UFC Vegas 48 Predictions and Picks for Every Fight, February 19, Walker vs Hill: MMA

UFC Vegas 48 Predictions and Picks for Every Fight, February 19, Walker vs Hill: MMA

Credit: photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

 
February 19, 2022: Las Vegas, NV
 
Kingpin's two staff writers predict every matchup for UFC Vegas 48 and provide a preview for each fight.

 

Main Event: Jamahal Hill vs. Johnny Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Jackson: Hill

Jamahal Hill has absolute HANDS. His boxing is super crisp, and he is very good on the feet in general; his style of walking you down, and piecing you up with volume to go with it is very favorable. In short, I see Jamahal knocking Johnny Walker out within the first 2 rounds. Since moving to SBG Ireland, Walker has seemed to lose his best attributes, notably in wild man behavior of just going absolutely broke for the knockout. Walker’s last fight was incredibly lackluster and low output, and when you combine this with his history of chinny-ness, Jamahal could either knock Walker out, or beat him by decision.  I believe Walker is entirely KO-dependent, and I think Hill will be too sharp to give him that opportunity.

Brandon: Walker

I fully understand the power and boxing prowess that Jamahal Hill possesses, and I think he is a very good fighter. However, most of his fights have been rather short, and he still only has 9 professional fights under his belt. Meanwhile, Walker is coming off his first main event experience, where he likely learned a lot from a five-round bout with a top-tier veteran. He looked composed throughout the fight, and while his lack of output lost him the fight, it is clear that he has matured from the free-swinging Johnny Walker we once knew and can control the pace against Hill. While Hill is a great athlete and shouldn't have issues with cardio, I'm backing Walker to drag this fight out in a way Hill isn't used to and use his size and elite kickboxing to eventually knock Hill out. Wishing Jamahal sweet dreams during his canvas nap.

 

Co-Main Event: Kyle Daukaus vs. Jamie Pickett (Middlweight)
Jackson: Daukaus

In what world have we come to that Jamie Pickett is fighting in a co-main event? This fight shouldn’t be close – Daukaus is a fringe-ranked Middleweight, and Pickett edges out victories against scrubs of the division and UFC debutants. I hate everything about Jamie Pickett’s style – he’s incredibly boring to watch, as he won’t throw strikes, and ceaselessly resorts to just pushing his opponents up against the cage. I think Kyle Daukaus will piece Jamie Pickett up at range, and then is strong enough to not only escape the clinch with Pickett, but also use it to get Pickett to the ground, where he will style on him with his BJJ. I just don’t see a win condition for Pickett. I probably expect a finish here from Daukaus, but Pickett has shown decent durability, so I would say Daukaus likely wins by points or submission.

Brandon: Daukaus

This fight is pretty straightforward. Kyle Daukaus is leagues above Jamie Pickett, and his biggest liability, striking, appears to be improving. He looked sharp against a much better striker than Pickett in Kevin Holland, and his ground game is obviously far above Pickett's. While Pickett is a physical fighter and may be able to thwart off some takedowns, he won't be able to do it forever, and Daukaus will eventually look to set up a submission. Daukaus rolls here by submission or dominant decision victory.

 

Parker Porter vs. Alan Baudot (Heavyweight)
Jackson: Porter

I don’t see a path to victory for Baudot, other than clipping Porter with a huge bomb, who has also been shown to be durable (his only KO losses are to Jon Jones, Chris Daukus, and Josh Diekmann). Porter has great volume and pace on the feet, which he will use to break Baudot and likely secure a KO. Baudot has little power for heavyweight, and a lack of a ground game, so Porter could also take Baudot down and finish the fight that way, if he desires. Baudot is not a UFC caliber fighter, and Porter will showcase that Saturday night.

Brandon: Porter

Alan Baudot is terrible, and if all goes according to plan, should be out of the UFC after this fight. Porter is not a particularly high-level fighter, but is probably the best out of the group of himself, Sherman, Collier, and Vanderaa - who all seem to fight each other on an endless loop. He has good output, which wins him fights against lower competition such as Baudot, and can mix in the occasional takedown to further the damage on the judges' scorecards. Porter uses this volume to out-strike and out-wrestle Baudot across the board.

 

Jim Miller vs. Nikolas Motta (Lightweight)
Jackson: Miller

I’m taking Miller purely on his experience here. He has had 38 fights in the UFC, and Motta has had zero. I’m not sure how these two fighters’ styles will clash, but I do know that Jim Miller likely will be able to use some veteran saavy to get the fight to the ground at some point, where he should have the upper hand over Motta. Not to mention, Miller does have underrated power on the feet. Miller’s cardio has been questionable after two rounds, but if he secures the first two with grappling he will just need to survive the third. This is an aspect of the game where I expect the younger fighter to have success. Not my strongest pick, but I will take Jim Miller over a UFC debutant every time.

Brandon: Miller

Similar to Daukaus, Miller is a grappler who I have seen improve in his striking as of late. He is an elite wrestler who is opportunistic in getting submissions, securing 18 of them across his lengthy professional career. He has a massive experience advantage on Motta, who is making his UFC debut, and I don't think the line reflects that. He definitely won't have a striking advantage on Motta, but if he stays out of the way of the big shots for long enough, I expect him to get enough takedowns to control this fight on the ground and earn another victory.

 

Joaquin Buckley vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (Middleweight)
Jackson: Alhassan

I expect this fight to be extremely fun, with huge power shots coming from both men. The best way to beat Alhassan is by taking him down and zapping his energy, which I don’t expect Buckley to be able to do. Not to mention, Buckley has a questionable chin, which definitely could be and likely will be checked by the beast that is Abdul Razak Alhassan. Buckley does have sharper stand up, and slightly better cardio, which does make him extremely live if he escapes the first round. He also has serious power, so a KO is live for both fighters, but I think Alhassan has a better chin. I just think Alhassan will be able to touch Buckley’s chin in the absence of takedowns, or even win the first two rounds and survive the third to earn a decision victory.

Brandon: Buckley

My gut says to take Alhassan, as he is more durable in what is likely to be a firefight between two high level, powerful strikers. However, even though it isn't a key part of his game, I could see Buckley game planning to mix in a few takedown attempts to exploit Alhassan's weakness. The striking is about even, and Buckley has better cardio and can last all three rounds, but if Buckley can tire Alhassan out by making him struggle to get up, this widens the advantage Buckley will have on the feet. I see him outlasting Alhassan enough to get a late finish or decision victory.

 

Jessica Rose-Clark vs. Stephanie Egger (Women's Bantamweight)
Jackson: Rose-Clark

I think this will be a close fight. Both women are mid to lower-tier grapplers, with a limited standup game. Thus, I think whoever gets the takedown (if it happens), or controls the clinch will win the fight. I’m going to go with Jessica Rose-Clark because of not only her experience, but great strength that she could use to put Egger up against the fence. She’s fought greater competition, and there’s also a chance that Rose-Clark has slightly sharper standup, if both women’s takedown defense proves to be too great to be taken down. I’m not super confident in this play, but I’ll take the more experienced and stronger Rose-Clark in a fight likely going to close decision.

Brandon: Egger

Rose-Clark is a classic example of a fighter who isn't bad at anything, but great at nothing. She is a decent striker, but gets out-struck by better opponents. She is a decent wrestler, but gets out-wrestled by better wrestlers. While Egger lacks the experience that JRC has, she is a better wrestler than Jessica and probably similar in her striking. She will find one of these avenues to beat JRC at, and use that to propel her to a close decision victory.

 
Chas Skelly vs. Mark Striegl (Featherweight)
Jackson: Skelly

In another close fight between grapplers, I’ll take the fighter with better wrestling and more UFC experience. Skelly hasn’t fought the best UFC competition, but does have more fights with the promotion than Striegl. It’s hard to know what to expect from Striegl, given that his only UFC performance was a 51 second KO lost to the buzz saw of Said Nurmagomedov. Since Skelly has been out for 3 years, it’s hard to know what to expect. Be careful with this fight, it could go either way.

Brandon: Skelly

Chas Skelly is going to be hungry. He hasn't fought in 2.5 years, and was robbed of a fight while standing in the octagon when his opponent pulled out at the last moment. He is itching to get back into the octagon and make a statement, and this fight against Streigl is a great chance to do so. He has the experience and competition advantage by a mile, and he is a more physical fighter which opens up better wrestling opportunities. While Streigl is a respectable grappler, I think Skelly beats him just about everywhere and gets the win.

 

Diana Belbita vs. Gloria de Paula (Women's Strawweight)
Jackson: Belbita

 In a fight between women’s strawweight strikers that is in all likelihood going the distance, I’m going with the fighter who I expect to have greater output in Belbita. Both fighters’ weakness appear to be takedown defense, but I don’t expect this fight to hit the mat. Belbita is more aggressive, and I expect her to roll here.

Brandon: Belbita

This fight will be primarily a kickboxing affair, in which I expect Belbita to use her experience, output, and superior skills to defeat de Paula. Gloria has questionable striking defense, and I could see her getting picked apart by Belbita, who usually looks to be the aggressor in her fights.

 

Chad Anheliger vs. Jesse Strader (Bantamweight)
Jackson: Anheliger

It’s not every day that you see a 35 year old UFC debutant, but here we are with Chad Anheliger. He’s a durable fighter with solid striking with good cardio, is currently riding a 9 fight win streak but suffers from poor takedown defense. However, he won’t struggle with this against Strader, a hell-bent brawler that knocks you out, or gets knocked out. Anheliger is durable, and has good cardio, which I expect him to use against Strader to survive early, and get a KO later.

Brandon: Anheliger

Chad Anheliger has never lost a fight in a way other than a submission. He is a technical striker and can go the distance in a fight, and if he can work around Strader's relentless early pace, he should dominate the later rounds. His ground game certainly won't be threatened by Strader, and he could even use his own ground game early on to avoid Strader's striking. Either way, I expect Anheliger to get it done here.

 

Jonathan Pearce vs. Christian Rodriguez (Featherweight)
Jackson: Pearce

This fight is a straightforward grappler vs striker matchup, as Pearce averages 7.17 takedowns per 15 minutes, and Rodriguez is a flashy Roufusport striker. Pearce should be able to get takedowns at will, and find a finish at some point in this fight. Not much else to be said, Pearce should roll here.

Brandon: Pearce

If he wants to, there is a chance Pearce could control almost this entire fight on the ground until he gets a finish or time expires. Rodriguez is an inexperienced fighter who wins his fights with his striking, and it simply won't work against Pearce's relentless output both on the feet and on the mat.

 

Mario Bautista vs. Jay Perrin (Bantamweight)
Jackson: Bautista

These two fighters are just on totally different levels. Mario Bautista is an undoubtedly UFC caliber fighter, that is well-rounded with very solid striking with good output, and decent grappling to add. His only weakness is his questionable chin. Jay Perrin, on the other hand, is a short notice replacement that has gone 0-2 in Bellator, and lost on the Contender Series. He also doesn’t have much power. Bautista should absolutely style on this scrub, and I expect him to get a KO victory.

Brandon: Bautista

I don't understand how Mario Bautista gets a fighter of this caliber for his fifth UFC fight. He knocked out Miles Johns, who at one point looked to be a big prospect in the division. This may be punishment for getting knocked out by Trevin Jones, but I don't understand it. Either way, Bautista should have no problem beating the inexperienced Perrin, who has had no success whatsoever in promotions with any sort of credibility. Bautista dominates here and earns his respect back.

 

Find more sports picks from the top sports bettors and UFC and MMA experts all in one place using our iOS and Google Play apps, as well as our other articles at Kingpin.pro.  We are the home for UFC and MMA picks, sports picks and sports betting.

Winnings $20,259
last 30 days winnings $0
Yesterday winnings $0
Top Sport MLB
W-L-D 71 - 39 - 1
Winnings % 63%
Winnings $13,066
last 30 days winnings $0
Yesterday winnings $0
Top Sport NCAAB
W-L-D 21 - 5 - 2
Winnings % 75%