Get a round of bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s next event, UFC Charlotte on May 13.
Following an action-packed card last week in New Jersey for UFC 288, the MMA world leader is back on the road and takes their caged fighting circus to North Carolina for a UFC Fight Night card in Charlotte headlined by a pair of top-15 heavyweights.
The main event bout between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Jailton Almeida is a clash of finishers who go about it in different ways. While the Brazilian has knockout power, his ground skills are his bread-and-butter. However, the native of Surinamee is a sniper on the feet. This will be a big win for whichever man walks away with the victory.
The card from inside the Spectrum Center also features quite a few battle-tested Octagon veterans including Mackenzie Dern, Tim Means, Johnny Walker, Daniel Rodriguez, and Cody Stamann. With all of that in mind, let’s make a few bold UFC predictions for the promotion’s card on Saturday.
UFC predictions: 4 UFC Charlotte fighters getting Ws Saturday
Jairzinho Rozenstruik (13-4) vs. Jailton Almeida (18-2)
After winning his first four UFC fights by knockouts, Rozenstruik’s run in the company has been up and down as he consistently faces elite fighters in the UFC heavyweight rankings. Now he will be looking to hold on to his spot in our top 10 when he faces a red-hot fight in Almeida on Saturday.
“Malhadinho” has won 12 straight including his first four in the UFC. What makes it all the more impressive is his UFC wins have all been finishes and two each by knockout and submission. “Bigi Boy” will be a huge step up in competition and challenge on the feet. However, with Almeida having multiple ways to win and his foe having weaknesses in his grappling, look for him to continue his hot streak at UFC Charlotte.
- UFC Charlotte odds: Rozenstruik (+430), Almeida (-560)
- Prediction: Almeida by submission, Round 1
Anthony Smith (36-17) vs. Johnny Walker (20-7)
UFC Charlotte has a fantastic matchup at light heavyweight when former title challenger Anthony Smith faces the always-dangerous power striker Johnny Walker. Smith certainly is a more well-rounded fighter than the Brazilian, but Walker has built needed momentum with back-to-back wins.
While Smith has a lot of mileage on his body after a long career in the sport, he has the better fight IQ in this matchup. Look for him to bring a measured approach early, get the bout to the mat, and dominate his opponent en route to a submission win.
- Odds: Smith (+100), Walker (-120)
- UFC Prediction: Smith by submission, Round 2
Daniel Rodriguez (17-3) vs. Ian Garry (11-0)
The card on Saturday also offers a very interesting matchup at welterweight when gritty striker Daniel Rodriguez battles Irish stud prospect, Ian Garry. There is a lot of hype behind “The Future” but this will be by far his toughest test yet in the UFC.
The American certainly has the skills to win this bout, but at 36, it is more likely that Garry’s youth and athleticism will win the day. Suffering a second straight loss in the Octagon and the first TKO loss of his career.
- Odds: Rodriguez (+200), Garry (-240)
- UFC Prediction: Garry by TKO, Round 2
Tim Means (32-14-1) vs. Alex Morono (22-8)
Tim Means versus Alex Morono is a very fan-friendly matchup at UFC Charlotte. Neither man is going to be a title challenger at welterweight during their career, but few in the division are more consistent in entertaining fights than these two durable veterans.
At 39, every fight will be a tough matchup for Means at the highest levels of the sport. Five years ago, he might have been the favorite against Morono but with his opponent right in his prime and coming off a hot streak before his loss in December, “The Great White” is the favorite for good reason and should score a hard-fought decision win on Saturday.
- Odds: Means (+185), Morono (-215)
- UFC Prediction: Morono by unanimous decision
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