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 99. 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: 53-25

Jason's Record: 43-35

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at Fight Night 99.

 

Artem Lobov vs Teruto Ishihara

 

Justin’s Pick 

This fight is fairly simple to analyze. Both fighters love to stand and throw haymakers in an attempt to end the fight as soon as it starts. Ishihara is the more active and accurate striker. He also comes into this fight with better defense. Lobov has fight changing power, but so does Ishihara, and it’s much more likely the latter lands the punch to end this fight. As long as Ishihara avoids the one big punch from Lobov, he should have no problems winning this fight.

Teruto Ishihara via TKO, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is going to be an exciting way to start the main card. Teruto “Yashabo” Ishihara is a great striker, but Artem “The Russian Hammer” Lobov has tremendous knockout power. Ishihara definitely has better defense, and he throws punches more effectively. Due to that, he gets the advantage. This fight could realistically go either way, but Ishihara is more likely to walk away with the win.

Teruto Ishihara via TKO, 1st Round

 

 

Timothy Johnson vs Alexander Volkov

Justin’s Pick

This fight is razor thin. Johnson has found some success in the UFC, while Volkov will be making his debut this weekend. Both fighters have knockout power with sneaky submissions. Johnson will likely be looking to take this fight to the ground, while Volkov would like to keep it standing. Volkov is an extremely efficient striker with good takedown defense. He will likely keep this fight standing long enough to pick apart Johnson on his way to his first UFC victory.

Alexander Volkov via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

It is just too difficult to go against the mustache that Timothy Johnson is sporting. He has the defense while on his feet to keep this fight very interesting. Alexander “Drago” Volkov will be looking to end him early, but it will not be easy. Johnson is not very accurate with his strikes, but he only needs one or two to land. In one of the closest fights on the card, Johnson will walk away victorious.

Timothy Johnson via KO, 3rd Round

 

Ross Pearson vs Stevie Ray

 

Justin’s Pick

Pearson seems to be ending his career with four losses in his last six fights, but he always puts on a show. Ray is on the other side of the spectrum, as he’s a young fighter with a 3-1 record in the UFC. He lost his last fight to Alan Patrick, who has much better wrestling credentials than Pearson. This fight will likely stay standing, which will play into the strengths of both fighters, but Ray specifically. This will be a back and forth fight throughout, but Ray should be able to pick up a late finish with his power.

Stevie Ray via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This could be Ross “The Real Deal’ Pearson’s last fight. He has been struggling in his last couple of bouts, and Stevie “Braveheart” Ray will look to take advantage of that. Both fighters have solid stand-up defense, but Ray is slightly better. Ross throws more punches, but Ray is more effective, which will help him down the stretch, as Pearson tires. Pearson always has knockout potential, but it is more likely that he winds up on the losing side of this contest.

Stevie Ray via Unanimous Decision

 

Gegard Mousasi vs Uriah Hall

 

Justin’s Pick

Mousasi and Hall will meet in the main event this weekend. Hall delivered a vicious knockout to Mousasi in their first matchup, but that was more of a fluke than the expected outcome. Mousasi is a significantly more well-rounded fighter, but Hall has fight changing speed and power. He could land another flash knockout, but Mousasi should be able to wear him down before finishing the fight in the later rounds.

Gegard Mousasi via Submission, 4th Round

 

Jason’s Pick

No disrespect to Uriah Hall, but his last win against Gegard Mousasi was luck. Mousasi is the better fighter. Of course, Hall has knockout power and a chance to finish the fight early, but it is likely not going to happen twice. Mousasi should be able to wear him down early, which will allow him to control Hall in the later rounds. The longer this fight goes, the more likely Mousasi is to pick up the victory.

Gegard Mousasi via Unanimous Decision