Predicting Stoppages in the UFC 210 Main Card

Cynthia Calvillo vs. Pearl Gonzalez

UFC 210 Main Card – Women’s Strawweight Bout

Cynthia Calvillo and Pearl Gonzalez share limited professional mixed martial arts experience between them (eleven fights combined and one in the UFC), making this an extremely unusual fight to be placed so far up the card at UFC 210. This is especially so, considering that many fans will never have been exposed to either of these fighters before this event. However, regardless of the records that these two women bring into the cage on the weekend of April 8th, there’s no doubt in my mind that this will be a truly exciting fight.

Cynthia Calvillo showcased her elite grappling skills in her debut just last month at UFC 209 by submitting Amanda Cooper in just 3:19 of the first round. Calvillo entered the fight on late notice and didn’t look troubled for the entirety of the fight and at one stage majorly impressing the crowd and Joe Rogan with a spectacular transition from an anaconda choke to a back-take. Cooper’s grappling skills just didn’t compare to Calvillo, who was seemingly many classes above.

Pearl Gonzalez will debut in the UFC after putting together six consecutive wins as a professional. Gonzalez lost her first ever bout at Ring of Combat 39 back in 2012 but has considerably improved, and the record speaks for itself. Among these wins in a number of different promotions, Gonzalez recorded an impressive victory over Cortney Casey back in 2013.

The Breakdown

This one seems booked to make Cynthia Calvillo into a rising star in the women’s strawweight division. She has the mentality, aggression and elite grappling skills that will win over many fans. Combine that with training out of Team Alpha Male, and we’ve got likely watching the beginnings of a top contender in the future at UFC 210.

While Pearl Gonzalez the ability to slow Calvillo’s roll when it gets to the mat, it remains to be seen whether she can hold off for full fifteen minutes. When standing up, Gonzalez uses long strikes, and some nice leg kicks to keep her opponent away, but the glaring observation here is that Pearl’s chin is up in the sky and I’m surprised she hasn’t been knocked out before. Calvillo has been working on her striking and will be looking for a finish, so I won’t be surprised if she finds a way to connect on Gonzalez’s chin.

Prediction

I want to say that Calvillo gets the job done in the first round, but Pearl Gonzalez has shown patience and smarts through her fights that could lead to her enduring through the early stages of the fight. The odds are just too good for a stoppage victory, though.

Patrick Cote vs. Thiago Alves

UFC 210 Main Card – Welterweight Bout

Two savvy veterans will be putting on a show for the Buffalo crowd at UFC 210 when Patrick Cote faces off against Thiago Alves. After struggling to make weight for a lightweight bout at UFC 205 against Jim Miller back in December 2016, Alves will now return to his home at welterweight. Historically, he has looked good at welterweight but is now riding a two loss streak after a bloody defeat at the hands of Carlos Condit and being out-worked by Jim Miller at UFC 205. Alves looked okay against Condit before copping a massive left hand to the chin that changed the course of the fight immediately, he showed tremendous heart but the doctor’s disallowed him to continue at the end of the second round. He had his moments of brilliance against Miller too, but Miller strategically shot for a double-leg takedown to stuff any rise in momentum from Alves at the time.

Patrick Cote was looking superb before losing to Donald Cerrone in June 2016. Cerrone is a different type of beast, though and ultimately controlled Cote for the entirety of the fight. Before this, Cote had made short work of Ben Saunders, Josh Burkman and Joe Riggs consecutively. Most impressive to me was the way in which Cote handled the grappling abilities of Saunders – not only neutralising his opponent’s attacks but setting up his offense from all positions on the mat as well.

The Breakdown

It’ll be interesting to see how Alves performs now that he is back at his natural weight class and whether he can bully Cote with his Muay Thai. Cote, on the other hand, will be looking to move around Alves and keep him guessing before waiting to explode at the right opportunity. What stands out to me in this one, though, is Alves’ his lack of desire to work his jiu-jitsu and urgency to get up from the mat. Against submission specialist Jim Miller, Alves rushed back to the cage at every opportunity and looked to get back to his feet. Cote, quite contrastingly, was expected not to allow Saunders to set up his submission attempts, but rather he was the one doing all the attacking! I think this one stays even on the feet, but there is a definite ground advantage with Cote.

Prediction

Cote is a finisher and will stop Alves inside the three rounds.

Will Brooks vs. Charles Oliveira

UFC 210 Main Card – Lightweight Bout

To fans who follow the sport closely, this is a head-turner of a match-up for no other reason than in Will Brooks’ second UFC fight, and his most recent, he battled Alex Oliveira who missed weight badly and made you wonder if he even tried. Interestingly, Charles Oliveira also seemingly didn’t bother to cut weight in his most recent fight, a bout against Ricardo Lamas at UFC Fight Night 98. After losing to the much bigger Alex Oliveira, Brooks may have plenty of hatred built up inside for what he calls ‘unprofessional’ athletes who can’t make weight as contracted.

The Breakdown

Will Brooks, the former Bellator lightweight champion, will undoubtedly work his wrestling against Charles Oliveira. Against Alex Oliveira, he still had great success doing this despite the weight difference before injuring his rib. Previously, he has defeated talented submission artist Marcin Held with the same approach, as well.

Charles Oliveira has some deadly submissions, especially in the chokes department – continually looking for ways to strangle his opponent. He’s no slouch on the feet, either, and could cause trouble for Will Brooks with heavy leg kicks and crisp striking from a distance.

Prediction

I see this fight going the way of Will Brooks who will be entering the cage at UFC 210 with a belly of fire after losing his last bout. His wrestling is too strong and will use this to set up significant ground and pound against Charles Oliveira. Oliveira may threaten with a choke or two, but Brooks’ submission defence is top-quality.

Tips Summary

Recommended Plays

Cynthia Calvillo vs. Pearl Gonzalez
Cynthia Calvillo to win
Sunday 9th April, 04:00 GMT
Odds: 2.88Bet €100 to win €28847/25Bet £100 to win £288+188Bet $100 to win $2881.88Bet HK$100 to win HK$2881.88Bet Rp100 to win Rp288-0.5319Bet RM100 to win RM288  –  Bet365

Patrick Cote vs. Thiago Alves
Total Rounds – Under 2.5 Rounds
Sunday 9th April, 03:30 GMT
Odds: 2.50Bet €100 to win €2503/2Bet £100 to win £250+150Bet $100 to win $2501.50Bet HK$100 to win HK$2501.50Bet Rp100 to win Rp250-0.6667Bet RM100 to win RM250  –  Bet365

Will Brooks vs. Charles Oliveira
Total Rounds – Under 2.5 Rounds
Sunday 9th April, 03:00 GMT
Odds: 2.20Bet €100 to win €2206/5Bet £100 to win £220+120Bet $100 to win $2201.20Bet HK$100 to win HK$2201.20Bet Rp100 to win Rp220-0.8333Bet RM100 to win RM220  –  Paddypower

Extra Plays

Patrick Cote vs. Thiago Alves
Patrick Cote to win by Submission
Sunday 9th April, 03:30 GMT
Odds: 13.00Bet €100 to win €130012/1Bet £100 to win £1300+1200Bet $100 to win $130012.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$130012.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp1300-0.0833Bet RM100 to win RM1300  –  Skybet