This week’s “Sean Sheehan Vs” sees Sean taking on Canadian journalist Tim Burke as they predict UFC 177: Dillashaw vs. Barao.
Every UFC event Sean and his opponent will break down the reasoning behind their main fight picks and will give quick picks for the undercard.
We start with Sean’s pick for the main event of the weekend’s festivities.
T.J. Dillashaw (c) vs. Renan Barão
Here we go again. Going into this fight the first time these two met everyone and their mother was picking Renan Barao. Now, it seems, everyone is picking TJ Dillashaw – with good reason. Dillashaw beat ten different shades of tar out of Renan Barao from the opening bell until referee Herb Dean mercifully stopped the destruction in round five. It was, in my opinion anyway, the single greatest performance from a fighter in the history of the UFC. It was also, though, a fight where Renan Barao didn’t show up. He didn’t look his usual dangerous self and seemed unprepared for what Dillashaw brought.
This time he won’t underestimate Dillashaw and can’t be as bad again – win or lose. My one hope for this fight is that both men show up and but on a great performance. That makes for a wonderful fight. I think Renan Barao will have learned a lot from the first fight. He will need to improve his head movement and footwork to avoid the rapid attacks of Dillashaw. Barao was tentative in the first fight and was hampered badly by the gargantuan overhand Dillashaw landed in round one. I think Barao will try to get closer and make it a dogfight this time. If he can stop the speed of Dillashaw from being a factor I think he can win the fight. Barao had a bad night the first time they fought and as the old saying goes; form is temporary, class is permanent.
Sheehan’s pick – Barao via TKO/KO
I don’t think this looks anything at all like the first fight. Barao seemed to take him lightly going into that and didn’t respect his power, and he never got back into the fight after getting dropped early. Won’t happen this time.
I see Barao working a style much heavier in leg kicks and more at range, and he’ll be able to wear Dillashaw down gradually with that. By the third round Dillashaw will be hopping around like a drunk bunny and Barao will regain his title with a late finish.
Tim’s pick – Renan Barao by KO/TKO
Tony Ferguson vs. Danny Castillo
This fight has taken a lot of flack for its placement in the co-main event slot but wherever it takes place it should be good. Both these guys are strong wrestlers with powerful striking who improve every time. I think Ferguson might take heart from the fact Charlie Brenneman had success against Castillo in the first round of their most recent fight. Castillo was set up for the takedown with strikes pretty handily before stamping his authority on the fight in the second and getting the win. Home advantage, on the other hand may be big advantage for Castillo. I have to base my decision on the most recent form and who I think will be further along right now.
Sheehan’s pick – Ferguson via decision
I’ve got El Cucuy all the way in this. While Castillo has shown that he can hang with some good guys, Ferguson is on another level striking wise and he should be able to stuff enough takedowns to win two rounds.
Tim’s pick – Tony Ferguson by decision
Bethe Correia vs. Shayna Baszler
One down, three horsewomen to go for Bethe Correia after demolishing Jessamyn Duke last time out. And she has the opportunity to make it two against Shayna Baszler on Saturday. Both these ladies are well rounded but at totally different stages of their respective careers. Correia is a nippy up-and-comer just settling into the UFC while Baszler is a chiseled veteran of the game who was a pioneer of women’s mma before anyone thought it would ever be in the UFC. The problem is, she’s getting on in years and will be making her UFC debut on Saturday having not fought since her losing effort in the ultimate fighter almost a year ago. Baszler is a submission specialist and if she wins, that’ll probably be her method. I think Correia can keep this one standing though and edge out the decision.
Sheehan’s pick – Correia via decision
The fact that this fight is on a PPV main card is pretty embarrassing. Correia is a decision machine and I don’t see Baszler having much at all for her. All this does is continue the Correia vs. Horsewomen storyline…which is lame. At least we can listen to Goldberg butcher a name or two here.
Tim’s pick – Bethe Correia by decision
Yancy Medeiros vs. Damon Jackson
After Justin Edwards fell foul of the injury bug just nine days out from UFC 177 the promotion sent out the bat signal for a replacement and came up with unbeaten Legacy FC champion Damon Jackson to face Yancy Medeiros. It should be an interesting fight. Both men like to start fast and finish early – Jackson has never gone to a decision while Medeiros has only heard the bell twice in twelve outings. I’m going for the Cinderella story here and picking Jackson to come in and submit Yancy early.
Sheehan’s pick – Jackson via submission
Jackson is the total unknown here but he’s actually a pretty good prospect. He subbed Leonard Garcia in under two minutes last month, and has finished all nine of his fights. Taking a fight on really short notice is never good, especially up a weight class, but I really think Jackson can outgrapple Medeiros and take a solid decision win.
Tim’s pick – Damon Jackson by decision
Ramsey Nijem vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira
Carlos Ferreira, another unbeaten former legacy FC champion, opens the card against Ramsey Nijem with both men in good form. Ferreira was ultra impressive in his promotional debut last time out as he finished TUF champion Colton Smith with ease while Nijem was equally impressive in his win over Beneil Dariush in Abu Dhabi. Ferreira is a heavy betting favourite here but for me it’s a pick ’em. His submission heavy attack just sways it for me.
Sheehan’s pick – Ferreira via submission
Win or lose, Nijem can at least be counted on for entertainment. This would have served as a better opener, but whatever. I’d expect Ferreira to trade with Nijem a bit until he gets tagged, then revert to his grappling. I certainly don’t see Nijem getting steamrolled like Colton Smith did, but I’d say it’s Ferreira’s fight to lose.
Tim’s pick – Carlos Diego Ferreira by decision
UNDERCARD PICKS
Lorenz Larkin vs. Derek Brunson
Sheehan’s pick – Larkin via decision
Tim’s pick – Larkin via KO/TKO
Scott Jorgensen vs. Henry Cejudo
Sheehan’s pick – Cejudo via decision
Tim’s pick – Cejudo via KO/TKO (after missing weight)
Ruan Potts vs. Anthony Hamilton
Sheehan’s pick – Hamilton via TKO/KO
Tim’s pick – Potts via submission
Joe Soto vs. Anthony Birchak
Sheehan’s pick – Soto via decision
Tim’s pick – Birchak via decision
Chris Wade vs. Cain Carrizosa
Sheehan’s pick -Wade via decision
Tim’s pick – Wade via decision
Rules: Every correct pick made is equal to 1 point. If the competition ends in a draw then method of victory will be used to decide a winner
And for the Sean Sheehan bet of the week…
My bet of the week is a simple one, Renan Barao to win via TKO/KO at 9/2
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