Fighter vs Writer - UFC Fight Night 27 - Poirier vs Heather

Fighter vs Writer: Dustin Poirier - UFC Fight Night 27
by Ben Heather @benheather

Welcome to another Kingdom MMA fighter vs writer challenge.


For this challenge we challenge some of the biggest names from the world of MMA to give us their picks and fight outcomes for specific MMA events. Then they will be challenged by one of our writers, who will make their own predictions. Previously we have challenged the likes of Luke Barnatt, Jim Alers, Mike Wilkison, Phil Harris and Cathal Pendred. Last time out at UFC Fight Night 26, Cathal Pendred was defeated by Chris, which still leaves Jim Alers as the only fighter to beat one of our Kingdom MMA writers.

This weeks opponent needs no introduction. He is one of the biggest names in the Featherweight division and is currently ranked #6 in the UFC official rankings. He is also the star of the movie Fightville and holds impressive victories over Jonathan Brookings, Max Holloway and many more. He is of course Dustin Poirier and you can see him return to the Octagon on Saturday night against Erik Koch at UFC 164.

The Scoring
If you predict the correct winner of the fight you will get one point and if you predict the correct method of victory you will get an extra point. However, if the fight ends in a stoppage and you predict the round as well the method you could earn a third bonus point. If the fight goes the distance you can only earn a maximum of two points.

The Predictions
(Note: The fight card wasn't finalised when we spoke to Dustin so we will only be picking 5/6 main card fights)

Carlos Condit vs Martin Kampmann

Dustin's Prediction: Carlos Condit - Decision 

Heather: This is a big fight for both guys, a win could push both guys very close to getting the next title shot, however a loss could seriously damage that dream. I have to pick Condit here, I can't see a way which Condit loses. Yes he has lost his last two but against the champion and challenger for the belt. I think that's still respectable. That will be pushing Carlos to get back in the win column and he will come Saturday night.

Prediction: Carlos Condit - TKO Round 3

Donald Cerrone vs Rafael Dos Anjos

Dustin's Prediction: Donald Cerrone - TKO

Heather: Cerrone for me is in a similar group to Urijah Faber, he will beat almost anyone in the division other than the very elite guys and even then (Other than the Pettis fight) he will put up a bloody good fight. In my opinion he is also one of the most exciting fighters to watch. He always comes to fight and rarely disappoints the fans.

On the other hand Dos Anjos has improved so much over the past couple of years after starting his UFC career 4-4 he has gone on a 4 fight win streak and a win on Wednesday would certainly be the biggest of his career. Unfortunately for Rafael I don't see it happening and I see him being finished within the distance. I think Cerrone will be able to beat him a number of ways but I am picking a third round submission for this.

Prediction: Donald Cerrone - Sub Round 3

Kelvin Gastelum vs Brian Melancon

Dustin's Prediction: Brian Melancon - TKO 

Heather: As one of the few guys who predicted that Kelvin would defeat Uriah Hall in his last fight I am not going to pick against him today. Gastelum has a decent skill set and now with the drop down to welterweight he won't be one of the smaller guys.

Melancon has taken this fight on short notice after a very impressive debut in the octagon. That fight proved an upset as he defeated Seth Baczynski on the buzzer at the end of the first round and another win on Wednesday night would be just as big of an upset.

I think Gastelum will be able to grind out an early onslaught from Melancon but then control the fight to pick up a decision victory.

Prediction: Kelvin Gastelum - Decision

Court McGee vs Robert Whittaker

Dustin's Prediction: Court McGee - Decision 

Heather: Whittaker impressed me in the TUF Smashes and was definitely one of a couple of good fighters to come out of the house. At the same time in his last fight against Colton Smith I didn't expect to see the improvements I did and thought he would lose..... how wrong was I!! After that performance I am now expecting to see big things in this fight.

McGee on paper has faced greater competition than Whittaker and in his last fight looked very impressive in the first round before he looked like he was gassed and then just did enough to win the decision when really he should have finished the fight.

Against Whittaker he will not be given the ability to cruise and I think Whittaker will have enough to come away with the win in equally impressive style to his last fight.

Prediction: Robert Whittaker - TKO Round 1

Brad Tavares vs Robert McDaniel

Dustin's Prediction: Brad Tavares  - TKO

Heather: This is simple for me.... If Jon Jones wasn't his coach on TUF Bubba would not have been given a second chance and we wouldn't even have this fight. I really do not understand why this fight has even been made. Tavares has fought and beat a lot better fighters than McDaniel and I can see him cruising to another win come fight night.

Hopefully we will now see Tavares matched up with a big name fighter as he works towards the top 10 in the division. He certainly deserves a better opponent than Bubba McDaniels.

Prediction: Brad Tavares - TKO Round 2


So that's our predictions for the fights, we will be live tweeting on Wednesday night as always and we will keep you all informed as to how the challenge is going with latest scores throughout the main card.

Thanks again to Dustin for providing us with his picks for this weekends fights and it just leaves me to say.... May the best man win!!

UFC Fight Night 27 Main Card Predictions

Kingdom MMA: UFC Fight Night 27 Main Card Predictions

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b and Chris Houten @mrhouts

On Wednesday night we get our first instalment of school night fights as Fox Sports 1 launches the first midweek Fight Night. Can this card follow on in the footsteps of UFC Fight Night 26 Shogun vs Sonnen? That card drew brilliant numbers with a stacked card. Can this pull in something similar, if it does it will be a massive success!!

This card is full of some very close fights but below you can find the predictions for what some of the guys at Kingdom MMA expect to happen on Wednesday night.

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann

Jack: The first fight was brilliant to watch and I can't see this being any different. Two of the most exciting fighters in the UFC and they will show up for war again. Condit is brilliant everywhere and will get back into the winning column here.

Prediction: Condit by KO Round 3

Chris: Whoa the bookmakers have got it completely wrong on this one, to have Condit 4/9 favourite over Kampmann at 7/4 is crazy. Don't get me wrong, I do think Condit is the favourite here but these odds are ridiculous for such a pick'em fight.

Prediction wise I'm going Condit, I think he has what it takes to edge out a decsion in this one, revenging his loss to Kampmann, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't gonna throw a couple of quid on Kampmann as he could very well win this fight.

Prediction: Condit by Decision

Donald Cerrone vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Jack: This is great matchmaking and a very good fight. Cerrone is like Jim Miller in a lot of ways. He can look like a complete killer against everyone but the top 2/ 3 guys. Dos Anjos although solid enough isn't a top three guy. Cerrone will kickbox his way to a decision here.

Prediction: Cerrone by Decision

Chris: Is it me or is Dos Anjos one of the most improved fighters over the last year, his wrestling level has really stepped up a notch!

Dos Anjos is on pretty impressive win streak but unfortunately for him, I believe it ends here. Cerrone's stand up is leaps and bounds ahead of Dos Anjos and I don't really see him struggling to defend any takedowns Dos Anjos brings. I expect Cerrone to take this one by Unanimous Decision.

Prediction: Cerrone by Unanimous Decision

Kelvin Gastelum vs Brian Melancon

Jack: Gastelum makes his welterweight debut against a durable opponent who probably isn't in the same class as him. Gastelum will get the flashy finish the UFC wanted Uriah Hall to get.

Prediction: Gastelum by Sub Round 1

Chris: Is Gastelum vs Melancon really main card worthy - just saying! Anyway realistically this fights a pick 'em with both men being on a similar level. I was impressed with Melancon TKO in his debut over Bacznski and equally I was impressed with Gastelum's will to win thoughout the TUF series.

I'm interest to see how Gastelum looks at 170 (although I would have been more interested in seeing Elkins vs Hioki in this fights place if I'm honest), he might not be the same fighter at the smaller weight, but based on personality, I can't see any reason 'The Little Engine that Could' can't find a way to win.

Prediction: Gastelum

Court McGee vs Robert Whittaker

Jack: Another very tough fight to call. I can see this being a standup fight so who has the best hands. You would have to say Whittaker. McGee could get desperate and look for a takedown. Whittaker has a lot of power and McGee will have to be wary of that. Whittaker will show he is a level above McGee in the battle of TUF winners.

Prediction: Whittaker by KO Round 2

Chris: I'll just start by saying how much I hate Whittaker dislike for Brits - I really felt like he and Alloway had something personal against us, and follow it up by saying DAMN was I impressed with his performance against Smith to the point where I don't even care!

I like Whittaker to take care of business. His jab looked on point against Smith and if he can do the same against McGree I really can't see a way to victory for McGee

Prediction: Whittaker

Takeya Mizugaki vs Erik Perez

Jack: This is a solid matchup that will really test Perez's credentials. I think he could potentially go all the way and this is a great learning fight for him as Mizugaki won't just fold. Perez will have to be on his A game to get rid of Mizugaki but I think he has what it takes.

Prediction: Perez by KO Round 2

Chris: Takeya Mizugaki comes in to this fight on a two fight win streak (his biggest win streak since joining Zuffa in 2009) with wins over Jeff Hougland, and Bryan Caraway - yes the infamous 'you have got this fight, coast Brian' fight. His opponent Perez is on an absolute tear finishing fools all over the place, and I expect him to do this same in this.

Mizugaki is a game little fighter, with a higher level of experience going into the fight and in fairness to him he is pretty decent, not an honorable mention for a top ten ranking like sherdog seem to think but still pretty decent, but Perez is looking like a future star for me - plus we all know that Japanese don't travel well.

Prediction: Perez

Robert McDaniel vs Brad Tavares

Jack: I will keep this one short and sweet. Bubba is a complete choker. Tavares is on a tear and the UFC want him to look good. Tavares will dominate from the first bell.

Prediction: Tavares by TKO Round 2

Chris: If I'm honest, I can't say I'm that keen on this fight, mainly because I don't feel McDaniel is ready for, or even deserves this fight. Tavares is a serious guy, he is 5-1 in the UFC with comfortable wins over tricky competitors in Baczynski, Fukuda and Watson.

Sure McDaniel showed moments in the TUF series that he has some skills, but I can't see him getting anything here - I see Tavares dominating this fight from start to finish and really wouldn't be surprise if he was to finish McDaniel.

Prediction: Tavares by TKO

So that is what the guys at the site think will happen, stay tuned to the Kingdom MMA twitter account come fight night and we will live tweet all night to keep you all up to date.

Paulo Thiago injured, replaced by Brian Melancon at UFC Fight Night 27

Paulo Thiago injured and out of UFC Fight Night 27

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

Paulo Thiago has had to pull out of his welterweight fight with Kelvin Gastelum at Fight Night 27 due to a knee injury. This made the UFC have to rethink who was going to go up against the season 17 TUF champion. Gastelum won that series at Middleweight before dropping to welterweight and this will be his first welterweight appearance in the UFC.

At first Cage Warriors champion Cathal Pendred offered his services and tried to rally for support to get him in to the UFC to the ufc and to step in on short notice for this fight. Unfortunately for Cathal this did not get him anywhere. I am not sure how this act may have gone down with Cage Warriors management as its not the first time he has tried to get noticed by the UFC after he defeated Che Mills he publicly called to Dana White to get him in the UFC.

Later though it was announced that Brian Melancon will step up to the plate and try to make it two wins in two months for the UFC after knocking out Seth Baczynski in the first round at UFC 162. That fight was his debut in the UFC and he dominated the whole fight and could have rode out the last few seconds of round one but he decided to push the pace and in doing so knocked out Baczynski.

UFC announces more fights for UFC 166 and Fight Night 27

Latest fight announcements for UFC 166 and UFC Fight Night 27

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

Mike Rio vs Tony Ferguson has been added to UFC 166. Both men are in desperate need of a return to the win column. The TUF 13 winner Ferguson is coming off a loss to Michael Johnson and has taken time off to prepare for this fight.

Rio who is also a TUF veteran is coming off a big submission loss to Francisco Trinaldo.

It is certainly a fight both men can not afford to lose, I just hope they turn up to fight and not try and play it safe to get the win.

As well as that fight Jason High v James Head has also been added to UFC Fight Night-Condit v Kampmann 2. The bout fills up the nights card and the event is now complete. Head was originally scheduled to face Bobby Voelker but he was pulled to face Robbie Lawler for the upcoming card this week.

Both men are coming off losses. Jason High lost his UFC debit to Erik Silva at UFC on fuel 10. He had a  7 fight win streak snapped with that loss. Head meanwhile suffered a KO loss to Mike Pyle last December so is also returning from a little bit of a layoff.