NEOSI UFC Sydney Predictions

The UFC enters Sydney, Australia tonight for their fight card featured on Fox Sports 1. The headliner is Fabricio Werdum, as he takes on Marcin Tybura in a heavyweight clash. Werdum is on the hunt for another title shot since losing the strap to Stipe Miocic at UFC 197 in his homeland of Brazil. Since then, he hasn’t suffered more than one loss at the hands of Alistair Overeem. Werdum has been rather complacent in the octagon, taking victories by decision in situations where he needs to impress the UFC brass. However, he dismantled last-minute replacement Walt Harris in less than two minutes his last time out, possibly signifying some urgency now from him. After a weird week that saw Werdum charged in an incident with fellow UFC fighter Colby Covington in which he threw a boomerang at the controversial fighter, it will be interesting to see where Werdum’s head is at.

Tybura is a dangerous striker and can hold his own on the ground. One wouldn’t suggest rolling around on the mat with Werdum. But if Tybura feels like making things interesting, he definitely has the experience to test the waters and jump into Werdum’s guard. This is the biggest fight of Tybura’s career and could help him jump into the short list of title consideration, giving him a chance to be known as “The Baddest Man On The Planet”. Of course, that is the final step in a journey that hasn’t hit its climax just yet. Tonight could help expedite the process.

Below are NEOSI’s Vince McKee and Eli Mooneyham’s picks for tonight’s card down under:

Alexander Volkanovski vs. Shane Young

VM: Alexander Volkanovski

EM: Shane Young

Elias Theodorou vs. Daniel Kelly

VM: Elias Theodorou

EM: Daniel Kelly

Jake Matthews vs. Bojan Velickovic

VM: Bojan Velickovic

EM: Bojan Velickovic

Tim Means vs. Belal Muhammad

VM: Tim Means

EM: Belal Muhammad

Bec Rawlings vs. Jessica-Rose Clark

VM: Bec Rawlings

EM: Bec Rawlings

Fabricio Werdum vs. Marcin Tybura

VM: Fabricio Werdum

EM: Marcin Tybura