UFC on ESPN 12 Predictions Preview and Odds
UFC on ESPN 12 features a probable title eliminator as the feature bout from Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The top bill pits no. 3-ranked former Interim 155 lb. champ Dustin Poirier(-220) against rising challenger Dan "The Hangman" Hooker (+180). Odds courtesy of BestFightOdds.com
Poirier boasts five straight non-title wins vs. upper rung opponents. "Diamond" battered ex featherweight champ Max Holloway last spring with expert hands to claim Interim honors before falling short vs. unbeaten Khabib Nurmagomedov. During his September 2019 unification tilt, Poirier (25-6) almost finished his heavily favored opponent before falling victim to another Nurmagomedov submission.
Among the world's premier cage fighters, 31-year-old Poirier has defeated Jim Miller, TKOd standouts Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje and brutally finished Anthony Pettis via body triangle to enter Saturday a feared man. Though his two capstone romps vs. Holloway give the feel Poirier could upset Nurmagomedov if a rematch unfolds.
Although,Dan Hooker hopes to play spoiler after winning seven of eight, including three consecutive, while climbing the 155 pound ladder. Hooker (21-8) recently out hustled Paul Felder to earn a career-defining chance this weekend. The 30-year-old doesn't offer as many high-stakes wins as Poirier, but recent nods over Felder, Al Iaquinta and James Vick mitigate the New Zealander's December 2018 KO loss versus Edson Barboza.
When Poirier and Hooker tangle, the latter will hold moderate length advantages. However, "Diamond's" pocket experience will be key as he wades in to stop Hooker via TKO mid-way through an entertaining scrap. Poirier is determined and capable to lock down a redemptive championship rematch against either Gaethje or Nurmagomedov.
Dustin Poirier wins by TKO.
Mickey Gall (5-2) vs. Mike Perry (13-6)
Co-main event action places unranked welterweights Mike "Platinum" Perry (-280) and streaking Mickey Gall (+215) in Octagon battle.
Flying a bit under radar, Gall has won two of three Zuffa contests and owns the length and wrestling advantages vs. Perry. Meanwhile, Perry has lost five of seven since upsetting Paul Felder in 2018. Coasting a bit on name value, "Platinum" was recently halted by Geoff Neal and decisioned by Vicente Luque.
While Perry brings 11 TKO wins in against Gall, those accrued losses are troubling. Conversely, Mickey Gall is looking for consecutive victories after outclassing Salim Touahri. Sporting three added inches of reach, and five career submissions, Gall has enough momentum to take a +215 shot onagainst fading Perry.
Mickey Gall wins by decision
Kyle Daukaus (6-0) vs. Brendan Allen (13-3)
Having won six straight, no. 13 UFC middleweight Brendan Allen (-300) takes on undefeated short-notice replacement Kyle Daukaus (+250).
Look for 24-year-old Allen to shine as he gains his third stoppage in as many Ultimate Fighting appearances when rudely welcoming CFFC middleweight belt holder Daukaus.
Well-rounded from his time at Roufusport, "All In" Allen owns five paid TKOs and eight subs. Expect another Brendan Allen showcase finish Saturday vs. overmatched competition.
Allen by stoppage
Gilan Villante (17-11) vs. Maurice Green (8-5)
Massive size discrepancy looms as usual light heavyweight Gian Villante (+190) makes his UFC heavyweight debut versus 6'7 Maurice Green (-230).
Holding an appreciable seven-inch reach edge, look for Green to net a fourth Octagon win Saturday. Just two of Crochet Bosses' paid victories come via TKO - though, surprisingly, four come by submission. That stated, expect a TKO win for Green as the 265 lb. mauler hands Villante a sixth career KO loss. It's also worth noting the much larger fighter can easily outwork his lower-tier 205 lb. Zuffa foe on the mat for a submission if that route opens. But, as every fight begins standing, Green should use sheer leverage to put away his chinny assignment.
Maurice Green by TKO
Check back this week for undercard UFC on ESPN 12 picks, predictions and odds.