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 98. 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: 48-20

Jason's Record: 38-30

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at Fight Night 98.

 

Alexa Grasso vs Heather Jo Clark

Justin’s Pick

Alexa Grasso is a young fighter and this is essentially a showcase fight for her. She has won all eight of her professional fights, while Heather Jo Clark has lost three of her last five fights. Grasso should have no problem picking up points throughout the fight, and while she does have a bit of finishing ability, it’s much more likely that she takes this to the judge’s scorecards in an easy win.

Alexa Grasso via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

This is one of the easiest fights of the night to predict. There is little to no reason to assume that Heather Jo “Hurricane” Clark is going to defeat Alexa Grasso. Clark is likely on her way out the door, and Grasso is ready to step in and take her place. This fight should end up rather one-sided.

Alex Grasso, via Unanimous Decision

 

Beneil Dariush vs Rashid Magomedov

Justin’s Pick

This fight is as close as it gets. Both fighters have the takedown defense to keep this fight standing, and this is most likely what will happen. It then turns into the speed of Dariush against the pressure of Magomedov. Dariush looked outstanding against James Vick in his last fight, while Magomedov is undefeated in four UFC fights. Both fighters will face a step up in competition from their last fight, and it really is a toss up. Magomedov has a small advantage in that he should control the octagon and pace, and for that reason, he will edge out the victory.

Rashid Magomedov via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

While it is true that Rashid “Goretz” Magomedov will push the fight forward, Beneil Dariush is too quick and too good defensively. This is going to be a very close fight, and if Magomedov does end up the victor, it would be far from surprising. However, I’m inclined to give a slight edge to Dariush due to his defensive presence. He also has a slight reach advantage, which can, in very close fights, create a mismatch.

Beneil Dariush via Unanimous Decision

 

Martin Bravo vs Claudio Puelles

Justin's Pick

These two fighters are trying to win The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. They both displayed promise on the show, but this will be a whole new story, as they get time to prepare for the fight. They are very evenly matched, and this fight is anyone’s game. I’ll give a slight edge to Puelles, although neither man stands out much more than the other to me.

Claudio Puelles via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

As Justin indicated, this fight is going to be very close. Both fighters are attempting to win this season’s The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America, making this fight a lifechanging experience. The fighter better equipped to handle the flashing lights and loud crowd is going to step away with the victory. Unfortunately, that fighter is not yet known. Due to his slightly height advantage, Claudio “El Nino” Puelles gets a very small amount of leverage over Martin “El Toro” Bravo.

Claudio Puelles via Unanimous Decision

 

Ricardo Lamas vs Charles Oliveira

Justin’s Pick

Oliveira is an interesting fighter. He has lost two of his last three fights, but he was dominating Anthony Pettis until he got caught in a choke and he was forced to quit against Max Holloway because of an injury. Lamas has also lost two of his last three fights, but they were against two elite competitors. I expect Oliveira to bully Lamas to the ground where he has a much better chance to dominate the fight. Oliveira could look to grind out a win, but I expect him to be active in looking for a submission and finish Lamas late in the fight.

Charles Oliviera via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Ricardo “The Bully” Lamas may be ranked higher than Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira, but Oliveira is ever-so-slightly better in almost every fighting category. Both fighters are a little bit too wild for their own good, but Oliveira should have little issue taking Lamas to the ground. If the fight ends up on the ground, advantage Oliveria. He will work for a submission for three straight rounds. Even if the fight stays standing, Oliveria should walk away with the victory.

Charles Oliviera via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Diego Sanchez vs Marcin Held

Justin’s Pick

Unfortunately, Diego Sanchez’s career is nearly it’s end, while Marcin Held’s is just beginning. Held has tore through Bellator, losing to only Will Brooks in his last eight fights. Held has multiple ways to winning this fight, but Sanchez is one of the toughest fighters in the UFC to finish. Ultimately, Held’s ability to attempt multiple submissions will be the difference in this fight. He’ll be the first fighter to finish Sanchez with a submission in his career.

Marcin Held via Submission, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

It would be a mistake to not take Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez seriously, even if his career is indeed almost over. However, it would also be a mistake to think that he currently has the skill set to beat the up-and-coming Marcin Held. Held looked great while on Bellator, and he should continue to excel in the UFC. He is going to look for a submission victory, and he should eventually secure it. Sanchez always has knockout power, but it is unlikely that he walks away from this one with his arm raised.

Marcin Held via Submission, 3rd Round

 

Rafael Dos Anjos vs Tony Ferguson

Justin’s Pick

This is going to be a fun fight. Ferguson always puts on a show and Dos Anjos is no slouch himself. Both men are hungry for a title shot, although they may be waiting a while depending on the UFC’s plans. Dos Anjos has struggled against wrestlers in his career, but Ferguson isn’t known for his wrestling. He is active on his feet, though, and most importantly, unpredictable. I expect both of these fighters to look for a finish, and while Ferguson likely won’t be shooting for a takedown, he attempt multiple submissions each fight. This matchup is razor this, but Ferguson continues his winning ways on Saturday.

Tony Ferguson via TKO, 4th Round

 

Jason’s Pick

Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson did not look great in his last fight. At one point in time, it looked like he was about to lose to a kid making his UFC debut. Surprisingly, he gathered himself, slightly changed his gameplan, and came away with the victory. Regardless of his last fight, he is still one of the best currently competing in the octagon, as is Rafael Dos Anjos. Ferguson simply has more ways to win. Vegas thinks that Dos Anjos has the advantage, but both Justin and I are leaning toward Ferguson here. It should be an interesting fight either way.

Tony Ferguson via KO, 2nd Round