Tucker’s Dream Debut at UFC Fight Night 105

Sam Sicilia vs. Gavin Tucker

Gavin Tucker’s dream of joining the UFC becomes a reality when he debuts inside the octagon in front of friends and family in Halifax this weekend. Tucker has accumulated a 9-0 record in local Canadian promotions, and his last eight fights have been stoppage victories with four via KO/TKO and four by submission. Tucker’s first title defence in ECC and his most recent fight ended when he stopped Chris Coggins with a kick just 37 seconds into the first round.

Sam Sicilia entered the UFC in 2012 after competing in the Ultimate Fighter Season 15. He looked impressive early, winning his debut against Cristiano Marcello via stoppage in the second round. Since then, Sicilia has gone 4-6 in the UFC and is now on a two-fight losing streak.

The Breakdown

Sicilia is a very dangerous fighter who packs a heavy punch. However, I don’t think is the best matchup for him against an experienced Muay Thai style fighter with a slick ground game too. Tucker lives and breathes martial arts, and I’m expecting him to finish Sicilia within the first two rounds.

Tip: Gavin Tucker to Win

Elias Theodorou vs. Cezar Ferreira

Elias Theodorou vs. Cezar Ferreira is a sneaky good fight that’s been tucked away deep into the Main Card. Both Theodorou and Ferreira have shared successful runs through the UFC so far. The slightly younger (28) Elias Theodorou has put together a 12-1 MMA record with his single loss coming against Thiago Santos back in December 2015.

Cezar Ferreira has won his last three fights after being knocked out twice in a row by stiff competition in Sam Alvey and Jorge Masvidal in 2015. His recent wins come against Oluwale Bamgbose, Anthony Smith and Jack Hermansson.

The Breakdown

This is an extremely tight matchup between two very talented prospects. Theodorou has the advantage here as he brings aa smart game-plan and strategy to all of his fights, and while Cezar Ferreira is totally the more dangerous fighter, I think that Theordorou can outwork him.

Tip: Elias Theodorou to Win via Decision

Sara McMann vs. Gina Mazany

Sara McMann was originally scheduled to fight against Liz Carmouche before Carmouche suffered an injury setback and had to withdraw from UFC Fight Night 105. We’re now left with the greatly experienced McMann fighting UFC newcomer Gina Mazany.

Gina Mazany is a wrestler/boxer prototype who is coming off a KO/TKO victory in the Alaskan Fighting Championship in May 2016 in which she dominated her opponent. Her last fight before that was a decision loss against Julianna Pena in The Ultimate Fighter Season 18.

McMann is now on a two-fight winning streak with wins coming against Alexis Davis and Jessica Eye. McMann’s only three losses inside the cage have come against top-tier competition in Amanda Nunes, Miesha Tate and Ronda Rousey.

The Breakdown

From what I’ve seen of Gina Mazany, she doesn’t fight with a slow pace and isn’t afraid to walk into shots. This could land her in trouble against the much more experienced Sara McMann. I’m taking the under 2.5 rounds in this fight as there are some juicy odds for a stoppage here.

Tip: Total Rounds – Under 2.5

Paul Felder vs. Alex Ricci

Alex Ricci gets a chance to redeem himself immediately after losing a unanimous decision in his UFC debut to the extremely tough Jeremy Kennedy back in August 2016. Ricci is a Muay Thai expert and was able to land damaging front kicks and body shots to his opponent in his debut.

Paul Felder is now 3-3 in the UFC and is coming off a KO/TKO loss against Francisco Trinaldo in September 2016. Felder is a flat-out brawler who fights with extreme pressure. No matter the outcome, this one shapes up to be an excellent fight.

The Breakdown

Paul Felder definitely deserves to be the favourite upon entering this contest. Both Felder and Ricci love to stand and strike and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one stay on the feet for the majority of the contest. While I think Felder is a little too short in odds here, and that Ricci has some nice value, I’m instead taking the under 2.5 rounds for a stoppage, solely because Felder’s aggression will ensure this doesn’t turn into a stalemate.

Tip: Total Rounds – Under 2.5

Tips Summary

Sam Sicilia vs. Gavin Tucker
Gavin Tucker to Win
Monday 20th February, 03:00 GMT
Odds: 1.67Bet €100 to win €16767/100Bet £100 to win £167-149Bet $100 to win $1670.67Bet HK$100 to win HK$167-1.49Bet Rp100 to win Rp1670.6700Bet RM100 to win RM167  –  William Hill

Elias Theodorou vs. Cezar Ferreira
Elias Theodorou to Win via Decision
Monday 20th February, 02:30 GMT
Odds: 4.00Bet €100 to win €4003/1Bet £100 to win £400+300Bet $100 to win $4003.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$4003.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp400-0.3333Bet RM100 to win RM400  –  Bet365

Sara McMann vs. Gina Mazany
Total Rounds – Under 2.5
Monday 20th February, 02:00 GMT
Odds: 2.62Bet €100 to win €26281/50Bet £100 to win £262+162Bet $100 to win $2621.62Bet HK$100 to win HK$2621.62Bet Rp100 to win Rp262-0.6173Bet RM100 to win RM262  –  Bet365

Paul Felder vs. Alessandro Ricci
Total Rounds – Under 2.5
Monday 20th February, 01:30 GMT
Odds: 3.00Bet €100 to win €3002/1Bet £100 to win £300+200Bet $100 to win $3002.00Bet HK$100 to win HK$3002.00Bet Rp100 to win Rp300-0.5000Bet RM100 to win RM300  –  Bet365