UFC 271: Derek Brunson vs Jared Cannonier predictions, odds and fight preview
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Jared Cannonier-Derek Brunson
UFC 271 is going down to be an awesome card as far as the main and the co-main events are concerned but one should not overlook this spectacular middleweight clash between Derek Brunson and Jared Cannonier. This fight is possible for the winner to be the next one in line for the title shot against the winner of the main event, a title rematch between current champion Israel Adesanya and preceding champion Robert Whittaker. It would rather be an underestimation to think that the fight would only go to the distance and there are no chances of a finish, here’s why.
On one hand, Brunson, a winner of 23 out of 30 professional MMA fights and has won 16 of those via finishes, which falls to 12 knockouts and 4 submissions. Cannonier, who once fought at heavyweight, has won 14 of 19 professional MMA fights with 11 finishes, 9 knockouts and 2 submissions. Hence, both the fighters are capable of either way of finishing the fight, either by knocking out the other person or by submitting him to tap.
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For the record, Cannonier has knocked out a heavyweight as well in a pro-MMA fight. So it’s quite dangerous on paper and becomes easily predictable to assume who’s got more power. But as we cut more weight, so do we cut more power, so coming from heavyweight to light -heavyweight and finally middleweight, Cannonier has got less power, but his TKO victories over David Branch, Jack Hermansson and Anderson Silva tell that Cannonier is not just about the power, but some really good IQ on technique as well.
Also, Cannonier is ground and pound thirsty if his opponent falls short of his power and goes to the ground. Look at his fights against Asker, Roehrick and Hermansson which he fought at 3 different weight classes. But in order to be great at ground and pound, you’ve got to be good at controlling the top position from the ground, that’s where Brunson comes to the play. Derek Brunson’s defence to keep the fight standing, and his submission skills on top of that more than just good.
But besides his wrestling for defence, Brunson’s kickboxing is the reason he has more knockout finishes than submission. In his fight with Brian Houston, Brunson delivers a spectacular head kick to wobble Houston in order to put him to the ground and choke him out to the finish.
Both the fighters, as one can see from the highlights, connect more often than expected from their opponents and therefore take perfect advantage when the person’s defence is on loose, that’s how Brunson and Cannonier can make this fight more exciting, on their feet and expect volumes of heavy shots, a perfect blend of power and precision in a complete MMA matchup.
Derek Brunson vs Jared Cannonier betting odds and final prediction
In this 3-round battle, Cannonier is the favourite to win at -160 over Brunson who’s an underdog at +140.
Official Prediction: Derek Brunson to defeat Jared Cannonier via TKO at Round 3. Who do you think wins?
Is it a title shot for US Army Veteran, “KillaGorilla” Cannonier or will Brunson, a Strikeforce veteran, will live to be a part of a UFC title fight after fighting in the world’s biggest promotion for almost a decade? Also, who do you think wins the middleweight title at the main event?
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Abhai Singh Tanwar
(1386 Articles Published)