Will Tom Aspinall keep climbing the UFC heavyweight rankings? Can Jack Hermansson stop Chris Curtis from continuing his remarkable ascent? Below, you'll find the MMA Empire staff's selections plus those from our featured guest for the six bouts on the main card of MMA Empire team.
This week's guest picker is Canadian amateur featherweight Zachary Gehl (1-0). Just 21, Gehl secured his inaugural amateur victory last April amid a solid kickboxing record. He'll aim for 2-0 this weekend against Justin Breiwick at Warrior Games 13.
2022 standings through UFC on ABC 3
1. Noah Edwards (83-44) N/A in 2021
2. Kylan Knowler (82-45) 128-93-3 in 2021
T3. Olivia Davis (80-47) 138-83-3 in 2021 *Champion
T3. Ava Foster (80-47) 122-99-3 in 2021
5. Sofia Bennett (79-48) 136-85-3 in 2021
T6. Ethan Clarke (78-49) 113-108-3 in 2021
T6. Leo Anderson (78-49) 134-87-3 in 2021
8. Maya Turner (77-50) 135-86-3 in 2021
9. Guest picker (69-58) 115-106-3 in 2021
Curtis Blaydes vs. Tom Aspinall
Noah Edwards: Tom Aspinall via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Tom Aspinall via TKO.
Olivia Davis: Tom Aspinall via TKO.
Ava Foster: Curtis Blaydes via decision.
Sofia Bennett: Tom Aspinall via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Tom Aspinall via decision.
Leo Anderson: Tom Aspinall via knockout.
Maya Turner: Tom Aspinall via TKO.
Zachary Gehl: Curtis Blaydes via decision.
Picks – Curtis Blaydes: 2, Tom Aspinall: 7
Jack Hermansson vs. Chris Curtis
Noah Edwards: Chris Curtis via TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Chris Curtis via TKO.
Olivia Davis: Jack Hermansson via decision.
Ava Foster: Chris Curtis via knockout.
Sofia Bennett: Chris Curtis via TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Jack Hermansson via decision.
Leo Anderson: Chris Curtis via decision.
Maya Turner: Jack Hermansson via decision.
Zachary Gehl: Chris Curtis via decision.
Picks – Jack Hermansson: 3, Chris Curtis: 6
Paddy Pimblett vs. Jordan Leavitt
Noah Edwards: Jordan Leavitt via submission.
Kylan Knowler: Forecasts Paddy Pimblett to win by submission.
Olivia Davis: Sees Paddy Pimblett triumph by TKO.
Ava Foster: Calls for Paddy Pimblett via knockout.
Sofia Bennett: Picks Paddy Pimblett by TKO.
Ethan Clarke: Wagers on Paddy Pimblett to win by decision.
Leo Anderson: Predicts Paddy Pimblett via submission.
Maya Turner: Chooses Paddy Pimblett by decision.
Zachary Gehl: Selects Paddy Pimblett through TKO.
Picks – Paddy Pimblett: 8, Jordan Leavitt: 1
Nikita Krylov vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Noah Edwards: Anticipates Alexander Gustafsson wins by decision.
Kylan Knowler: Expects Nikita Krylov by decision.
Olivia Davis: Favors Alexander Gustafsson via decision.
Ava Foster: Backs Alexander Gustafsson to win by decision.
Sofia Bennett: Puts her money on Alexander Gustafsson by decision.
Ethan Clarke: Hopes for Alexander Gustafsson by TKO.
Leo Anderson: Supports Nikita Krylov via decision.
Maya Turner: Roots for Alexander Gustafsson by decision.
Zachary Gehl: Cheers Nikita Krylov to win by decision.
Picks – Nikita Krylov: 3, Alexander Gustafsson: 6
Molly McCann vs. Hannah Goldy
Noah Edwards: Declares Molly McCann wins by TKO.
Kylan Knowler: Announces Molly McCann by decision.
Olivia Davis: States Molly McCann wins by decision.
Ava Foster: Proclaims Molly McCann by decision.
Sofia Bennett: Asserts Molly McCann wins by decision.
Ethan Clarke: Affirms Molly McCann by decision.
Leo Anderson: Maintains Molly McCann wins by decision.
Maya Turner: Insists Molly McCann by TKO.
Zachary Gehl: Concludes Molly McCann wins by decision.
Picks – Molly McCann: 9, Hannah Goldy: 0
Paul Craig vs. Volkan Oezdemir
Noah Edwards: Insists Paul Craig wins by submission.
Kylan Knowler: Proclaims Paul Craig by submission.
Olivia Davis: Asserts Volkan Oezdemir wins by knockout.
Ava Foster: Declares Paul Craig by submission.
Sofia Bennett: Announces Volkan Oezdemir by TKO.
Ethan Clarke: States Paul Craig wins by submission.
Leo Anderson: Affirms Paul Craig by TKO.
Maya Turner: Maintains Volkan Oezdemir wins by knockout.
Zachary Gehl: Concludes Paul Craig by TKO.
