FIGHT FORECASTER: UGP 45 PREDICTIONS

MAIN EVENT
UNION GP MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© NOAH VANDERKAAY vs #1 LOVELIE SAINT-CYR

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Noah Vanderkaay by T/KO, Round 4 — In my eyes, the decision to grant an immediate rematch in this case is entirely justified. LSC has been on a remarkable journey upon entering the Middleweight Division, establishing a historic legacy that unquestionably warrants an opportunity to reclaim his title. Conversely, The Mauler has also embarked on an awe-inspiring path, albeit against slightly lesser opponents compared to Saint-Cyr’s formidable conquests. Nevertheless, Vanderkaay masterfully executed his game plan on hostile territory to seize the championship, and now that the rematch is set to take place on his home turf, I anticipate an even more commanding and dominant performance, further fueled by the unwavering support of the crowd, ultimately culminating in a decisive stoppage.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Noah Vanderkaay by Decision – I get it, I totally get why it happens…but part of the reason I don’t like immediate rematches in general, is because of what this fight is likely to be. Let’s be blunt: the scores may have been close, but Noah controlled most of the first fight…and that was only a couple months back. LSC might come out driven and wanting to prove something, but I can’t help but feel like we’re gonna see a similar fight as the last one, maybe with a more lopsided scorecard.

CO-MAIN EVENT
UNION GP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© GAUGE LATTIMORE vs #1 OWEN BARNES

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Gauge Lattimore by Decision – It may be a busy night for our judges tonight, as this is another fight I see going similar to the first one; I don’t know if it’ll be quite so lopsided, Owen’s had more time to tighten up and get ready for the Champ, but Gauge doing Gauge Things shouldn’t surprise anyone at this point. I think we’ll see a closer fight, but another grueling 25 minute contest.

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Owen Barnes by T/KO, Round 3 — These two fighters embody the pinnacle of heavyweight excellence. Lattimore displayed his superior skills against Owen Barnes in their first encounter, leaving no doubt about his dominance for five grueling rounds. However, the memory of that defeat must be burning in The Viper’s mind, motivating him to seek redemption and level the playing field. But what sets Barnes apart, and gives me a glimmer of hope that he will emerge victorious, is the fact that this highly anticipated rematch is happening in his own backyard. Lattimore’s previous experience of facing an opponent in hostile territory, during a championship showdown in Australia against the retiring legend Michael Santos, ended in stunning defeat. Considering Barnes’ incredible resilience in enduring Lattimore’s relentless assault for a full twenty-five minutes, I believe he has what it takes to weather the storm once again. This time, however, he has the potential to land a devastating right hand that will forever alter the course of heavyweight history.

INTERIM UNION GP LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
#2 ALISTAIR MCKAY vs #3 ABBIE PETERSON

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Alistair McKay by Decision — These two fighters share a captivating past, with their careers intertwined ever since their epic clash in the Everest MMA. McKay emerged triumphant in their initial encounter, claiming the prestigious title of the inaugural Featherweight Champion by swiftly dispatching Blackjack within the opening round. Now, as they prepare to face off once again, anticipation builds for an even fiercer battle. This time, the stakes are higher, and I anticipate a showdown that could potentially go the distance. However, McKay’s undeniable power and precision as an aggressor give him the edge, leading me to predict that he will ultimately secure victory on the scorecards.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Alistair McKay by TKO, Round 2 – Speaking of rematches, it’s crazy to me that these two haven’t run into each other again since the very first season of Everest. Since that fight, both have gone on incredible runs, with McKay only losing to former champs Delaney Donovan and Paige Holloway, and Abbie only losing to Delaney and the reigning Champ 2Face Rodriguez; last time, Alistair hit a beautiful spinning back fist that put Abbie down, I don’t think she falls for that again, but I just have a feeling the result is gonna be the same: with Union gold on the line this time (interim or not), I think Alistair finds a way to come up big against Abbie again.

UNION GP LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
#5 ERICK COSTA vs #6 CATHERINE HARRIS

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Catherine Harris by Decision – One pretty solid guarantee with these two, the fight’s going the whole time. Win or lose, both Costa and Harris have a tendency to go the distance, so I think this is going to depend on one big question: can Costa stop Harris’s takedowns? We all know it’s coming, we all know it’s what she’s gonna do, but if Erick can’t stop her from doing (and if I were a betting woman, I’d say he can’t), I think he’ll spend a lot of the fight on his back getting punched in the side of the head. He’ll survive to the horn, but it won’t be a fun night.

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Erick Costa by T/KO, Round 2 — Kayla’s assessment of these fighters’ endurance is spot-on, but let me add a twist to the story. Erick Costa, the unsung hero with a 7-5 record, is the true litmus test for the ferocious 155-pound division. Look beyond the numbers, and you’ll uncover a tale of resilience and grit. Costa’s setbacks, at the hands of Byron McCall, Delaney Donovan, Abbie Peterson, Paige Holloway, and 2Face Rodríguez, only serve to highlight their championship caliber. All of those warriors have either won a championship or contended for one in Union GP. Meanwhile, Cat Harris is still finding her footing, not quite reaching that elite level just yet. Therefore, mark my words, Costa will defy the odds and secure his second consecutive victory, a feat he hasn’t accomplished since the glory days of 2021.

UNION GP BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
#3 RACHEL PARSONS vs #5 MAGDALENA MORUGA

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Rachel Parsons by T/KO, Round 2 — This is an even matchup to kickoff the main card. Magdalena Moruga, a rising star in Union, has proved her mettle by triumphing in three out of four fights. Her only loss was dealt by the reigning Champion Redd Lennox in the intense Bantamweight Grand Prix. Despite her impressive track record, I anticipate Moruga encountering some serious obstacles when she faces off against the tenacious Rachel Parsons. The former Strawweight Champion of Everest MMA had a rocky start to her Union career, currently holding a 3-3 record. Nevertheless, don’t let those numbers fool you. In her losses, Parsons showcased her unwavering determination, pushing her opponents to their limits. In fact, two of those defeats were decided by the scorecards, leaving room for contention that she should have emerged victorious. Harnessing the frustration and disappointment from those close calls, Parsons is set to unleash a flawless game plan, drawing strength from the thunderous cheers of her loyal hometown crowd.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Rachel Parsons by TKO, Round 2 – Parsons has a weird career so far; against strikers, she tends to be the aggressor, she tends to bully her way into what she wants, and just grind them into dust with knees and elbows; against grapplers, she…I mean, there’s no nice way to say this, she kinda folds like origami. If history is anything to go by, she’ll come back from that loss to Isabel Azevedo with a storming assault on Magdalena–who, it has to be said, got finished by the last person who fought her like that, in the current champ Redd Lennox. In a battle of aggressive strikers, I’ll err on the side of the reach advantage and give Parsons the edge.

UNION GP BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
#7 VICTORIA MARSHALL vs TILLY JEAN WADE

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Victoria Marshall by TKO, Round 3 – Honestly? Let’s just look at the last 5 fights for each fighter; one of them is 5-0, including 2 wins over their only mutual opponent…one is 0-5, and lost to that same opponent. Victoria’s turned her whole career around since moving to Twin Cities, and I don’t see Tilly slowing that down. It’ll be a struggle, Tilly never goes away easy, but I think Victoria controls the fight and finishes her in the third.

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Victoria Marshall by Decision — Despite their similar records, these two fighters are heading towards different paths. Victoria Marshall has breathed new life into her career, conquering the Everest MMA SZN 3 Flyweight Title and amassing an impressive five-fight winning streak. Her relentless wrestling skills are poised to be the decisive factor in her path to victory, especially as she battles in the very city where she hones her skills in the Twin Cities.

UNION GP HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
#6 BILLY TWEEDS vs JOSEPH BYRNE

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Billy Tweeds by T/KO, Round 1 — After letting his championship dreams slip through his fingers, Billy Tweeds ignites a fiery resurgence. Joey Byrne used to be a perennial contender, but has since faded into the shadows of his former glory. I think Tweeds comes out guns blazing and swiftly dismantles Byrne, marking a triumphant return to the winner’s circle.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Billy Tweeds by TKO, Round 2 – This is absolutely one of those fights that could go either way, as with…the vast majority of the Heavyweights, but if Billy showed anything in his title fight with Gauge, it’s that he could take a punch–if he can absorb Joseph’s big left hand, then I think the fight’s his. But that’s a big IF.

UNION GP MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
#8 BODHI BOTTOMS vs LITO BELUCCI

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Bodhi Bottoms by Decision – There’s no way to say this that’s nice, but…at least someone will leave this fight with a win. Since coming to Union, these two are a combined 1-5. It’s honestly hard to pick a winner between them, so I’ll err on the side of the one that’s managed to win under the Union umbrella: Bodhi wins a close decision.

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Bodhi Bottoms by Decision — Both of these guys need a win in the worst way. Both of these guys had a lot of potential when they entered the Union ranks but have so far failed to live up to the hype. In all honesty, this is a coin flip, but I’m going with my gut feeling and picking the Long Beach native in this one.

UNION GP LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
#9 D’ANTE JACKSON vs RAY ROGERS

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: D’Ante Jackson by T/KO, Round 2 — This is a great matchup to get the action going at the Target Center. This could be a chess match as both fighters utilize their grappling to the fullest. I’m going with DJ because when you look at his resume, he’s gone up against some of the best fighters in the world. He’s a former Everest Champion and he’s got wins over Derrius Webb, Silvio Gotti Jr., and Catherine Harris — all of which are former Everest Champions as well. That kind of experience plays dividends and I think ultimately shows in these types of matchups for Jackson.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Ray Rogers by Submission – I honestly hate to bet against D’Ante, but his bread and butter is his wrestling, which plays right into Ray’s hands. Now, Ray’s had trouble getting his hand raised since coming to Union, so don’t be shocked if D’Ante gets the win…but a wrestler, taking someone with good submission to the mat? I don’t like that for D’Ante.