UFC 184 ‘Rousey vs. Zingano’ pick em

Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano

Rousey has said it herself. Cat Zingano is the most complete opponent she’s ever been matched up against. She has the wrestling, she has the jits, her Muay Thai is above average and she oozes confidence. Cat Zingano believes that this is her time. She’s been through a lot worse than anything Rousey can throw at her in her personal life over the past couple of years. She plans on turning Rousey’s face into soup and she will not stop until someone wearing a black and white striped uniform pulls her off.

One of the things Zingano is known for is her ability to come back from behind. The problem with facing Rousey is that you don’t have time to play catch up. As former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman said in an interview with Fight Hub TV, “Rousey comes into fights fighting for her life; you’re just no ready for it.”

I think Rousey knows that Zingano has the advantage standing in this fight and I believe she’ll go back to her bread and butter. Expect an armbar in under a minute.

Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington

Pennington’s as tough and as durable as they come. She’s the perfect test for Holly Holm’s UFC debut. Pennington is going to want to close the distance and get inside as soon as possible. She does not want to allow Holm the space to unleash those devestating kicks and get comfortable with her world-class boxing. I like Pennington to make it a fight, but it’s going to be tough to keep that kind of pace against a premier athlete like Holm who just doesn’t seem to tire. Expect a head kick KO situation in the first half of the third round.

Jake Ellenberger vs. Josh Koscheck

Ellenberger and Koscheck are a combined 0-6 over their last six contests having lots their last two respectively by way of the finish. Win or loss, this should be the final fight of  Koscheck’s career. And what a career it’s been. Tomorrow night he’ll enter the octagon for his 24th and possibly final time as one of just two (Diego Sanchez being the other) remaining members of the TUF 1 cast.

For Ellenberger, it’s a different story. He’s gone from flirting with title contention to flirting with the unemployment line in the blink of a eye. This is the cruel reality of the UFC. He needs a win in the worst way against Koscheck. He cannot allow him to walk off into the sunset. I expect this fight to stay upright and a hungry Ellenberger to leave with his hand raised.

Alan Jouban vs. Richard Walsh

Both men are coming off of controversial losses and both are being rewarded with a PPV spot, the first of their careers. Make no mistake, Joe Silva put this fight on the main card because both of these men have the power in their hands to end this fight with one shot. On this particular night – it’s Walsh who leaves the cage with the TKO victory.

Tony Ferguson vs. Gleison Tibau

‘El Cucuy’ has been on fire of late. He holds a record of 7-1 in the toughest division in the sport, he simply cannot fly under the radar anymore. This fight against Tibau (who will tie Matt Hughes for the 2nd most fights in UFC history tonight) is a great litmus test for Ferguson. If he can pass, it’s time to give him someone in the top ten. If he fails, it’s back to the FOX Sports 1 prelims. There isn’t a whole lot of room for failure inside of the 155 lbs division if you want to put yourself in line for a shot at “Showtime”. I like Ferguson to get it done here with a 30-27 UD victory against the ultra tough Tibau.

Prelim Quick Picks:

FOX Sports 1 (8 p.m. ET)

Munoz > Carneiro
Salazar < Yamamoto
Lima < Means
Lewis > Potts

UFC Fight Pass (7 p.m. ET)

Krause > Lazaro
Fullen > Torres