UFC 276! The July card is usually the big one for the UFC and this one is….ok. The main event pitting Israel Adesanya vs. Jared Cannonier is a very mediocre fight to me because I am pretty sure I know how it goes. The real fight here is the fight for the featherweight title between Volkanovski vs. Holloway.

Here are some specifics. The early prelims start at 6:00 with the prelims kicking off at 8pm. main card is at 10:oo . All of the action can be seen on ESPN+ and it will cost you $75

I will give you my predictions in the order the fights are to take place. All odds are courtesy of Bet MGM. The King of Sports Books! For new users head on over there and use the promocode PatEgan and get your first bet RISK FREE up to $1K

100-78 this year. 35-19 on locks.

In 2021 I hit on 60% of picks. In 2021 I hit on 61% of “locks” (so a lot of people had keys to that lock.)

(7-6 last fight card. 2-2 on locks)

PRELIMS

Jessica Rose-Clark

Maycee Barber

Andre Muniz (lock)

Dricus Du Plessis (lock)

Gabe Green

Donald Cerrone

Jalin Turner

MAIN EVENT TIME

• Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O'Malley

  The last time Sean O’Malley fought I had SOME doubts. And he really proved me wrong. I didnt think he would run through Raulian Paiva and he did just that. But Pedro Munhoz has been sort of that “gate keeper” at 135 pounds. A test to see if you are an actual contender. Munhoz is 1-4 in his last 5 fights but the names he has lost to are impressive (Aljamain Sterling, Frankie Edgar, Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz.) O Malley’s striking is a real concern for opponents and even though Munhoz is a heavy striker, I think he will be surprised at how accurate and shifty O’Malley is. No one is Dominick Cruz, but his movement gives fighters fits, and O’Malley is similar. I cant make O’Malley a lock because hes had issues with drop foot, but O’Malley should cruise to victory.

  Sean O’Malley

• Robbie Lawler vs. Bryan Barberena

  What a gross fight. And if it wasnt for the fact that Robbie Lawler was in it, it wouldn’t be on the main card. Neither fighter is very good. Lawler has the name recognition but he is cooked. Barberena feels like a “get right” fight for Lawler because anytime Barberna has fought anyone worth a damn, hes lost. But with that said, take the name out of it and Lawler would be one of those mediocre fighter that Barberna has beaten. This is a fight where you run out to get food. You put the kids to bed. You go to the bathroom. And when you come back in 15 minutes Bryan Barberena will be getting his hand raised in a gross decision win.

  Bryan Barberena

• Sean Strickland vs. Alex Pereira

  Sean Strickland said that this feels like the UFC is just setting this fight up to force Alex Pereira into a title fight. And honestly, they probably are. Pereira is the kickboxer who beat Israel Adesanya. And there has been no one in the Middleweight division who has given Adesanya a decent fight since hes become the champ. So the story line writes itself. Pereira has also been incredibly impressive inside the octogon. But he has yet to fight someone on Strickland’s level. What will help Pereira is Strickland isnt a power puncher. Hes a volume boxer who will mark up your face and make you look bad. And I think he pulls off the upset here. I think he frustrates Pereira enough and is able to deal with Pereira’s power

  Sean Strickland

• Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. Max Holloway

  The first two fights were so good were going to do it again! I thought Volkanovski won the first meeting going away. I thought Holloway won the second fight but it was close and Im not outraged by the decision. But these two are so evenly matched its crazy. Ive picked Holloway for the first two fights so why not pick him for a 3rd fight! The reality is were in for 25 minutes of fun where at the end of it you likely will have no idea who won and will turn to your friends and say “it could go either way”

  Max Holloway

• Israel Adesanya (C) vs. Jared Cannonier

  Cannonier is a big puncher who is hyped up since he has knockout wins at heavyweight. Since moving down to 185 he has transformed his career. But is he a legit title contender? No. Hes just next in line as the UFC waits for a prospect to show themselves in a shallow division. Izzy will have no problems.

  Israel Adesanya (lock)

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