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 205. 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: 50-24

Jason's Record: 41-33

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC 205.

 

Miesha Tate vs Raquel Pennington

Justin’s Pick

Miesha Tate is a fighter that starts slow, but gets better as the fight progresses. She doesn’t have a high takedown rate, but she relentlessly attempts them, which generally puts her opponent on their back. That leaves her open for striking, though, and Raquel Pennington is a smooth fighter on her feet. I don’t believe she has the power to knock out Tate, but she does have the accuracy to score with the judges. If Pennington can stop Tate from taking her down, which seems likely early in the fight, she should be able to score enough with the judges to pick up the victory.

Raquel Pennington via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

Raquel “Rocky” Pennington is definitely smooth on her feet, and she does have rather solid takedown defense, but it is not going to be enough to thwart the efforts of Miesha “Cupcake” Tate. This fight will likely go decision. If it stays standing, Pennington has a huge advantage. If it goes to the ground, Tate has a huge advantage. Tate has the ability to get this fight to the ground, so the advantage has to go to her.

Miesha Tate via Unanimous Decision

 

Kelvin Gastelum vs Donald Cerrone

Kelvin Gastelum didn’t weight-in, which means this fight will not happen.

 

Chris Weidman vs Yoel Romero

Justin’s Pick 

These are two of the best fighters in the UFC, and Romero may have already had a title shot if he didn’t fail a drug test. Weidman’s only loss came in a fight that he was winning before losing after failing to hit a kick that never should have been attempted. Romero, on the other hand, has never lost in the UFC and hasn’t lost in MMA since 2011. This fight will essentially come down to who’s wrestling is able to win. If Weidman can take Romero down and control him, it’s his fight to lose. If this fight stays standing, Romero will have the slight advantage, though. I believe the former is slightly more likely to happen, though.

Chris Weidman via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is going to be a very interesting fight. The UFC did not hold back on UFC 205. Chris “The All-American” Weidman is one of the best wrestlers in the sport. Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero is also great when it comes to takedowns and takedown defense. Unfortunately for him, Weidman is slightly better. He should be able to take control of this fight later on. Whether via submission or ground and pound, it does not matter. Weidman will be victorious.

Chris Weidman via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Justin’s Pick

Karolina Kowalkiewicz has looked good in her MMA career, but she isn’t ready to take on Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Jedzejczyk has been an elite fighter her entire life, and she is continuously progressing. She looked outstanding in her rematch against Claudia Gadelha, and she should have no problems out-striking Kowalkiewicz. Best of luck to Kowalkiewicz, but this is going to be a one sided fight in favor of the champion.

Joanna Jedzejczyk via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This is definitely the easiest fight on the main card to predict. As Justin accurately mentioned, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, despite her impressive career, is not ready to fight Joanna Jedrzejczyk (good luck spelling that correctly five times straight). In the battle of Poland, Jedrzejczyk will defeat Kowalkiewicz fairly easily.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk via Unanimous Decision

 

 

Tyron Woodley vs Stephen Thompson

Justin’s Pick

Woodley shocked the world when he beat Robbie Lawler for the title in July, but then he shocked the world when he told Stephen Thompson that he wasn’t going to fight him because he wants the money fight. Ultimately, Thompson received his much deserved title fight. He has won seven consecutive fights, and none of them have looked too strenuous for him. He’ll be looking to fight at a distance and pick apart Tyron Woodley because he has the takedown defense to keep this fight standing. The major equalizer for Woodley is his powerful right hand. Lawler overlooked Woodley’s power, which is why he lost the tile. Thompson tends to keep his distance with kicks, which also helps keep himself out of dangerous positions. This may not be the most exciting fight, but Thompson will come away with the belt.

Stephen Thompson via TKO, 4th Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson will be the next welterweight champion. He is simply a better fighter than Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley. Granted, Woodley has huge power – Robbie Lawler learned that quickly – but Thompson will not allow him to hit him flush. At the time, I predicted a Woodley victory over Lawler, but if that fight happened again, the money should be on Lawler. Woodley is an impressive fighter, there is no question about that. However, he is not long-lasting champion material. Thompson, on the other hand, is.

Stephen Thompson via Unanimous Decision

 

Eddie Alvarez vs Conor McGregor

Justin’s Pick

This fight is going to go one of two ways. Alvarez fights smart and uses his wrestling to neutralize the power of McGregor or McGregor baits Alvarez into a brawl on their feet. I expect Alvarez to try to impose his wrestling on McGregor, who has shown that he is slick on the ground. Ultimately, McGregor’s ability to get back to his feet will be the difference maker. He should be able to make his way to his feet fairly quickly, which will result in major trouble for Alvarez.

Conor McGregor via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

“The Notorious” Conor McGregor will be the new lightweight champion. Eddie Alvarez is not going to be able to take him to the ground effectively enough to eventually walk away with the victory. McGregor is going into the fight more determined than ever. When he sets his mind to something, it happens. He has the power to knockout Alvarez, which is something that he didn’t have against Nate Diaz. He is one of the best boxers in the world. Look for him to utilize his boxing to finish this fight early.

Conor McGregor via TKO, 1st Round