After the massive UFC 259 card, expectations might feel impossible to match—but UFC Fight Night 187 delivers plenty of compelling matchups, featuring three Canadian fighters on the card. Below you'll find the staff picks from the MMA Empire team alongside our guest analyst's takes for all six main card bouts.
This week's guest picker is the unbeaten amateur combatant Nicolas Ouellet (2-0). Hailing from Powell River, British Columbia, Ouellet was set to step into the pro ranks next weekend at BFL 66, though that bout didn't materialize. Watch for him to make his professional debut sometime during 2021.
2021 Staff Rankings After UFC 259
1. Leo Anderson (26-15-1) 11-9-1 in 2020
2. Sofia Bennett (25-16-1) 13-7-1 in 2020
3. Isabella Harris (24-17-1) 11-9-1 in 2020
4. Maya Turner (22-19-1) 12-8-1 in 2020
T5. Guest picker (21-20-1) 10-10-1 in 2020
T5. Olivia Davis (21-20-1) N/A in 2020
T7. Kylan Knowler (20-21-1) N/A in 2020
T7. Ethan Clarke (20-21-1) N/A in 2020
9. Ava Foster (15-26-1) N/A in 2020
Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
Leo Anderson: Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett: Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris: Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision.
Nicolas Ouellet: Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Leon Edwards via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Leon Edwards via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Leon Edwards via unanimous decision.
Picks – Leon Edwards: 7, Belal Muhammad: 2
Misha Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann
Leo Anderson: Misha Cirkunov via TKO.
Sofia Bennett: Ryan Spann via TKO.
Isabella Harris: Misha Cirkunov via submission.
Maya Turner: Ryan Spann via TKO.
Nicolas Ouellet: Misha Cirkunov via submission.
Olivia Davis: Ryan Spann via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Ryan Spann via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Misha Cirkunov via submission.
Ava Foster: Misha Cirkunov via TKO.
Picks – Misha Cirkunov: 5, Ryan Spann: 4
Dan Ige vs. Gavin Tucker
Leo Anderson: Gavin Tucker via unanimous decision.
Sofia Bennett: Gavin Tucker via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris: Dan Ige via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Dan Ige via unanimous decision.
Nicolas Ouellet: Gavin Tucker via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Dan Ige via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Gavin Tucker via submission.
Ethan Clarke: Dan Ige via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Dan Ige via unanimous decision.
Picks – Dan Ige: 5, Gavin Tucker: 4
Davey Grant vs. Jonathan Martinez
Leo Anderson: Jonathan Martinez via TKO.
Sofia Bennett: Jonathan Martinez via TKO.
Isabella Harris: Davey Grant via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision.
Nicolas Ouellet: Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Jonathan Martinez via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Davey Grant via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Jonathan Martinez via unanimous decision.
Picks – Davey Grant: 2, Jonathan Martinez: 7
Manel Kape vs. Matheus Nicolau
Leo Anderson: Manel Kape via TKO.
Sofia Bennett: Manel Kape via TKO.
Isabella Harris: Manel Kape via TKO.
Maya Turner: Manel Kape via knockout.
Nicolas Ouellet: Matheus Nicolau via submission.
Olivia Davis: Manel Kape via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Manel Kape via split decision.
Ethan Clarke: Manel Kape via TKO.
Ava Foster: Manel Kape via TKO.
Picks – Manel Kape: 8, Matheus Nicolau: 1
Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart
Leo Anderson: Darren Stewart via TKO.
Sofia Bennett: Eryk Anders via unanimous decision.
Isabella Harris: Eryk Anders via unanimous decision.
Maya Turner: Darren Stewart via unanimous decision.
Nicolas Ouellet: Eryk Anders via unanimous decision.
Olivia Davis: Eryk Anders via unanimous decision.
Kylan Knowler: Darren Stewart via unanimous decision.
Ethan Clarke: Darren Stewart via unanimous decision.
Ava Foster: Darren Stewart via unanimous decision.
