UFC 282 Staff Picks: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev

UFC 282 Main Card

• Featherweight Bout- #9 Bryce Mitchell (15-0) vs. #14 Ilia Topuria (12-0)
• Middleweight Bout- #10 Darren Till (18-4-1) vs. #14 Dricus Du Plessis (17-2)
• Welterweight Bout- Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-6) vs. Alex Morono (22-7)
• Lightweight Bout- Paddy Pimblett (19-3) vs. Jared Gordon (19-5)
• Vacant Light Heavyweight Title Bout- #3 Jan Blachowicz (29-9) vs. #4 Magomed Ankalaev (17-1)

UFC 282 is scheduled for December 10th, 2022, at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas United States.

UFC 282 Co-Main Event- Paddy Pimblett vs. Jared Gordon

Justin Gibbons: It is hard to pick against Pimblett as his fights are always great to watch no matter who he is fighting. The hype for this fight has a main event vibe surrounding it and even with a dangerous opponent like Gordon, I feel Pimblett is going to show the world that he is ready for the next step in his career. If he can get past Gordon, a title shot might be next. Pimblett via. SUB, Round 2

Tom Kowalsky: Pimblett and Gordon is very interesting as both men are probably the best competition they have fought. Perhaps Gordon has the strength of schedule edge after bouts with Grant Dawson and Joe Soleki. Pimblett has been beaten in the feet against Jordan Leavitt, and Gordon showed good grappling agaisnt Soleki and for the first half of the fight with Dawson, don"t underestimate his Donaher Brown Belt. However, I think Pimblett wins in the late rounds after Gordon gets tired. Shorter layoff for “The Baddy" and he didn"t balloon up in weight, so excited to see how he looks in this one. Pimblett via. SUB/DEC

Austin Marr: Gordon is definitely the most well-rounder fighter Pimblett has faced up to this point. Their records even resemble each other, Pimblett (19-3) and Gordon (19-5). Where they separate though, is Gordon has been finished five times (4 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) to Pimblett"s one by submission. I also don"t think Gordon is as acclimated to the bright lights and pressure to perform on a stage of this magnitude like Pimblett is. I can see Pimblett losing the first round and then gaining steam in the later rounds, stunning Gordon on the feet and finishing the fight with a submission. I do think Pimblett loses at some point against other elites in the lightweight division, just not yet. Pimblett via. SUB, Round 3

Main Event- Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev

Justin Gibbons: It is disappointing that we"re not getting Jiri Prochazka vs. Glover Teixeira 2, but unfortunately injuries happen. Ankalaev is more well-rounded with his ability to sync the striking and wrestling to get the job done. Blachowicz is a beast and can end the fight at any point with his power, but I see Ankalaev avoiding the damage, capitalizing with some well-timed wrestling and getting the finish. Ankalaev via. KO/TKO, Round 3

Tom Kowalsky: Blachowicz has power, no question, but he also leaves his head exposed when going for those powerful shots. Ankalaev is great at distance management and defensive head movement that will probably be able to avoid or lessen the power behind Blachowicz. Ankalaev"s Russian-ness and technical footwork should be able to dance around Blachowicz and get the win. The longer the fight goes, the more I expect Ankalaev to win. Ankalaev via. DEC

Austin Marr: Listen, I do believe Ankalaev to be the more complete fighter compared to Blachowicz. Ankalaev has better footwork, head movement, defense and is even the better all-around striker. Blachowicz is the more experienced fighter with more power than his opponent, it shows in the record and finishes. Blachowicz not only has 20 more fights than Ankalaev under his belt, but he has nine KO/TKO finishes and nine SUB finishes to Ankalaev"s nine KO/TKO"s and zero SUB wins. Blachowicz knows what he lost to Teixeira, and he"s motivated to reclaim it. Blachowicz via. SUB, Round 3

UFC 282 Main Card Picks

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