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 94. 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: 33-14

Jason's Record: 27-20

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at Fight Night 94.

 

Chas Skelly vs Maximo Blanco

Justin's Pick

This is a fight that could go a couple ways. Blanco loves to throw, and if he can keep Skelly at a distance, he will find success in this matchup. That likely will not happen, though, as Skelly will close the distance and look to wear down Blanco in the clinch. Once Skelly wears down Blanco with knees and heavy punches, he’ll work a take down before sinking in a choke late in the fight.

Chas Skelly via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Chas “The Scrapper” Skelly is exactly that – a scrapper. He gets a tough matchup this weekend against Maximo “Maxi” Blanco, an opponent that has great hands and knockout power, but Skelly will prevail. Blanco has decent takedown defense, but this fight is going to find a way to get to the ground, and after that, Skelly will attempt submission after submission until one of them locks in. Keep an eye out for that one punch power from Blanco, though.

Chas Skelly via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Chris Wade vs Islam Makhachev

Justin’s Pick

This is an extremely close fight and could go to either fighter. Makhachev has the slight advantage, though, as he will be able to use his pressure to control the clinch and eventually take Wade to the ground. Once on the ground, he can use his ground and pound to score points with the judges or open Wade to a submission. If this fight stays standing, though, Wade will have a slight advantage and should be able to do enough to win. Ultimately, the former is slightly more likely to happen.

Islam Makhachev via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

The disagreement came quickly this week. Chris Wade is the more impressive fighter while standing. Islam Makhachev is the more impressive fighter on the ground. Wade, fortunately, has the takedown defense and know-how to defend Makhachev’s takedown attempts and get up from his back, if needed. This is going to be a back and forth brawl, but Wade will likely eek out the victory via the judge’s scorecard.

Chris Wade via Unanimous Decision

 

 

Roan Carneiro vs Kenny Robertson

Justin’s Pick

Robertson is a more active fighter on his feet, and Robertson certainly will have the advantage if this fight stays standing. Carneiro works for takedowns and isn’t inept on his feet, either. Throughout the fight, he will work for takedowns against Robertson, who has struggled to defend them in previous fights. Once Carneiro gets him to the ground, he will continuously be looking for a submission, and while Robertson may be good enough to hold off being finished, Carneiro will win the judge’s scorecards with his dominant positioning.

Roan Carneiro via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This fight is essentially a pick ‘em according to Vegas, but it actually seems rather one-sided when looking at the matchup. Kenny Robertson is the better fighter, if the fight stays standing. Unfortunately for Robertson, he does not have the takedown defense to keep Roan “Jucao” Carneiro from slamming him down to the mat. With over four takedowns per fight on average, and only a takedowns defended percentage slightly over 50 for Robertson, this is going to turn into a wrestling match. In that case, Carneiro has the advantage. He will work for submission, but ultimately, as Justin stated, will win the fight via the judge’s scorecard.

Roan Caneiro via Unanimous Decision

 

Evan Dunham vs Rick Glenn

Justin’s Pick

Since his last loss, Dunham has looked outstanding, as he has a 3-0 record in his last three fights. In those fights, he has absolutely dominated opponents, as he landed 305 strikes with seven takedowns during that time. He’ll be taking on UFC newcomer, Rick Glenn, who will have no problems trading shots with Dunham. While Glenn is a solid striker, Dunham works at an outstanding pace and should have no problems scoring points with the judges. He will likely also sprinkle in a few takedowns, as he has a sizeable advantage over Glenn in wrestling. Regardless, Dunham can win this fight wherever he wants it to go.

Evan Dunham via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This seems like a fight the UFC hand-picked to keep the Evan Dunham win streak alive. If that is the case, Dana White and company made the right decision with Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn. While a great fighter with solid knockout power, Glenn just is not on the same level as Dunham. Dunham has fantastic hands, great footwork, solid wrestling skills, and the ground game to win the fight on the mat, as well. There is no where this fight can go that Dunham does not have the advantage. That does not rule out a Glenn knockout, but it is highly unlikely.

Evan Dunham Unanimous Decision

 

Uriah Hall vs Derek Brunson

Justin’s Pick 

Hall is one of the most frustrating fighters in the UFC, as he has the talent to beat anyone, but he has struggled quite a bit throughout his career. Derek Brunson has really only struggled against elite competition, and he has won each of his last three fights in the first round. Quite frankly, I’m hoping Hall can hit one of his highlight-reel knockouts, but that isn’t where the smart money is. Brunson will pressure Hall early in the fight, and those are the kinds of fights that Hall struggles with. He’ll work in a few takedowns on his way to knocking out Hall later in the fight.

Derek Brunson via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is undoubtedly a difficult matchup for Uriah “Prime Time” Hall, but he has the talent level to pick up the win against number 10 ranked middleweight contender, Derek Brunson. Hall and his camp have likely been working on the scramble, and if this fight stays standing, Hall has the advantage. He can end the fight in one second, and that is something that Brunson will struggle to defend. He will always have to be on guard because if he lets that guard down for one second, the fight will be over, and he will be looking at the ceiling. Hall is very versatile, and as long as he doesn’t have to work from his back in the early rounds, he will not struggle with stamina.

Uriah Hall via KO, 2nd Round

 

Dustin Poirier vs Michael Johnson

Justin’s Pick 

Poirier has looked outstanding since moving up a weight class, while Johnson has been struggling a bit recently. Both men are active strikers, who likely won’t be looking for the takedown too often. This fight may be a bit slower than most people are expecting, and the power of Poirier will be the difference. Both fighters will be able to land strikes, but Poirier will find a way to close the gap before handing Johnson his third consecutive loss.

Dustin Poirier via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Justin definitely has the right idea in this fight. Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier has been outstanding over his last few fights, while Michael “The Menace” Johnson has struggled slightly. Both fighters are fantastic on their feet and have solid takedown defense, so this should be three rounds of action. With two fighters that have great knockout power and finishing ability, five rounds will not happen. Poirier will build confidence, pressure Johnson, and finish the fight in one of the later rounds.

Dustin Poirier via TKO, 3rd Round