The most stacked card of the year is finally here as UFC Fight Night 26 goes down this Saturday night at TD Garden in Boston and the prelim fights look to be absolutely outstanding.
Watch UFC on Sportsnet: Shogun vs. Sonnen on Saturday Aug. 17 starting at 6pm ET / 3pm PT on Sportsnet 360, plus catch three bonus prelims on sportsnet.ca starting at 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT – Broadcast Schedule
There are seven preliminary card bouts scheduled for UFC Fight Night 26, and here’s my predictions for each of them.
Michael McDonald vs. Brad Pickett
The featured bout on the prelims is an outstanding bantamweight bout between top contenders Michael McDonald and Brad Pickett in a match that could be “Fight of the Night.”
This should be a great fight for however long it lasts, but I’ll side with the younger fighter here and pick MacDonald to win the fight by knockout.
Prediction: McDonald via TKO
Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway
One of the most hyped prospects in years is Conor McGregor, and the popular Irish fighter has been paired up against Max Holloway in a matchup between two young, dynamic strikers.
I think the UFC is giving McGregor a decent matchup as far as styles go and so I’m going to go with him to continue his win streak with a big knockout win.
Prediction: McGregor via TKO
Mike Brown vs. Steven Siler
Former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown returns to the cage after a year off to take on the surging Steven Siler in what is an interesting featherweight bout.
If Siler can keep the fight standing he will be the better striker and land the bigger shots and sway the judges to his favor. Although Brown is a solid wrestler, I do think Siler can keep the fight standing and I ultimately think he wins a decision.
Prediction: Siler via decision
Diego Brandao vs. Daniel Pineda
An explosive featherweight match between Diego Brandao and Daniel Pineda kicks off the televised prelim card, and with both guys being finishers there’s no way this fight goes the distance.
Ultimately I do believe that, while he’s flawed, Brandao is the superior mixed martial artist and I think he has what it takes to stop Pineda with a TKO.
Prediction: Brandao via TKO
Cole Miller vs. Manny Gamburyan
Another featherweight fight is on the docket as Cole Miller takes on Manny Gamburyan in a battle between TUF 5 veterans that really could go either way.
It’s a close match and I see it going to decision, but I think Miller is going to be the more effective striker throughout the match and I see the judges siding with him.
Prediction: Miller via decision
Cody Donovan vs. Ovince St-Preux
The only light-heavyweight match on the card sees Cody Donovan take on Ovince St-Preux in a fight that likely ends inside the distance as both of these men possess gigantic power in their strikes.
With more experience and with a youth advantage, I’m going to lean towards St-Preux in this fight, and I think he wins the fight via TKO.
Prediction: St-Preux via TKO
James Vick vs. Ramsey Nijem
The first online prelim of the evening sees TUF 15’s James Vick return to the cage after a very long layoff to take on TUF 13’s Ramsey Nijem in what is essentially a classic striker vs. grappler matchup.
If Vick is able to use his long frame to stay at range as well as defend the takedowns then he should be able to pick Nijem apart and that, combined with Nijem having a very questionable chin, means I have to ignore the layoff and go with Vick to finish the fight.
Prediction: Vick via KO
