At UFC 281 Israel Adesanya will defend his UFC Middleweight belt against Alex Pereira. For those who don’t know, Pereira is the man that beat Adesanya not once, but twice in his professional kickboxing career. The last of the two ended in Israel being knocked out cold and was also his last Kickboxing fight, before switching to Mixed Martial Arts.
On Saturday night Adesanya will look to make his sixth title defence. Something only the elite and Hall of Fame of the UFC has a claim to. If he secures the win, Adesanya will also tie the record for most wins in Middleweight history alongside Anderson Silva.
Pereira has just 7 MMA fights but has risen through the UFC ranks with lightning speed. He’s knocked out six of his seven opponents and is the ONLY man to ever knockout Israel Adesanya. But will his devasting power be enough to dethrone the UFC #2 pound-for-pound and Middleweight king at UFC 281?
UFC 281 CSUK Picks
Middleweight Title: Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
This could be one of the biggest what if’s in MMA picking history. Much like when Conor Mcgregor fought Khabib… “What if Conor lands that left hand?”. On paper, Israel is by far the more decorated and experienced MMA fighter. But he’s not a wrestler by any means. He wins his fights on the feet and is an amazing counterpuncher. That does favour Alex Pereira though. The more time on the feet, the more time he has to land his godly power.
My prediction is, however, AND STILL! I think the champ will know the pressure he’s under but work Alex on the feet. Lots of fakes, feints and movements. I’m not sure he has it to finish Pereira because the man, just looks so damn tough. Surely ‘Izzy’ can’t turn the lights out on that big head?
Staff picking Adesanya: Jed Leon, Lewis Simpson, Jack Calder, Lewis Hart, Lewis Glover, Chris Thomas, Ella Earle, Shaun
Staff picking Pereira:
Women’s Strawweight Title: Carla Esparza vs Zhang Weili
Champion Carla’s last outing in the octagon wasn’t the most thrilling. But it won her the title against Rose Namajunas, and her second win against the former champ. The challenger Weili has also fought Namajunas twice but was on the losing side both times. Her last outing was against a former champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. She ended the fight via a spinning back fist KO in round two. Carla has an elite grappling game and Weili has an elite stand-up. This fight could really be the typical wrestler vs standup matchup. But who will come out on top?
I think for this fight we will see the champ have success. However. AND NEW! That is my prediction. As stated, I think Carla will have success in this matchup. After her lacklustre fight last time out I think she’ll look to add a bit more excitement and tempo from the get-go. Zhang will have to defend takedowns and be ready in clinch exchanges early from rounds 1 to 2. Being the fighter she is I think Weili will eventually turn the tables, and figure out Carla’s timing, eventually hurting her on the feet for a round 4 stoppage.
Staff picking Esparza:
Staff picking Weili: Jed Leon, Ella Earle, Jack Calder, Shaun, Lewis Hart, Chris Thomas, Lewis Glover, Lewis Simpson
Lightweight Bout: Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler
Wow. Could this matchup be any more perfect? When Chandler signed with the UFC this is the fight I wanted most. I think these men are so ridiculously well-matched. Both can knock you out. Both can grapple. Both are explosive. Both can go to war. Dustin coming off a loss to former champ Charles Oliviera at the end of 2021, whilst Chandler (who also lost to Oliviera in 2021) is coming off a ridiculous knockout win over former Interim title holder Tony Ferguson.
I really think if these two men fought 100 times they’d have won 50 fights each. For me, this fight is down to who shows up hungrier on fight night. Who wants it more on that specific day.
My pick is Michael Chandler. I think he wants it more. Slightly. He’s almost tasted gold once, he came so close! Dustin has challenged for it twice. He’s made his money with the Conor trilogy fights. Does he have much else to prove? Chandler via a super close decision. I just wish this fight was five rounds.
Staff picking Poirier: Lewis Simpson, Jack Calder, Shaun, Ella Earle, Lewis Hart, Chris Thomas,
Staff picking Chandler: Jed Leon, Lewis Glover,
Bantamweight Bout: Frankie Edgar vs Chris Gutierrez
This Saturday at UFC 281, it will be Frankie Edgar’s last walk to the octagon. A sad time for us fight fans but the former Lightweight champ deserves his retirement. Frankie has fought a whos who of the Lightweight, Featherweight and now Bantamweight divisions. But now on the end of back-to-back KO losses can Frankie hang with the divisions up and coming?
Edgard’s final dance partner will be Chris Gutierrez, a Bantamweight undefeated in his last 7 octagon appearances. His last appearance saw him win via KO and earn a Performance of the Night bonus. Chris’ resume is lightyears away from what Frankie has achieved, but he has proven he can fight anywhere, and to rack up 6 wins in this stacked division, proves he’s someone to not take lightly.
My heart wants to say, Frankie. He’s fighting at the MSG, close to his home in his last UFC fight ever. Can he get it done? I think so! I think his constant movement, solid standup and grappling credentials will work in his favour over three rounds. I have the legend winning his last fight via unanimous decision.
Staff picking Edgar: Jed Leon, Jack Calder, Lewis Hart,
Staff picking Gutierrez: Lewis Simpson, Ella Earle, Chris Thomas, Lewis Glover, Shaun
Lightweight Bout: Dan Hooker vs Claudio Puelles
It’s safe to say Dan Hookers’ latest string of fights hasn’t been his best. He’s lost 4 of his last 5. But when you break down his last three Lightweight opponents, you have Islam Makhachev, the current champ. Dustin Poirier a former title challenger and Michael Chandler, another title challenger. It doesn’t get much harder than that!
Peruvian fighter Claudio Puelles has been working his way up the Lightweight division. Since losing his UFC debut he has won his last five in a row. Three of those, including the last two back-to-back wins have been via kneebar. So it’s safe to say he’ll probably look for a way to get Dan, a great stand-up fighter, to the mat.
Claudio has more ways of finishing this fight in my opinion, due to his great submission game. But can he grab Dan and get him there? He’ll certainly try! I think in this fight we’ll see a scrappy start. Claudio will want that takedown early when Dan is dry and not sweaty and on the contrary, Dan will do everything he can to stay standing whilst he’s not sweaty. After a shakey first round, I am going to pick Dan Hooker to take care of business. Winning big on the feet once Puelles cannot get the fight where he wants it. Round 3 TKO for the Kiwi, Dan Hooker.
Staff picking Hooker: Jed Leon, Shaun, Lewis Simpson, Jack Calder, Chris Thomas, Lewis Glover
Staff picking Puelles: Ella Earle, Lewis Hart,
What do you think of our UFC 281 picks? Who do you think will get the most right?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
