UFC Fight Night 31 is a huge event and great for the mma community. A fight for the troops always delivers and I expect this event to be no different.
Tim Kennedy vs. Rafael Natal
Kennedy is 1-0 is the UFC and will be in for one of the hardest fights in his career. Natal is on a 3 fight winning streak and is 5-2-1 in the UFC. Natal Strengths: Wrestling, clinch, and BJJ. Kennedy has good dirty boxing and great wrestling with a good sub game.
I expect this fight to be a war and possibly going the distance. Natal’s 78.3 percent takedown defense rate is fifth in UFC middleweight history. Kennedy’s 81.8 percent takedown defense rate was the fourth best in Strikeforce history.
Liz Carmouche vs. Alexis Davis
Carmouche has awesome ground and pound and will be the first woman to compete in the UFC three times. Davis will have her hands full, but she has a good submission game and should be able to cause some problems for Carmouche. I see this fight on the ground a lot with Cramouche gaining dominate control early and often.
Ronny Markes vs. Yoel Romero
Markes is a grinder and loves dragging his fights in the later rounds. His chin isn’t the best and could be his downfall. Romero has nasty KO power and is a good grappler. I don’t see a finish in this fight, but expect it to be a war.
Rustam Khabilov vs. Jorge Masvidal
This fight should be very interesting. Khabilov is one of eight fighters to win via a slam takedown. His grappling is on another level. If he gets ahold of his opponent, it could end badly.
Masvidal is a veteran and a true finisher and is just one of two fighters in UFC history to finish a fight by submission at 4:59 of Round 2. I see experience being the x-factor in this fight.
Michael Chiesa vs. Colton Smith
This should be a good fight for grappling fans. This is the ninth fight in UFC history between winners of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show.
Smith has smothering wrestling and loves to blanket his opponent. Chiesa has good reach and is also good on the ground. Whoever can keep off their back will win this fight.
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