Featuring three championship bouts and a loaded undercard, UFC 259 could easily be remembered as one of the standout cards of 2021. Below you'll find the forecasts from the MMA Empire team alongside our guest analyst's takes for the five-bout main card.
Our guest picker for this outing is MMA media personality James Lynch. Longtime UFC and MMA fans have likely come across Lynch's coverage over the years. If not, you can check out his YouTube channel HERE. It's definitely worth subscribing to!
2021 standings thru UFC Fight Night 186
T1. Sofia Bennett (22-14-1) 13-7-1 in 2020
T1. Leo Anderson (22-14-1) 11-9-1 in 2020
T3. Maya Turner (19-17-1) 12-8-1 in 2020
T3. Olivia Davis (19-17-1) N/A in 2020
T3. Isabella Harris (19-17-1) 11-9-1 in 2020
T6. Ethan Clarke (18-18-1) N/A in 2020
T6. Guest picker (18-18-1) 10-10-1 in 2020
8. Kylan Knowler (16-20-1) N/A in 2020
9. Ava Foster (13-23-1) N/A in 2020
Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya
Sofia Bennett: Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision.
Leo Anderson: Israel Adesanya via TKO.
Maya Turner: Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Israel Adesanya via TKO.
Isabella Harris: Jan Blachowicz via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Israel Adesanya via TKO.
James Lynch: Israel Adesanya via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Israel Adesanya via TKO.
Picks – Jan Blachowicz: 1, Israel Adesanya: 8
Amanda Nunes vs. Megan Anderson
Sofia Bennett: Amanda Nunes via TKO.
Leo Anderson: Amanda Nunes via TKO.
Maya Turner: Amanda Nunes via submission.
Olivia Davis: Amanda Nunes via submission.
Isabella Harris: Amanda Nunes via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Megan Anderson via unanimous decision.
James Lynch: Amanda Nunes via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Amanda Nunes via submission.
Ava Foster: Amanda Nunes via knockout.
Picks – Amanda Nunes: 8, Megan Anderson: 1
Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling
Sofia Bennett: Aljamain Sterling via submission.
Leo Anderson: Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Petr Yan via TKO.
Isabella Harris: Aljamain Sterling via submission.
Ethan Clarke: Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision.
James Lynch: Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Aljamain Sterling via submission.
Ava Foster: Aljamain Sterling via submission.
Picks – Petr Yan: 1, Aljamain Sterling: 8
Islam Makhachev vs. Drew Dober
Sofia Bennett: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
Leo Anderson: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Islam Makhachev via submission.
Olivia Davis: Islam Makhachev via submission.
Isabella Harris: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
Ethan Clarke: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
James Lynch: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Islam Makhachev via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Drew Dober via unanimous decision.
Picks – Islam Makhachev: 8, Drew Dober: 1
Thiago Santos vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Sofia Bennett: Thiago Santos via TKO.
Leo Anderson: Aleksandar Rakic via TKO.
Maya Turner: Thiago Santos via knockout.
Olivia Davis: Thiago Santos via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris: Aleksandar Rakic via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Thiago Santos via TKO.
James Lynch: Thiago Santos via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Aleksandar Rakic via split decision.
Ava Foster: Thiago Santos via unanimous decision.
