Can Nate Diaz add another victory to his resume before hanging up the gloves? And will Khamzat Chimaev keep his undefeated streak alive? Below you'll find the picks from the MMA Empire team, joined by guest analyst, covering the five bouts on the main card.
This week's guest picker is Canadian women's bantamweight prospect Melissa Croden (4-1), who has been making waves in the local circuit. A rising star poised to make the leap to MMA's biggest platform, Croden recently captured the Pallas Athena WFC bantamweight championship at Pallas Athena WFC 2 — her maiden professional title. Stay tuned for her upcoming bout announcement as she works toward a UFC opportunity.
2022 standings through UFC Fight Night 209
1. Noah Edwards (103-56) N/A in 2021
2. Ava Foster (101-58) 122-99-3 in 2021
T3. Maya Turner (100-59) 135-86-3 in 2021
T3. Kylan Knowler (100-59) 128-93-3 in 2021
T5. Sofia Bennett (98-61) 136-85-3 in 2021
T5. Olivia Davis (98-61) 138-83-3 in 2021 *Champion
7. Leo Anderson (96-63) 134-87-3 in 2021
8. Ethan Clarke (92-67) 113-108-3 in 2021
9. Guest picker (85-74) 115-106-3 in 2021
Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson
Noah Edwards: Nate Diaz via decision.
Ava Foster: Nate Diaz via knockout.
Maya Turner: Tony Ferguson via decision.
Kylan Knowler: Tony Ferguson via decision.
Sofia Bennett: Nate Diaz via decision.
Olivia Davis: Nate Diaz via decision.
Leo Anderson: Nate Diaz wins by decisionNate Diaz wins by decisionNate Diaz wins by decisionTally – Nate Diaz: 7, Tony Ferguson: 2
Khamzat Chimaev vs. Kevin Holland
Noah Edwards: Khamzat Chimaev wins by TKOKevin Holland wins by decisionKhamzat Chimaev wins by submissionKhamzat Chimaev wins by submissionKhamzat Chimaev wins by decisionKhamzat Chimaev wins by TKOKhamzat Chimaev wins by submissionKhamzat Chimaev wins by TKOKhamzat Chimaev wins by decisionTally – Khamzat Chimaev: 8, Kevin Holland: 1
Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Noah Edwards: Daniel Rodriguez wins by decisionLi Jingliang wins by decisionDaniel Rodriguez wins by decisionLi Jingliang wins by TKOLi Jingliang wins by decisionDaniel Rodriguez wins by decisionDaniel Rodriguez wins by decisionLi Jingliang wins by decisionLi Jingliang wins by TKOTally – Li Jingliang: 5, Daniel Rodriguez: 4
Irene Aldana vs. Macy Chiasson
Noah Edwards: Irene Aldana wins by decisionMacy Chiasson wins by decisionMacy Chiasson wins by decisionIrene Aldana wins by decisionMacy Chiasson via decision.
Olivia Davis: Irene Aldana via decision.
Leo Anderson: Irene Aldana via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Irene Aldana via decision.
Melissa Croden: Irene Aldana via submission.
Picks – Irene Aldana: 6, Macy Chiasson: 3
Johnny Walker vs. Ion Cutelaba
Noah Edwards: Ion Cutelaba via TKO.
Ava Foster: Ion Cutelaba via knockout.
Maya Turner: Ion Cutelaba via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Johnny Walker via decision.
Sofia Bennett: Johnny Walker via TKO.
Olivia Davis: Johnny Walker via TKO.
Leo Anderson: Ion Cutelaba via decision.
Ethan Clarke: Johnny Walker via TKO.
Melissa Croden: Ion Cutelaba via TKO.
