UFC Fight Night 74 Predictions: Can Holloway Topple Oliveira?

Fight Night 74 kicks off at 6PM with Fight Pass prelims, live from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It’s a pretty solid 12-fight card, so let’s jump straight into the predictions!

Important Standings of Note:

Jessica: 466-325-4 (59%)
Burnsy: 478-300-5 (61%)
Vince: 223-142-2 (61%)
Ryan: 10-5-1 (66%)
Danny: 161-77-1 (67%)
Spilled: 81-60-2 (57%)
Sydnie: 16-12 (57%)
Chris: 44-15-2 (74%)
NY Ric: 36-26-1 (57%)
Ghost: 6-7 (46%)
Seth: 32-15 (68%)
Biss: 41-39-1 (51%)
Jared: 96-54-1 (64%)
Melanie: 38-19 (67%)
Fake Mike Goldberg: 12-14 (46%)

Light Heavyweight – Misha Cirkunov vs Daniel “The Werewolf of Texas” Jolly

Jessica: Two dudes making their debuts, without any majorly huge wins on their records (Sorry, Rodney Wallace). I’m going with Jolly on the strength of his nickname. Werewolf wins by decision.

Lightweight – Shane “Shaolin” Campbell vs Elias “Xuxu” Silverio

Jessica: As cool as Campbell’s hadouken in WSoF was, I don’t think he beats Xuxu. Silverio has wins over much better competition, and I think he takes this. Elias wins by decision.

Flyweight – Chris “The Greek Assassin” Kelades vs Chris “The Real Deal” Beal

Jessica: Oh dip, watch out, we got a Chris Fight going on! I’m taking Beal here since he hangs out with Tony Ferguson. Beal will use his wrestling and get a Ground and Poundy TKO in the third.

Light Heavyweight – Marcos “Pezao” Rogerio de Lima vs Nikita “The Al Capone” Krylov

Jessica: AL CAPONE, ALL DAY! Krylov is going to bust up de Lima on the feet and then submit him. First-dang-round victory for Nikita.

Bantamweight – Yves “Tiger” Jabouin vs Felipe “Seraenejo” Arantes

Jessica: Jabouin has faced better competition than Arantes, but he’s mostly lost to those better fighters. Felipe is making his bantamweight debut, which could be a problem. Ehhh, I’ll go with Yves to win with a third round TKO here.

Lightweight – Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout vs Frankie Perez

Jessica: Sam Stout is only 31, but sheesh, he’s been fighting since 2003, and that basically makes him a million years old. Perez isn’t that rad, but I think he takes this one. Perez wins by second round submission.

Strawweight – Maryna “The Iron Lady” Moroz vs Valerie “Trouble” Letourneau

Jessica: While I was impressed with Moroz beating Jojo, it’s not like Calderwood is great on the ground. Letourneau is submittable, but I don’t know, part of my dumb brain is telling me she won’t get tapped. Screw it, Letourneau takes a decision here.

Melanie: Okay, I am being a sexist and only picking the WMMA fight today. Who is Maryna Moroz? We really don’t know, to be honest. Calderwood’s head was in a bad place in Krakow, and Moroz’s may or may not have been a fluke. Valerie Letourneau, on the other hand, is a known factor. A vastly underrated one, and she, more than any UFC fighter, really makes me wish there was a flyweight division. Trouble will keep herself safe and take it to the end and take a decision win.

Lightweight – Olivier “The Quebec Kid” Aubin-Mercier vs Tony Sims

Jessica: Sims beat The Creepy Weasel, so he should be able to beat Olivier. Sims wins by second round TKO.

Lightweight – Chad “The Disciple” Laprise vs Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo

Jessica: Laprise hasn’t beat anybody really impressive, and I guess Trinaldo doesn’t have a great resume, either, but I think he’s better than a dude named Chad. Trinaldo takes a decision.

Welterweight – Patrick “The Predator” Cote vs Josh “The People’s Warrior” Burkman

Jessica: Josh is the last surviving American Whu-Hit-U fighter out there, of course I’m going with him. He’ll drop Cote and then make him tap. Burkman wins by second round submission.

Welterweight – Neil Magny vs Erick “Indio” Silva

Jessica: Neither guy has a truly marquee win, but I think Magny will give Silva more problems than the other way around. Silva might have success early, but I think Magny will survive and uses his 90-foot long arms to tire out Silva. Magny wins by third round TKO.

Featherweight – Max “Blessed” Holloway vs Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira

Jessica: Both dudes have been on very impressive runs, and I expect this to be a super close fight. Oliveira has an advantage on the ground, and Holloway has a slight grappling deficiency. On the flip side, Max is a very good striker, and Charles has gotten lit up a few times. I’m taking Holloway to win with a fourth round KO.

Performance of the Night

Jessica: Krylov, Burkman

Fight of the Night

Jessica: Holloway vs Oliveira

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