Sean Sheehan 
The PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the venue for this week’s UFC event as the world’s premier MMA promotion puts on its 116th fight night. Headlining the card is the returning former UFC and Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold as he takes on multiple time WSOF champion David Branch in the middleweight division. Former Bellator champion Hector Lombard also makes his comeback after seven months on the sidelines while Mike Perry, Gregor Gillespie and fast rising welterweight contender Kamaru Usman are very much worth looking out for too.
Here are some quick picks for the event.
MAIN CARD
Middleweight – Luke Rockhold vs. David Branch: Branch has the ability to test Luke’s chin but I think Rockhold will come through and take a submission win.
Welterweight – Mike Perry vs. Alex Reyes: With Thiago Alves out, I think Perry via KO early is the likely outcome here against late replacement Reyes.
Middleweight – Hector Lombard vs. Anthony Smith: Someone is getting knocked out here. I have Lombard winning.
Lightweight – Gregor Gillespie vs. Jason Gonzalez: Have been impressed with Gillespie so far, fancy him here.
Welterweight – Kamaru Usman vs. Sérgio Moraes: Big test for the top prospect at 170 but I think Usman does enough.
Heavyweight – Justin Ledet vs. Zu Anyanwu – Ledet via submission.
PRELIMS
Lightweight – Tony Martin vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier – OAM
Heavyweight – Anthony Hamilton vs. Daniel Spitz – Hamilton
Middleweight – Krzysztof Jotko vs. Uriah Hall – Jotko
Bantamweight – Luke Sanders vs. Felipe Arantes – Sanders *Fight Cancelled*
EARLY PRELIM
Lightweight – Jason Saggo vs. Gilbert Burns – Burns
BET OF THE WEEK
I’m going for a double of Lombard and Usman at 6/4
START TIMES
Prelims – 1am on Fight Pass and BT Sport
Main Card – 3am on BT Sport
This week on the SevereMMA Podcast Sean and Graeme talk UFC 215, UFC FN Rockhold vs Branch, BAMMA 31, Cage Warriors 86, Fan Questions and more
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