UFC Fight Night 150 - Florida Breakdown & Predictions
When is UFC Fight Night 150? Sunday 28th April, 2019 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 150? BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida
What channel is UFC Fight Night 150 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 150? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
Are tickets still available for UFC Fight Night 150? http://uk.ufc.com/event-ticket-info?utm_source=ufc&utm_medium=tab&utm_campaign=tickets
Jacare Souza vs Jack Hermansson
Florida was set to host UFC on ESPN 3 but now it is scheduled to air on ESPN+ changing the event to UFC Fight Night 150. Yoel Romero was also originally scheduled to headline a rematch with Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza but after pulling out with pneumonia, Jack Hermansson has stepped up to the plate for the biggest fight of his career.
Hermansson is in red hot form with consecutive wins over Thales Leites, Gerald Meerschaert and David Branch and with little surprise to his fans, he finished all of these fights. After losing his two Bellator fights with a record of 5-2, the Swede racked up nine wins collecting the CWFC middleweight championship in the process.
He has only lost two of his nine UFC fights (Cezar Ferreira – submission, Thiago Santos - knockout) and now meets Jacare making the quick turnaround from his submission win over Branch in March.
Jacare is not bothered about who he fights as long as he gets a title shot with a win. He has even claimed that he will retire if he does not get his wish but now he fights Hermansson as opposed to Romero so nothing can be certain.
PREDICTION
Although Jacare has stumbled while on the cusp of a title shot with losses to the likes of Romero, Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum, he continues to prove age is just a number by evolving his game. We know he is one of the most deadly submission artists in MMA but he has put everyone on notice with devastating knockout wins over the likes of Vitor Belfort, Derek Brunson and most impressively – Chris Weidman in his last fight.
So, Hermansson knows that the Brazilian’s Jiu-Jitsu is not the only threat but that said, the Swede knows his best chance of winning will be to stick to his game and hunt the finish. His guillotine over the high-level black belt – Branch displayed his talents but Jacare is a different beast and he will look to keep the fight on the feet.
Jacare will still be confident on the feet and his experience will be crucial. The stand-up battle will be fascinating and Hermansson can easily cause the upset and find a knockout but if the submission wizard can cause enough damage, he can drag Hermansson into his waters and finish the fight.
Winner: Souza via Submission
Greg Hardy vs Dmitry Smolyakov
The controversial former NFL star – Greg Hardy did not do much to dilute his reputation in his UFC debut back in January. He took on Allen Crowder and looked frightening until he gassed out by the second round, and his lack of experience showed as he delivered an illegal knee while Crowder was grounded. It was a silly mistake as it was a thrilling fight and the first opportunity he had display his talents to the MMA world.
The UFC have handed him a Master of Sport in freestyle wrestling to test his calibre and cardio. Dmitry Smolyakov arrived to the UFC in 2016 with a record of 8-0 but felt the difference in competition as he got finished in his two UFC fights getting submitted by Luis Henrique and knocked out by Cyril Asker. However, the Russian came back to the sport after two years and submitted Evgeniy Bova for the Asian Challenge promotion and is looking to rejuvenate his career.
PREDICTION
We have a good idea of what to expect and that will be for Smolyakov to try and get his hands on Hardy to wear him out, while the former defensive end will bank on his raw explosiveness and power to put him to sleep out before he gets a chance.
Hardy is a freak athlete and despite his lack of experience he can put anybody away with his hands. However, if Smolyakov can weather the early storm and endure the first round, his supreme wrestling will be enough to drain Hardy and earn a decision.
Winner: Smolyakov via Decision
Alex Oliveira vs Mike Perry
Li Jingliang was originally scheduled to fight Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira but has had to pull out with an injury which has given Mike ‘Platinum’ Perry the opportunity to bounce back from his submission loss to Donald Cerrone.
Perry has lost three of his last four fights – losing decisions to Santiago Ponzinibbio and Max Griffin before edging a gruelling and violent battle with Paul Felder. Despite the form there is still a buzz of anticipation for this fight as fans know Perry will bring his aggressive and exciting style to the cage.
Oliveira is also coming off a brutal loss after Gunnar Nelson split him open like a coconut and submitted him with a rear naked choke. This broke up two great performances submitting Carlos Condit and knocking out Carlo Pedersoli Jr, and Oliveira is hoping to get back on track with another finish.
PREDICTION
Perry is a different opponent to Jingliang but Oliveira can expect just as tough a fight. They are both very aggressive but Perry has more threatening knockout power and will be less inclined to grapple.
‘Cowboy’ will have a clear grappling advantage and we can expect him to attempt the takedown to patiently work his way towards a submission. However, Perry has good takedown defence and is extremely dangerous in the clinch with nasty elbows.
Oliveria is just as dangerous on the feet and with a significant reach advantage he will back himself to get the better of ‘Platinum’ but if he takes any big shots he will look to get the fight to the floor and wrap up a submission.
Winner: Oliveira via Submission
Glover Teixeira vs Ion Cutelaba
This fight is back on after Ion Cutelaba pulled out of their January fight due to injury. Not wanting to miss out on a fight, Glover Teixeira took on the dangerous Karl Roberson on short notice and after nearly getting finished, he showed his warrior spirit by dragging himself back into the fight and submitting Roberson with a brilliant arm-triangle.
Dusting himself and getting back to business, the veteran is back focused on Cutelaba who will be grateful Teixeira is still interested in the fight. The Moldovan has a tremendous amount of potential but is yet to find his feet in the light heavyweight division. He is 3-2 in the UFC but is coming of his two best performances by knocking out Henrique da Silva and Gadzhimurad Antigulov.
PREDICTION
Cutelaba has all the skills to cause the upset through ferocious knockout power with high-level Sambo and Judo. However, Teixeira is a tough match-up for him as he is one of the most well-rounded fighters on the roster. He is a technically sound boxer and 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with a wealth of experience so Cutelaba will have to hold nothing back and search for a finish.
Their grappling skills are likely to cancel each other forcing a stand-up battle. Although Cutelaba has devastating power in his hands, Teixeira has the technique and durability to withstand the onslaught and find a finish of his own.
Winner: Teixeira via Submission
John Lineker vs Cory Sandhagen
John Lineker heads to Florida for his 16th UFC fight hunting down a title shot, and with only one loss in his last nine which was to the former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, he is not far off. He has some big wins on his record and is coming off a decision over Marlon Vera and a third-round knockout over Brian Kelleher. Considering Dillashaw unceremoniously relinquished his title and has been banned for two years after getting caught using EPO, an impressive win over Cory Sandhagen will put Lineker closer to a title shot.
However, Sandhagen is a force in the bantamweight division. He is only just emerging but he has all the potential to fight at championship-level in the near future. He is on a five-fight winning streak and stands at 5’11’’ providing an awkward match-up for anyone in the division.
PREDICTION
Sandhagen has the arm and leg reach advantage as well as a significant eight-inch height advantage which will be important in the grappling exchanges. However, even though Lineker is a former flyweight, he is one of the heaviest hitters in the bantamweight division with legitimate one-punch knockout power and will wait for any opening to land on the chin of Sandhagen.
This is by far the toughest test of Sandhagen’s career so far but he is extremely well-rounded and continues to improve at Elevation Fight team. He has finished all five of his recent wins but considering the experience and toughness of Lineker he will do well to earn a decision, but only if he can avoid the venomous knockout power.
Winner: Sandhagen via Decision
Roosevelt Roberts vs Thomas Gifford
Roosevelt Roberts has burst onto the lightweight scene and is looking to stretch his unbeaten record to eight as he takes on UFC debutant Thomas Gifford. Roberts emerged on Dana White’s Contender Series when he submitted Garrett Gross in the second round and continued his stellar performances on his UFC debut when he took on the experienced Darrell Horcher, making quicker work by submitting him in the first round.
Gifford is also a great finisher and with the same dimensions, this should be a great match-up. He is gaining momentum having only lost once in his last nine fights and is continuing to evolve his skill set by training at established camps.
PREDICTION
Roberts has looked exceptional so far and he will be extremely confident of notching another knockout or submission. However, he cannot take Gifford lightly, especially on the ground where he has earned 13 submissions of his own so can’t afford to be overconfident.
The stand-up battle will also be fascinating with both fighters capable of a knockout and this is likely to be where the fight is won. Whether by setting up a submission, a knockout or even a rare decision, whoever wins the stand-up battle is likely to earn the victory.
Winner: Roberts via Decision