SMUGGLING DUDS UFC 245 GAMBLING GUIDE

Christmas comes early on December 15th courtesy of the UFC and a fantastic card from top to bottom. UFC 245 sees media maestro, the man you love to hate, the UFC's newest heel Colby Colvington, finally gets his wish in a title bout against arch nemesis Kamaru Usman. Here are our UFC 245 predictions. Enjoy!

MAIN CARD (BT Sports)
Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Colby Colvington (Welterweight)
It wasn't too long ago Colvington was on the verge of being axed by the UFC (allegidly his fighting style and interview skills were not exciting enough). In a short space of time, using techniques that included accusing fellow fighters of being on steroids, insulting his boss, and bringing politics into his arsenal, the division 1 wrestler quickly became one of the most disliked men in MMA. Its through him that this fight headlines the card. Both fighters are skilled in the art of going the distance and between them have gas tank that could fuel a cruise ship. Usman is physically bigger and is the favourite to win (rightly so after he dominated Woodley) but we think Colvington scrapes an upset.
WINNER :Colvington
METHOD: Decision

Max Holloway (c) vs. Alexander Volkanovski (Featherweight)
We are big fans of both these guys. Conduct themselves well, always come to fight and never turn down an opponent. Australian fighter Volkanovski has been climbing the ladder for a while now waiting in the wings for a title fight. His hard work has paid off but he's up against featherweight king Max Holloway he is pretty much untouchable at his preferred weight. Expect punches in bunches from the Hawaiian and the ref to step in later on in the fight.
WINNER: Holloway
METHOD: KO/TKO

Amanda Nunes (c) vs. Germaine de Randamie (Women's Bantamweight)
Nunes has a 2013 TKO victory over de Randami but it is safe to say both fighters have significantly improved since. This one has been a long time coming and the interesting thing about this match up as both females hit incredibly hard. It might be worth an underdog punt on 'The Iron Lady' should she land first, but based on what we've seen from her last performances, the Brazilian 'Lioness' takes her out for the second time.
WINNER: Nunes
METHOD: KO/TKO

Marlon Moraes vs. José Aldo (Featherweight)
Brazilians collide in another great match up. Moraes failed dramtically in his title challenge and will be hungry to prove he deserves another in 2020. Aldo might not be the force he once was, but he is still one of the best featherweights in the world. Can he bounce back one more time and how bad does he want it? We think an upset is on the cards here.
WINNER: Aldo
METHOD: Decision

Petr Yan vs. Urijah Faber (Bantamweight)
It took former WEC champion Urijah Faber less than 3 years to decide retirement wasn't for him, and proved to us by stopping hot prospect Ricky Simon in 46secs of round 1, that 'The California Kid' can still mix it with the best. He's up against Russian boxing machine Petr Yan, who is just relentless. Faber might last the distance against the much younger fighter, but at 40 years of age, his best bet is to go for an early submission. We'd like to think Faber gets another win but with 8 wins in a row under his belt, Yan is probably too much for him.
WINNER: Yan
METHOD: Decision

Preliminary Card (BT Sports)
Geoff Neal vs. Mike Perry (Welterweight)
We actually fear for Mike Perry's nose and what Geoff Neal's fists are probably going to do to it. Perry always has a punchers chance but Neal is destined for bigger things and might even get a first round KO.
WINNER: Neal
METHOD: KO/TKO

Ketlen Vieira vs. Irene Aldana (Women's Bantamweight)
You might as well flip a coin as this one is 50/50. The only real difference is Vieira doesn't have a loss on her record. Destined to go the distance, possibly a draw or very close decision.
WINNER: Vieira
METHOD: Decision

Matt Brown vs.Ben Saunders (Welterweight)
A couple of seasoned TUF veterans, both capable of beating each other have been matched up by the UFC in what has to be a loser leaves town bout. If Saunders can use his famous long limbs to work a submission, possibly of his back, he has a chance but his chin is well and truly gone and that is exactly what Brown will be aiming for.
WINNER: Brown
METHOD: KO/TKO

Early Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Chase Hooper vs. Daniel Teymur (Featherweight)
At only 20 years of age, and riding an 8 fight win streak, Chase Hooper makes his UFC debut against Daniel Teymur. As is often the case, octagon jitters will kick in and Hooper will soon reliase the fighting in the UFC isnt the same as what he is use too.
WINNER: Teymur
METHOD: Decision

Brandon Moreno vs. Kai Kara-France (Flyweight)
Another tough one to call. Moreno hasn't quite lived up to expectations and may come up short again.
WINNER: Kara-France
METHOD: Decision

Jessica Eye vs. Viviane Araújo (Women's Flyweight)
How do you come back from a devastating defeat? This will be answered when former title challnger Jessica Eye steps back in to the cage. She's up against Viviane Araujo who has been slowly climbing up the ranks. This is arguably Araujo's biggest test and it's a tough one for sure.
WINNER: Araujo
METHOD: Decision

Punahele Soriano vs. Oskar Piechota (Middleweight)
Dana White;s Contender Series star Soriano makes his full blown UFC debut against Polish fighter Piechota, who has struggled to cut it in the UFC. Expect Soriano to get the win and Piechota to head back to the domestic scene.
WINNER: Soriano
METHOD: Submission