John Makdessi
Age: 33
Nationality: Canadian
MMA Record: 15-6
UFC Record: 8-6
Notable Wins: Sam Stout, Shane Campbell, Daron Cruickshank
Notable Losses: Donald Cerrone, Lando Vannata
Last Fight: Decision win over Abel Trujillo
Fighter Profile: A highly-decorated striker, Makdessi has had an inconsistent UFC career. At times he has looked amazing and has performed some spectacular knockouts in the Octagon, but he’s also been knocked out himself and seems to be on the tail end of his career in the UFC. But with his striking skills and takedown defense, he’s definitely not an easy fight. Makdessi has likely peaked and he won’t be the title contender we may have first thought he would be, but he’s a solid fighter who puts on good fights and the UFC is giving him a great opportunity here to fight a guy with a weaker chin in Pearson and get a big knockout on Canadian soil.
Ross Pearson
Age: 33
Nationality: British
MMA Record: 20-14, 1 NC
UFC Record: 12-11, 1 NC
Notable Wins: Paul Felder, Gray Maynard, Dennis Siver
Notable Losses: Cub Swanson, Edson Barboza, Al Iaquinta
Last Fight: Decision win over Mizuto Hirota
Fighter Profile: The former TUF winner, Pearson has turned into a gatekeeper now, and one who is just barely clinging to a roster spot at this point. Pearson has bounced around 145lbs, 155lbs and 170lbs in the UFC and seems to have finally settled on lightweight, but at this point the weight class might not even matter. His durability is a big concern as is his takedown defense and cardio. He still has decent boxing and can surprise with his hands every once in a while but overall he doesn’t appear to have much left in the tank.
Fight Breakdown: I think this is going to be one of the most lopsided fights on the entire card. I just don’t think Pearson has much if anything left in his tank at this point, while I feel like Makdessi still has the potential to win some fights at 155lbs. I think this fight is probably going to be a striking battle, and in that situation I have to get Makdessi the advantage because he has the more varied striking attack as well as the better chin and cardio. It’s possible Makdessi could catch Pearson and knock him out, but I think the most likely result for this bout is a decision in the favor of Makdessi, and it might be the last time we see Pearson fight in the UFC.
Prediction: John Makdessi via decision
