MMA Event Breakdown - UFC Singapore: Max Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
UFC Singapore: Max Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
INTRODUCTION
Seung Woo Choi vs. Jarno Errens
Fight Odds: -165 Choi vs. +140 Errens
Weight Class: 145lb. (Featherweight)
Seung Woo Choi (3-5 UFC) has fallen on hard times, losing three fights in a row after winning his previous three bouts. His fatal flaw has been a suspect chin, suffering 4 knockdowns (on 83 combined significant strikes absorbed) in his last two fights. He also has little grappling upside, showing an 0-2 record career to the SUB prop. He is taking on a new addition to the UFC’s featherweight roster in the Netherlands Jarno Errens, a Dutch style kickboxer with an educated guard off his back. Errens will look to test the chin of Choi if he can keep the fight upright, but he will have to avoid the powerful left hooks coming back at him. Errens is susceptible to being taken down but Choi hasn’t produced consistent success in the wrestling department so I have to side with Errens as the slightly more durable fighter with more grappling upside. Choi has his back against the wall and he did train with the Korean Zombie for this fight, but until he proves he can deliver as a favorite, I think it’s a clear dog or pass situation.
Prediction: Jarno Errens defeats Seung Woo Choi via Club/Sub Rd. 1
Na Liang vs. JJ Aldrich
Fight Odds: -550 Aldrich vs. +400 Liang
Weight Class: W125lb. (Women’s Flyweight)
J.J. Aldrich has performed ably as a favorite in the UFC, turning in a 5-2 record for solid 16.9% return on investment. Aldrich has fought the higher level of competition and looked more competitive in doing so. That being said, she is a flawed fighter who responds poorly to being pressured and can be finished, can be discouraged, and can quit on herself in fights. None of that screams massive favorite to me. Na Liang is a difficult fighter to project because both her UFC fights have ended in the first round with her being finished by low level opposition. Liang has fought solid girls throughout her career but she has always been dispatched accordingly by those women. Liang has struggled with her cardio, her chin, and her extended grappling fundamentals so she seems liable to be finished or outworked to a decision by a more steady operator in Aldrich. Liang’s best chance to win is to storm Aldrich early, put her under pressure and make her doubt herself. The ABC’s say always bet on cardio, so I’ll take the favorite here.
Prediction: JJ Aldrich defeats Na Liang via TKO3/UDEC