UFC Fight Night: Nashville Staff Picks – Will Sandhagen Steamroll Font?
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: NASHVILLE STAFF PICKS – WILL SANDHAGEN STEAMROLL FONT – After a weekend where we saw a flying knee knockout and the head kick heard ‘round Utah, the UFC travels to Nashville for some chalky main events. Can Jessica Andrade bounce back from her two fight losing streak? Is Suarez primed for another incredible run? And tell me why Rob Font gets no respect?
The Godzilla Wins UFC staff is here to give you their comprehensive picks for UFC Fight Night: Nashville.
UFC 50 on ESPN will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN and will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+
Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Ludovit Klein
Records: Bahamondes (14-4), Klein (19-4-1)
Weight Class: Lightweight
Reach Advantage: Bahamondes, 3 in.
Odds: Bahamondes (-300), Klein (+170)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Bahamondes. Super high-level range fighter with tremendous volume, Klein needs pocket exchanges, Bahamondes shuts those down.
Trent: Ignacio Bahamondes. He is too long and too technical for Klein. Klein will have to make this dirty to have a chance.
Nate: Bahamondes. Too tall, too much reach. Klein will struggle in striking exchanges because of Bahamondes’s length. Bahamondes has good takedown defense to fend off Klein shooting for his knees.
Staff Picks: Bahamondes 3, Kelin 0
Tanner Boser vs. Aleksa Camur
Records: Boser (20-10-1), Camur (6-2-0)
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight
Reach Advantage: Boser, 1.5 in.
Odds: Boser (-190), Camur (+160)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Boser. Boxing and leg kicking advantage, cleaner striker, Camur returning from lengthy layoff due to nerve damage in hand.
Trent: Tanner Boser. Camur has the tendency to put himself in dangerous situations and Boser has the boxing to put him out.
Nate: Camur. Both are looking like guys nearing the end of their career if they lose tonight. Camur is coming off injury; Boser is coming off being terrible.
Staff Picks: Boser 2, Camur 1
Diego Lopes vs. Gavin Tucker
Records: Lopes (21-6-0), Tucker (13-2-0)
Weight Class: Featherweight
Reach Advantage: Lopes, 8.5 in.
Odds: Lopes (-162), Tucker (+138)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Tucker. More well rounded, has the jiu-jitsu to stay out of bad situations.
Trent: Diego Lopes. Tucker has not competed since 2021 and is on the wrong side of 35. The quick-starter Lopes could find a sub early.
Nate: Lopes. Agree with Trey on side: Lopes gets Tucker by submission.
Staff Picks: Lopes 2, Tucker 1
Dustin Jacoby vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
Records: Jacoby (18-7-1), Nzechukwu (12-3-0)
Weight Class: Light Heavyweight
Reach Advantage: Nzechukwu, 7 in.
Odds: Jacoby (+130), Nzechukwu (-155)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Jacoby. Cleaner striker, leg kicks to the body and legs will keep Nzechukwu in check.
Trent: Dustin Jacoby. Nzechukwu is long and powerful but gets hit too often. Jacoby is too technical to not find his chin.
Nate: Jacoby. Fighting angry after a tough loss. He should end Nzechuku early.
Staff Picks: Jacoby 3, Nzechukwu 0
Jessica Andrade vs. Tatiana Suarez
Records: Andrade (24-11-0), Suarez (10-0-0)
Weight Class: Strawwieght
Reach Advantage: Suarez, 4 in.
Odds: Andrade (+295), Suarez (-375)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Suarez. I call her “Nurmago-Suarez” for a reason: wrestling sesh incoming.
Trent: Tatiana Suarez. Andrade is a veteran but does not have any answer for the wrestling of Suarez.
Nate: Under 2.5 rounds. This thing ends early. Andrade has a clear edge striking; Suarez has the clear grappling edge. Somebody is going to have their weakness exposed early.
Jack: Suarez to win by submission (+115). Andrade has been lackluster her last two fights and Suarez her much anticipated comeback after a neck injury four years ago. I’m taking Suarez to win by submission for some better odds.
Staff Picks: Suarez 3, Andrade 0. U2.5 Rounds
Cory Sandhagen vs. Rob Font
Records: Sandhagen (16-4-0), Font (20-6-0)
Weight Class: Catchweight
Reach Advantage: Font, 1.5 in.
Odds: Sandhagen (-360), Font (+285)
Staff Picks
Manpreet: Sandhagen. Unorthodox striking, cardio, and starting to master the ability to mesh his grappling behind his striking.
Trent: Cory Sandhagen. Sandhagen has been training for a grappler and should find enough control on the mat to get the victory.
Nate: Font. Everyone is disrespecting Font. If this stays a striking match, they are pretty even.
Jack: Sandhagen. Font only has one way to win: he catches Sandhagen off guard and knocks him out. Sandhagen can stand up and bang or control the mat. Take the chalk here.
Staff Picks: Sandhagen 3, Font 1
Prelim Fight Money Maker
Manpreet: Jackson. Superior wrestler and controller will allow him to dictate the pace and keep Quarantillo from using his patented pressure style.
Trent: Kyler Phillips. He has the advantage on the mat and striking, so he just has to put it all together against the hittable Barcelos.
Nate: Asu Almabayev. Asu is -190 to win, which I think will happen. But almost more certain is this fight ends in someone getting finished, so I’d probably also bet fight ends ITD -120. Or parlay them both for an even bigger payout!
