MMA has one of the best sweats in DFS. Two fighters compete at a time with only one coming out as the winner. It's the best feeling in the world when you are watching the main event of a show and know you need a first round knockout to win the entire tournament.
And nothing feels worse than when you need a first round knockout by Stipe Miocic to win thousands of dollars in a tournament, but when he lands that knockout punch, you realize that you placed 14th because Jacare Souza was too dominant in a previous fight. This was a serious scenario that I had to live through when Miocic won the Heavyweight Championship.
Anyway, Jason and I will be taking a look at the main card for Fight Night 92. We will be keeping track based on picking winners and losers. We will also predict how the fight will be finished, but that will not reflect in the records.
Justin's Record: 14-9
Jason's Record: 13-10
Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at Fight Night 92.
Maryna Moroz vs Danielle Taylor
Justin’s Pick
This is one of the easier fights on the card on paper. Maryna Moroz is the third highest favorite via Vegas. She has fought three times in the UFC, while her opponent, Danielle Taylor, will be making her UFC debut at Fight Night 92. Taylor has legitimate power, but Moroz is the quicker fighter and she has more ways to win. She’s a sneaky finisher, as well, as she has five wins via armbar. Mororz will work in a finish against the UFC newcomer.
Maryna Moroz via Submission, 1st Round
Jason’s Pick
It is always a shock to new UFC fighters, so Maryna “Iron Lady” Moroz’s experience will give her a significant advantage over Danielle “Dynamite” Taylor. Taylor does have knockout power, but she will unlikely be able to finish Moroz, and the longer Taylor has to stay in the octagon with the Ukraine submissionist, the more likely she is to tap out. Moroz should not have too many issues ending this fight early.
Maryna Moroz via Submission, 2nd Round
Trevor Smith vs Joe Gigliotti
Justin’s Pick
Joe Gigliotti will be making his debut against the much more experienced Trevor Smith. The experience may play a factor in this fight, but Gigliotti is athletic enough for us to look past Smith’s experience. Gigliotti has finished all seven of his fights, and he will likely choose to keep this fight standing. He has a ton of power in his hands, and he’ll use his strength and athleticism to finish Smith before his experience comes into play.
Joe Gigliotti via TKO, 1st Round
Jason’s Pick
This is a very interesting fight. Both fighters are well-rounded, Joe “Capo” Gigliotti with the slight advantage on his feet and Trevor “Hot Sauce” Smith with the slight advantage on the ground. Smith is going to need to watch his chin, but it is going to be difficult for the newcomer to finish the veteran in the first round. This is going to be a bold prediction, but the fancy lights will be too much for Gigliotti, as he wears himself out in the first round. Smith will take advantage in the second.
Trevor Smith via Submission, 2nd Round
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Zak Cummings
Justin’s Pick
This is an extremely tough fight to pick. Ponzinibbio is a volume striker, while Cummings will be looking to counter punch and grind out Ponzinibbio. These two fighters have combined for an 8-2 record in their last 10 UFC fights, and Ponzinibbio is a slight favorite. He will likely push the pace and walk through Cummings counter punches on his way to a decision victory.
Santiago Ponzinibbio via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
Justin hit the nail on the head. Santiago “Gente Boa” Ponzinibbio will grind out Zak Cummings for the victory via the judge’s scorecard. He has better accuracy and better defense while standing, so as long as this fight does not get to the ground too often, Cummings is out of luck.
Santiago Ponzinibbio via Unanimous Decision
Thales Lietes vs Chris Camozzi
Justin’s Pick
This fight can essentially be simplified to a striker against a grappler type of fight. Camozzi has the edge on the feet, which is where he will be trying to keep this fight. Lietes works hard throughout fights for takedowns, though, and Camozzi doesn’t have elite takedown defense. He has also been submitted five times in his career, while Lietes has 14 career submission victories. The likeliest scenario is that Lietes takes Camozzi down, and works in a submission.
Thales Lietes via Submission, 2nd Round
Jason’s Pick
Everyone knows that the likely scenario is never the one that happens. Chris Camozzi has the ability to stand toe-to-toe with Thales Leites. Leites will be looking for the takedown, but Camozzi, though not elite, does have solid takedown defense. He also has solid standing defense, and he should be able to ward off a majority of Leites strikes and shots. Takedowns require a significant amount of energy, and Camozzi is well aware of that. He will look to wear down Leites, ending the fight in the later rounds.
Chris Camozzi via TKO, 3rd Round
Dennis Bermudez vs Rony Jason
Justin’s Pick
Jason has a few ways to win this fight, as he has power in his hands and also has good submissions. Bermudez could certainly get finished early, but he’s an active fighter that also has multiple ways to win. He should be able to outpoint Jason on the feet, while also gaining points from the judges with takedowns. Jason struggles to defend takedowns, and Bermudez averages over 4 takedowns per fight. He likely won’t finish, but he shouldn’t have many problems winning this fight.
Dennis Bermudez via Unanimous Decision
Jason’s Pick
Unfortunately, Rony Jason is likely going to lose to Dennis “The Menace” Bermudez. Jason just is not elite enough on his feet to take care of business, and Bermudez is going to ground and pound his way to victory. This fight is likely going to go all three rounds, so Jason does have a chance to clip Bermudez, but it likely will not happen. As Justin mentioned, Bermudez has great takedown ability, and Jason does not have great takedown defense. That is just a terrible matchup for the 21-fight veteran.
Dennis Bermudez via Unanimous Decision
Yair Rodriguez vs Alex Caceres
Justin’s Pick
This is a sneaky option to become the Fight of the Year. Yes, you read that right. Rodriguez and Caceres are two of the most fun fighters in the UFC to watch, as they are both unpredictable, but in a controlled way. Both have multiple ways to win this fight, as well. It will likely stay standing for the most part, as Rodriguez utilizes his kicks and Caceres mixes kicks in with boxing for his offense. This fight could go either way, but Rodriguez has the advantage on his feet, and I expect him to catch Caceres with a kick late in the fight.
Yair Rodriguez via TKO, 4th Round
Jason’s Pick
Honestly, it doesn’t even matter who wins this fight. By the end of it, UFC fans are going to be begging for another round. Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez is a well-rounded fighter, as is Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres. Both fighters have legitimate knockout power, so the audience will be on the edge of their seats the entire time. Rodriguez is simply the better fighter, so it would not make much sense to go with Caceres if one HAD to pick a winner, but know that with so many ways to win, both fighters are liable to have their hand raised.
Yair Rodriguez via TKO, 2nd Round