UFC 295 Preview and Predictions

UFC 295 Preview and Predictions

UFC 295 has undergone massive changes. The card lost the UFC heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, but the event is still stacked. The main and co-main events feature sensational fights that should produce fireworks. In addition, the remainder of the main card has great fights. Overall, UFC 295 previews to be an outstanding night of fights. 

Join Vendetta Sports Media as we preview and predict the UFC 295 main card. You can find our prediction records below. 

James: 119-73-3

Garrett: 118-74-3

Anthony: 99-62-2

Jerry: 101-59-2

Diego Lopes vs. Pat Sabatini–Featherweight Bout 

James: The UFC 295 main card opens with a featherweight bout between Diego Lopes and Pat Sabatini. Lopes joined the UFC with a short-notice debut against Mosvar Evloev. Despite losing that bout, he proved to be UFC caliber. Shortly after, he got a submission win over Gavin Tucker and proved to be a highlight reel finisher. Sabatini has been equally impressive in the UFC. At 5-1, he cemented himself as a quality UFC featherweight. 

Lopes has a ton of skill. On the ground, his BJJ allows him to find submissions from the top or bottom. That makes him a threat at any moment. Not to mention, in striking exchanges, he can be effective because of his power. 

Sabatini is an outstanding grappler in his own right, beginning with his takedown ability, but his work from the top position makes him stand out. Once he gets on top, he is great at controlling position and advancing toward submissions. 

This is one of the most difficult fights to preview on UFC 295–it is easy to make a case for both fighters. Lopes could find a submission off his back or land massive shots on the feet. Sabatini could land takedowns and suffocate Lopes’ BJJ for three rounds. I will lean toward Lopes because his standup will be better and I prefer picking the more well-rounded fighter. I will take Lopes by second-round knockout. 

Garrett: Lopes via decision

Jerry: Lopes via submission

Anthony: Lopes via decision

UFC cuts former title challenger Taila Santos

No. 14 Matt Frevola vs. Benoit Saint-Denis–Lightweight Bout 

James: UFC 295 features a lightweight scrap between Matt Frevola and Benoit Saint-Denis that previews to be a war. Frevola is red hot after finishing three consecutive fights with first-round knockouts. Saint-Denis is undefeated in the lightweight division and finished four straight fights. 

Frevola is a well-rounded brawler. If he opts to stand and trade, he is an accurate boxer who carries a ton of power. On top of that, he kicks to the head and body well. If needed, he can utilize his wrestling land takedowns. 

Saint-Denis fights like an absolute maniac. On the feet, he spams massive kicks to the body and pressures forward, while also being willing to mix up his skills and attempt takedowns. This style could get him in serious trouble as he could gas or get hit with big counters; however, that is not a concern because he has superhuman durability. 

This bout previews to be one of the best fights on UFC 295. Saint-Denis and Frevola are both down to scrap. I am expecting these two fighters to engage in a brawl. In that type of fight, Frevola will land a ton of massive shots, though Saint-Denis’ chin will prevent him from being knocked out. That will let him aggressively attack and hunt a finish. I will take Saint-Denis via second-round knockout. 

Garrett: Saint-Denis via TKO

Jerry: Saint-Denis via KO/TKO

Anthony: Frevola KO/TKO

No. 5 Jessica Andrade vs. No. 7 Mackenzie Dern–Women’s Strawweight Bout 

James: At UFC 295, Jessica Andrade and Mackenzie Dern will fight in a women’s strawweight bout. Dern has successfully transitioned from BJJ to MMA. That has come with struggles in the UFC, however. At 8-3 in the promotion, she has great performances to her name, but she has also tripped up on a few occasions. Meanwhile, Andrade is a pioneer of women’s MMA. At 15-10 in the UFC, she is a long-reigning veteran of the sport. The problem is that she has struggled mightily while dropping three consecutive fights. 

As mentioned, Dern is a great BJJ practitioner. In the UFC, she has been slowly adding to her game. In her most recent fight, she displayed highly improved striking, but she still needs to work on her wrestling. 

Andrade is a powerful striker that is capable of finishing fights. In her losing streak, she has struggled heavily against grapplers and was submitted twice. 

At this point, it is difficult to pick Andrade. Not only is she losing, but she has not looked competitive in her losses. The signs of regression are blatant and hard to ignore. On the contrary, Dern is improving. I will take Dern by second-round submission. 

Garrett: Dern via decision

Jerry: Dern via decision

Anthony: Dern via submission

No. 2 Sergei Pavlovich vs. No. 4 Tom Aspinall–Interim Heavyweight Championship Bout 

James: At UFC 295, the next generation of heavyweights is on display, as Sergei Pavlovich fights Tom Aspinall in an interim heavyweight title fight.

Pavlovich, 31, has been a wrecking machine in the UFC. In seven fights, he has six first-round knockout victories with 15 of his 18 career wins having come by knockout. Aspinall, 30, has finished all six of his UFC wins on his way to a 6-1 promotional record.

The two seemingly unstoppable forces will now be placed in the octagon against one another with massive stakes on the line. The winner puts themselves in a position to be the newest star in heavyweight MMA while potentially earning a fight against Jon Jones. 

Pavlovich is one of the hardest hitters in MMA. In boxing exchanges, every shot he lands does serious damage. That is not an exaggeration. Every single shot Pavlovich lands has fight-changing implications. In addition to that, he uses unorthodox angles to land at a high rate. 

Aspinall is a unique heavyweight because of his speed, movement and well-roundedness. On the feet, Aspinall uses his speed to land knockout strikes. Plus, he can grapple offensively and can find submission on the ground. 

This is an outstanding fight because of the combination of violence and unknowns. In the early stages of this bout, both fighters are capable of landing a knockout. At the same time, it is unclear how each fighter’s cardio will hold up if the fight escapes the first round. We also do not know if Aspinall will look to grapple.

This bout is tough to call, but I’m siding with Aspinall. I think he can use his speed to avoid some of Pavlovich’s massive shots. It would not surprise me if he finds success grappling either. Both fighters can end this one early, but I will take Aspinall by second-round knockout. 

Garrett: Aspinall via submission

Jerry: Aspinall via KO/TKO

Anthony: Aspinall via submission

UFC 295 Best Bets

No. 1 Jiri Prochazka vs. No. 3 Alex Pereira–Vacant Light Heavyweight Title Bout 

James: The UFC 295 main event features a light heavyweight title bout between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira. The pair will be fighting for a vacant title after Jamahal Hill was forced to vacate the belt after rupturing his Achilles. 

Prochazka and Pereira have both had success at the championship level. Prochazka won the light heavyweight title with a win over Glover Teixeira; however, he vacated the title after suffering a shoulder injury. In his return bout, he fights for the title he vacated. Meanwhile, Pereira won the middleweight title with a win over rival Israel Adesnya. After dropping the rematch, he left the division for light heavyweight and earned a title shot with a win over Jan Blachowicz. 

Prochazka is a unique fighter with an unorthodox approach. The former champion uses a ton of movement to throw punches from various angles. In addition, he is capable of landing knees and elbows on the inside which provides another layer of trickiness. This style works for Prochazka because he has a great chin and endless cardio. 

Pereira is a highly technical powerhouse. This allows him to finish fights with his lethal left hook. Although, the power in his leg kicks may be his most fight-changing weapon. Outside of his top tools, he can establish his jab, throw kicks to all three levels and land knees in the clinch.

The most important thing to establish in any Pereira fight is his opponent’s willingness to grapple. The former kickboxer’s biggest flaws come in the grappling department, but Prochazka rarely offensively wrestles. That should result in this fighting taking place on the feet. In turn, that allows Pereira to find holes in Prochazka’s unorthodox movements while breaking him down with leg kicks.

If Pereira is landing leg kicks, he can limit Prochazka’s movement and reduce his explosiveness. Pereira should exploit Prochazka’s defensive flaws while using leg kicks to limit his offense. For Prochazka to win, he would have to scrap together an all-time showing of chin and cardio while finding a massive shot that hurts Pereira. I will lean on the skills and power of Pereira over the physical attributes of Prochazka. I will take Pereira by third-round knockout.

Garrett: Prochazka via TKO

Jerry: Prochazka via decision

Anthony: Pereira via KO/TKO

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