FIGHT FORECASTER: UGP 48 PREDICTIONS

MAIN EVENT
UGP HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© GAUGE LATTIMORE vs #1 KENNARD ROZIER

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Kennard Rozier by T/KO, Round 4 — Without deep diving into the “MMA math”, which Kayla will touch on, I’m looking at the strengths of these two. What makes Gauge so imposing is his high motor and relentless offense, where what makes Kennard so imposing is his knockout power. I feel like Gauge may get the early jump, but the longer this fight goes on, the better the odds are for Pluggz.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Gauge Lattimore by Decision – Momentum is a big force, and if you believe in MMA math–which you shouldn’t, we’ve seen way too many cases where it doesn’t play out, but IF you do–the only man to beat Rozier more than once, Owen Barnes, lost to Gauge twice. If you don’t believe in MMA math, though, and look at the two guys in the cage? This is a fight that could easily go either way, both guys are incredible fighters and you could very much make the case that Pluggz is the more well-rounded striker, but Gauge has been unstoppable for a while now. The time off from the sport seems to have rejuvenated Pluggz, but I just don’t see Gauge losing.

CO-MAIN EVENT
UGP BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
#2 EUGENIE BOMBELLES vs #4 ISABEL AZEVEDO

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Eugenie Bombelles by T/KO, Round 2 — This is a big time fight that could shape the future of the 135 pound division. Both of these women are knocking on the door of a title fight and a big signature win in a Co-Main slot could be the boost needed to knock that door down. It’s a matter of who can implement their game plan, and if Bombelles can maintain distance and avoid getting taken down, she should be able to pick Izzi apart and score a big win.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Eugenie Bombelles by TKO, Round 3 – This fight is going to be dictated by where it takes place; if it hits the mat, Izzi’s going to win. Period. But she has to get it to the mat, and to do that, she has to try to deal with the power that Eugenie is gonna be sending her way. Even in her wins, Izzi’s struggled with strong strikers in the past, and Eugenie’s demonstrated big time knockout power in both Everest and Union. I don’t think it’ll be easy, Izzi may even take a round in the fight, but I just think Eugenie has too many ways to turn the fight in her favor.

UGP HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
#2 VIKTOR VOLKOV vs #4 OWEN BARNES

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Owen Barnes by T/KO, Round 2 — The Viper is coming off a tough loss in a title fight rematch in his own hometown. That has to take the wind out of you, but Barnes is still in his prime and has plenty of time to continue to improve. That second loss to Lattimore just might be the fuel needed to elevate his skill set to another level. However, Volkov has won 7 of his last 8, and has all the momentum coming into this fight. It’s a coin flip for me, but I gotta go with the man looking to reclaim his title.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Viktor Volkov by KO, Round 2 – I kinda have to go back to what I said in the main event, momentum’s a major force. Owen’s lost two of his last 3, Viktor’s won 7 of his last 8, including putting the stamp on Dax Levandrier in eye opening fashion. In a matchup of strikers that don’t have significant differences between them, I gotta trust my gut and go with the one riding the wave.

UGP MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
#2 REGGIE JAMES vs #4 LOVELIE SAINT-CYR

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Reggie James by Submission, Round 3 — In a pivotal point in both of their careers, Reggie James and Lovelie Saint-Cyr meet once again as top contenders in the Middleweight Division. James welcomed LSC to the Union ranks by subbing him in the first round. Of course, LSC would rebound en route to winning the title, something that has still eluded James. LSC needs this win to stay in the thick of title contention, but I think James hands him his third consecutive loss and stamps his name on the shortlist of next title contenders.  

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Reggie James by Submission, Round 2 –I can’t say much that Isaac didn’t already say–I think LSC comes out aggressive, trying to make a statement in this fight and get back into contention, but if and when the fight hits the mat, I don’t think he has the credentials to fight off Reggie’s submission game. LSC takes round one, but barring an early finish, Reggie takes control over time and finishes the fight in the second.

UGP BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
#3 DALLAS MEECHAN vs #7 VICTORIA MARSHALL

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Dallas Meechan by Decision — I’m very invested in this fight. This could very well be a changing of the old guard type of scenario. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching Victoria Marshall’s otherworldly improvement. She went from starting 0-4-1 in her first five pro fights, to 8-1 in her last nine. However, this might be a bigger leap in competition than she can handle. Despite being a Muay Thai striker, Dally has held up relatively well against grapplers in the past. I think it’ll be competitive, but I have a hard time betting against one of the all-time Bantamweight greats.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Dallas Meechan by Decision – Victoria’s record is incredibly deceptive of who she is as a fighter in 2023, but this is a major step up in competition. All the physical advantages belong to Dallas, he’s a better striker, and he’s fared reasonably well against grapplers in the past, the inaugural title fight against Lauren Moore notwithstanding. I don’t know if I see a finish coming, but I think if Victoria doesn’t get the finish early, Dallas grinds out a tough decision win.

UGP LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
#6 RAY ROGERS vs #8 CATHERINE HARRIS
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Catherine Harris by Decision 
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Ray Rogers by Submission, Round 2

UGP HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
#7 BILLY TWEEDS vs BOBBY BARNETT
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Billy Tweeds by T/KO, Round 1
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Billy Tweeds by TKO, Round 1

UGP LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
#3 MADDOX MOON vs OSVALDO LEDESMA
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Maddox Moon by Submission, Round 2
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Maddox Moon by Submission, Round 1

UGP HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
JOSEPH BYRNE vs CEZAR MIKLOS
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Joseph Byrne by T/KO, Round 2
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Cezar Miklos by Decision

UGP BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
FRANNY GARZA vs RONNIE BANKS
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Franny Garza by T/KO, Round 1
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Franny Garza by TKO, Round 1

UGP LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
ALEXANDER SOKOLOV vs HAGEN LECKTOR
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Alexander Sokolov by Decision
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Alexander Sokolov by Decision