UFC Fight Night 147: Till vs Masvidal
Courtesy: MMA Digest
The UFC heads across the pond on Saturday to London, England for UFC Fight Night 147: Till vs Masvidal. The main and co-main events will showcase top level talent from the welterweight division. The main event has England’s own, Darren Till (17-1-1) facing off against UFC veteran Jorge Masvidal (32-13-0). Till will be looking to rebound after his unsuccessful attempt to claim UFC gold back in September, in a fight where he was submitted in the second round by then champ, Tyron Woodley. Masvidal is coming off two straight losses by decision, but has the skill set to test any welterweight in the division. Masvidal, known by some for his You Tube backyard brawl videos, thrives off of fighting in enemy territory, so the Pro-Till crowd should have little to no effect on the outcome of this one.
The co-main event features Leon Edwards (16-3-0) taking on Gunnar Nelson (17-3-1). Edwards, originally from Jamaica, but grew up in England, feels slighted that he was not selected to be in the main event. He will be looking to make a statement by finishing Nelson in spectacular fashion. Edwards is 8-1 in his last nine fights, with his only loss during this period dating back to 2015, when he was defeated by current welterweight champ, Kamaru Usman. Nelson is coming off an impressive submission victory over Alex Oliveira, back in December. Nelson, a heavily decorated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner from Iceland, can vault himself into the Top 10 of the division with a win over Edwards on Saturday.
Picks (Current record 5-4)
Till vs Masvidal
Till will look to utilize his Muay Thai skills to keep the fight standing. Till will enter the octagon bigger than Masvidal, so Jorge will be looking to avoid early damage. Jorge has the skills to exchange in the pocket though, should the fight stay there. I think the loss to Woodley still weighs heavy on Till, and it may have a negative impact on his confidence entering this fight. Masvidal has nerves of steel, a broad skill set, and the ability to make adjustments during the fight. Masvidal gets the upset here.
Pick: Masvidal by stoppage in round 3.
Edwards vs Nelson
A classic striker vs grappler match-up. While Edwards has the advantage should the fight stay standing, it’s hard to imagine Gunnar not getting this fight to the mat eventually. Edwards has a solid take down defense, but I’m not sure that he’s faced someone with the explosive power of Nelson. Critical that Gunnar avoids a slow start in this one. I think he can be successful in doing so and turns the fight into a grappling contest.
Pick: Nelson by sub in round 2.
Others
Reyes over Oezdemir
Wood over Quinonez
Silva over Roberts
Marshman over Phillips
Guest Picks by Lake Area Handicapper Aaron Maddox
Till vs Masvidal
Darren Till is a huge welterweight who has struggled in the past to make weight. Jorge Masvidal is as game as he is well rounded. If he utilizes his wrestling and pressures Till, he should be able to edge out a decision.
Pick: Masvidal by decision.
Edwards vs Nelson
Leon Edwards is improving with every fight. He has excellent wrestling. Three out of his last four fights have gone to decision. Gunner Nelson, a BJJ black belt since the age of 21, should be able to get top control at some point during the fight.
Pick: Nelson by sub in round 3.
Others
Reyes over Oezdemir
Wood over Quinonez
Silva over Roberts
Phillips over Marshman
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