There are a pair of big MMA events on Saturday Night, one of them being UFC 214 and the other being PFL: Everett. The second ever Professional Fighters League event is going to be headlined by a featherweight division fight as Andre Harrison faces Steven Rodriguez. Also, a pair of UFC veterans are going to be in action as Jake Shields and Yushin Okami are stepping into the cage.
Main Card
Main Event
PFL Featherweight Division Fight
Andre “The Bull” Harrison (16-0-0) vs. Steven “Avenger” Rodriguez (10-2-0)
Harrison was the final World Series Of Fighting Featherweight Champion, defeating Lance Palmer by decision at the WSOF 35 to win the gold. Rodriguez is entering the fight riding a seven fight winning streak and he hasn’t suffered a defeat in over seven years. Harrison is also a former Titan Fighting Championships Featherweight Champion, but he gave up the belt when he signed with the WSOF. Rodriguez also competed once in the WSOF, defeating Alexandre Almeida by split decision at the WSOF 35.
Prediction: Harrison is one of the greatest wrestlers in the featherweight division right now, the fighter grinds out a decision win over Rodriguez in this one.
Co-Main Event
PFL Welterweight Division Fight
Andre Lobato (24-6-0-1NC) vs. Yushin “Thunder” Okami (33-10-0)
Lobato will enter this fight on the strength of a nine fight winning streak and he hasn’t suffered a defeat in almost five years. Okami enters the fight riding a three fight winning streak, plus he has previously challenged for the UFC Middleweight Title and the WSOF Middleweight Title. Lobato hasn’t seen one of his fights go the distance in over four years and all but two of his last nine fights ended within the opening round. Okami earned a total of thirteen wins during his time with the UFC and just a single win under the WSOF banner.
Prediction: Okami is great at using the clinch and takedown game to defeat his opponents, it will be a decision win for Okami here.
PFL Welterweight Division Fight
Danny “Dee 1” Davis Jr. (13-11-1) vs. Jake Shields (31-9-1-1NC)
Davis Jr enters the fight riding a two fight winning streak and he has not suffered a defeat in well over a year. Shields will enter the fight riding a two fight losing streak and he has previously challenged for the WSOF Welterweight Title, losing to Rousimar Palhares at the WSOF 22. Davis Jr has won three of six during his time in the WSOF, most notably defeating UFC veteran Adam Cella at the WSOF 17. Shields hasn’t earned a victory in over two years, as his last win came over fellow UFC veteran Brian Foster at the WSOF 17 in January 2015.
Prediction: Davis Jr is many levels below Shields in the MMA world, Shields takes him down and submits him in the opening round.
PFL Middleweight Division Fight
Rex “T-Rex” Harris (10-2-0) vs. Bruno “Carioca” Santos (15-2-0)
Harris will enter the fight riding a six fight winning streak and he went undefeated during a three fight run in the WSOF. Santos went undefeated during his one fight stint on the WSOF, defeating Vagab Vagabov at the WSOF 34. Harris is going to be competing for the first time in over a year, as his last bout came at the WSOF 32 in July of 2016. Santos also competed three times in the UFC, earning a single victory over Chris Camozzi at UFC 175.
Prediction: Santos has an underrated wrestling game and he uses that to get a decision win over Harris.
Preliminary Card Quick Picks
Josh Copeland over Mike Kyle
Jared Rosholt over Nick Rossborough
Luiz Firmino over Eddy Ellis
Louis Taylor over Zach Conn
Jared Torgeson over Dale Sopi
Miles Hunsinger over Andy Nigretto
Punahele Soriano over Jon Gover
