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 199. This is our first article, so our records are clean, but 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: 0-0

Jason's Record: 0-0 

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC 199.

 

Dustin Poirier vs Bobby Green

Justin’s Pick

Poirier and Green are both well-rounded fighters. They each have multiple tools to end a fight, which is why this is such a good matchup. Poirier has looked great since moving up to the 155 lbs. weight class. He’s 3-0 including two first round knockouts. Bobby Green, on the other hand, has not fought since he lost to Edson Barboza in November 2014. Both fighters land over 4.00 significant strikes per minute, but Poirier is a touch more accurate, while Green has the better defense. Ultimately, I expect Green to be dealing with a bit too much ring rust to shake off in only a 15-minute fight.

Dustin Poirier via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

I’m in complete agreement with this pick. Bobby Green is the underdog via Vegas, and that is for good reason. While Dustin Poirier does have solid knockout power, Bobby Green has great defense, so it would be surprising if this fight finishes prior to the final round three bell. Dustin Poirier will be looking to continue his surge in the UFC, and I wholeheartedly expect that to happen. This should be a great way to start the main card.

Dustin Poirier via Unanimous Decision

 

Dan Henderson vs Hector Lombard 

Justin’s Pick

This fight is a pretty simple one. Both fighters have elite knockout power, but Henderson has the more suspect chin. Lombard was knocked out for the first time in his last fight, but that fight had more to do with the will and heart of Neil Magny than the chin of Lombard. Lombard has a ridiculous 16 first round knockouts, and I’m expecting him to make that 17 on Saturday. Henderson has lost two of his last three fights in the first round, and as much as I respect his career, it’s about time for him to call it quits.

Hector Lombard via KO, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick 

The UFC is not necessarily rigged, but fighters do get what some would call ‘gimme fights.’ This is exactly that. Dan Henderson is basically at the end of his career, and while it is impossible to not show some respect for the veteran, it is very unlikely that he beats Hector Lombard. Lombard is the quicker fighter, which matters a great deal in a fight between two knockout-style fighters. This one will likely not make it out of the first round. Lombard is the safe bet.

Hector Lombard via KO, 1st Round

 

Max Holloway vs Ricardo Lamas

Justin’s Pick

Holloway enters UFC 199 on an eight-fight win streak, including six stoppages. He gets a matchup against Lamas, who has won seven of his last nine fights, and the only two losses have come at the hands of Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo, respectively. Holloway is the much more active, accurate, and defensive fight of the two. He also has outstanding takedown defense, and I expect him to be able to keep this fight standing. He should be able to out-strike Lamas while potentially tagging him to add another knockout to his resume.

Max Holloway via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

While it is likely that Max Holloway wins this fight due to his superb takedown defense, it is entirely possible that Ricardo Lamas ends the fight via submission. If this fight does somehow get to the ground – a slip on Holloway’s part or a successful takedown from Lamas – Lamas gains a huge advantage. He has a first and second round submission in his career, and he also possesses solid power. Holloway is going to come out firing, and if he does not take Lamas seriously, he could end up on his back or face down via knockout. This wouldn’t be a very interesting article if we agreed all the time, would it?

Ricardo Lamas via Submission, 2nd round

 

Dominick Cruz vs Urijah Faber

Justin’s Pick 

Cruz and Faber have some serious bad blood between them, as they have split their fights (1-1) and Faber is the only man to ever beat Cruz. Faber’s win was all the way back in 2007, though, and Cruz has won 12 consecutive fights. Faber has won three of his last four fights, but they weren’t against the same competition of Cruz. Faber has elite submissions and could win if he is able to get Cruz on the ground. Cruz has great takedown defense to go along with elite striking defense, though, which will limit Faber’s opportunities. Cruz is a cardio king and he will look the same in the fifth round as he did in the first round. He should be able to out-work Faber in his first successful title defense.

Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

Urijah Faber is making one last hoorah at the title before he packs it up and retires, but unfortunately for “The California Kid,” he is likely going to fall short. I will be rooting for a Faber win, but it seems entirely too unlikely to predict it. Cruz has excellent takedown defense, so he will keep the fight standing, and he also has better stamina than the veteran 33-8 fighter. Cruz will take this fight the distance and go on a five-mile hike right after.

Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision

 

Luke Rockhold vs Michael Bisping

Justin’s Pick 

These two also have a bit of bad blood, as they have fought before but also talked quite a bit of trash. Rockhold looked calm and confident that entire fight, as he worked Bisping’s body before knocking him down with a head kick and choking him out. Bisping is taking this fight on short notice, which does not bode well for his chances. Rockhold will likely come into this fight with tons of confidence, as he knows he can finish Bisping in multiple different ways. This will likely be the second successful title defense at UFC 199.

Luke Rockhold via TKO, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick

The only disagreement we have in this fight is the method of victory. Michael Bisping does not fare well on the ground, and his takedown defense is average at best. Luke Rockhold could definitely win this fight with his hands, but it will likely be some kind of submission that ends Bisping’s night. Rockhold is easily going to finish this fight, but he has been a bit more hesitant over his last couple of outings, so Bisping should slip out of the first round still standing. Even so, do not expect the second round bell to sound off.

Luke Rockhold via Submission, 2nd Round