UFC 170 LowKick Staff Predictions

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports

Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann:

Mike Drahota: This fight has surprisingly taken a backseat to the hype and buildup of the night’s co-main event between Daniel Cormier and feel-good story Patrick Cummins. While the UFC may be correct in assuming that Rousey will bring in numbers without much push, they may be far from wise in forgoing promotion of their biggest current star to promote “Durkin.”

Regardless, this is the first time we’ve ever seen two Olympic medalists square off in the octagon, and that makes McMann Rousey’s toughest test yet. We haven’t seen Rousey put at a disadvantage much, and that’s exactly what I think McMann has to do to win this fight. She’s been competing at a high level for many years, so I don’t think the pressure will get to her. It’s actually much more on Rousey’s shoulders, and with Hollywood calling, this could be the last time we see “Rowdy” in the cage for quite awhile. That said, I’m picking McMann to shock the world with a unanimous decision win.

Rory Kernaghan: Ronda Rousey has the best judo in WMMA today, and I’d dare say she would best any man in a pure Judo match.  McMann is a great fighter and grappler, but I don’t feel she quite has what it takes to beat Rousey. On a bad day, ‘Rowdy’ can take care of business; on a good day she will tear you apart. I don’t actually see this fight ending by armbar, I expect a drawn-out beating to end in a fourth round TKO win for current champ Rousey.

Brian Cox: Ronda Rousey is a brilliant fighter. However, she is only defined by her ground game. At every turn and corner (no pun intended), she proactively or reactively assumes control of her opponents to get the armbar. Sara McMann is a brilliant fighter, too. McMann’s takedown, like Rousey’s, is formidable and swift; her punishment akin to a ground and pound version of the champ’s unstoppable armbar. If McMann comes out and boxes Rousey at range, she might win; I’d set her odds of success as reasonably high. However, if the bout turns into a ground fight, I give McMann a significantly smaller chance for victory. As Rousey is always looking for the clinch, I’ll be shocked if McMann can hold her off. I think McMann will forgo the opportunity her talents provide her and look to wrestle and clinch with Rousey, subsequently paying the ultimate price. For those reasons, I’m picking the champ. Winner by way of armbar in the third round, Ronda Rousey.

Buster Evans: This battle of two Olympians has me intrigued. Rousey has never faced anybody close to having the wrestling credentials that McMann has, but the challenger has also never faced a Judoka on the level of “Rowdy”. McMann’s best chance of winning is to get the champ pressed up against the cage and outwork her, but that’s going to be a hard thing to do against Rousey, who is excellent at reversing her opponents takedown attempts. I also can’t see Rousey being able to take McMann down with her dominant base, which makes me think this fight will take place on the feet. I feel like Rousey has the edge here. Expect McMann to try to control Rousey against the cage and look for “Rowdy” to attack on the break.  I think history will be made tomorrow night, as Rousey earns her first decision win. Rousey via split decision.

Daniel Cormier vs. Patrick Cummins:

Mike Drahota: The UFC is certainly trying to hype this glorified squash match as a legitimate fight, but it’s just not. Let’s hope Patrick Cummins has had a fun week, because he’s about to fade back into obscurity. Daniel Cormier via round one TKO. Don’t worry; Brian Cox will be receiving a post-fight drug test. I might even need one for my McMann pick; we’ll see.

Rory Kernaghan: Daniel Cormier vs. Pat Cummins is a pure squash match, and I would give ‘Durkin’ little more than a puncher’s chance. The former Strikeforce Heavyweight GP champ will make mincemeat of Cummins, in my opinion, and will get the early finish in his light heavyweight debut. Look for big takedowns from “DC” en route to an early TKO.

Brian Cox: Cormier vs. Cummins, wow, who saw this one coming? On paper, this fight is apt to be a one-sided affair. Yes, Cummins is big, athletic, and hails from a solid wrestling background, but let’s be real here, he’s never been in an MMA fight with an opponent of Cormier’s caliber. Cummins has the burden of dealing with a now very ticked off Cormier. DC wants to genuinely put a beating on this guy. In short, this fight has become very personal to DC and I dread to think of the beast he’s likely to be when that cage door closes on Saturday night.

As for Cummins, his biggest assets coming into this fight are his confidence and fate. To have the MMA heavens open up for him, all he need do is win. That’s it, and suddenly he’s gone from coffee shop nobody to the new big name in the 205-pound division and becomes ‘the man’ that stole Cormier’s wind. If he wins, it’s likely the story of the year. As I like great stories and particularly ones with an underdog at their center, I am picking Cummins to shock the world and defeat Cormier; winner by way of fate and three rounds of effort, Patrick Cummins; unanimous decision.

Buster Evans: Patrick Cummins will face an enormous challenge tomorrow night as he attempts to derail Daniel Cormier in “DC’s” pursuit of a light heavyweight title shot. Cummins is a huge underdog, and rightly so, the two-time All-American will be making his UFC debut against one of the best athletes in the game. Cormier has Cummins outclassed in almost every aspect of MMA, but I think Cummins’ confidence will play a big part in this fight. I predict that he will be Cormier’s toughest test inside the Octagon to date. Cormier will control Cummins to take a decision win, but it will be far from easy. Cormier via unanimous decision.