UFC Fight Night 120: Poirier vs Pettis (Preview & Predictions)
UFC Fight Night 120 is here and sure to be a hit of the 2017 calendar year.
Two of the world’s best Lightweights do battle inside the Octagon in the evening’s headliner, as former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis, takes on perennial contender, Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier.
Furthermore, the card also features former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Andrei Arlovski, in what may likely be his last dance in the promotion should he lose to Junior Albini. Besides, 155-pound veterans Joe Lauzon and Clay Guida start off this card in Norfolk, Virginia.
Additionally, in what’s being promoted as a potential ‘Retirement Match’, Matt Brown and Diego Sanchez go to war in the co-main event of the evening. So, without further ado, here are the predictions and preview for UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs Pettis—
Indian fans can watch UFC Fight Night 120 on November 12th, Sunday 8:30 am Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN SD & SONY ESPN HD
Main Card
#1 Dustin Poirier vs Anthony Pettis
Pettis looks to regain the UFC Lightweight crown, with a win over Poirier
Dustin Poirier is one of the most powerful offensive fighters in the UFC’s Lightweight division today.
However, the same appreciation cannot be warranted to his defence—striking defence to be specific. He leaves himself open while exchanging in the pocket, and has paid a huge price for it against fellow KO artists such as Conor McGregor and Michael Johnson.
While Poirier and his opponent, Anthony Pettis, both possess an excellent BJJ game—with the former holding a slight advantage in the wrestling department over Pettis—when it comes to technique in the standup, ‘Showtime’ wins this hands down. Expect Pettis to come out loose and counter Poirier, when the latter plants his feet to exchange.
Chances are that Pettis makes a statement with a huge knockout victory, however, given the fact that he may be a bit gun-shy in the early going, a decision win would be a safer bet.
Prediction: Anthony Pettis def. Dustin Poirier via Decision
#2 Matt Brown vs Diego Sanchez
Both Brown and Sanchez are winding down their careers, with the former publicly stating his intentions of hanging up the gloves after this bout.
Regardless, this fight would’ve been PPV quality back in the day, but has come to fruition later than desirable, so to speak. Both fighters have taken insane amounts of damage over the course of their respective careers.
Speaking of which, Brown seems to be the fresher of the two, besides also boasting better standup skills. Expect the Immortal one to knock the living daylights out of Sanchez… don’t blink!
Prediction: Matt Brown def. Diego Sanchez via KO
#3 Junior Albini vs Andrei Arlovski
Speaking of not blinking, here’s another fight which could be over a few seconds in.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski has severely regressed over the years, owing to the wear and tear that is typical in the sport. Although Junior Albini can spark out Arlovski’s chin at any given moment, the crafty veteran does carry that otherworldly KO power in his right hand.
For old times’ sake, here’s hoping Arlovski’s trademark right uppercut connects.
Prediction: Andrei Arlovski def. Junior Albini via KO