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 UFC on Fox 21. 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: 23-11

Jason's Record: 20-14

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC on Fox 21.

 

Jim Miller vs Joe Lauzon

Justin’s Pick 

This fight could have been the main event, and I don’t believe anyone would have had any objections. Their first fight at UFC 155 was one of the best fights I’ve ever seen, and this is a sneaky pick for the fight of the night tonight. Miller and Lauzon are both great grapplers, while Miller has the advantage in striking. I’m expecting this fight to go very similarly to the fight in 2012. Both fighters also have great chins, but I’m giving Miller a slight edge, as he has only been knocked out once in his career. Ultimately, I believe this will be an extremely close, fun fight, but Miller will do enough to sway the judges in his favor.

Jim Miller via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This is going to be one heck of a way to start the main card on Saturday. Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller are both experienced fighters with dangerous skill sets, making this fight incredibly difficult to predict. Both fighters have the same arm and leg length. Miller does have a very slight advantage on his feet, but Lauzon is no slouch in that department either. This will likely head to the judge’s scorecard, as neither fighter will get past the other’s defense. Lauzon is a bit wilder than Miller, which could make him the aggressor. In a fight so close, that may sway the judges enough for a victory.

Joe Lauzon via Unanimous Decision

 

Paige VanZant vs Bec Rawlings

Justin’s Pick

VanZant hasn’t fought since her loss to Rose Namajunas, while Rawlings has been on a two fight win streak. VanZant was a top prospect before her last fight, which may have lit a fire under her to improve her submission defense. Rawlings will likely try to follow the plan of Namajunas, as she will likely try to work in the clinch and getting a takedown before trying to submit VanZant. I’m not certain VanZant will allow that to happen, as she has likely been preparing for that. With that being said, Rawlings should be able to control the fight enough for pick up the win.

Bec Rawlings via Unaimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This is another very close fight. Paige “12 Gauge” VanZant is a little bit more precise on her feet, while Bec “Rowdy” Rawlings is more of a loose cannon. It is very unlikely that VanZant allows this fight to get to the ground, so this will likely be a boxing match. VanZant will be looking to get back on track, but Rawlings is looking to make a name for herself, as well. Rawlings has slightly better defense while on her feet, but she absorbs too many punches. VanZant goes to decision more often than Rawlings does, so that should give her a slight advantage in the third round. She should eek out the victory via the judge’s decision.

Paige VanZant via Unanimous Decision

 

Anthony Pettis vs Charles Oliveira

Justin’s Pick

This is an interesting fight. Aside from the quick injury that Oliveira suffered against Max Holloway, he has been on fire, as he has won five consecutive fights. Pettis, on the other hand, has lost three consecutive fights, although they have been against three of the best 155 lbs fighters in the world. Pettis has looked like a shell of his former self, and Oliveira will have a distinct advantage if he can drag this fight to the ground. If it stays on the feet, Pettis has fight changing power, while Oliveira has been knocked out a few times before. Ultimately, I expect the former to happen, as Oliveira locks in a late submission for the win.

Charles Oliveira via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is going to be another very fun fight to watch. UFC fans are going to get a show this Saturday. Anthony “Showtime” Pettis has lost three fights in a row, but those fights were against Edson Barboza, Eddie Alvarez, and Rafael Dos Anjos. No disrespect meant, but Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira is not on the same level as those three fighters, making him the easiest fight Pettis has seen since his Performance-of-the-Night fight against Gilbert Melendez in December of 2014. Oliveira has won five fights in a row, not including the injury loss to Max Holloway, but Pettis is next level competition. It will be too much for him, Pettis will get back on track, and Oliveira will be knocked down a notch.

Anthony Pettis via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Demian Maia vs Carlos Condit

Justin’s Pick

Demian Maia opened as a -286, but that line has closed, and a few betting sites have Condit as a small favorite. This fight will likely go one of two ways. Maia drags Condit to the ground and works for a submission, or Condit is able to keep the fight standing and out-strikes Maia. While Maia is world-class on the ground, Condit is no slouch, and could potentially defend Maia’s submission attempts. Maia doesn’t stand a chance exchanging on the feet with Condit, though. This fight is as tough as it gets to pick, but Condit should be able to pull out the victory, as he has more ways to win this fight.

Carlos Condit via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Well, it looks like Justin and I finally agree on something. Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit has the advantage over Demian Maia this Saturday. He has a slight reach advantage, which will help him keep Maia at a distance, and as long as he can defend his takedown attempts, this fight is in Condit’s favor. It is going to be a great main even to watch, but Condit will wear Maia down for a couple of rounds before going for the kill shot later in the fight.

Carlos Condit via TKO, 3rd Round