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 201. 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: 12-7

Jason's Record: 12-7

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC 201.

 

Ian McCall vs Justin Scoggins

Justin’s Pick

This is one of the toughest matchups on the card in my opinion. Scoggins has been surging against other elite prospects, but he has struggled in his couple fights against tougher competition. McCall, on the other hand, has been fighting the best of the best, but he hasn’t fought in over a year, and he could be dealing with some ring rust. Both men work in takedowns throughout their fights, but they also both defend takedowns well, which means this fight will likely stay standing. I give McCall a slight edge on the feet, and he takes this by a close decision.

Ian McCall via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

Justin Scoggins is indeed surging, and that is why he is going to take this fight. Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall, while a fantastic fighter, will not be able to stop Scoggins’ two-fight win streak. Both fighters have great takedown ability and takedown defense, and both are solid standing, as well. It is definitely going to be a very close fight. Neither fighter should be able to control the octagon, but Scoggins ekes out the victory via the judge’s scorecard.

Justin Scoggins via Unanimous Decision

 

Francisco Rivera vs Erik Perez

Justin’s Pick

This is a sleeper fight for Fight of the Night, as it could quickly turn into a brawl. Perez has the speed advantage, but Rivera is much more powerful. Perez also has the advantage on the ground, if he’s able to get the fight there. That’s going to be tough, but ultimately, I expect Perez to take down Rivera and hand Rivera his fifth loss in his last six fights.

Erik Perez via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Francisco “Cisco” Rivera has elite power. That is going to be very dangerous for Erik “Goyito” Perez, but Rivera just does not have the takedown defense necessary to stay off of his back. If Perez gets him down, he immediately has a huge advantage, as Rivera would much rather stay on his feet in this fight. Obviously, this fight will not be on the ground from the start, but Perez has good enough standing defense to avoid the Rivera knockout blow.

Erik Perez via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Matt Brown vs Jake Ellenberger

Justin’s Pick

These two fighters have really been struggling recently, but Ellenberger could be fighting for his career this week. Both fighters have been fighting elite competition, so there is no edge there in this fight. Brown is better on his feet, though, and Ellenberger looks like he may have too many miles on him at this point in his career. Brown should have a relatively easy time defeating Ellenberger while trying to earn a performance bonus.

Matt Brown via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is one of the easiest fights on the card to predict. Matt “The Immortal” Brown is simply the better fighter. In his prime Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger could compete at this level, but not anymore. It is about time for the 41-fight veteran to hang it up. Brown is going to control this fight while standing, and if it does somehow end up on the ground, he has the advantage there as well. Quite honestly, it should not take long for Brown to finish.

Matt Brown via TKO, 1st Round

 

Rose Namajunas vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Justin’s Pick

Namajunas and Kowalkiewicz are two of the hottest prospects in the UFC’s woman’s division. Namajunas is on a three fight win streak and she has displayed a few impressive wins. Kowalkiewicz, on the other hand, has a 9-0 record and looked great in each of her first two fights in the UFC. She has yet to fight anyone of the caliber of Namajunas, though. Her best route to winning is to use footwork to stay out of the clinch and off the ground against Namajunas. If she can do this, she will be able to use her quick and crisp strikes to win by decision. Namajunas needs to get close to Kowalkiewicz, and if she does, she will likely be able to end this fight with a submission. I expect the former to happen in this situation, as Kowalkiewicz advances to 10-0 with the upset victory.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

It is always great to root for the underdog, but in this fight, Rose “Thug” Namajunas will likely have Karolina Kowalkiewicz tapping the mat by the middle of the second round. It is going to be very difficult for Kowalkiewicz to keep this fight standing, and if she does, for the entire fight, she will pick up the victory, but how likely is that? At some point, Namajunas will have an opportunity to get her down and end the fight; all she has to do is take advantage. Kowalkiewicz gets a little bit too aggressive from time to time, and if “Thug” does not get flustered, she should be able to take advantage of that.

Rose Namajunas via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Robby Lawler vs Tyron Woodley

Justin's Pick

Woodley has been waiting quite some time for his shot at the title, and he hasn’t fought in well over a year. He will have a distinct advantage if he can get Lawler to the ground, but that will be no easy task. Lawler has great takedown defense, and he will have the advantage over Woodley while standing. Woodley will likely start out much faster than Lawler, but the champ will continue to get better as the fight moves on. Lawler will continue to gain confidence as he stuffs Woodley’s takedowns before knocking him out to retain his championship once again.

Robbie Lawler via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick 

This is going to be a fantastic fight between Robbie “Ruthless” Lawler and Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. Woodley will have the advantage if this fight gets to the ground, and Lawler obviously has the advantage on his feet. Honestly, Lawler is not good enough to stop Woodley’s takedown attempts for five rounds, and Woodley will be able to get him to the ground, but it will not happen often. Lawler will win this fight while standing, as he is simply better at boxing than Woodley. This fight will go the distance, and Lawler will take home the victory due to his late round stamina.

Robbie Lawler via Unanimous Decision