Will Magomed Ankalaev finally become a UFC champion? Can Paddy Pimblett continue his winning ways? 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 middleweight prospect Keanan Patershuk (2-0). It was a massive 2022 for Patershuk as he competed six times, going 4-0 as an amateur and recently kicking off his professional career 2-0. His most recent outing was a first round TKO victory over Keanan Kellar at BFL 75.
2022 standings thru UFC on ESPN 42
1. Kylan Knowler (133-76) 128-93-3 in 2021
2. Joel Griffith (131-78) 135-86-3 in 2021
3. Jason Hagholm (130-79) N/A in 2021
4. Cole Shelton (129-80) 138-83-3 in 2021 *Champion
T5. Cooper Riehl (126-83) 136-85-3 in 2021
T5. Cody Rempel (126-83) 134-87-3 in 2021
T5. Joe McDonagh (126-83) 122-99-3 in 2021
8. Dylan Bowker (120-89) 113-108-3 in 2021
9. Guest picker (110-99) 115-106-3 in 2021
Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev
Kylan Knowler: Magomed Ankalaev via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Magomed Ankalaev via decision.
Jason Hagholm: Magomed Ankalaev via submission.
Cole Shelton: Magomed Ankalaev via TKO.
Cooper Riehl: Magomed Ankalaev via decision.
Cody Rempel: Magomed Ankalaev via decision.
Joe McDonagh: Magomed Ankalaev via knockout.
Dylan Bowker: Magomed Ankalaev via TKO.
Keanan Patershuk: Magomed Ankalaev via knockout.
Picks – Jan Blachowicz: 0, Magomed Ankalaev: 9
Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon
Kylan Knowler: Paddy Pimblett via submission.
Joel Griffith: Paddy Pimblett via submission.
Jason Hagholm: Jared Gordon via TKO.
Cole Shelton: Paddy Pimblett via knockout.
Cooper Riehl: Paddy Pimblett via submission.
Cody Rempel: Paddy Pimblett via TKO.
Joe McDonagh: Jared Gordon via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Paddy Pimblett via decision.
Keanan Patershuk: Paddy Pimblett via submission.
Picks – Paddy Pimblett: 7, Jared Gordon: 2
Alex Morono vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Kylan Knowler: Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Santiago Ponzinibbio via knockout.
Jason Hagholm: Santiago Ponzinibbio via knockout.
Cole Shelton: Santiago Ponzinibbio via decision.
Cooper Riehl: Santiago Ponzinibbio via decision.
Cody Rempel: Santiago Ponzinibbio via decision.
Joe McDonagh: Santiago Ponzinibbio via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO.
Keanan Patershuk: Alex Morono via decision.
Picks – Alex Morono: 1, Santiago Ponzinibbio: 8
Darren Till vs. Dricus Du Plessis
Kylan Knowler: Dricus Du Plessis via submission.
Joel Griffith: Darren Till via knockout.
Jason Hagholm: Dricus Du Plessis via decision.
Cole Shelton: Darren Till via decision.
Cooper Riehl: Darren Till via decision.
Cody Rempel: Dricus Du Plessis via TKO.
Joe McDonagh: Darren Till via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Darren Till via decision.
Keanan Patershuk: Darren Till via knockout.
Picks – Darren Till: 6, Dricus Du Plessis: 3
Bryce Mitchell vs. Ilia Topuria
Kylan Knowler: Ilia Topuria via TKO.
Joel Griffith: Ilia Topuria via decision.
Jason Hagholm: Ilia Topuria via decision.
Cole Shelton: Ilia Topuria via decision.
Cooper Riehl: Bryce Mitchell via decision.
Cody Rempel: Ilia Topuria via decision.
Joe McDonagh: Ilia Topuria via decision.
Dylan Bowker: Bryce Mitchell via decision.
Keanan Patershuk: Ilia Topuria via TKO.
