MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
UFC 218: Aldo-Holloway rematch highlights a stacked card
Dec 2, 2017, 6:58 am
UFC 218 takes place tonight in Detroit, MI at the Little Caesers Arena and presents a nicely stacked main card with a few hidden gems in the prelims.
The headliner is a rematch between current 145 lb. champion Max “Blessed” Holloway (18-3) and the former division kingpin, Jose Aldo (26-3). Aldo didn’t lose a fight for nine years (2006-15) and came back from his stunning defeat to Conor McGregor with a fantastic performance against Frank Edgar. He then fought Holloway for the title, and looked like the Aldo of old in the first two rounds before fading and being finished in the 3rd round. Holloway has won 11 fights in a row, and is clearly in the prime of his career, but will have his hands full with Aldo, who is a faster striker with an advantage on the ground. The difference may be Holloway’s gas tank, which never seems to run low.
The co-main event features one of the most experienced heavyweights in the world, Alistair Overeem (43-15-1 NC), taking on the young and hungry Francis Ngannou. Ngannou is hoping a win here puts him on the title radar, while Overeem is hoping for one last shot at the belt. Both men have serious knockout power, and it would be a shock if this fight went the full 15 minutes. Overeem’s chin has been exposed in the past, and Ngannou has finished 6 of his 10 wins via knockout. Overeem, of course, is one of the great knockout artists in the history of heavyweight martial arts, and Ngannou has not faced someone with his skill set in his rise up the rankings.
Former US Olympian Henry Cejudo (11-2) take on Sergio Pettis (16-2) in a 125 lb. battle. Cejudo is a former title challenger who is trying to work his way back to another shot at Demetrious Johnson, while Pettis will look to shake up the division with his dynamic striking.
The unbeaten Justin Gaethje (18-0) takes on former 155 lb. champion Eddie Alvarez (28-5-1 NC) in a battle of this season’s The Ultimate Fighter coaches. Gaethje is a pressure fighter who thrives on leg kicks and flurry punching to go along with excellent defensive wrestling. Alvarez is going to have to fight off his back foot, and will need to counterpunch effectively to have a chance here. Gaethje is the hot name, but Alvarez is the accomplished veteran looking to make another run at the lightweight crown.
Tecia Torres (9-1) takes on Michelle Waterson (14-5) in the opening fight of the PPV card. Preliminary card highlights feature submission ace Charles Oliveira (22-7-1 NC) taking on slick-striking Paul Felder (14-3) and Alex Oliveira (18-3-1-2 NC) going up against Yancy Madeiros (14-4-1)
PREDICTIONS
Holloway by decision
Ngannou by TKO
Cejudo by decision
Gaethje by KO
Torres by decision
C. Oliveira by submission
A. Oliveira by KO
Teymur by KO
Casey-Sanchez by decision
Alhassan by TKO
Reyes by KO
Willis by decision
Cooper by decision
Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.
The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.
The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.
On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.
Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.
It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.
The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.
How the mighty have fallen.
Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.
Screenshot via: MLB.com
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