UFC 289 Main Card Predictions: Can Irene Aldana Dethrone Amanda Nunes?
The wait for UFC 289 is just about over, and it's time for us to make some predictions.
UFC 289 emanates from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada this Saturday (June 10). The ESPN+ PPV will be headlined by UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes putting her gold at stake against Irene Aldana.
The co-headliner will see former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira share the Octagon with Beneil Dariush. There have been claims by Dariush that he's been promised a lightweight title shot if he beats "do Bronx."
HOW TO WATCH UFC 289: FIGHT TIMES AND STREAMING INFO FOR NUNES VS. ALDANA
Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt, Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr, and Eryk Anders vs. Marc-Andre Barriault are also set for the PPV portion of UFC 289.
Without further delay, let's get to the MMAKnockout.com staff predictions for UFC 289.
Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana
(via Cooper Neil/Zuffa LLC)
Fernando Quiles Jr.: The Lobo Gym in Guadalajara, Mexico is rolling right now, but I'm going to go with Amanda Nunes here. I don't doubt that Aldana can find the chin of Nunes with that left hook, but when "The Lioness" is on point, her power punching and top control is difficult to overcome. I think she stays focused and gets the better of her opponent both on the feet and on the ground for five rounds. (Pick: Nunes)
Mathew Riddle: I think Aldana is still relatively green compared to Nunes, who has faced down and beaten a killer's row of WMMA stars. From what I've seen, Aldana's striking has pop, but isn't as sharp as Nunes'. Because of this, I believe Nunes will control her on the feet, before securing a takedown and giving her the Megan Anderson treatment. Nunes' ground skills are heavily underappreciated and I think it'll come through in this fight. (Pick: Nunes)
Drew Beaupré: The odds on this fight are about as close as we’ve seen during Nunes’ title reign, but the champion is still more than a 3-1 favorite. There’s certainly a lot of factors that appear to be on Aldana’s side, such as Nunes’ future in the sport being uncertain and her having been upset by Peña not too long ago, not to mention the massive success Mexican fighters have had in UFC title fights this year. It’s always good to see a dominant champion take on a fresh challenge, but I have a hard time seeing “The Lioness” lose her bantamweight belt after she’s only just gotten it back. (Pick: Nunes)
Daniel Wade: Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes has hardly been tested in the last several years and dominated Julianna Peña in the rematch. She should have an opponent that can push her a bit in Irene Aldana. Nunes is a much more well-rounded fighter, but Aldana has the power to make her dangerous. This is a huge step up in competition for Aldana and she will be overwhelmed if Nunes is on her game. I have Nunes winning by TKO in round three. (Pick: Nunes)
Consensus: 4-0, Amanda Nunes
Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush
(via UFC)
Fernando: Has the Charles Oliveira slide begun? It's a question that "do Bronx" insists he knows the answer to, that being an emphatic "no." Dariush has done everything right to get to this point, but I think Oliveira will put him away by rocking him on the feet, and then finishing it off with ground-and-pound or a submission hold on an already dazed opponent. (Pick: Oliveira)
Mathew: I believe this is a coinflip fight. Dariush has all the tools necessary to win, but I think Oliveira edges him out where it's important. If Oliveira can remain defensively sound and avoid that missile left hand, then I believe he can secure a finish. Dariush has a tendency to overextend with his punches and enter clinch situations with his opponents. Charles is one fighter who excels at clinch fighting, and I think his knees and elbows from the clinch are going to be a deciding factor in his victory. (Pick: Oliveira)
Drew: We’ll obviously have to wait for the dust to settle following the UFC 291 main event between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, but the winner of this fight will absolutely deserve a title shot against Islam Makhachev. Dariush is long overdue for a chance at UFC gold and is one of the only fighters on the roster that may be able to hang with “do Bronx” both on the feet and when things hit the mat, but all of his career losses have come via finish and Oliveira only needs one moment to end the fight. (Pick: Oliveira)
Daniel: These two men have combined to win 19 out of their last 20 fights. Former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira is looking to bounce back from a loss against Islam Makhachev and will get another incredibly difficult task. Beneil Dariush is as technical as they come and really has no major weaknesses. This one feels like a coin flip, but I think Dariush pulls off a decision win and sets himself up for a long-awaited title shot. (Pick: Dariush)
Consensus: 3-1, Charles Oliveira
Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt
(via Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Fernando: Malott hasn't lost a pro MMA bout since 2014, and he's hoping to keep his winning streak going. Fugitt is a legit opponent and I could see him giving fans in Vancouver a scare, but ultimately I've got Malott pulling this one off via TKO. (Pick: Malott)
Drew: The placement of this fight on the main card might have something to do with Malott being Canadian, but “Proper” has also impressed by finishing his first two UFC opponents in the first round. Fugitt is a difficult matchup and could make Malott pay if he gets too comfortable, but I’ll take the Canadian to get a third UFC victory in front of what will hopefully be a raucous crowd. (Pick: Malott)
Daniel: Mike Malott is one of the most exciting young prospects on the UFC 289 card. Malott has five straight first-round finishes and has shown some great jiu-jitsu recently that pairs nicely with his knockout power. Adam Fugitt is a scrapper that shouldn’t be counted out. The incredibly tough Fugitt will likely push the pace against Malott to see if he can test the gas tank. Action is almost guaranteed in this one with neither fighter going the distance since 2017. Malott wins by first-round knockout. (Pick: Malott)
Consensus: 3-0, Mike Malott
Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr
(via Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
Fernando: UFC 289 may not be stacked in terms of names, but Dan Ige vs. Nate Landwehr should be a good one. Landwehr has solid takedown defense, and both men have been known to absorb punishment inside the Octagon, as well as dish it out. In the end, I've got Ige outlasting his opponent for either a late TKO finish, or a decision. (Pick: Ige)
Drew: Outside of Oliveira vs. Dariush, this fight is the clear frontrunner for Fight of the Night from a matchmaking perspective. Ige showed off tremendous resolve to snap his three-fight losing streak by knocking out Damon Jackson in his last bout, and I’ll take him to stop Landwehr’s winning run in what should be a wild fight. (Pick: Ige)
Daniel: This fight has all of the makings of a banger. Every fight with Nate Landwehr is a war and Dan Ige is no stranger to a brawl. Ige has fought the cream of the crop at featherweight and has a distinct power advantage. Landwehr has a better ground game and can grind out rounds with control and submission attempts. I have Ige taking this one with a second-round TKO.
Consensus: 3-0, Dan Ige
Eryk Anders vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
(via Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports)
Fernando: The key for Barriault in this fight will probably be to utilize his wrestling to wear Anders down. On the feet, he'll want to establish his jab. Ultimately, I think Barriault can do just enough with his wrestling to get past Anders via decision. (Pick: Marc-Andre Barriault)
Drew: Putting this fight on the main card is somewhat surprising considering there’s a matchup between ranked middleweights in the event’s featured prelim, but at the very least Bruce Buffer’s introduction for Barriault should get the Canadian crowd fired up for the PPV portion of the night. It would be fun to see these two men slug it out on the feet, but Anders’ willingness to pursue takedowns could be the difference in this matchup. (Pick: Anders)
Daniel: This is a fight that will likely impact each of the fighters' futures in the UFC. Neither has had back-to-back wins in the promotion since 2021. Marc-Andre “Power Bar” Barriault is known for his cardio and this fight feels like it’s going to be a grind. Eryk Anders was known for his power early in his career, but has only finished one fight since 2019. I think the cardio is too much for Anders and I have Barriault winning by decision. (Pick: Barriault)
Consensus: 2-1, Marc-Andre Barriault
READ MORE: BRENDAN SCHAUB SHARES BOLD UFC 289 PREDICTION FOR OLIVEIRA VS. DARIUSH
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