UFC 260 takes place from the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event features a rematch of their 2018 tilt: Stipe Miocic versus Francis Ngannou. This main card has plenty of interesting fights on it, and I can’t wait to break it down for yall.
Just throwing it out there, but I went 4-1 in my UFC 259 preview, so let’s keep the ball rolling!
UFC 260 Opening Fight: Jamie Mullarky x Khama Worthy (Lightweight)
Our opening fight on UFC 260 is a head-scratcher for me, in the sense that I am not really sure what it’s doing on the main card. Both guys are coming off of losses, and you have a fighter on the prelims who is related to the Lightweight GOAT. I feel like off-name alone that would warrant an opening fight on the main card kinda fight. I feel like I won’t be able, to be honest with my pick here because I stand firm that neither of these guys deserve the spot. Don’t like it? Sue me. Worthy, I guess, via 2nd round TKO. Sure.
Gillian Robertson x Miranda Maverick (Women’s Flyweight)
Let’s get into some actual analysis here. Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick present two women hungry to work their way up the ranks at Flyweight. Robertson has shown an ability to work a fight down to the ground and find a way to get a submission. Her 2.6 takedowns per 15 mins show she knows what she’s doing. But standing across from her is Miranda Maverick, a ferocious striker on the surface, hosting an impressive 10 sig. strikes landed per minute. But what is slept on is Maverick’s ground game as well, finishing 60% of her fights by submission as well. Give me Maverick mostly because I think she is a rising prospect, but she also has a badass last name. Maverick via 3rd round submission
Sean O’Malley x Thomas Almeida (Bantamweight)
UFC 260 gives us as fans a lot to think about. The fights from here on out are all coin flips for me. Sean O’Malley was once considered one of the fastest rising prospects not only in the Bantamweight division but in the UFC as a whole. Found on Dana White’s Contenders Series, O’Malley has scorched earth since making his UFC debut, including a devastating KO win over Eddie Wineland. He was heavily favorited going into his fight with Marlon Vera, but a foot injury sustained during the first round brought an abrupt end to the hype train. Looking to get back on track here and fly up the rankings again is O’Malley. But he has a tall task in front of him in Thomas Almeida.
Thomas Almeida, despite riding a three-fight losing streak, will always be a tough out inside the octagon. Almeida has quick hands and a relentless pace, always looking to be in your face and always throwing, landing at a 5.4 sig. strikes landed per minute. Almeida might be facing down the barrel of being released from the UFC with a fourth straight loss. Unfortunately, I do have him facing defeat here as well. O’Malley rights the ship and gets back on track to superstardom. O’Malley via 2nd round TKO.
Tyron Woodley x Vicente Luque (Welterweight)
Remember when Tyron Woodley ran rough-shot through a who’s who list of the Welterweight division? God, what happened to him? Three straight losses has seen his stock plummet over the past two years. But, one thing to consider is that his losses have come to Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns and most recently Colby Covington. Three absolute studs engulfed in the title picture. Does Woodley have what it takes to turn back the clock at age 38 and show he has one more run in him? I think Vicente Luque would have something to say about that.
Vicente Luque has won back-to-back fights, both by stoppage, and looked damn good doing it. He has a nose for finding finishes in his fights, only letting 2 of his 19 wins reach the judge’s hands. He has lighting power in both of his hands and has outstanding range. I am so torn on this fight. My gut tells me Luque gets his statement win over a former champion, but I am a sucker for picking the guy looking to make one last run. I might regret this, but I am taking Woodley. I bet I will be in the minority here. Also, bold strategy to have this be your co-main when you have O’Malley on the card. Oh well. Woodley via unanimous decision.
UFC 260 Main Event: Stipe Miocic x Francis Ngannou (Heavyweight Championship)
My god, what a Heavyweight tilt to cap off UFC 260. Two guys who I guarantee can beat up literally any man on the planet. Stipe Miocic recently reclaimed his throne on top of mount big boi and cementing his status as Heavyweight GOAT by finishing Daniel Cormier. Miocic is an elite-level wrestler but has shown an ability to strike with the best of them since he holds a Golden Gloves in boxing. A true swiss army knife and can finish a fight wherever the fight can go. He was able to take care of Ngannou in their first fight, but is this the same Francis from 2018?
Francis Ngannou, since losing his first title fight, has gone on a rampage. He has won his last four fights, all in the first round, all by impressive KO, and all under 1:30. It is remarkable to see a man literally destroy others and make it look so effortless. Ngannou has explosive power and knows how to use it. But the question from the first fight still remains: Can Ngannou stuff the takedowns of Miocic? One thing to consider as well is that Miocic is 3-0 in rematches.
We turn to My Lady for her pick (poor thing is 0-2 so far on her picks, let’s see if she turns a corner here) she has Ngannou via 2nd round KO
A bold pick and I don’t necessarily hate it. I do think Ngannou gets the win here over a personal favorite of mine in Miocic. The passing of the guard takes place at UFC 260. It’s time for a new king to rule with a literal iron fist. Ngannou via 5th round TKO.
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