Every event brings along a guest analyst who shares their perspective and makes picks across every matchup on the card.
For Unified MMA 44, Alana Cook (2-0) has volunteered to break down the 18 MMA matchups on the card and share her picks.
Cook built a strong foundation during her amateur days before making the jump to pro, and she's hit the ground running. She's already tallied two victories in 2022, with her latest outing coming just last week at BFL 72, where she earned a unanimous decision against Maria Demers. Given her current trajectory, fans can expect her next fight to be announced within the coming months.
Below is Cook's full breakdown and predictions for Unified MMA 44:
Noah Ali (10-5-1) vs. Gabe Sagman (7-4): PRO Bantamweight Title Bout** ALI PREVIEW, SAGMAN PREVIEW
"This matchup looks like it could deliver some real fireworks. From what I've picked up in Ali's interviews, he seems to be treating fights as entertainment now, but that kind of relaxed attitude can backfire when you're matched up against someone young and motivated who's still chasing a shot at the big time. In a striker-versus-wrestler dynamic, I generally side with the grappler, especially when Sagman doesn't have to stress about making weight after moving up from flyweight—that means his conditioning will be exceptional. Ali brings experience and home crowd support, but I'm taking Sagman here as he rides a two-bout winning run."
Prediction: Sagman wins via decision.
Tom O'Connor (9-2) vs. John Nguyen (4-2): PRO Featherweight O'CONNOR PREVIEW, NGUYEN PREVIEW
"Nguyen turned heads in his last two outings, showcasing serious power and aggression that had crowds buzzing. He pulled off upsets over well-known competitors like Josh Kwiatkowski and Gagan Gill. Even though O'Connor might be getting the odds-maker's nod, I believe Nguyen will go the distance and pull out the victory."
Prediction: Nguyen takes the fight on points.
Curtis Demarce (18-16) vs. Tim Smith (15-12): PRO Lightweight
"Each man is riding a skid right now, yet Demarce's defeats have come against elite-caliber opposition—guys like Achilles Estremadura and Neal Anderson. That pedigree tells me Demarce is ready to regroup and pick up another W."
Prediction: Demarce wins via decision.
Matt Krayco (8-9-1) vs. Zack Powell (5-1): PRO 165 pounds FIGHT PREVIEW
"Aside from a contentious split-decision setback against Dario Sinagoga in 2021, Powell has strung together win after win, while Krayco's resume has been up and down. Even though Powell's latest victories have gone the distance, I'd love to see him return to his striking-heavy roots and finish with an arm bar or triangle choke. With so many of Krayco's losses coming by submission, Powell looks poised to walk away with the victory."
Prediction: Powell wins via submission.
Chris Lee Byrne (5-1) vs. Ali Charkie (2-1): PRO Middleweight
"Byrne has always been selective about his matchups, so there's obviously a game plan behind taking on Charkie here. Both competitors are riding winning streaks, but I expect Byrne to end it on the ground—he hasn't tasted defeat since 2017."
Prediction: Byrne wins via submission.
Chris Chapman (4-3) vs. Dylan Schellenberg (1-2): PRO Welterweight
"Schellenberg brings a nasty guillotine to the welterweight division, but his most recent victory came against an opponent competing far above his natural weight class. Chapman arrives with momentum, eager to erase his recent loss, and I see him slowly grinding Schellenberg down before finishing with ground and pound for a third-round TKO."
Prediction: Chapman wins via TKO.
Nick Leblanc (1-0) vs. Quade Bujold (0-0): PRO Lightweight
"Leblanc enters on a four-bout win streak and is ravenous as he steps into pro competition. I couldn't locate any information on Bujold."
Prediction: Leblanc wins via TKO.
Sean Michael (1-0) vs. Jeremy Grieve (0-0): PRO Lightweight
"On paper, this matchup appears fairly even, but Michael has logged more activity and carries more cage time in his favor."
Prediction: Michael wins via TKO.
Kristopher Bryan (0-0) vs. Hunter Lee (0-0): PRO Middleweight
"Lee earned his debut victory with a quick submission—the same method Bryan used. It could easily swing either direction, but I'm handing it to the competitor with more cage experience."
Prediction: Bryan wins via submission.
John Moore (0-0) vs. Sebastian Lopez (0-0): PRO Middleweight
"Moore's victories have all been driven by devastating strikes, so I expect him to bring that same punch-heavy approach and extend his winning streak. There's not much public info available on Lopez."
Prediction: Moore picks up a knockout victory.
Dan Kovalchuk (6-3) vs. Derek Khosa (2-2): AMATEUR Lightweight
"Rematches are always exciting, especially when both men are coming off defeats and lengthy layoff periods. They'll both be eager to prove themselves. This one looks tight, but Khosa's ability to exercise patience and pick his openings could give him the edge over Kovalchuk."
Prediction: Khosa claims a TKO win.
Leo Bonin (2-1) vs. Patrick Pajda (1-0): AMATEUR Featherweight
"Both competitors look ready to battle, but Bonin's strong track record of finishing fights by submission has me leaning toward him continuing his upward trajectory."
Prediction: Bonin secures a submission victory.
Arman Deol (1-1) vs. Robert Noble (1-1): AMATEUR Featherweight
"This matchup could swing either direction, but I'm personally drawn toward picking the fighter with proven stoppage ability over one who relies on decisions."
Prediction: Noble earns a TKO win.
AJ Markett (0-0) vs. Sean Carroll (2-2): AMATEUR Lightweight
"After a commanding opening performance, it'll be fascinating to observe how Markett handles a seasoned opponent like Carroll."
Prediction: Markett wins on the judges' cards.
Travis Erlam (0-0) vs. Said Dzafic (0-0): AMATEUR Middleweight
"Neither competitor has fought before, making this unpredictable. However, Erlam brings a brown belt to the table while Dzafic lacks publicly available background, so I'm forming my own assessment."
Prediction: Erlam wins via submission.
Dillon Lewis (0-0) vs. Terell Jonasson (0-0): AMATEUR Heavyweight
"Heavyweight bouts never fail to deliver excitement, and this particular matchup is difficult to evaluate. Either way, I picture this ending with someone flat on their back."
Prediction: Jonasson finishes with a knockout.
Justin Fernandez (0-0) vs. Bruce Roussin (0-0): AMATEUR Bantamweight
"With two fighters whose backgrounds aren't widely documented, this bout is anyone's guess."
Prediction: Fernandez takes a decision win.
Mac Stroud (1-2) vs. Phil Lauzon (3-2): AMATEUR Welterweight
"Lauzon appeared to be a fairly active competitor before COVID hit, and once he steps inside the cage he'll likely get right back into rhythm."
Prediction: Lauzon wins via submission.
