop to middleweight he will be a formidable test for the exciting Piechota. Piechota is a potential future star but I am not yet buying the European hype.

I look for Wilson to impose some heavy leather and end this fight with a barrage of strikes.

Jan Blachowicz (19-7) vs. Devin Clark (8-1) – Light Heavyweight 205 lbs.

Polish fighter Jan Blachowicz who is coming off of a majority decision loss back at UFC 210 to Patrick Cummins looks to rebound in his home country against the very game Devin Clark. Clark who was picked up by UFC after being showcased on Dana White’s Looking For A Fight lost his first UFC fight after dropping down to middleweight to face Alex Nicholson. Since then Clark has seen success in the light heavyweight ranks winning his last two fights both by unanimous decision.

I’m taking the 27 year old Clark in a close fight to pick up the win on this outing.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz (10-2) vs. Jodie Esquibel (6-2) – Strawweight 115 lbs.

Poland’s own Karolina Kowalkiewicz will be fighting in front of her home country which is great news for her since coming off her first professional back to back defeats. Her opponent Jodie Esquibel is coming off of a victory in her last outing under the Invicta FC banner. Esquibel is a former boxer turned MMA star who currently holds six pro MMA wins and two losses.

Both fighters have won the majority of their fights by decision so this is a close one to call. I give Kowalkiewicz the slight edge in front of her Polish fan base.

Donald Cerrone (32-9, 1 NC) vs. Darren Till (15-0-1) – Welterweight 170 lbs.

With the “Cowboy” being 3-2 in his past five bouts and coming off his first 2 fight losing streak there has been some question in regards to Cerrone starting to be beyond his prime. Till coming in at 15-0-1 is trying to drum up as much hype as possible but the facts cannot be ignored. Cerrone has defeated a who’s who in the MMA world and is still ranked 10th in a stacked division.

Till has won a couple of close fights by decision and will look to take this fight to the ground. Cerrone spent the better half of his career submitting fighters from his back and I do not see this fight being any different.


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