By TXMMA Staff
UFC Fight Night 30: Machida vs. Munoz features middleweight debut of Lyoto Machida
The UFC Fight Night 30 event is scheduled for October 26th at the Phones 4u Arena (formerly Manchester Arena) and will air domestically in the US on free TV with the main set for Fox Sports 2 (formerly Fuel TV). It’s an early card considering the time change with the event starting midday Saturday beginning at 11AM central standard time so make sure to tune in early.
The main event features the middleweight debut of former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida versus his training partner and friend Mark Munoz. UFC Fight Night 30 was originally supposed to feature Munoz against Michael Bisping before any injury forced “The Count” off the card.
The rest of the main card features some up-and-comers and vets with the biggest name being former Texas resident Melvin Guillard as he takes on TUF vet Ross Pearson.
Houston’s Andrew Craig also returns to the cage versus undefeated Luke Barnatt as part of the Facebook undercard so that should definitely be one to watch as well.
Read on for our preview and predictions.
UFC Fight Night 30: Machida vs. Munoz – Quick Card
UFC Fight Night 30 – Main Card (Fox Sports 2, 2PM CST)
- 185 lbs.: Lyoto Machida (19-4) vs. Mark Munoz (13-3)
- 155 lbs.: Ross Pearson (15-6) vs. Melvin Guillard (31-12-2)
- 205 lbs.: Jimi Manuwa (13-0) vs. Ryan Jimmo (18-2)
- 155 lbs.: Norman Parke (18-2) vs. Jon Tuck (7-0)
- 185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara (19-10) vs. Nicholas Musoke (10-2-1)
- 125 lbs.: Phil Harris (22-10) vs. John Lineker (22-6)
UFC Fight Night 30 – Prelims (Facebook, 11AM CST)
- 155 lbs.: Al Iaquinta (6-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallmann (14-1)
- 185 lbs.: Luke Barnatt (6-0) vs. Andrew Craig (9-1)
- 135 lbs.: Rosi Sexton (13-3) vs. Jessica Andrade (9-3)
- 145 lbs.: Andy Ogle (9-2) vs. Cole Miller (19-8)
- 185 lbs.: Brad Scott (8-2) vs. Michael Kuiper (12-2)
- 145 lbs.: Jimy Hettes (10-1) vs. Robert Whiteford (10-1)
UFC Fight Night 30 – Main Card Preview and Predictions
185 lbs.: Lyoto Machida (19-4) vs. Mark Munoz (13-3)
A former champion at light heavyweight, Lyoto Machida now makes a move down to 185 lbs. and does so on short notice as he replaces Michael Bisping against Mark Munoz.
These guys are friends and training partners with Munoz serving as Machida’s wrestling coach on occasion but they’ll leave at in the locker room for this one as there’s too much at stake. Machida will be looking to right the ship following his loss to Phil Davis in his last fight while Munoz is looking to move back up the ladder and re-establish himself as a legit middleweight contender.
All things considered Machida should be the clear favorite in this fight. He’s the far superior striker technically and has exceptional takedown defense. Mark’s best strength is ground-and-pound and Lyoto Machida is as difficult to hold down as anybody. With his ability to effectively utilize range and timing to counter his shots, he should be able to win this one with no issue short of getting caught with one of those big bombs from Munoz.
Prediction: Lyoto Machida over Mark Munoz by TKO, RD4
155 lbs.: Ross Pearson (15-6) vs. Melvin Guillard (31-12-2)
The co-main event at UFC Fight Night 30 features formerly Texas-based Melvin Guillard taking on gritty veteran Ross Pearson.
As usual any talk of predictions in this fight is predicated on “which Melvin shows up.” The guy has been an athletic specimen his entire career and has been on his way to stardom several times only to be derailed. After a string of losses he most recently scored a KO win over Mac Danzig while Pearson has also bounces back as of late with wins over George Sotiropoulos and Ryan Couture.
Overall this should be an entertaining standup fight. Pearson holds the technical edge between the two but Melvin has fight-altering explosiveness in his punches and is more likely to end the fight with one shot. Ross has the ability to win a decision here but we like this as a good matchup for Guillard.
Prediction: Melvin Guillard over Ross Pearson by KO, RD1
205 lbs.: Jimi Manuwa (13-0) vs. Ryan Jimmo (18-2)
Undefeated Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa is one to look out for following two stoppages in his first two UFC bouts against Kyle Kingsbury and Cyrille Diabate. Canadian Ryan Jimmo is a heavy hitter himself but has experienced mixed results going 2-1 in his first three bouts in the UC.
Obviously Manuwa’s greatest asset is his power but Jimmo has a 7-second UFC knockout on his UFC record as well. This could be a swing-for-the-fences type of bout or Jimmo could decide to be more conservative and slow the pace down in this one, depending on how feels early on in the fight. Yes another fight that could go any number of ways,.
Prediction: Jimi Manuwa over Ryan Jimmo by TKO, RD2.
155 lbs.: Norman Parke (18-2) vs. Jon Tuck (7-0)
The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke returns to action following two UFC victories so far versus Colin Fletcher and Kazuki Tokudome. He’ll be facing undefeated wrestler Jon Tuck who has one win under his belt after debuting against “Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zhang.
Both these guys are fighting to show they have what it takes to potential move up the lightweight ladder. It could be anybody’s fight and it’s a hard one to pick but we’ll go with Tuck by virtue of superior control.
Prediction: Jon Tuck over Norman Parke by unanimous decision.
185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara (19-10) vs. Nicholas Musoke (10-2-1)
Middleweight striker Alessio Sakara returns to action against late replacement Nicholas Musoke in the second bout of the night. This will be the first time Alessio has faced a lesser-experienced opponent in quite some time as he’s faced some tough ones in his last few – including Brian Stann and current champ Chris Weidman. This bout here is his shot at redemption.
Meanwhile, Nico Musoke arrived into the UFC with a fairly decent record but without a recognizable name among them. Like Alessio he too seems like a striker but a far less experienced one. He may be just the matchup “Legionnaire” needs to get back on track.
Prediction: Alessio Sakara over Nicholas Musoke by KO, RD1.
125 lbs.: Phil Harris (22-10) vs. John Lineker (22-6)
The opening bout of the main card features rising flyweight John Lineker looking to make his way up to an eventual title shot in the fairly shallow division currently ruled by Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
As with most flyweight bouts speed will be showcased in this one but Lineker should have the edge over Phil Harris with his power. John likes to swing for the fences and puts enough mustard behind his punches to hit Phil. We could be wrong but we think he has the edge in this fight.
Prediction: John Lineker over Phil Harris by TKO, RD2.
UFC Fight Night 30 – Undercard Quick Picks
155 lbs.: Al Iaquinta (6-2-1) vs. Piotr Hallmann (14-1)
A finalist on season 15 of TUF, Al Iaquinta has also looked good since then and is looking to make a push. Piotr Hallman at this point is a one fight UFC vet who looks decent but not overly spectacular.
Prediction: Al Iaquinta over Piotr Hallmann by unanimous decision
185 lbs.: Luke Barnatt (6-0) vs. Andrew Craig (9-1)
Texan Andrew Craig will be looking to bounce back from his career loss and he gets a relatively new albeit undefeated opponent to do it against in Luke Barnatt. The Brit will be fighting in front of a hometown (home country) crowd in this one but that’s nothing Andrew isn’t used to.
Prediction: Andrew Craig over Luke Barnatt by TKO, RD3
135 lbs.: Rosi Sexton (13-3) vs. Jessica Andrade (9-3)
Rosie Sexton enters this fight with the distinction of being the UK’s best WMMA fighter to date while Jessica Andrade isn’t so bad herself. Both fights are coming off a loss though and should be motivated in this one. Both fighters are well-balanced so this should be a great one and a potential fight of the night contender.
Prediction: Rosi Sexton over Jessica Andrade by split decision
145 lbs.: Andy Ogle (9-2) vs. Cole Miller (19-8)
Cole Miller isn’t as regarded as he once was and is now heavily cemented as a middle of the road journeyman. Meanwhile Andy Ogle is the younger of the two and has displayed some flashes as a young scrapper but I don’t know if he’s got enough at this point to take out Miller.
Prediction: Cole Miller over Andy Ogle by submission, RD2
185 lbs.: Brad Scott (8-2) vs. Michael
Kuiper (12-2)
Michael Kuiper has lost to some tough opponents in Rafael Natal and Tom Lawler and has a win over Jared Hamman. Brad Scott will be fighting at home but he should be overmatched in this one.
Prediction: Michael Kuiper over Brad Scott by decision.
145 lbs.: Jimy Hettes (10-1) vs. Robert Whiteford (10-1)
Jimmy Hettes looked really good early on in his career and has 9 out of 10 wins by submission. Robert Whiteford is another prospect but he’s relatively unproven.
Prediction: Jimmy Hettes over Robert Whiteford by submission, RD1