UFC 200: My predictions:

UFC 200 is arguably the biggest card the mixed martial arts community has seen since UFC 100. 100 UFC's later, i give my predictions on the July 9th event.

Preliminary Card [UFC Fight Pass] 

Lightweight: Jim Miller V Takanori Gomi:

Former PRIDE Lightweight Champion Takanori Gomi features in the opening fight of UFC 200 against Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Jim Miller 

Jim Miller via unanimous decision.

Middleweight: Gegard Mousasi V Thiago Santos:

Former Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi takes on Brazilian Thiago Santos, with both men coming off the back of victories. Santos replaced Middleweight contender Derek Brunson who pulled out of the fight.

Gegard Mousasi via TKO

Lightweight: Diego Sanchez V Joe Lauzon:

Ultimate Fighter season 1 winner Diego Sanchez takes on Joe Lauzon in what could easily be a contender for fight of the night with both men having reputations to 'stand and bang'. Sanchez comes into the bout flying high after coming of a decision victory over Jim Miller, while Lauzon is coming off a loss to Evan Dunham.

Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision


Preliminary Card [Fox Sports]

Lightweight: Sage Northcutt v Enrique Marín:

'Super Sage' Northcutt faces Enrique Marín with many punters expecting a victory for Sage, it's a perfect fight for young Northcutt as the UFC brass look to build on the 20 year old's reputation. 

Sage Northcutt via TKO

Bantamweight: T.J. Dillashaw v Raphael Assuncao:

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion T.J. Dillashaw face Brazilian Raphael Assuncao for the 2nd time with Assuncao coming away with the victory in the pairs first bout. Although T.J. has lost to Raphael before, i believe he has developed drastically, particularly with his footwork and unpredictability and showed tremendous striking against former champ Renan Barao.

T.J. Dillashaw via unanimous decision.

Welterweight: Johnny Hendricks V Kelvin Gastelum:

Johnny 'Big Rig' Hendricks looks to put himself back into the Welterweight title frame after he was demolished by Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson earlier on in the year. Hendricks, prominently a wrestler, has developed his striking to become a dangerous hitter and could cause Gastelum problems.

Johnny Hendricks via TKO

Women's Bantamweight: Cat Zingano V Julianna Pena:

Former title contender Cat Zingano takes on the 'Venezuelan Vixen' Julianna Pena after a long lay off from the sport. Zingano last fought Ronda Rousey at UFC 184 losing by submission. Zingano holds victories over current champion Miesha Tate and challenger Amanda Nunes and is a vicious knockout artist with terrifying elbow and knee strikes.

Cat Zingano via TKO


Main Card:

Heavyweight: Cain Velasquez V Travis Browne:

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez takes on Travis 'Happa' Browne in the first fight of the main card. Velasquez has battled with a back injury and hasn't fought since his title fight against Fabricio 'Vai Cavalo' Werdum at UFC 188 Travis Browne on the other hand last fought and beat Matt Mitrione and will hold the height and reach advantage. This fight is very important to both men as Velasquez looks to remind peolpe who he is and Travis Browne looks to announce himslef with a vicotrey over a former champion.

Travis Browne via TKO

Featherweight Interim Championship: José Aldo V Frankie Edgar:

These men enter the arena for their 2nd meeting with the interim UFC Featherweight title on the line with the winner expected to face Conor McGregor later in the year in a unification bout. Aldo, coming off a 13 second loss to McGregor has arguably the biggest fight of his life against Edgar with many people suggesting to a retirement if he comes up short against the former Lightweight champ. 'The Answer' Edgar looks to finally get his shot at McGregor and a victory against Aldo could send the Brazilian into retirement.

José Aldo via split decision

Women's Bantamweight Championship: Miesha Tate [C] V Amanda Nunes:

Miesha 'Cupcake' Tate face Amanda Nunes in her first title defence after submitting Holly Holm at UFC 196. Tate will try to utilise her superior submissions and take the fight to the ground whenever possible. Nunes i feel could cause an upset with her impressive striking.

Miesha Tate via Submission

Heavyweight: Brock Lesnar V Mark Hunt:

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar makes his return to the Octagon against New Zealander Mark Hunt. Lesnar, last fought Alistair Overeem in 2011 and was defeated by the dutch K1 champion. Lesnr who has superior wrestling over Hunt may have to be cautious in the opening exchanges with Hunt a deadly knockout artist.  If the fight goes to the ground Lesnar picks up a returning win, if it stays on the feet Hunt picks up another TKO or a decision victory.

Mark Hunt via TKO

Light Heavyweight Championship: Daniel Cormier [C] V Jon Jones [IC]

Daniel Cormier defends his Light Heavyweight title against Jon 'Bones' Jones in the main event of UFC 200. Cormier has already been defeated by Jones with Jones overcoming Ovince St. Preux to win the Interim Championship. I can't in my mind see a way in which the youngest ever UFC champion can be beaten by Daniel Cormier and i think Jones will be satisfied with a decision victory over his fierce enemy.

Jon Jones via unanimous decision.

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