UFC FN 145: Blachowicz vs Santos Prediction and Info Thread

[tokeweed]

Date: Saturday, February 23
Preliminary Card (ESPN2): 16:00 BCT / 8am PST / 11am EST
Main Card (ESPN+): 19:00 BCT / 11am PST / 2pm EST
Live Streams: http://www.fìrstrow.eu/




Main Card (ESPN+)

Jan Blachowicz (23-7) vs. Thiago Santos (20-6) (Light Heavyweight)
Stefan Struve (28-11) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (16-5-1) (Heavyweight)
Gian Villante (17-10) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (12-2) (Light Heavyweight)
Liz Carmouche (12-6) vs. Lucie Pudilova (8-3) (Women's Flyweight)
John Dodson (20-10) vs. Petr Yan (11-1) (Bantamweight)
Magomed Ankalaev (9-1) vs. Klidson Abreu (14-2) (Light Heavyweight)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2)

Carlo Pedersoli Jr. (11-2) vs. Dwight Grant (8-2) (Welterweight)
Daniel Teymur (6-2) vs. Chris Fishgold (17-2-1) (Featherweight)
Veronica Macedo (5-2-1) vs. Gillian Robertson (5-3) (Women's Flyweight)
Damir Hadzovic (12-4) vs. Polo Reyes (8-4) (Lightweight)
Michel Prazeres (26-2) vs. Ismail Naurdiev (17-2) (Welterweight)
Rustam Khabilov (23-3) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (14-2) (Lightweight)
Damir Ismagulov (17-2) vs. Joel Alvarez (15-1) (Lightweight)

Other

Darko Stosic was scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev at the event. However, Stosic pulled out of the fight on January 23 citing injury. On January 25, promotional newcomer Klidson Abreu stepped in and will face Ankalaev.

Ramazan Emeev was expected to face Michel Prazeres at this event. However on February 4, it was reported that Emeev pulled out of the bout citing injury. He was replaced by promotional newcomer Ismail Naurdiev on February 7.

Thanks to the Puertorican for letting me use this content.

[YuginKadoya]

I feel sorry for Darko Stosic for having an injury but it is not the end of his career all he needs is rest, Meanwhile, in the Main card of the light heavyweights  I really think that both Blachowicz and Santos had the same statistics fighters had the same age, height, and weight while Blachowicz had conquered the Reach But even though I really think that Thiago Santos was faster than Jan Blachowicz I really think he can land the punch much faster But in that kind of situation I really don't have any more thing to say because each fighter had their ups and downs and I really think both can hold its own But my money goes to Thiago Santos I really think he can dominate Blachowicz in this fight.

[vennali]

Blachowicz vs Santos is going to be hype! Blachowicz with a 2 inch reach advantage and the technical style vs Santos the unpredictable brawler who is looking for the knockout bonus every time. Both have a really strong stand up game and the kicks. If I had to put my money on it. I'd say, if Blachowicz is able to last the barrage of punches and kicks from Santos for 2 rounds, he's got a golden chance to win. Santos really puts himself out there and nobody has the conditioning to make it to 5 rounds fighting like Santos does. Also good part about Blachowicz is that he's got very calculated counters too. Odds are pretty much even as of now. I'll prematch bet on Blachowics or wait and bet live on it after first round. Fight to go over 1.5 rounds is 2x. Seems very tempting.

Edit: In other news Georges St-Pierre announces retirement and Khabib Nurmagomedov has already offered him to fight at 160lbs. With his own choice of venue and giving 5lbs advantage to St-Pierre. I personally dont think this fight will happen but if it does. That would be amazing and a perfect send off to an incredible career of st-Pierre.

[bbc.reporter]

@vennali. Agreed! This is also a 5 round fight. It would be very hard for Thiago Santos to maintain the pressure versus a fighter that might not be fazed by Thiago's aggressive style.

I predict that Jan Blachowicz is taking this until the last round where Thaigo's tongue will be hanging to his knee hehehe.

[Hydrogen]

Notes~

-This event will be held in the czech republic and will air earlier than normal UFC events.

-Veronica Macedo has been out-wrestled and out-grappled by both of her opponents in the UFC -- Ashlee Evans Smith and Andrea "KGB" Lee. Gillian Robertson being something of a wrestling and grappling specialist, this could be a poor stylistic match up for Macedo who is a striking specialist by trade. It might also be said Veronica Macedo has trained out of Nova Uniao in the past which is an excellent gym for learning takedown defense as exhibited by Jose Aldo amongst many others.

-Klidson Abreu has a few impressive wins for a relative unknown. He could be a live play for betting underdog. I think his fight with Magomed Ankalaev could be closer than most are expecting.

-Gian Villante might also be a live underdog. I wouldn't recommend betting a ton of money on either Abreu or Villante. They might be worth including in small parlays/accumulators.

Thiago Santos could have some of the most powerful leg kicks in all of MMA and is an utter animal. Love watching that guy fight.

[NavI_027]

I knew Thiago Santos somehow but the rest I'm already not familiar with them (because remembering European surnames is hard thus making me lazy, that's why ). Hmm, I can't predict what could be the outcome of this fight because they are pretty equal when I based on their record but for sure this will be an action packed fight. This is light heavyweight division, my favorite .

[tokeweed]

Here's a nice breakdown/analysis by Dan Hardy (as usual).  It's great he did this for a non PPV event.  I hope he starts doing one for all UFC main and co main events.  

UFC Prague:  Inside the Octagon - Blachowicz vs Santos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiJfjlnKfkk

UFC Prague:  Free Fight - Blachowicz vs Manuwa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkeB6iJ4wJc

[nydiacaskey01]

Most of the fighters are new names and never heard off but let us remember that Fight Nights are like the testing ground for new comers. Among the names listed, only 1 name rings a bell for me and that's Thiago Santos. I will still watch this even in our local cable channel because there are times those who has no name yet with UFC are the ones who will try their best to entertain us MMA fans.

[eaLiTy]

@vennali. Agreed! This is also a 5 round fight. It would be very hard for Thiago Santos to maintain the pressure versus a fighter that might not be fazed by Thiago's aggressive style.

I predict that Jan Blachowicz is taking this until the last round where Thaigo's tongue will be hanging to his knee hehehe.

It is true Thiago Santos does not have the cardio for three rounds let alone five rounds, but he is on a tear after moving up in weight to light heavyweight and all of his fights were finishes, just like Rumble when he was fighting at a lower weight class, if Thiago Santos can win the fight in the same fashion like earlier, i am sure he will be a title contender to Jon Jones, the division has become shallow now after Bader leaving to Bellator, Rumble retiring and Cormier in heavyweight.

[bbc.reporter]

@eaLiTy. But Jan Blacowicz is also on a winning streak and he will also be a contender to fight Jon Jones if he wins this. If he stays unfazed versus Thiago's crazy style until the championship rounds, he will win.

[Hydrogen]

If you watch MMA, you've probably seen some fighters on this card, even if you don't recognize their names.

Stefan Struve - he's the heavyweight who is almost 7 feet tall.
Gian Villante - he's Chris Weidman's friend, they're always together.
Liz Carmouche - this is the girl people used to say looks sort of like Urijah Faber.
John Dodson - he fought Demetrious Johnson for the 125 lb title twice.
Magomed Ankalaev - he fought Paul Craig awhile ago and was dominating the entire fight up until he was submitted @ 4:59 in round 3.
Daniel Teymur - he's David Teymur's brother.
Michel Prazeres - the shortest welterweight @ 5 foot 6 inches and has been demolishing everyone he's faced.
Rustam Khabilov - he challenged Benson Henderson for the lightweight title back in the day. He was beating Ben Henderson until he gased out then Ben Henderson finished him with a choke.

[tokeweed]

^  Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.  And I encourage everybody who's into the UFC (or MMA) to pitch in and post some video that's interesting that you saw or some tidbit here and there.

Let's get more people into the sport.

[krach]

Im just taking
Pudilova  +123

This chick is tough and doesnt stop.

[tokeweed]

Here are the weigh ins.  Hmmm...  I kinda regret betting on the Polish guy and the over 1.5.  Lol.  Check Thiago Silva out.

UFC FN 145:  Weigh Ins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm3qUUhZIFA

Jan Blachowicz (205) vs. Thiago Santos (204)
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (255) vs. Stefan Struve (263)
Michal Oleksiejczuk (204) vs. Gian Villante (206)
Liz Carmouche (125) vs. Lucie Pudilova (126)
John Dodson (136) vs. Petr Yan (136)
Magomed Ankalaev (204) vs. Klidson Abreu (209*)
Dwight Grant (171) vs. Carlo Pedersoli Jr. (171)
Chris Fishgold (145) vs. Daniel Teymur (146)
Veronica Macedo (126) vs. Gillian Robertson (125)
Damir Hadzovic (155) vs. Marco Polo Reyes (155)
Ismail Naurdiev (170) vs. Michel Prazeres (170)
Diego Ferreira (157*) vs. Rustam Khabilov (156)
Joel Alvarez (156) vs. Damir Ismagulov (155)

*Missed weight

[mich]

Almost the time for main event but beforehand I think Stefan Struve has a good chance to lose.
He has lost the last 3 fights so if he loses this 4th one, he will struggle with keeping his job with UFC.
MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA is the play for small.  No choice on the main fight but a good bet is offered at sportsbet fight wont go 25 minutes 1.2

[NavI_027]

The first 2 rounds of Santos vs Blachowicz seems pretty boring for me except for the capoeira flare of Santos before the end of 2nd round, it just so amazing to see an acrobatic move coming from a light heavyweight fighter .

The exciting part starts right after the bell rings for the 3rd round. I was shocked when Jan suddenly dropped down from one of Thiago's counter and feel helpless after receiving multiple hammer fists, Thiago did a great job there. He beat the 4th contender, nice!

[eaLiTy]

@eaLiTy. But Jan Blacowicz is also on a winning streak and he will also be a contender to fight Jon Jones if he wins this. If he stays unfazed versus Thiago's crazy style until the championship rounds, he will win.

Hope you have seen the fight, his power is astonishing when the moved up a weight class, i was closely watching his fights for a few years now and i remember Santos struggling to cut his weight and he was not having any nutritionist during those time and he could not perform up to his potential and i thought he will fade away as he is not capable to fight the top fighters but once he moved up in weight it reminded me about Antony Johnson who terrorized everyone with his punching power. That is the same case with Antony Smith, he is also powerful and even though he has many losses after moving up he is also a dangerous opponent and it is interesting to see how Jones neutralizes him.

[mich]

The first 2 rounds of Santos vs Blachowicz seems pretty boring for me except for the capoeira flare of Santos before the end of 2nd round, it just so amazing to see an acrobatic move coming from a light heavyweight fighter .

The exciting part starts right after the bell rings for the 3rd round. I was shocked when Jan suddenly dropped down from one of Thiago's counter and feel helpless after receiving multiple hammer fists, Thiago did a great job there. He beat the 4th contender, nice!

I was correct to predict this match doesnt go 25 minutes.
Good news for Struve is that it looks as if he still will have a job 

[Yaunfitda]

The first 2 rounds of Santos vs Blachowicz seems pretty boring for me except for the capoeira flare of Santos before the end of 2nd round, it just so amazing to see an acrobatic move coming from a light heavyweight fighter .

The exciting part starts right after the bell rings for the 3rd round. I was shocked when Jan suddenly dropped down from one of Thiago's counter and feel helpless after receiving multiple hammer fists, Thiago did a great job there. He beat the 4th contender, nice!

It's lights out, very powerful counter from Santos and obviously, Blachowicz can only cover himself but Thiago started to rain that hammer fist. So he is in line for the winner of Jones vs Anthony Smith.

At least Struve snapped a 3 fight losing skid but it looks like he is retiring though.