UFC 180 – SportsJOE picks the winners so you don’t have to

It's week 1 of our staff battle to see who's more Dana White and who's more Dana of Eurovision fame. The lads have plumped for largely similar winners but their methods of victory and rounds could decide who's to be more trusted in SportsJOE towers.

Current record: Darragh "The Quizmaster" Murphy 0-0 "Bourbon" Ben Kiely 0-0  

Fabricio Werdum v Mark Hunt 

DM: Those who peg this as the classic striker vs grappler contest are doing Werdum's stand-up a disservice. While I'm not delusional enough, for one second, to think that Werdum can knock Hunt out, I think he can hold his own on the feet to keep the giant Kiwi guessing before taking him down. Hunt is not built for those grinding, energy-sapping fights and I think he'll get his neck caught at some stage. Werdum by RNC (Round 2).  BK: Hunt has that one-punch knockout power that means he can beat pretty much anyone on any given night. However, I think Werdum is too much of an intelligent fighter to lose control of this fight and get clipped with a big haymaker. The Brazillian has improved his stand-up game so much and that should give him a good basis to get the takedown and work for a submission. Werdum by submission. (Round 3)  

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Jake Ellenberger 

DM: All logic and form-following would lead any rational person to opt for Gastelum in this contest. Well I refuse to be a rational person then. Ellenberger is coming off a two-fight losing skid but, let's have a bit of perspective, they did come against the top two at 170lb without a belt in Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald. I also think this is too big a step-up in competition for the undefeated TUF 17 vet. Plus Gastelum will have all the pressure of the Mexican crowd on him and I reckon he's too young to deal with that. Ellenberger by decision. 

BK: Expect Ellenberger to come out all guns blazing. If Gastelum can withstand the early barrage from the heavy-hitter he should take home the decision. Due to his Mexican heritage, Mini-Cain will also have the advantage of having the crowd behind him. The fact that these people have been starved of live UFC action since the promotion's inception means they could be a vociferous bunch and therefore influence the outcome of some of these fights. Gastelum by decision

Ricardo Lamas vs. Dennis Bermudez

DM: Let the winning streak roll. Dennis Bermudez hasn't lost in seven fights which is the third longest among active UFC fighters. He moves like water on the ground and I do fancy him to snatch hold of a guillotine and Lamas will be tapping. Bermudez by guillotine (Round 2).

BK: I'm torn between these two fighters. On the one hand you've got a very intelligent fighter in Ricardo Lamas who knows how to win fights. Anyone who holds a win over Cub Swanson has to considered dangerous. However, Bermudez has been consistently improving since his promotional debut to Diego Brandao. He has evolved so much and has added so many different strings to his bow which is shown by his seven-fight win streak. Dare I say this kid has a touch of the T.J. Dillashaws about him? I think his superior speed and conditioning is going to give him the edge in this bout. Bermudez by decision

[caption id="attachment_2101" align="alignnone" width="400"] Dennis Bermudez[/caption]

Chris Heatherly vs. Augusto Montano

DM: I'm not going to front. I know too little about either guy to risk pronouncing either name. But I will make a way-too-confident pick for Montano. His record is legit at 13-1 with 8 KO's and 5 submissions so the gent is a finisher. Heatherly is the victim of the famous Saunders omoplata so I'm going to give Montano the nod. Montano by KO (Round 1). 

BK: Eh, who? I've got to be honest, I'm not too familiar with either fighter. I'm going to assume the UFC aren't going to put a Mexican fighter in a bout on the main card, unless they expect him to get the victory. Given Heatherly's susceptibility to being submitted, I've got to give this one to the hometown fighter. Montano by submission (Round 2)

Edgar Garcia vs. Hector Urbina

DM: This fight is not so good for the main card of a pay-per-view. It's a little bit of a case of picking the less bad fighter. And the less bad, on the precipice of good fighter is Edgar Garcia. It's likely going to be a torturous affair but, being a perpetual optimist, I'll go for an exciting second round submission. Garcia by submission (Round 2).

BK: Damn it! I can't use the nationality card for this one. I'm going to go with Garcia for this one because he's vastly more experienced and Urbina didn't really turn any heads during his stint on TUF. Garcia by decision