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 202. 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: 19-10

Jason's Record: 18-11

Without anymore waiting, here are our picks and analysis for the main card at UFC 202.

 

Tim Means vs Sabah Homasi

Justin’s Pick 

The main card starts off with a few cut and dry matchups. Sabah Homasi will be making his UFC debut on short notice. He has displayed good power throughout his career, but he hasn’t ever fought anyone as good as Tim Means. Means has a 5-2 record in the UFC, and he has 17 career knockouts. He has been fighting at a much higher level of competition than Homasi, and he has more ways to win this fight. Homasi certainly has a puncher’s chance, but Means is the better fighter, and he should have too many problems throughout this fight.

Tim Means via TKO, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick

It would be unwise to consider Sabah “The Problem” Homasi a favorite against Tim “The Dirty Bird” Means. Means will likely handle this fight fairly easily. As Justin mentioned, this is Homasi’s UFC debut, and it is on short notice. It is respectable that Homasi picked up the fight, but he is going to lose. This one is rather straightforward. It would be extremely surprising to see Means not finish within the distance.

Tim Means via TKO, 1st Round

 

Hyun Gyu Lim vs Mike Perry

Justin’s Pick

Hyun Gyu Lim is in the same boat as Tim Means this weekend. Mike Perry is an undefeated powerhouse who will be making his UFC debut. He has finished each of his six fights via KO or TKO within the first 10 minutes of the fight. Lim is another powerful fighter, as he has ended 10 of his 13 career wins with a KO or TKO. He has fought much tougher competition than Perry, and that experience will make all of the difference this weekend. Similarly to Homasi, Perry will have a puncher’s chance, but Lim should be able to get back on the winning track at UFC 202.

Hyun Gyu Lim via TKO, 1st Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is boring, but Justin is correct again. Hyun Gyu “The Ace” Lim is going to defeat Mike “Platinum” Perry without too many issues. Perry is extremely dangerous, but he is making his UFC debut, and Lim’s experience gives him a huge advantage. It will be interesting to see what fight Perry takes next, but as for UFC 202, he is going to walk out of the octagon without his hand raised. Lim will advance to 14-5-1.

Hyun Gyu Lim via TKO, 1st Round

 

Rick Story vs Donald Cerrone

Justin’s Pick

This is one of the most difficult fights to pick on a card that has a lot of close matchups. Cerrone is now fighting at 170 lbs, which will help his already good cardio, as he doesn’t have to cut much weight. With that being said, he’ll give up a bit of strength to Rick Story, who loves grinding out his opponents. Cerrone will have the advantage if he can keep his distance, but that is much easier said than done. Story’s way to victory is by out-grappling Cerrone and landing takedowns to score points. Cerrone has good takedown defense, though, and it’s more likely that he can keep his range while landing strikes in the clinch every now and then on his way to the decision victory.

Donald Cerrone via Unanimous Decision

 

Jason’s Pick

There is definitely a disagreement in regards to this fight. Rick “The Horror” Story is ranked number nine for a reason. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone is definitely one of the best fighters in the UFC, but Story has the edge. He is the bigger and stronger of the two opponents, and he has great defense while on his feet. It is going to be difficult for Cerrone to take advantage while standing, and Story should be able to secure a takedown or two just based on his raw power. He will grind out the decision victory this weekend.

Rick Story via Unanimous Decision

 

Anthony Johnson vs Glover Teixeira

Justin’s Pick

Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixeira are two of the hottest fighters in the UFC right now. Johnson’s only recent loss was against current light-heavyweight champion, Daniel Cormier, while Teixeira has won three straight fights. Both men have power in their strikes, especially Johnson, who has become known for his knockouts. He should be able to stuff Teixeira’s takedown attempts before landing a big shot and solidifying another shot for the title.

Anthony Johnson via TKO, 2nd Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This is definitely an interesting fight, but Anthony “Rumble” Johnson has the edge against Glover Teixeira. He has great takedown defense, and Teixeira is going to want to see this fight get to the ground. Johnson is not going to allow that to happen. With precision striking and great stand-up defense, the number one ranked light-heavyweight in the world will edge out the victory, likely before the judge’s get a chance to pick the winner.

Anthony Johnson via TKO, 3rd Round

 

Nate Diaz vs Conor McGregor

Justin’s Pick

It’s confusing as to why these two are fighting their rematch at 170 lbs rather than 155 lbs because they both have a full training camp. My head says that Diaz is going to eat a bunch of shots once again before landing a big shot on McGregor and pulling out another submission victory. My heart, on the other hand, is saying that McGregor will learn to utilize his cardio better before scoring a late TKO of Diaz. It’s tough to go against someone as fixated as McGregor is on winning this fight, and I’m siding with my heart.

Conor McGregor via TKO, 4th Round

 

Jason’s Pick

This fight is horrible to pick. My heart says Conor “The Notorious” McGregor, but my brain says Nate Diaz. Diaz has one of the best chins in UFC history, so it’ll be difficult for McGregor to end this fight via KO or TKO. Fighting at 170 pounds, it’ll also be difficult for McGregor to defend Diaz if the fight does end up on the ground. Diaz is the favorite via Vegas, and there is a reason for that. McGregor obviously has a chance to win, but it is going to be very difficult.

Nate Diaz via Submission, 3rd Round