UFC 236 Predictions: Holloway vs Poirier 2
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UFC 236 is shaping up to be an epic showdown, just as the UFC has been doing for all of 2019. The State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia will be the host for UFC 236 as Max Holloway is set to face off against Dustin Poirier with the interim lightweight championship on the line in the main event of the evening.
The middleweight interim title it also up for grabs in the co-main event, which features Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya. The early prelims will be on UFC Fight Pass starting at 4:15pm MT, the prelims move over to ESPN at 6:00pm MT, and the main card kicks off at 10:00pm MT on ESPN +.
Ovince St. Preux (#12) vs Nikita Krylov (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: Krylov has an impressive fight resume, and is a finisher for sure. Krylov has 11 career wins by KO and 14 career wins by submission. What Krylov does not have on his resume, is a win against high level competition in the UFC. He has lost his last two fights, but those losses are to highly talented fighters like Cirkunov and Blachowicz. OSP has been at this for a while and has been in some huge fights. He needs to get a big win here to try to break back into the top 10.
Ovince St. Preux def. Nikita Krylov via TKO in round 3.
Jordan: Ovince Saint Preux and Nikita Krylov will run back their 2014 fight to open our main card. OSP picked up the quick submission win first time out and I for one expect a similar result this once again. OSP whilst perhaps not an elite level light heavyweight, is certainly a step above Krylov and this will be evident come fight night.
Ovince St. Preux def. Nikita Krylov via submission in round 2.
Alan Jouban vs Dwight Grant (Welterweight)
Connor:With a first-round finish in his last fight, Grant earned his first win in the UFC. Grant is a contract winner from DWTNCS and will look to take advantage of his big reach advantage over Jouban. Grant has power in his hands, but Jouban has shown he can hang with some of the best power hitters and hand out some damage of his own. This fight could be fun to watch.
Alan Jouban def. Dwight Grant via unanimous decision.
Jordan: An intriguing fight between a longstanding UFC veteran and a relative newcomer to the big show. Jouban has been mixing it with the best for years whilst Grant came through Tuesday Night Contender to grab a UFC contract last year. Grant has that explosive power that can win this fight at any moment, but Jouban’s overall skill set is much greater and should get him through a tough fight.
Alan Jouban def. Dwight Grant via unanimous decision.
Eryk Anders vs Khalil Rountree Jr. (Light Heavyweight)
Connor: Both fighters will be looking to establish some positive momentum after up and down performances in recent fights. Both Anders and Rountree are known for their preference of striking and to seek the knockout. If the other is willing to do the same, we could see fireworks, and an incredible stand up match between two guys who could end the other fighter’s night in a hurry. Anders has been on the short end of a couple fights against top level talent, and I think he is more battle tested in the UFC.
Eryk Anders def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via KO in round 2.
Jordan: It’s back up to 205-pounds after a tough 2018 for Anders. Fighting four times in 2018, he picked up his first pro loss, quickly followed by his second and third. In those losses though, he always remained competitive, against top competition, something which will see him well moving forward. His opponent Khalil Rountree Jr. starched kickboxing legend Gohkan Saki before being on the receiving end of a vicious shot from Johnny Walker. Not the greatest year for either man. 2019 will start better for one of them. I believe it will be Anders, despite tough defeats he’s looked good, if he can kick on to the next level he can make a real run this year.
Eryk Anders def. Khalil Rountree Jr. via unanimous decision.
Kelvin Gastelum (#4) vs Israel Adesanya (#5) (Middleweight) – Interim Championship
Connor: Gastelum just finds a way to win despite giving up size and reach to most of his opponents. He has power in his left hand, and has tallied 7 wins on his record coming from a knockout, and 4 victories coming by way of submission. Adesanya may have one of the most impressive rises in the sport of MMA in recent memory, he is 16-0, undefeated as an MMA fighter, and has an incredible professional kickboxing background that has translated well into the UFC. Adesanya may be one of the most polarizing fighters in the UFC, and will look to continue to be his polarizing self en route to his first title fight in the UFC.
Israel Adesanya def. Kelvin Gastelum via TKO in round 2.
Jordan: A true victim of the UFC weight division structure, Kelvin Gastelum has still managed to carve out a title shot despite being undersized at 185-pounds. Slick boxing with KO power and solid wrestling to match, he’s a true mixed martial artist, very capable of upsetting the bookmakers in this one. Israel Adesanya has burst onto the MMA scene with huge knockouts, brash talk and an undefeated record. What’s not to like? His high-level kickboxing could have Kelvin on the end of a nasty highlight reel KO but it also leaves gaps. Adesanya is very much a specialist. He won’t look for submissions, he won’t wrestle he’ll simply want a kickboxing fight. Kelvin Gastelum would be stupid to give him that. The victory will all depend on the wrestling exchanges and who comes out on top in them. Either way, we will have a new interim champion and a worthy opponent for long time champ Robert Whittaker.
Kelvin Gastelum def. Israel Adesanya via TKO in round 4.
Max Holloway (C-Featherweight) vs Dustin Poirier (#3) (Lightweight) – Interim Championship
Connor: What a fight. A rematch between, what was two young prospects looking to make a name for themselves, and what is now two of the biggest names in the UFC. Holloway jumps up in weight to challenge for the interim title at lightweight. I have a couple questions about this fight, how does Holloway look at 155-pounds? Will we see Holloway like we have never seen him (with an easier weight cut)? Was he diminishing his skills to make 145-pounds? Does his power translate in a heavier division? Can he take hits from the heavier division? Poirier has excelled in the lightweight division and will look to show that this is his home, and his throne. I expect this to be a great fight, possibly one for the ages.
Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via TKO in round 3.
Jordan: The rematch I didn’t even realize I wanted, until it was actually made. Holloway vs Poirier is the fight of 2019 so far and has all the makings of an absolute classic. Holloway is looking to establish himself as a true great at only 27 years of age. Whilst Dustin Poirier journey to this point has been long and tough, never has a shot been more earned. It’s honestly a shame one of these guys must lose. I expect carnage. I expect blood. I expect this fight to stretch into the later rounds. Ultimately though, I expect Max Holloway to win. His fighting style is simply a joy to watch and a nightmare to be on the receiving end of. Whilst Dustin Poirier has good hands, nice power and a huge heart he is now in with the best of the best and it’s against these guys he’ll come up short. Max Holloway with an extra 10-pounds on him makes for a scary fighter. More power, a bigger engine and a complete game he truly is one of the best to ever do it and will be interim lightweight champion come Saturday night.
Max Holloway def. Dustin Poirier via TKO in round 3.
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