logo
UFC on ESPN 70 predictions: Can Derrick Lewis upset Tallison Teixeira in Nashville?

UFC on ESPN 70 predictions: Can Derrick Lewis upset Tallison Teixeira in Nashville?

USA Todaya day ago
The UFC is back in 'Music City' for the first time in two years with heavyweights at the top of the ticket.
UFC on ESPN 70 (ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.
Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos
Austen Lane vs. Vitor Petrino
Morgan Charriere vs. Nate Landwehr
Steve Garcia vs. Calvin Kattar
Gabriel Bonfim vs. Stephen Thompson
Derrick Lewis vs. Tallison Teixeira
Individual staff member picks, main card
Readers 92–57: Teixeira (50.1%), Bonfim (67%), Garcia (62%), Charriere (59%), Petrino (89%), Tafa (74%)
Preliminary card picks
Although they don't count toward the standings, MMA Junkie staff members still pick the fights on the prelims. Here are the results:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chris Lindstrom ranked among top 10 interior OL by NFL coaches, scouts
Chris Lindstrom ranked among top 10 interior OL by NFL coaches, scouts

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Chris Lindstrom ranked among top 10 interior OL by NFL coaches, scouts

ESPN's poll shows Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom has the respect of NFL personnel The Atlanta Falcons will enter the 2025 NFL season with numerous question marks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. On the flip side, the team will return 10 of 11 offensive starters. The only player missing is center Drew Dalman, who signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency. Dalman is a big loss, but the Falcons still have four quality starters along their offensive line -- three of whom are former first-round picks. Right guard Chris Lindstrom has established himself as one of the league's elite interior linemen. Last season, Lindstrom made his third consecutive Pro Bowl and was voted second-team All-Pro. The former Boston College standout was ranked among the NFL's top 10 interior offensive linemen in a new ESPN poll of executives, coaches and scouts. After being ranked second on the list in 2024, Lindstrom fell to No. 7 in ESPN's latest poll. Lindstrom ranked No. 7 interior offensive lineman in ESPN poll: Lindstrom falling five spots is a bit curious, because most evaluators say his play hasn't dipped dramatically. He's an elite zone run blocker who isn't as skilled as a pass blocker but has shown signs of slight improvement. His 92.4 pass block win rate is respectable. "I think he'll be even better with Michael Penix Jr., because the boot game will pick up with his athleticism and that will help [Lindstrom] in the passing game," an NFL coordinator said. "He's never going to be great in pass pro but he's all-world in the run." Lindstrom has made three consecutive Pro Bowls and helped guide Atlanta to a No. 10 ranking in rushing offense. -- Jeremy Folwer, ESPN Lindstrom was the only Falcons offensive lineman to make ESPN's poll, however, Jake Matthews received some votes in the offensive tackle rankings. Matthews was not voted top 10, but he was featured in the honorable mention category. "He has improved in anchoring with power against the better rushers. He has always been good in the run game, but you used to be able to walk him back to the QB. He is much harder to do that against now." an NFL coordinator told Fowler. While the Falcons have two quality guards -- Lindstrom and Matt Hennessy -- and two solid offensive tackles -- Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary -- the loss of Dalman is fairly significant. The former fourth-round pick had developed into a top-10 center over his four seasons in Atlanta. To replace Dalman, the team re-signed veteran Ryan Neuzil to a two-year, $9.5 million contract. While Neuzil doesn't have much starting experience, he played well during the eight games Dalman was injured last season. - READ: Falcons 53-man roster projection: Pre-training camp edition

UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago
UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago

A welterweight banger that was booked once before is back on the UFC's books. Contenders Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates will square off in a three-round clash at UFC 319, which takes place Aug. 16 at United Center in Chicago, the promotion announced Sunday. Neal (16-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) vs. Prates (21-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was previously booked for UFC 314 in April. It was canceled as Neal withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Prates was pushed back two weeks and headlined UFC on ESPN 66 against Ian Machado Garry, who won by unanimous decision. Advertisement The Machado Garry loss was Prates' first in his UFC tenure after a skyrocketing run to contendership that included knockouts of Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, and Neil Magny. Neal has not competed since a 90-second TKO win (due to injury) over Rafael dos Anjos in August 2024. The win bounced Neal back into the win column after consecutive losses to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Machado Garry. With the addition, the UFC 319 lineup includes: Champion Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev – for middleweight title Jared Cannonier vs. Michael Page Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura Edson Barboza vs. Drakkar Klose Jessica Andrade vs. Loopy Godinez Diego Ferreira vs. King Green Bryan Battle vs. Nursulton Ruziboev Gerald Meerschaert vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk JJ Aldrich vs. Karine Silva Alexander Hernandez vs. Chase Hooper This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 319 lands previously canceled banger: Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates

UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago
UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

UFC 319 adds Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates to Chicago

Confronto entre dois Top 15 dos meio-médios em Chicago! 👊Geoff Neal x Carlos Prates acontece em 16 de agosto no #UFC319!Assista ao vivo no @UFCFightPassBR! A welterweight banger that was booked once before is back on the UFC's books. Contenders Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates will square off in a three-round clash at UFC 319, which takes place Aug. 16 at United Center in Chicago, the promotion announced Sunday. Neal (16-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) vs. Prates (21-7 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was previously booked for UFC 314 in April. It was canceled as Neal withdrew for undisclosed reasons. Prates was pushed back two weeks and headlined UFC on ESPN 66 against Ian Machado Garry, who won by unanimous decision. The Machado Garry loss was Prates' first in his UFC tenure after a skyrocketing run to contendership that included knockouts of Trevin Giles, Charles Radtke, Li Jingliang, and Neil Magny. Neal has not competed since a 90-second TKO win (due to injury) over Rafael dos Anjos in August 2024. The win bounced Neal back into the win column after consecutive losses to Shavkat Rakhmonov and Machado Garry. With the addition, the UFC 319 lineup includes:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store