It’s fight week guys and gals. Up next we have Ufc 237 with Rose “thug” Namajunas defending her strawweight title against Jessica Andrade Saturday night. This will be Rose’s second title defense since winning it from Joanna Jedrzejczyk. In the co-main event, we have Jared Cannonier vs Anderson “the Spider” Silva. Will Father time finally make “the spider” retire? Let’s look at the rest of the card as well as my picks.
UFC main card starts with Francisco Trinaldo vs Diego Ferreira
First up to kick off UFC 237. We have Francisco Trinaldo vs Diego Ferreira. This should be a close fight. All their stats of how they win fights are very similar. I can see this one going to decision for Diego. I’m just curious how much his reach will help him pull the win out.
Thiago Alves vs Laureano Staropoli
Next is a welterweight bout between Thiago Alves and
Laureano Staropoli. Alves has had a hard time putting a long enough win streak together to be considered a top contender. He wins one. Loses two or wins two and loses two. His last fight in February he won via a split decision. The interesting thing though is he does have the power to put fighters away. Unfortunately, I think he’s on the losing end here with Laureano Staropoli knocking Alves out. Staropoli has more wins in the knock out category compared to decisions and submissions.
Jose Aldo vs Alexander Volkanovski
Up next we have former featherweight champion Jose Aldo versus Alexander Volkanovski. Since losing his featherweight belt to Max Holloway, Jose is 2-1 and is ranked as the number 1 contender. Alexander Volkanovski is ranked 4th but comes is 19-1. Both fighters can knock people out but I think this time Volkanovski wins by submission and may take claim to the number 1 spot in the featherweight division. Then the question should be brought up. Is this the end for Jose Aldo?
UFC legend vs Jared Cannonier
It’s the co-main event time. We have another Brazilian fighter in Anderson “the spider” Silva versus the young up in comer in Jared Cannonier. In a way, it’s sad to see one of the greatest ever to fight in the UFC to be ranked 14th after all these years. Silva has admitted that father time is catching up to him, and I have to agree. I’m going with Jared Cannonier by knockout. For years I didn’t root for Silva. I so want to for this fight because you always feel for the old-timers. But I think Silva should have retired after the Derek Brunson win and rode off into the sunset. Will this be the end of Silva? Win, lose or draw I hope it is.
“Thug” Rose vs Jessica Andrade
Now on to the main event of UFC 237: Namajunas/Andrade. I’m glad Rose Namajunas finally is fighting someone other than Joanna Jedrzejczyk. I didn’t think Joanna deserved the rematch after being knocked out the way she did. But they did and Rose defended her belt to a decision. Now she faces Jessica Andrade. This is a tough fight for Rose. Jessica can win from anywhere. Standing or on the ground. If I was Rose though, I’d do my best to get her down to the ground and wear her down to try and submit her. Jessica is riding a three-fight win streak, and even though I said about Rose should take her down to the ground, I don’t think Rose will and Jessica will win by KO or decision.
So UFC 237 on paper looks like an exciting card. I’m interested in seeing what happens with the Jose Aldo fight as well as the Anderson Silva fight. Can Jessica Andrade pull off the upset? We will have to tune in Saturday night to find out.
Follow me @jimbostsports as well as my show @STSportsPodcast.
