HOF Picks | UFC Seattle
UFC Seattle
This weekend, the UFC returns to Seattle for the first time in over a decade with a stacked card headlined by a crucial bantamweight clash. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo looks to snap a two-fight skid as he faces rising contender Song Yadong in the main event. Cejudo, seeking his first win since coming out of retirement, faces a tough test in the dynamic Song, who’s eager to bounce back from his loss to Petr Yan.
The co-main event features a middleweight showdown between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez, both looking to climb the rankings. Allen aims to rebound from his recent loss to Nassourdine Imavov, while Hernandez rides a six-fight win streak into this contest.
Other notable bouts include a catchweight clash between Rob Font and undefeated prospect Jean Matsumoto, as well as an intriguing featherweight matchup pitting Jean Silva against Melsik Baghdasaryan. The preliminary card is equally compelling, with veterans like Andre Fili and Ricky Simon in action.
Despite some high-profile cancellations, including Dominick Cruz’s retirement bout, the card remains packed with intriguing matchups across multiple weight classes. Fight fans can expect a night of high-stakes action as the Octagon makes its long-awaited return to the Emerald City.
The Home of Fight Experts are here to help put cash into your pockets for this stacked fight night event, so let’s see what they have cooking for this weekend!
Cejudo vs Yadong | HOF
Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong
- HayJive – Song Yadong
“This is a tough path to victory for Cejudo, but with early success I could see him taking over. If Song can’t get back to his feet from takedowns it could be Cejudo stealing rounds. I’ll still take the younger fighter in this one, Song by decision.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Henry Cejudo
“Underdogs are barking in main events this year. Henry has the wrestling to land takedowns, as Song has been taken down in his last 3 fights. If Henry gets them early, the better off he is going deeper into the fight.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Henry Cejudo
“I understand Song Bettors, and this Cejudo bet is much more based off the upside. We have seen Song wear off over three rounds and over 5 rounds, Cejudo has far more experience. Cejudo’s bouts against Merab and Aljamain have people believing he no longer has it, but he still had great moments of success in both.”
- Austin Swaim – Henry Cejudo
“Song Yadong’s one ranked win was a controversial decision over Chito. Cejudo has dropped two razor-thin decisions. I’ll buy a bit of regression for Henry as he’s still clearly fighting at a championship level.”
- The Fight Analyst – Song Yadong
“While Cejudo is certainly a future Hall of Famer this isn’t going to be an easy fight if he’s not able to land takedowns and keep Song on the mat. I thoroughly expect Cejudo to land some tds but Song will get back to his feet where he will land more damage throughout the fight to get the nod on the scorecards and get the biggest win of his career.”
Allen vs Hernandez | HOF
Brendan Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez
- HayJive – Anthony Hernandez
“Unless Allen can find his way on the back of Hernandez, I don’t see this one going well for him. Hernandez Merab like style is tough to deal with for even some of the best grapplers in MMA. Give me Hernandez by Decision.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Anthony Hernandez
“Hernandez and Allen have fought before where Hernandez won a convincing 50-45. Hernandez has a knack for outlasting opponents, wear them down with wrestling, and Brendan Allen gets awfully tired after those types of exchanges.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Anthony Hernandez
“Brendan Allen was on an amazing streak prior to the Imavov lost. One thing we saw over three rounds was his endurance. If his endurance is an issue over three rounds, I’m not convinced he can hold up well over 5, despite doing so in 2018, when both fighters were still raw in their careers.”
- Austin Swaim – Anthony Hernandez
“Allen is very live for a finish himself in what should be a bloodbath, but Hernandez’s pace and pressure is a nightmare matchup for anyone at 185. We’ve seen Allen stopped twice in UFC at distance, and it’s not crazy to see happening here if he gets tired late.”
- The Fight Analyst – Anthony Hernandez
“We can’t count out Brendan Allen in this fight regardless of his loss to Imavov however, Hernandez is one fighter I will not be fading in this spot. His cardio, relentless forward pressure, and iron chin will make it difficult for Allen to get anything going as Hernandez just suffocates him with his grappling to get a late finish or a dominant decision.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto
- HayJive – Rob Font
“I love Matsumoto as a prospect but this is a huge step up in competition and he’s taking it on short notice. If Font can stay off his back, I’ll give him the edge here to win a decision.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Rob Font
“Jean Matsumoto is a good prospect at 16-0 but this is the year of the vets teaching lessons. Jean’s wrestling isn’t dominate, and he was very hittable against Brad Katona. If Font keeps this on the feet I expect him to make this a very close striking affair and taking Rob Font in a boxing match is a no brainer.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jean Matsumoto
“Rob Font has checked a lot of prospects coming up like Yanez and Kyler Phillips. The difference is that Matsumoto is quite different in terms of styles. He will look to take this fight to the ground while maintaining safe on the feet. Expecting a close decision win for Jean.”
- Austin Swaim – Jean Matsumoto
“Though no strong lean on how Matsumoto gets the finish, Rob Font’s aging chin was bailed out by Kyler Phillips’ poor cardio. Matsumoto is a lethal, powerful striker with a great squeeze. I think he emphatically enters the rankings on Saturday.”
- The Fight Analyst – Rob Font
“Font has been the prospect killer in recent fights, halting surging prospects Yanez and Phillips and he gets another in undefeated Matsumoto. If Font keeps this fight standing it’s his fight to lose and seeing how Matsumoto had trouble landing takedowns in his UFC career (3/11 27%) this should be a primarily striking affair where Font has the distinct advantage to outstrike his way to victory.”
Melsik vs Silva | HOF
Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan
- HayJive – Jean Silva
“I can’t go against Silva until he proves me wrong. Melsik can make this competitive on the feet, but Silva has shown devastating counter striking abilities and in this matchup will have a severe edge on the ground.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Jean Silva
“Silva and Melsik both possess high level striking, but Melsik’s power isn’t on the level of Silva. Silva is a certified psycho, and I believe he has way more tools with the striking, power, and grappling to make this a tough night for Melsik.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Jean Silva
“Baghdasaryan has struggled to be active and while he’s a great ranged kickboxer, this is not a game you want to play with Jean Silva. Jean Silva will trade kick for kick and towards the second and third round the damage will be far accumulated.”
- Austin Swaim – Jean Silva
“This might be the ultimate test for the Fighting Nerds’ mantra of the right gameplan. Baghdasaryan is dangerous and competitive at distance, but he gave up his neck instantly in his lone UFC appearance that hit the mat. I think Silva has those skills.”
- The Fight Analyst – Jean Silva
“This fight has the potential to be Fight of the Night with two high-level strikers looking to throw down. The x-factor here would be Silva mixing it up and using his grappling however, we know Silva will slug it out on the feet and he should be the one that will be getting the better of the exchanges potentially landing the knockout blow or get the nod on the scorecards.”
Marcel Dorff | X
Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker
- HayJive – Alonzo Menifield
“Too many unknowns with Walker for me to take him here. He looks like a good athlete but seems very green. I’ll take Alonzo’s experience here.”
- Nolan (TheParlay) – Alonzo Menifield
“Julius Walker is making his debut on 10 days notice against the 15th ranked Menifield, and that just sounds like too much too soon for a guy in Walker who just started MMA 4 years ago. Alonzo will have to defend takedowns, but I see him using his power, explosiveness, and veteran experience to outlast, out land, and outwork Walker.”
- JJ (TheOctagonKings) – Alonzo Menifield
“Walker is dangerous but we’ve seen this movie time and time again. His experience is going to be a key differential in this fight and I believe his endurance into the later rounds will make a sizable difference.”
- Austin Swaim – Julius Walker
“Alonzo Menifield’s fortuitous run through shaky chins ends with an undefeated, athletic prospect in Walker if his holds up. Let’s not forget that Menifield has virtually no takedown offense and lost a decision at distance to William Knight.”
- The Fight Analyst – Alonzo Menifield
“Walker is certainly a live dog here but with Menifield back at Fortis MMA and a ton of high-level experience that should play dividends in Menifield doing enough to get the win and get back into the win column this weekend.”
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