The first PPV of 2023 is set to be a great one! Unfortunately it coincides with the Eagles game. But hey! Thats what 2 TV’s are for! I didnt exactly start off the new year on a strong note. It was a tale of two halves for me as I went 6-5. Ill look to rebound with UFC 283 which has two title fights. The vacant lightweight title is up for grabs as former champ Glover Teixeira goes against Jahamal Hill and for a FOURTH time Deiveson Figueiredo takes on Brandon Moreno

While the Main event isnt a good one, the card is. Here are some specifics. The early prelims start at 5:30pm and the prelims start at 8. main card is at 10pm . All of it is on ESPN+ and it cost $80 (because they have to find the money to pay Francis N’ga….wait…nevermind.)

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

In 2022 I hit on 58% of picks. In 2022 I hit on 65% of “locks”

(6-5 last fight card. 2-3 on locks)

PRELIMS

Daniel Marcos

Josiane Nunes (lock)

Nicolas Dalby

Ismael Bonfim

Cody Stamann

Jailton Almeida

Mounir Lazzez

Thiago Moises

Gregory Rodrigues (lock)

Shogun Rua

MAIN CARD

• Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker

  I buy into the Walker “poisoning” himself with CBD which he was unknowingly allergic to. I took him in his last fight as an underdog against Ion Cutelaba and it paid off. He finished him in the first round and it looked like the Johnny Walker that blazed onto the scene with highlight reel knockouts. But in Paul Craig he has his hands full. The man who has submitted some of the best men in the game with his elite triangle game is no joke on the ground. Im torn on this fight. Initially I thought Craig would submit him but Walker’s heavy hands are just no joke. And if he is back on track then I think he gets the finish. I think the line should be closer than it is, but I will take Johnny Walker

  Johnny Walker

• Jessica Andrade vs. Lauren Murphy

  Lauren Murphy is gonna get her ass whooped and finished.

  Jessica Andrade (lock)

• Gilbert Burns vs. Neil Magny

  Most guys stock doesnt rise after a loss, but Burns did. He faced Khamzat Chimaev in his last fight and went the distance. Something no one has ever done. He held his own and while he lost, he impressed some of the people who thought Khamzat would run through him. I think thats what Burns does to Magny. Burns has the total package. He is a beast on the ground with dynamite in his hands. Magny’s entire game is based on an elite grappling game along with his cardio. I think Burns finishes Magny in this win via TKO.

  Gilbert Burns (lock)

• Deiveson Figuieredo (C) vs. Brandon Moreno

  99% of the time, the idea of two fighters fighting for a FOURTH time just isnt appealing. This is the 1% of the time. Because all these two have done is put on all-time bangers. First fight a draw. Second fight goes to Moreno. Third fight goes to Figuieredo. Now we settle this thing….maybe.

  I think a large part of dissecting this fight is how was “Figgy Smalls” weight cut. He looked good on the scale in his weigh in. You also have to consider how Moreno will handle not having James Krause in his corner. While Krause was only with Moreno for 2 fights, its a big change. And the drama surrounding Krause’s ban from the UFC (gambling on fights) it makes you wonder if it took a toll on Moreno, even just a little bit. Because if the previous 3 fights have taught us anything the little things could be the difference maker.

  Ive always thought Figuieredo was the better fighter. Moreno has opened my eyes quite a bit but I think he takes the fight and then sets his sights on 135.

  Deiveson Figuieredo

• Glover Teixeira vs. Jahamal Hill

  With former champ Jiri Prochazka vacating the lightweight title, we get this makeshift fight. The man that Prochazka beat (Teixeira) vs the up and comer in Hill. Hill’s hands are SCARY. He’s lost 1 fight and that was to Paul Craig who he knocked down and was on top of him but he, like many before him, got submitted by Craig’s ground game. Nothing to be ashamed of there. Everyone else Hill has fought has been defeated and that includes 4 knockouts. But look at his first loss. Hill drops Craig and isnt able to take advantage because he gets caught and submitted. Thats what Teixiera does best.

  Teixeira has faced hard hitters in the past and he is usually able to weather the storm and then eventually get the win. Hill did go into the 4th round for the first time in his career in his last fight, and he looked great, but I think experience takes over. I think Glover gets the submission win.

  Glover Teixeira

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