UFC Fight Night: Costa vs. Vettori (October 23, 2021)

**PaperTrail07** · 10-19-21, 01:45 PM

Edwards is very new to MMA.... Rose Clark should cruise to a win here...

**magpie878** · 10-20-21, 10:33 AM

What's Costa's path to victory? KOing a blockhead who doesn't lose by KO? Decision-ing him, meaning Costa's going five full rounds without getting stopped?

Will Costa be too worried about his plugs getting punched out? Or have too much wine the night before?

I don't love backing Vettori but there's zero chance I ever put money on Costa.

(and Bellator Moscow Saturday also)

**Demonata** · 10-20-21, 01:19 PM

Decent card

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 10-20-21, 01:38 PM

love these earlier start cards, main card starts at 4:00 pm EST, usually done by 7pm

**magpie878** · 10-20-21, 01:58 PM

Vettori tweeting things about Costa being heavy, trying to get out of the fight, or something.. and says he'll fight at next weight class if need be, he's not letting it go.

Go Vettori!

**PaperTrail07** · 10-20-21, 02:18 PM

unless its a fight so big that it owns the night.....AGREE 100%

Originally posted by THE_LOCKSMITH

love these earlier start cards, main card starts at 4:00 pm EST, usually done by 7pm

**PaperTrail07** · 10-20-21, 02:18 PM

Vettori will maul him...

Originally posted by magpie878

Vettori tweeting things about Costa being heavy, trying to get out of the fight, or something.. and says he'll fight at next weight class if need be, he's not letting it go.

Go Vettori!

**Sanity Check** · 10-21-21, 04:54 AM

Another early start time.

**hankcream** · 10-21-21, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by Sanity Check

Another early start time.

Wait until next weekend, prelims start at 10:30am EST - 7:30am PST

**JIBBBY** · 10-21-21, 11:43 AM

Prelim write ups -

155 lbs.: Khama Worthy vs. Jai Herbert

Khama Worthy (16-8) was appropriately explosive in his first two UFC appearances, shocking Devonte Smith with a bonus-winning knockout and tapping Luis Pena 10 months later. Recent efforts weren’t quite as successful, and “The Deathstar” enters the cage this Saturday on the heels of two knockout losses in a combined 2:19.
He stands two inches shorter than Herbert and gives up three inches of reach.
Jai Herbert (10-3) entered his 2020 UFC debut with a six-fight win streak at his heels and the Cage Warriors Lightweight title around his waist, only to suffer a comeback knockout loss to Francisco Trinaldo on “Fight Island.” He didn’t find much more luck against Renato Moicano, who used his strong ground game to tap Herbert late in the second.
“The Black Country Banger” has knocked out eight professional foes and submitted one other.
I believe the correct phrase here is “don’t blink.” While the universe delights in turning guaranteed slugfests into bizarre slogs (as we saw in that Thiago Santos vs. Johnny Walker main event the other week) it’s hard to envision this fight lasting very long.
And that’s not good news for Worthy.
The man’s a far better fighter than I often give him credit for, but he’s still by far the glassier and less polished of these two cannons. Indeed, Herbert’s got a clear edge in overall kickboxing craft, especially since he won’t have to worry about stopping takedowns this time around. Herbert could still run face-first into something nasty like he did against Trinaldo, sure, but it’s likelier that he catches Worthy and puts him down in the first few minutes.
Prediction: Herbert via first round knockout
Related
Up Next! Costa Vs Vettori In Vegas!

125 lbs.: Jeff Molina vs. Daniel Lacerda

Jeff Molina (9-2) extended his win streak to seven with a decision over Jacob Silva on “Contender Series”, earning himself a contract despite the lack of a finish. This set up an April 2021 UFC debut against Aoriqileng, which Molina won by “Fight of the Night” decision after three exceedingly brutal rounds.
“El Jefe” has scored five submissions and two knockouts as a professional.
Daniel Lacerda (11-1) “Miojo” got off to an undefeated (7-0) professional start before a shoulder injury prematurely ended a bid at Shooto Brasil gold. He has since won three straight, including a first round technical knockout of Rodrigo Sarafian in July 2021.
All of his wins have come inside the distance, six of them by submission.
Impressive as he is on tape, Lacerda still has a lot to prove at 25 years old. He’s never gone past the second round, has somewhat iffy wrestling, and has yet to graduate beyond mid-tier opposition. I’ve still got him winning this one, though I’ll admit it’s as much a gut pick as anything else. He looks to have far more stopping power on the feet than Molina, whose movement-heavy style leaves him vulnerable to Lacerda’s power kicks. Molina’s also struggled with takedown defense in the past, giving Lacerda the chance to bring his potent submissions to bear and further set up his kickboxing.
This is all moot if Lacerda’s only got five minutes of gas, of course, but I like to be optimistic sometimes. In short, he catches Molina cold sometime in the first.
Prediction: Lacerda via first round technical knockout
Related
Brazilian Bulldozer Vs LEGO Blockhead

115 lbs.: Livinha Souza vs. Randa Markos

Livinha Souza (14-3) — who once held the Invicta FC Strawweight title — started her UFC career strong by tapping Alex Chambers and out-lasting the hulking Sarah Frota soon after. “The Brazilian Gangsta” is 1-2 since, most recently suffering her first-ever stoppage loss to Amanda Lemos.
Her 10 professional finishes are split 8-2 between submissions and knockout.
Randa Markos (10-11-1) — one of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20 standouts — spent her first five years in the Octagon without ever winning or losing two consecutive fights. The pattern finally broke in 2020, and she now finds herself in the midst of a four-fight losing streak.
She stands an inch shorter than Souza at 5’4”, though she’ll have a slight reach advantage.
An interesting clash here between the underachieving Souza and the formerly overachieving Markos. The former’s lack of size and weird reticence to use her strong takedown game has resulted in rough losses and painfully narrow wins, while Markos is no longer able to keep up with the contenders and prospects the UFC brass insists on chucking her way.
I’ve got Souza here, though she excels at throwing away fights. Markos’ takedown defense has repeatedly failed her in recent efforts, and Souza has a top-notch top game if nothing else. So long as Souza remembers that she’s a judo black belt and doesn’t insist on trading hands, she’s got the skills to either grind out a decision or snatch up a submission. In the end, expect her to pointlessly trade anyway, but still hit enough takedowns to get the win.
Prediction: Souza via split decision

185 lbs.: Jun Yong Park vs. Gregory Rodrigues

A seven-fight win streak, including a submission finish of future PFL tournament champion Ray Cooper III, carried Jun Yong Park (13-4) to the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. Though he fell to “Contender Series” graduate Anthony Hernandez in his promotional debut, “The Iron Turtle” has gone on to win three straight, most recently upsetting unbeaten Tafon Nchukwi in May 2021.
He stands five inches shorter than “Robocop” and gives up two inches of reach.
Gregory Rodrigues (10-3) put a 1-2 professional start to win his next six fights, setting up an ultimately unsuccessful “Contender Series” bid opposite Jordan Williams. He bounced back to win the LFA Middleweight championship, then cruised past Dusko Todorovic on late notice in his Octagon debut.
He has knocked out and submitted four professional foes apiece.
Park’s nickname isn’t an empty joke; in fact, I’m not at all confident that Rodrigues can finish him on the feet despite the latter’s monstrous power. Luckily, he doesn’t have to because, like most turtles, Park doesn’t particularly like being on his back, and Rodrigues boasts the wrestling and jiu-jitsu pedigrees to ruin Park’s day from there. While Park’s usually adept at scrambling back to his feet, I don’t see him getting out from underneath a physical best like “Robocop.”
Rodrigues has been hurt and stopped before, so it wouldn’t be too outlandish to see Park clip him. Considering how reliant Park’s been on his own grappling, though, I like Rodrigues to hold his own on the feet and dominate in his wheelhouse.
Prediction: Rodrigues via unanimous decision
Related
Vettori Wants To Chat With ‘Puppet’ Felder

155 lbs.: Mason Jones vs. David Onama

Though he didn’t walk away with the decision, former two-division Cage Warriors champion, Mason Jones (10-1), earned plenty of accolades for his “Fight of the Night” war with Mike Davis in his promotional debut. Next came Alan Patrick, whom Jones brutalized before an errant eye poke produced an anti-climactic “No Contest.”
He has knocked out four opponents and submitted another two.
David Onama (8-0) — the latest Glory MMA standout to join the world’s largest fight promotion — made his name under the KC Fighting Alliance and FAC banners. He’s fought twice already in 2021, stopping Mike Plazola and Brad Robison in less than three minutes combined.
He steps in for Patrick on just four days’ notice.
I really like the look of Onama, who seems more than Octagon-ready at 27 years old. He’s sharp, he hits like a truck, he’s got very solid grappling instincts, and he’s remarkably seasoned for having such a short career. However, Jones is just the wrong person to debut against. That’s because between his ridiculous durability and non-stop aggression, “The Dragon” is poised to drag Onama into by far the deepest waters of his career.
That’s not to say that Onama doesn’t have a strong gas tank or the ability to fight through adversity, just that he’s never had to deal with someone this implacable and devoted to beating the snot out of him. He’ll keep it competitive early, but Jones’ high-level experience should turn the tide for a mid-round finish.
Prediction: Jones via second round technical knockout
Related
Up Next! Costa Vs Vettori In Vegas!

115 lbs.: Tabatha Ricci vs. Maria Oliveira

Tabitha Ricci (5-1) went 3-0 under the LFA banner before stepping up on short notice to meet Manon Fiorot in her Flyweight UFC debut. Ricci proved unable to tame “The Beast,” succumbing to strikes midway through the second round.
“Baby Shark” stands five inches shorter than Oliveira and gives up seven inches of reach.
Maria Oliveira (12-4) reached the second round of Rizin’s Atomweight tournament before running afoul of eventual champion Kanna Asakura, snapping a nine-fight winning streak in the process. Though she similarly fell short against Marina Rodriguez on the Contender Series, she went on to defeat her next two opponents on the Brazilian circuit.
Her eight professional finishes include seven by submission.
The bad news for Ricci is that she’s once again facing a much taller, much lengthier opponent. The good news is that Oliveira’s far easier to tie up then Fiorot, is a much lesser wrestler, and lacks the Frenchwoman’s stopping power. So long as Ricci still has the confidence to push forward and get the fight into her preferred range, she shouldn’t have too much trouble tying up and dragging Oliveira to the mat, where she holds an absolutely massive edge.
Oliveira’s visibly improved since her defeats, which occurred before she even turned 22, but her historical troubles with pressure and inability to fight off of her back present juicy targets for a fighter with Ricci’s credentials. In the end, Ricci overpowers her on the ground for a quick finish.
Prediction: Ricci via first round submission
Related
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185 lbs.: Jamie Pickett vs. Laureano Staropoli

These two were supposed to fight earlier this month and I haven’t changed my mind, so here’s the previous write up ...
Undaunted by a pair of losses on “Contender Series,” Jamie Pickett (11-6) returned to the program to demolish Jhonoven Pati and finally secure a UFC contract. He’s still looking for his first Octagon victory, having fallen to fellow alumni Tafon Nchukwi and Jordan Wright in successive efforts.
“Nightwolf” will enjoy one inch of height and a whopping 10.5 inches of reach on “Pepi.”
Argentina’s Laureano Staropoli (9-4) warred his way into the Welterweight picture with entertaining wins over Hector Aldana and Thiago Alves, only to fall short against division standouts Muslim Salikhov and Tim Means. A subsequent move to Middleweight failed to produce immediate dividends, as he dropped a decision to Georgian bruiser Roman Dolidze earlier this summer.
He’s scored five knockouts as a professional.
Even with his recent struggles, I don’t think Staropoli is a bad fighter, just someone who got pushed too hard, too fast. While I’m still not sold on Middleweight being his ideal division, I do like his chances here; Pickett is notoriously vulnerable to aggressive strikers due to his poor cage awareness, making him an ostensibly easy mark for the all-action Argentinean. It’s not like Pickett’s reach will do him much good, either, as he constantly struggles to keep smaller men at a distance.
It’s not that I don’t like Pickett or that he can’t do some damage when he turns up the heat, but he’s just too fundamentally flawed to beat even a standard-issue slugger like “Pepi.” In the end, Staropoli walks him down and overpowers him inside for 15 minutes.
Prediction: Staropoli via unanimous decision

**hankcream** · 10-21-21, 03:29 PM

Vettori is a blockhead, but Costa is a complete idiot. Kicking myself for not hitting the early line, Vettori will probably be -200 soon.

**Hugo de Naranja** · 10-21-21, 08:27 PM

Got some early Vettori ML. Hopefully the fight still happens.

**sweep** · 10-22-21, 09:07 AM

Up to 205 now, Costa is a disgrace to the arts

**Demonata** · 10-22-21, 10:05 AM

I might have to bet on fatty.

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 10-22-21, 01:33 PM

Vettori came in at 204, so atleast he wasn't cutting knowing Costa was nowhere close

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 10-22-21, 01:38 PM

Grant Dawson and Ricky Glenn

Alex Caceres and Seungwoo Choi

Francisco Trinaldo and Dwight Grant

Mason Jones and David Onama

**magpie878** · 10-22-21, 01:40 PM

I love how these guys (especially when it's Dana) think their arm(s) will do the job keeping guys apart.

**PaperTrail07** · 10-22-21, 02:20 PM

Its going down and so is Costa...

Originally posted by Hugo de Naranja

Got some early Vettori ML. Hopefully the fight still happens.

**UncleChael** · 10-22-21, 05:10 PM

I will never watch a Bellator event again, after MVP won a round while being on his back for the last 3 minutes. They really wanted that trilogy.

**Sanity Check** · 10-22-21, 08:41 PM

A lot of people seem to hate Big John McCarthy for saying "it could have gone either way".

In rounds that were clear 10-9.

Whatever credibility he once had seems to be on a decline.

**Hugo de Naranja** · 10-23-21, 02:09 AM

Quick Picks:
Lazishvili
L. Souza
Molina
Herbert
Staropoli
Ricci
M. Jones
Park
Villanueva
Trinaldo
S. Choi
J. Clark
Dawson
Vettori

**Hugo de Naranja** · 10-23-21, 02:09 AM

Only bet is Vettori ML (-148) 0.65u to win 0.44u

**UncleChael** · 10-23-21, 06:30 AM

I got the Hotel/Motel on Vettori, hopefully the judges aren't Bellator judges. 10 houses on Marvin.

**Demonata** · 10-23-21, 09:18 AM

Fight day!!! Let's goooo vettori!

**dawg58kahn** · 10-23-21, 11:19 AM

Originally posted by Hugo de Naranja

Only bet is Vettori ML (-148) 0.65u to win 0.44u

where do u see vettori -148

**frankieunits2685** · 10-23-21, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by dawg58kahn

where do u see vettori -148

He opened around -120/-130.

**frankieunits2685** · 10-23-21, 11:24 AM

Fights in 30 mins.

**JIBBBY** · 10-23-21, 03:07 PM

That was an awesome fight. Gregory Rod got it in the end with punches.

Ninja Turtle got rocked and stopped.

**JIBBBY** · 10-23-21, 03:12 PM

The prelims were fun to watch for once. Good fights and fighters really trying to finish and win. Let's hope the Main Card is the same!!

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 10-23-21, 03:34 PM

Fedor walking out now....

**THE_LOCKSMITH** · 10-23-21, 03:43 PM

Fedor wins........ KO rd1

**Merlin21** · 10-23-21, 04:01 PM

Really? Even with out the point I thought Grant won that.

**frankieunits2685** · 10-23-21, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Merlin21

Really? Even with out the point I thought Grant won that.

I thought it was going to be a draw.

**Merlin21** · 10-23-21, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by frankieunits2685

I thought it was going to be a draw.

At the very least