The Fight Booth ‘Down and Dirty’ UFC Fight Night Austin picks

This is one of those sneaky stacked cards. There is going to be a lot of juicy fights filled with action, along with some submissions and knockouts sprinkled in to satisfy your MMA tastebuds. At the top Frankie Edgar and Cub Swanson lead the way. It is one of the most anticipated fights of the year. There is also the co-main event between Bobby Green and Edson Barboza which has some predicting that it will be the FOTN.

Here my man Dave Reno and myself will give you our down and dirty analysis for each fight with our predictions. So strap yourself in for some of the quickest picks in MMA today.

Edgar vs Swanson

Wolff: If you want to read more on why I am predicting that Swanson finishes Frankie via a TKO than you can find it here.

Reno: A win for Swanson should get him a title shot and deservedly so. You could make an argument against Edgar getting a shot with a win unless he wins decisively. I like Edgar get rocked early but in true Iron Man form he comes back to take a close UD victory by dominating the final three rounds with his footwork and wrestling.

Green vs Barboza

Wolff: Sick fight. Someone is going night night. I like Green to TKO Barboza in round three for all to see.

Reno: It’s tough not to root for Bobby Green with all of the tragedy he’s dealt with of late. He’ll fight right through those vicious Barboza leg kicks and land a nasty TKO finish.

Pickett vs Camus

Wolff: Pickett will absurdly one-punch Camus’ KO ticket in the first round.

Reno: Nobody needs a win more at the top of this card than Pickett. He needs to keep himself in the title hunt and he will with an exciting submission finish.

Rosholt vs Oliynyk

Wolff: This is a bad matchup for Oliynyk. Look for Rosholt to use his wrestling to grind out a UD win.

Reno: This is one that is either going to end with one dude getting cracked or the other one being forced to tap. I’ll take Oliynyk to add another scarf to his collection.

Benavidez vs Ortiz

Wolff: Ortiz is making a big leap up in competition in facing Benavidez who has only lost to Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson. Ortiz is not a UFC champ and Benavidez takes this one via UD.

Reno: It’s simple mathematics. Benavidez in a non title fight equals Benavidez winning in extraordinary fashion.

Wiman vs Vallie-Flagg

Wolff: Tough fight with Wiman coming off a long layoff against Vallie-Flagg who needs a win to stay in the UFC. Vallie-Flagg starts quickly but not enough power to finish. Wiman takes over late first round and wins the fight via UD.

Reno: We haven’t seen ‘Handsome’ Matt since early last year when he got absolutley obliterated by TJ Grant. Vallie-Flagg is coming off that amazing war with Gomi at UFC 172 and should be able to impose his will on Wiman to get back in the win column.

Magomedov vs Copeland

Wolff: Copeland looks like he is having a lot of fun right now but I like Magomedov to use his striking to get the TKO win in the second round.

Reno: If the ‘Cuddly Bear’ can land early you’re in for a quick night. Copeland via KO.

Barnatt vs Narvaez

Wolff: In this fight look for Barnatt to get back to his winning ways with a first round TKO for The Bigslow over Narvaez.

Reno: Barnatt is scary good. He could easily steal a performance of the night bonus in Austin with a wicked TKO finish.

Vick vs Hein

Wolff: Since Hein likes to go to decisions I have to pick Vick to take this fight via UD. I mean you have to choose the fighter who’s nickname is ‘The Texecutioner’ and the fight takes place in Texas. 

Reno: James Vick should win this fight for his hometown but he won’t. It’ll be ‘Sergeant’ Hein taking home a hard earned decision win.

Edwards vs Arreola

Wolff: It is amazing that Edwards is still fighting and look for him to take a UD win over the younger Arreola.

Reno: The thug-jitsu master beats Admiral Ackbar via TKO.

VanZant vs Curran

Wolff: In a battle of debuting strawweights it will be VanZant coming away with an entertaining UD win over the tough and talented Curran.

Reno: VanZant takes a close SD.

Puig vs Choi

Wolff: It will be Choi getting the night started off with an exciting first TKO finish of Puig.

Reno: Doo Ho Choi via TKO.

photo credit – Dana White