UFC 222 Breakdown & Predictions

From here on out, representatives from The Athletes Hub will break down each UFC pay-per-view event, and who we ultimately believe will win. The industry has a few solid cards on the horizon, but let’s see what everyone thinks will occur:

Cris Cyborg (19-1) vs Yana Kunitskaya (10-3) 

Devon’s Take: This one will surely be one of the better female main events of 2018. Cyborg is known for keeping the fight standing, and her takedown defense is nearly 95% entering the bout. The champion reportedly took this bout to build a better relationship with the UFC, and at this rate, her reputation as a dominant fighter is only increasing by each day.

Prediction: Cris Cyborg via Unanimous Decision 

Rami’s Take: The main event for the Featherweight title is up for grabs, as Kunitskaya makes her UFC debut, as she is currently the Invicta FC Bantamweight champion. The last loss for Cyborg can be found in 2005, but since then, she hasn’t lost once. After her recent successful defense over Holly Holm, Cyborg is now looking to walk out as the remaining Featherweight champion.

Prediction: Cris Cyborg via Knockout 

Frankie Edgar (21-5-1) vs Brian Ortega (13-0) 

Devon’s Take: Personally, this is my favorite bout of the night. These are two proven names, and the fact that Ortega is running through competition like this is outstanding. In fact, seven of Ortega’s fights have ended via submission, while Edgar stands a takedown defense rate of 65.63%. If this bout hits the canvas, expect for Ortega to come away as the hottest ticket in the Featherweight division.

Prediction: Brian Ortega via Submission 

Rami’s Take: This fight could quite possibly put Ortega in a contender position for the Featherweight title, considering he is riding an undefeated streak. Originally, Edgar was scheduled to fight Max Holloway for the Featherweight title, but that was until Holloway pulled out with an untimely injury. If Edgar wins, then he will keep his title match hopes. If Ortega wins, this could foreshadow the ending of Edgar.

Prediction: Brian Ortega via Submission 

Sean O’Malley (9-0) vs Andre Soukhamthath (12-5) 

Devon’s Take: This will be a severely underrated fight that takes place, in my eyes, as O’Malley is next big thing in UFC. The Irishman often finds comparisons to Conor McGregor, simply because of his poise and ability to strike. Aside from my personal bias, I think this will be a match that goes down to the wire, but keeps the crowd involved.

Prediction: Sean O’Malley via Unanimous Decision 

Rami’s Take: Since signing with the UFC, Sean O’Malley has been on a roll, as he is still holding an undefeated streak. On the other hand, Soukhamthath recently received his first victory in the UFC after two consecutive losses. Both of these fighters contain knockout power, and this fight can go either way.

Prediction: Sean O’Malley via Knockout 

Stefan Struve (32-9) vs Andrei Arlovski (26-15) 

Devon’s Take: The Skyscraper or the Pit Bull? It will be a tough one to dictate, but I would personally give the edge to Struve in this match. His length and weight is far greater than Arlovski, who has lost five of his last six fights within the octagon. Both have been inconsistent as of late, but Struve has the knockout potential heading into UFC 222.

Prediction: Stefan Struve via TKO 

Rami’s Take: This will be an exciting one, as two of the biggest heavyweights are set to collide at UFC 222. From the looks of it, this could be the final time that Andrei competes in the octagon. For Struve, he contains amazing submission skills that can end the fight as quickly as it started.

Prediction: Stefan Struve via Submission 

Cat Zingano (9-2) vs Ketlen Vieira (9-0)

Devon’s Take: Both of these fighters would love to take this fight to the ground, as each have three wins a piece via submission. I love the energy Vieira brings to her bouts, and Zingano has lost each of her last two fights within the octagon. If Zingano has any chance of winning, it will be up to the judges.

Prediction: Cat Zingano via Unanimous Decision 

Rami’s Take: It seems as though the women will start off the main card of UFC 222, as Zingano looks to get back to her winning ways. That may come to a cost, as Vieira is undefeated at the moment, and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Vieira has superiority in terms of submission skills, while Zingano has more knockout power. If Vieira is caught slipping, the streak will almost certainly be over.

Prediction: Cat Zingano via Submission 

Ashley Yoder (5-3) vs Mackenzie Dern (5-0)

Devon’s Take: This one will be an interesting tale, as Yoder (30) and Dern (24) are both younger, in terms of age. I believe Yoder is very “streaky” in a sense, simply because three of her five total wins have come from the first round. If the bout goes outside of that, I would expect for Dern to gain a sense of momentum, as she seeks to light up the big stage.

Prediction: Mackenzie Dern via Unanimous Decision

Rami’s Take: Dern will be making her debut at UFC 222, holding an impressive streak of 5-0, while Yoder opponent has failed to reel in a win in her last two fights. Both women are tremendous at grappling, and you can already tell that the match may end up on the ground the majority of the time. By the end, this could be Dern’s most memorable night to date, or it could be her worst nightmare.

Prediction: MISSING

Josh Dodson (20-9) vs Pedro Munhoz (15-2)

Devon’s Take: This is a bout that plays perfectly for both styles. Munhoz loves to take opponents down to the ground game, while Dodson contains a takedown defense rating of 83.3%. Three of Munhoz’s last four victories have come via submission, as the “Young Punisher” may be on his road to a five-fight win streak.

Prediction: Pedro Munhoz via Submission 

Rami’s Take: This fight has potential for the fight of the night, as both men have found themselves in line for a Flyweight title match. Despite the recent losses that Dodson has taken on, he’s looking to redeem himself. On the other hand, Munhoz is on a four fight winning streak, and with an impressive victory, he will be in line for a championship match.

Prediction: Pedro Munhoz via Submission 

CB Dollaway (17-9) vs Hector Lombard (34-8-1)

Devon’s Take: This could very well be the least entertaining fight of the night, as I believe this one will go down to the wire. Both men have had a long and admirable career, as Dollaway has stepped in to face Michael Bisping before, while Lombard has gone up against Dan Henderson at one point in time. This one is a 50/50 call, but something about Hector Lombard being six years older than Dollaway, and on a four-fight losing streak, makes it seem like it’s near the end for him.

Prediction: CB Dollaway via Unanimous Decision

Rami’s Take: Both men have nothing positive going for them, as Dolloway just recently snapped a three fight losing streak, while Lombard last win came in 2014. The result could cost either man his job, and the only way to retain it is by winning.

Prediction: CB Dollaway via Unanimous Decision