UFC 194, TUF Final, and Fight Night Picks

We got three straight nights of UFC Action. And it's three nights of some pretty loaded cards. So yeah not just picking the PPV but fights from all three nights

UFC 194

UFC Featherweight Championship Jose Aldo (c) 25-1 MMA 7-0 UFC vs. Conor McGregor (ic) 18-2 MMA 6-0 UFC- Chuck Liddle vs. Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emilenko vs. Mirko Cro Cop, there are just some fights that bring an extra level of anticipation to them. Fights that are years in the making. And this fight is one of them. Aldo has been the super dominate champion for year but McGregor has become the mega star. Conor McGregor walked into the UFC called his shot and started calling out Aldo from day one. And he's not just asking for a title shot as far as he's concerned he's already the champion he just needs the belt. Aldo at first ignored him but more and more he had to acknowledge him. We saw the world tour and how pissed he got. This fight was originally booked for UFC 189 in the summer. Than Aldo got hurt. There was some controversy as to how bad he was hurt and if he could have fought or if he couldn't. End of the day they didn't.

McGregor did fight at UFC 189 in July. It was an interim title fight against Chad Mendes. Early on looked good middle of the fight he got taken down and held down and took some punishment but he eventual took control again. He scored a knockout win last in the second round. Now a lot of people will go “Mendes didn't have a training camp he tired out.” Conor though will say “It was my body kicks that tired Mini Mendes out.” Plus in that fight Mendes had McGregor in trouble but the Irishmen survived. End of the day Conor won he's not lost since 2010 and four fight in a row he's knocked his opponent out. Aldo hasn't fought since October of 2014 at UFC 179. It was a very exciting fight with Chad Mendes. Mendes has long been thought of as the guy that could beat Aldo but they have fought twice and twice Aldo's hand was raised. Aldo's lone loss was all the way back in 2005.

Both these guys are known for there striking. Aldo has 14 career wins via knockout. Some of which are just amazing highlights. He has had great leg kicks that just batter and bruise his opponents. McGregor 16 career wins via knockout. He's more diverse striker. While Aldo is the Nova Uno student using Muay Thai. McGregor we see pull moves out various different styles. Aldo its mostly roundhouse kicks while McGregor it's side, front, back and spinning kicks. In terms of movement and footwork edge to McGregor. Also McGregor has four inches in the reach department. He's also taller so in the leg length edge to McGregor. Aldo has a lot of knockout but the rate has dropped his last one was in 2013 and that was with the help of an injury to his opponent. McGregor's scored a lot of knockouts. I think Aldo will be hunting the knockout and that could backfire. For me edge goes to McGregor in striking.

Neither guy is known for going to the ground. Aldo's one was was via submission as were both of Connor's. That said both were years ago. McGregor only has one submission win while Aldo has two but again years ago. I am giving the edge to Jose Aldo in terms of the ground game. Sometimes with Conor's movement we have seen him easier to take down. Also Aldo has a blackbelt in BJJ while McGregor is a brown belt. Aldo Aldo's come from Nova Uno a top school while McGregor's comes under his long time coach John Kavanaugh. I don't expect the ground to be an issue. But I will give the edge to Jose Aldo.

I think a big X-Factor is the fact McGregor reminds me so much of this boxer. Like McGregor this boxer used a lot of movement in a very unusual way. Like McGregor he was matched up against a very dominate and frightining champion. And like McGregor this boxer talked a lot. Now this boxer openly would mock his opponent kind of like how Mendes got mocked. And the opponent wore himself out. That boxer was named Ali. I think the smart game plan for Aldo would be to use his leg kicks take away McGregor's movement. But if a pissed off Aldo comes in hunts the knockout he could be playing into McGregor's game plan. We know Aldo has hard weight cuts and tires out late. Blowing has gas tank head hunting could be just what McGregor wants. Just go watch the UFC Embbed on there world tour and tell me that Aldo isn't losing it when ever he's around McGregor. You need fire to fight but you can't fight stupid.

Now this is a tough fight to pick. We know what Aldo can do. Aldo has a legit claim at being pound for pound king. But McGregor has something special. A lot of people will go “McGregor” talked his way into a title shot. But look at the names he beat. Porier a long time top five fighter now making a run at 155. Holloway a fighter who since than has seven in a row. He destroyed both Diego Brando and Dennis Siver badly beating them up. And stopped Mendes a very dangerous fighter. I Think that movement that really no one else in MMA does. I think that is going to allow him to avoid a lot of Aldo's big shots. All great fighter lose. And I think Aldo time is passing. McGregor wins. I think he gets this to the third and Aldo will be out of gas and than he will be knocked out.

UFC Middleweight Championship Chris Weidman (c) 13-0 MMA 9-0 UFC vs. Luke Rockhold 14-2 MMA 4-1 UFC- This has the potential to be a very special fight. These guys careers are very similar. They were both signed to upper level promotions very early on in there careers. Both won world championships in massive upsets. Both have faced a whose who at Middleweight. Both are great grapples with excellent striking. And both have the potential to dominate the division for many years to come.

Weidman's last fight was in May at UFC 187 he finally faced off again Vitor Belfort in a fight years in the making. Early on he charged went after Belfort but got sloppy giving Belfort a chance to attack and land those lighting fast punches that have finished so many guys. But Weidman managed to recover he got Belfort down and just started to land viscous ground and pound giving him a TKO win in just under three minutes. He ran MMA's answer to Murder's Row, Silva twice, Machida and Belfort and won all four. Rockhold last fought in April at UFC on Fox. He faced off with Lyoto Machida and dominated him. We had seen Machia knocked out and submitted before but we had never see him dominated like that. Rockhold got him down held him down and beat the crap out of him. After the first round Machida went to the wrong corner. In the second round he got the rear naked choke locked in and submitted Machida. That puts him at 4 wins in row all via finish and third submission in a row.

Now neither guy really comes from a striking background but both men have become very good at it. Also both are very good at mixing there striking into grappling. Weidman of course works with the very respected Ray Longo. He's got 6 career knockouts. People often look at the wins over Silva as flukes forgetting he hurt Anderson Silva with good power punches. He's also been in the cage with great strikers and not gotten knocked out or even really rocked. Rockhold's coach Javier Mendez was a kickboxer and turned some good wrestlers into good strikers. But he only has three knockout wins. Also both of his career losses are via knockout. On top of that Weidman has a 1 inch reach advantage. So I am giving the edge to Weidman.

Splitting the grappling advantage. Wrestling it's Weidman. We know his background an All American wrestler in college. He brings in some great wrestlers to work with. Rockhold did wrestler in high school and has dome some judo. But never pursued eeither to the level Weidman did with wrestling. So in terms of just plain grappling I think the edge goes to Weidman. But the thing about MMA it adds in the submission game. Weidman has three career submission wins and is trained by Matt Serra a very talented fighter and teacher. We have head a lot about a BJJ game but never seen it. Rockhold though thrives in submissions. He has nine career submissions wins including his last three and he's submitted some good names like Machida and Bisping. I don't know how good he is off back. But we see it in MMA submission can happen standing or catching a guy on a takedown. He could sweep or reverse. Weidman might be able to submit Rockhold but I'm pretty sure Rockhold can submit pretty much any one he fights.

Rockhold trains with AKA one of the top teams in MMA and spars with Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez. Weidman is a Serra Longo guy he does bring him some good guys but Edge goes to Rockhold. Some have tried to make a big deal out of the fact Weidman went five rounds with Machida and had some tough rounds in that fight. Rockhold beat him easy in two. I don't put to much stock in that a lot goes into each fight. Plus you can say Rockhold was KO'ed by Belfort while Weidman easily beat Belfort. It appears Rockhold has the cardio edge but Weidman's only gone five once he struggled late but it was also a learning moment for him.

This could be a real close fight. Honestly it feels like a real toss up. You could see it go either way. But I am going with Weidman. I think his striking gives him the edge. The wrestling could really cancel out submissions. Plus it says something when you have never lost. Just a swagger and a confidence. Again Rockhold is talented and I could see him winning but I think Weidman keeps his title

Yoel Romero 10-1 MMA 6-0 UFC vs. Ronaldo Souza 22-3 1NC MMA 5-0 UFC- Third time has got to be the charm. This fight was first booked back at UFC 184 but Jacare got sick. Than it was set for UFC on Fox in April but Romero got hurt and pulled out. Both have fought since than and won. It's pretty basic logic that the winner of this fight goes on to face the winner of Weidman vs. Rockhold. Souza last fought in April at the UFC on Fox. With Romero pulling out he wound up facing Chris Camozzi a fighter he beat in his UFC debut. Going into that event Souza was ranked above Rockhold but he beat a guy he already beat who was not a contender. So he got jumped in the rankings. Souza is one an eight fight winning streak. His last loss was to Rockhold in a close fight back in Strikeforce. Romero managed to recover. In June he knocked out Lyoto Machida with a great power punch and several viscous elbows. Even though Machdia was coming off a loss I think most thought he would be able to beat Romero given his movement and counter striking. Romero's lone loss was back 2011 in his lone Strikeforce fight but he's not loss in the UFC.

In terms of knockout power the edge appears to go to Romero. Nine of his career wins are via knockout. Jacare Souza only has two career wins via knockout and two of his three losses saw him get knocked out. Although one of those was pretty fluky and the other was all the way back in 2003. I would actually give the technical advantage to Souza. Over the years we have seen his striking improve a lot. And Romero seems to chase the knockout and just go straight a head. I could see Souza doing some real damage if he can cut angles and even tire out Romero a bit. Also Jacare uses more kicks I think that can help. And I think he throw kicks because he won't worry about going to the ground.

If these two just come out and just have a straight grappling match it should still be amazing. Romero was a Silver Medal winner for Cuba in the Olympics he has defeated some of the greatest wrestlers ever. He also a world champion in freestyle wrestling. Meanwhile Jacare is one of the single greatest Brazil Jiu-Jitsu fighters of all time. He was a multi time world champion. He won the biggest tournaments. Now in terms of there MMA careers Romero has become more of a striker. We don't really see him go for takedowns. Now he's never lost or won via submission. Souza though has sixteen career wins via submission wins. He's never lost via submission. I gotta give the edge in grappling to Souza. Romero has never faced a guy as good in submission as Jacare. Meanwhile Jacare has submitted some very talented guys through out bout his BJJ and MMA career. Even if Romero does go for a takedown Romero can get him off his back.

I would give a big X-Factor advantage in terms of cardio to Souza. In his lone career loss Romero tried out badly. He also chases the knockout and that can wear you out. Souza I have never see tire out. He doesn't chase knockouts or even submissions. I think the longer this guys the edge to Jacare. My pick is Jacare. I think his striking will be enough to prevent a knockout. I think his chin is solid enough now. And if this goes to the ground you fee like it would only be a matter of time. I think Jacare racks up another submission win and he does it in the first round.

Demian Maia 21-6 MMA 15-6 UFC vs. Gunnar Nelson 14-1-1 MMA 5-1 UFC- Classic booking right here. Maia you long time veteran. He's been in the UFC about as long as Nelson has been fighting. Maia had a title shot fairly early in his UFC career which he lost. Since than he's had a lot of success but never been able get another one. Nelson the relativity young up and comer. He's proven he can beat the lower to mid level guys but a win over Maia is the kind he needs to start moving into title contention.

Maia last fought in August at UFC 190. He scored a second round submission win over Neil Magny. That was a huge win for him. It was his first finish since 2012 it extended his winning streak to three and Magny came in with a lot momentum he was on seven fight winning streak. Maia showed all how great is control on the ground is. Nelson last fought in July at UFC 189 he submitted Brandon Thatch in the first round. Just prior to that he had suffered his first career loss to Rick Story. You always wonder with an unbeaten fighter how they will respond when they do suffer that loss. Nelson looked good he out paced Thatch and locked in a submission for a win.

Neither of these guys are really strikers. Both men have 3 career KO wins. Maia only lost once via knockout and Nelson has never been knocked out. Maia has had some ups and downs with his striking. He's never been great at it. Times he's look good though other times awful. Part of that has to be though he's not worried about striking or not wanting to strike so he's looking for a takedown. Just based on the eyeball test Nelson is more consistent. I will give him the slight edge. This could be the kind of fight where both guys are both so good on the ground it forces a stand up fight. But I doubt it.

Both these guys made there name on the ground. Maia was a BJJ world champion like Jacare. Especially early on in his career it didn't seem like he tried to strike at all he just dragged guys to the ground and submitted them. Nelson doesn’t have the pure BJJ background but he's most of his fight via submission. Both fighters have 10 career submissions wins and never been submitted themselves. Now Nelson has a lot more recent submissions. But I am giving the edge to Maia. Maia just has an ability to control guys and smother them. Look at his fight with Jon Fitch he didn't get the submission but he kept Fitch on his back pretty much the whole fight.

In terms of a pick with Maia. He's had bigger fight vs. bigger names. Nelson can win this but he's going to need some big moments. I almost think he's got to hurt Maia early on. Maia I can see just getting some takedown and riding out the clock.

Max Holloway 14-3 MMA 10-3 UFC vs. Jeremy Stephens 24-11 MMA 11-10 UFC- Max Holloway is the young gun that is starting to become a true contender. He's only 23 years old but already got a lot of experience. Jeremy Stephens is the classic rock noise veteran fighter. He's actually only 29 but he's been in the UFC since 2007. He's fought a lot of big names in his career and has a win over the current UFC lightweight champion. You would think Holloway has a chance to earn a title shot but Stephens can't be looked past. And we just saw it with Whittaker beating Hall all that momentum he's built can be stolen with a loss. Holloway last fought in August at a UFC Fight Night. He got an injury TKO over Charles Olivera. For the little bit we saw him he looked good but it was an injury win. That did though put him at seven wins in a row. Stephens last fought in July at UFC 189. He faced off with Dennis Bermudez in a pretty back and forth fight. Than early in the third round he landed a devastating flying knee for a win. That snapped a two fight losing streak.

Stephens is about as tough a fighter as you can find. He's got 16 career knockout wins and he's only been knocked out once and that was to another vet in Yves Edwards. Stephens also has two more inches of reach. Holloway has six career knockout wins and never has been knocked out in his career. I guess it depends on how the stand aspect goes is who I will give the advantage to. If it's a techincale more controlled I think that gives the edge to Holloway. But if this winds up being a wild and crazy brawl than your playing right into Stephens game.

Grappling advantage is tough to call as well. Stephens has shown pretty good wrestling in the past. But he's not a real finisher on the ground he's got 3 submissions wins in 35 career fights. Holloway only has two but in 17 fights. I think I will give the edge to Holloway because he's young and he's still got room to grow. With Stephens he's style and skill are his style and skills. He won't turn into a slick ground fighter later in his career.

The X-Factors gotta give the team advantage to Stephens. He works out of Alliance a very top level camp. It's a place that has numerous fighters in the UFC and other top companies. Holloway is out of Hawaii and fights with a small camp out of there. We do see smaller camps work but I always want to give the edge the bigger team with more top level coaches and talent to push the fighter. The other X-Factor Holloway is younger and has far fewer hard miles on his body. Stephens is only 29 but he's fought so long and had so many hard fights. You wonder how much damage he can take. This is a tough fight to pick. Stephens you can never count out but I'm going with Holloway. He's looked so good lately and that youth means a big upside.

Urijah Faber 32-8 MMA 8-4 UFC vs. Frankie Sanez 11-2 MMA 3-0 UFC- This is one of those fights that makes you scratch you head and wonder “How did this get booked?” It seems the UFC wanted to book Faber in a bigger fight but some guys turned it down. As a result Sanez is getting the biggest fight of his career. Faber lost fought in May at a UFC Fight Night. He lost a five round decision to Frankie Edgar. It marked the first time Faber had ever lost a non title fight in his MMA career. Edgar really seemed to have his number the whole night. Sanez last fought August at another Fight Night he beat Sirwan Kakai via decision. There is no need to do more normal breakdown I'm giving all the advantages to Faber. He's more experienced we know how good his wrestling and submission are. He's got good hands and power and when he's lost via knockout it's been to top guys. Sanez will needs a real special performance. I do think Faber is starting to slip but he's still to good for Sanez.

The Ultimate Fighter Finale

Man you know it's a big weekend when a former world champion fights a former top title challenger and two young potential title challengers fight and it's not even on PPV. Instead we get it for free on FS1.

Frankie Edgar 19-4-1 MMA 13-4-1 UFC vs. Chad Mendes 17-3 MMA 8-3 UFC- If you aren't excited for this fight than I don't know what's wrong with you. You talking about two of the very best in the entire sport. Both guys have been viewed as the one that might be able to beat Aldo and both had very close fights with Aldo. Frankie has made it clear he believes he's earned another title shot and has been passed over. Mendes is now in a spot where he needs big wins and if he can beat Frankie he's made a statement that even with being 0-3 in title fights he's should get another chance at the belt.

Mendes last fought in July at UFC 189. He lost via knockout to Conor McGregor. Now you have to keep in mind. He took that fight with no notice didn't have any type of training camp outside of what ever drilling he did or work helping others get ready for fights. He was wining that fight. But he tired out and McGregor caught him. That said Mendes is now 0-3 in UFC title fights and lost two of his last three. So he's got to get wins going again. Edgar last fought in May at a UFC Fight Night where he beat Mende's teammate Urijah Faber. Pretty dominate fight for him. Now he's at four wins in a row all of which are over top names. And there was a lot of talk about why Mendes got the slot in the fight with McGregor while Frankie didn't. Edgar has made it clear he wants the next shot. You would have to think he's looking to have a statement win. So no matter what happens on the PPV he's got next shot.

Power wise edge goes to Mendes he has won 7 times via knockout while Frankie only has 5. That said Frankie Edgar does not get knocked out. We have seen him take hard powerful shots get rocked go jelly legend only to recover. Hell just go watch the second and third fights with Grey Maynard. And Frankie has really good boxing. Both these men mostly use punches. Mendes is more of a load up and go for the knockout guy while Frankie just throws a lot. I'm going to give the edge to Edgar. This is a five round fight and we have seen Mendes start to tire out if he can't get a knockout. I think Edgar's style and the fact I don't think a 2×4 to the head could knock him out gives him the edge. Frankie might get rocked and he might be bleeding out the noise but that is every Frankie Edgar fight.

Both men have wrestling backgrounds but Mendes did it a higher level in a bigger conference. Also Mendes an Alpha Male guy a top wrestling camp known for there use of The Guillotine choke. That said Mendes really doesn't use his wrestling in his MMA career. He's more of like I said a guy that likes to stand up and throw power punches. Edgar does use his wrestling pretty well. Also Frankie has more submission wins he has 4 while Mendes only has 2. Again if Mendes tries to load up he could open the door for Edgar to take him down. I think the edge goes to Frankie on the ground as well.

One X-Factor to consider is the fact Alpha Male has had some issues lately. There high profile departure of TJ Dillishaw. Also Martin Kampman who had taken over as head coach has left the team. That kind of stuff can affect a fighter. Meanwhile Edgar has the same team around him that has been there for years. So it should come as no shock that I am picking Edgar. I think this will be a great fight but I feel Mednes is to much of a head hunter. I think that will hurt him in the long run against someone like Edgar.

Tony Ferguson 19-3 MMA 9-1 UFC vs. Edson Barboza 16-3 MMA 9-3 UFC- I've seen some people argue that UFC should get rid of The Ultimate Fighter because “The winner never do anything” or “Good talent doesn't come out of it.” Well Tony Ferguson disproves those arguments. This is a fighter that seems to be destination to become a true contender. Originally Ferguson was supposed to face the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov but Khabib got hurt opening the door for Barboza another fighter that clearly has the potential to break into the upper level of the division. Ferguson last fought in July at a UFC Fight Night. He dominated Josh Thompson so bad Thompson went running to easier fight. That put Ferguson at six wins in a row. His lone UFC loss is to Michael Johnson and he's only gotten better since. Barboza last fought in July at a UFC on Fox. He gave the first loss to to Paul Fielder in a very exciting fight. The issue for Barboza is he wins but than suffers that one loss that keeps him out of the upper rankings.

Both fighters have 9 career MMA knockout wins. Ferguson has never been knocked out while Barboza has only 1 knockout loss in MMA. Both guys are known for there power but it's been a while since either had a knockout. Barboza hasn't had one since 2013 while Ferguson's last knockout was in May of 2014. Ferguson has a one inch reach advantage. But I'm giving the edge slightly to Barboza. The man has has a kickboxing record of 25-3 with 22 knockouts. Now in terms of grappling I am giving the edge to Ferguson. He has 6 career submission wins via submission while Barboza only has two. Ferguson's come much more recently.

Again this is one of those fights that can be really close. But I am picking Ferguson I do think the submission game can be key. Also it seems like Barboza doesn't always show up mentally to big fights. Also in the stand there are times where Barboza gets to obsessed with the highlight reel knockout. So as a result he over does spinning kicks. I think with Ferguson that will cost him. Plus Ferguson just seems like he's getting better and better. Give me Ferguson and I'll go so far to say he will score a knockout.

Joe Lauzon 25-10 MMA 12-7 UFC vs. Evan Dunham 16-6 MMA 9-6 UFC- These are two guys that have faced a whose who in the UFC lightweight division. Both these guys have also been in a number of exciting fights over the years. Lauzon last fought in July where he knocked out Takanormi Gomi in the first round. He's won 3 of his last 4. Lone loss to Al Iaquinta a great fighter most have pegged a furture contender. Dunham's last fight was also in July one week before Lauzon did. He went to a decision and won over Ross Pearson. That' puts him at two in a row after a three fight losing streak.

Striking everything says give the advantage to Lauzon. He's got a 1.5 advantage in the reach he has more career knockouts. Lauzon has seven knockouts. Dunham only has 3 and his last TKO in the UFC came in 2012 and that was due to injury. Outside of that his last KO came in 2009. While Lauzon has been knocked out four times I don't see Dunham being able to do it. Both men have decent technical striking. Both do have holes in there game. Both men have very good ground games. Dunham has six career submission wins. He's also got very good wrestling. Lauzon though has 17 career submission wins. I'm giving the edge to Lauzon the guy has not just submitted a lot of people but he's submitted some very good guys. I'm picking Lauzon. It's simple I just think he's a better fighter.

UFC Fight Night

Hey if they can air baseball every night. If freaking boring football can be on seven nights a week. Why the hell can't we do 3 UFC events in a weekend. Especially when these cards are so loaded.

Rose Namajunas 3-2 MMA 1-1 UFC vs. Paige VanZant 6-1 MMA 3-0 UFC- Both are young fighters that have already been very impressive. Both are very young. Both also have a good mix of skills while they are only getting better. Also both have already gained a pretty large fan base. Also both are willing to bring it. Namajunas last fought in October at UFC 192 she submitted Angelia Hill even before getting the submission she was able to land some good technical strikes. Now Namajunas record is a little deceptive. Don't forget she was on TUF 20 and got to the finals but only the loss with Espazra counts on her record. PVZ last fought in September at UFC 191. She got a third round submission win over Alex Chambers. That fight could have been a real trap for her. She was expected to win Chambers was lower ranked than her previous opponent. And you do see it fighters have a let down and get upset.

Both have pretty good striking but it hasn't resulted in knockouts. VanZant has only one career knockout and Namajunas has never scored a knockout since turning pro. PVZ seems to be a volume striker. In the Chambers fight she kept marching forward getting the Thai Plum and landing a lot of knees. Namajunas has a little more of an unorthodox stye we see her throw side kicks, ax kicks moves we don't always see in MMA as most people stick to round house kicks and front kicks. Just based on the eyeball test I'm going with Thug Rose. With VanZant's style I think it could cost her. Namajunas showed a good jab against he very aggressive Angelia Hill. Those kicks can keep VanZant off her. Plus striking not just the punches and kicks it's movement and Namajunas seems to use hers real well

The two strawweights have shown some good wrestling and submission skills. VanZant submitted Chambers last time out. Now in the fight before that she faced Felice Herring man she showed great ability to grind. It felt like in every grappling exchange Paige was the one making that final effort and winning the scrambles. Meanwhile all three of Namajunas career wins come via submission also on TUF she won all three of her fight there via submission. Now Carla Eszparaz did beat Rose via submission but I don't think PVZ has the same wrestling skills. I am going with Namajunas here as well. She's got very good very slick submissions. Also VanZant openly talked about being worried about going to the ground with Chambers until late. I don't think Chambers is nearly as good Namajunas is on the ground.

Both women work with great camps. VanZant is a member of Team Alpha Male. A camp with great wrestling and great submissions. Which should help her get ready and improve what ever weakness she felt she had on the ground. Namajunas in the past has worked with Rufuse Sport but now is at the Grudge Training Center a good camp but not the same rep as Alpha Male. So that is an edge for PVZ. The thing about both fighters they are still young and still have there prime a head of them. So they both should be much better than they were last time out. So yeah maybe VanZant comes out strong but just from what I have seen Namajunas is just that little bit better than VanZant. I think Namajunas wins and gets a second round submission.