Each event, there will be a “guest predictor” who will offer their insight into the event and provide their predictions for each MMA bout.
For XFFC 21, Daryl St Rose has stepped in to provide his predictions and analysis for the nine bouts on the card.
St Rose holds a professional MMA record of 3-2 with his most recent win coming at XFFC 19, a unanimous decision win over Luis Martinez. St Rose also holds wins over Matt Hovorka and Jesse Tedesco.
Here are St Rose’s predictions for XFFC 21:
William Carriere (4-2) vs Steve Mac Donald (2-0): Light Heavyweight Title Bout FIGHT PREVIEW
“This fight is going to be fireworks. Carriere is nicknamed The Berserker for a reason, and I think he’s going to try and get in Mac Donald’s face and make it ugly. I think Mac Donald will be able to keep off the cage, however, and utilize what I feel will be a speed advantage in open space. I know he’s been saying he wants to land the wheel kick, so that speaks to his athleticism. He has proven he can win by decision, and I don’t think the Berserker’s style is suited for five rounds.
Prediction: Mac Donald wins by submission in the fourth round.
Craig Shintani (7-2) vs Chris Day (5-5): Interim Featherweight Title Bout FIGHT PREVIEW
“I have big respect for Day, as he always seems down to step up. His record isn’t the prettiest, but his recent skid comes at the hands of really tough guys. He’s definitely a tough guy. I just think Shintani is the superior fighter and there is a good reason that he was initially scheduled to fight for both Unified MMA and XFFC belts. I don’t think it will be an easy fight, but I do see him using his pace to take advantage of Day’s short preparation time and ultimately finishing him.
Prediction: Shintani wins by TKO in the second round.
Michael Imperato (7-3) vs Blake Sigvaldason (2-1): Bantamweight Title Bout FIGHT PREVIEW
“This is the fight I’m most looking forward to. Imperato is a beast, has really good submission skills, and a lot of experience against high-level guys. But Sigvaldason is tough and very well-trained, coming out of Toshido MMA and working with David Lea. I’ve fought him and I know how fast his level changes are if you overcommit to striking. I think its going to be a great fight with a lot of fun scrambles on the ground.
Prediction: Imperato wins by unanimous decision.
Jordan Noseworthy (3-1) vs Lorenzo Celis (2-0-1): Amateur Middleweight Title Bout
“This fight should be exciting for as long as it lasts. Both have similar experience and are proven finishers. A friend of mine who trained with Celis said he has great hands and is pretty tough.”
Prediction: Celis wins by TKO in the third round.
Jordan Roberts (2-2) vs Tom Theocharis (2-2)
“This is a good stylistic matchup. Roberts has some pretty slick grappling and has shown to be slick off his back, while Theocharis is pretty dynamic on the feet. I think Theocharis might be a little too difficult to take down and I believe his creativity on the feet will be the difference.
Prediction: Theocharis wins by unanimous decision.
Dayton Roberts (1-2) vs Dave Pogson (2-6)
“This is a tough one to pick because, while he’s way more experienced, most of Pogson’s cage experience is from over 10 years ago. Roberts’ one win has come in the XFFC cage and he has more recent competition experience overall.
Prediction: Roberts wins by submission in the first round.
Blair Watchorn (1-0) vs Drake Sanderson (0-0)
“This fight is pretty interesting because it’s pitting a debuting fighter against a man with one fight under his belt, who also happens to be 41 years old. I believe when you’re taking an amateur fight at that age it’s because you generally are doing it for the love of the sport and nothing else. And to me, that takes away a lot of the pressure. Sanderson is still untested.”
Prediction: Watchorn wins by unanimous decision.
Brandon Burton (0-1) vs Grady Behrens (1-0)
“I think this will be a good fight. Both only have one fight to their names, so it’s hard to get too good of a feel for their skills. Burton really didn’t get to show what he was capable of in his really short fight, while Behrens looked good in his last fight. He showed he can keep the pace and win the decision.”
Prediction: Behrens wins by unanimous decision.
