Can Justin Gaethje become the new UFC lightweight champion? Can Carla Esparza defeat Rose Namajunas for a second time? The predictions from the MMA Empire team, along with our guest picker, can be found below for the five-fight main card.
Our guest picker for this event is Canadian lightweight prospect Michael Dufort (9-4). After dropping a split decision to Kyle Prepolec at Samourai MMA 1 in what was the fight of the year in Canada, Dufort rebounded nicely with a submission win on the PFL Challenger Series. Although the win didn’t earn him a PFL contract, the performance surely got their attention.
2022 standings thru UFC on ESPN 35
1. Jason Hagholm (51-24) N/A in 2021
2. Joe McDonagh (50-25) 122-99-3 in 2021
T3. Cole Shelton (49-26) 138-83-3 in 2021 *Champion
T3. Cooper Riehl (49-26) 136-85-3 in 2021
T3. Dylan Bowker (49-26) 113-108-3 in 2021
T3. Cody Rempel (49-26) 134-87-3 in 2021
7. Kylan Knowler (47-28) 128-93-3 in 2021
8. Joel Griffith (43-32) 135-86-3 in 2021
9. Guest picker (41-34) 115-106-3 in 2021
Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje
Jason Hagholm: Justin Gaethje via TKO.
Joe McDonagh: Charles Oliveira via decision.
Cole Shelton: Justin Gaethje via TKO.
Cooper Riehl: Justin Gaethje via TKO.
Dylan Bowker: Justin Gaethje via TKO.
Cody Rempel: Justin Gaethje via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Charles Oliveira via submission.
Joel Griffith: Justin Gaethje via knockout.
Michael Dufort: Charles Oliveira via submission.
Picks – Charles Oliveira: 3, Justin Gaethje: 6
Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza
Jason Hagholm: Rose Namajunas via decision.
Joe McDonagh: Rose Namajunas via decision.
Cole Shelton: Rose Namajunas via decision.
Cooper Riehl: Rose Namajunas via TKO.
Dylan Bowker: Rose Namajunas via submission.
Cody Rempel: Rose Namajunas via decision.
Kylan Knowler: Rose Namajunas via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Carla Esparza via decision.
Michael Dufort: Rose Namajunas via TKO.
Picks – Rose Namajunas: 8, Carla Esparza: 1
Michael Chandler vs. Tony Ferguson
Jason Hagholm: Michael Chandler via decision.
Joe McDonagh: Michael Chandler via knockout.
Cole Shelton: Michael Chandler via decision.
Cooper Riehl: Michael Chandler via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Michael Chandler via decision.
Cody Rempel: Michael Chandler via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Michael Chandler via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Michael Chandler via decision.
Michael Dufort: Michael Chandler via decision.
Picks – Michael Chandler: 9, Tony Ferguson: 0
Shogun Rua vs. Ovince Saint Preux
Jason Hagholm: Shogun Rua via TKO.
Joe McDonagh: Ovince Saint Preux via submission.
Cole Shelton: Ovince Saint Preux via TKO.
Cooper Riehl: Ovince Saint Preux via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Shogun Rua via decision.
Cody Rempel: Ovince Saint Preux via knockout.
Kylan Knowler: Ovince Saint Preux via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Ovince Saint Preux via decision.
Michael Dufort: Ovince Saint Preux via submission.
Picks – Shogun Rua: 2, Ovince Saint Preux: 7
Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon
Jason Hagholm: Joe Lauzon via submission.
Joe McDonagh: Donald Cerrone via knockout.
Cole Shelton: Joe Lauzon via TKO.
Cooper Riehl: Donald Cerrone via TKO.
Dylan Bowker: Joe Lauzon via decision.
Cody Rempel: Donald Cerrone via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Donald Cerrone via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Donald Cerrone via TKO.
Michael Dufort: Donald Cerrone via decision.
