UFC 178 Predictions

The UFC is back on PPV this Saturday in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. UFC 178 was supposed to feature the highly anticipated fight between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, but the fight had to be pushed back to UFC 182 after a Jones injury.

To see the video picks for this event click here to skip to Kamikaze Scotties and click here for Mike Waz’s picks.

UFC 178 Best Bets

• Bet Conor McGregor by TKO/KO –120 (5Dimes) vs. Dustin Poirier

McGregor (15-2) is 3-0 in the UFC with two TKO wins over Brimage and Brandao. Poirier (16-3) is 8-2 in the UFC and he has won 3 fights in a row including two knockout wins over Brandao and Corassani. I feel he doesn’t get the respect he deserves.

I’m a fan of Poirier, but McGregor will prove to be too much to handle. McGregor has never been taken down in the UFC and his striking defense is 71%. I like that the Irish fighter is always looking for the big finish and I like McGregor to win by TKO/KO.

• Bet Yoel Romero –141 (Pinnacle) vs. Tim Kennedy

Yoel Romero (8-1) has one career loss against Cavalcante (Strikeforce), but he’s 4-0 in the UFC. Romero is an Olympics wrestler and will be able to put Tim Kennedy (18-4) on his back. Kennedy has 77% TD defense, but he hasn’t faced a wrestler this good.

Kennedy knocked out Natal two fights ago, but he isn’t known for his power. He is a tough grinder, but Romero will be able to wear him down with constant takedowns and an improved striking game although I hope Romero doesn’t try to stand with Kennedy.

• Bet Brian Ebersole +191 (SportBet) vs. John Howard

Brian Ebersole (50-16-1-1) is a tough veteran, but clearly he’s running out of steam. He has lost his last two fights (James Head & Rick Story) and he needs a win to remain in the UFC. We’ll find out whether or not Ebersole is spent after this fight with Howard (22-9).

Howard shocked a lot of people with his win over Hall, but he just lost to LaFlare. Howard has good striking and will have an edge in power against Ebersole, but if Ebersole uses his size advantage to keep Howard at a distance he’ll have success in the stand-up.

• Bet Johnson / McGregor / Zingano / Cruz / Masvidal Parlay +212 (SportsInteraction)

Demetrious Johnson (20-2-1) has won six in a row against elite competition since 2012. He’ll fight Chris Cariaso (17-5) and it should be a cakewalk for Johnson. Zingano (8-0) takes on Nunes (9-3) in a fight I can’t wait to watch, as Nunes has looked great lately.

Nunes is 2-0 in the UFC with two TKO/KO wins, but I expect Zingano to remain undefeated. Dominick Cruz (19-1) is back in the cage for the first time since 2011 against Mizugaki (20-7-2). It’s hard to tell how Cruz will fair, but I expect a dominant performance.

Cruz is still young enough to make a run in the division, but he’ll need to pick up some big wins on the way back up. Masvidal (27-8) has won two in a row and he should be able to handle Krause, but this is the pick I’m worried about the most on this parlay.

UFC 178 Demetrious Johnson vs Chris Cariaso Predictions – Mike Waz

UFC 178: Johnson vs Cariaso Predictions – Kamikaze Scottie