Most Valuable Promotions will be having their first major MMA card on Saturday, May 16th, at the Inuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Known for the boxing spectacles they stream on Netflix, this combat sports event is sure to draw, with popular names in MMA making a comeback to the octagon, headlined by Rousey vs Carano.
If successful, MVP can become a real competitor to the UFC for fighters looking to make money. MVP will pay way more than what the UFC pays their talent, along with letting them have independent sponsors. The main card is intriguing, with each bout’s fighters competing after extremely long layoffs. The big expectations and hype surrounding this event should lead to aggressive fighting and brutal finishes as the talent look to make a statement.
Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos (21-10-0) Vs Robelis “The Big Boy” Despaigne (5-2), 3 Rounds At Heavyweight
Heavyweight fights can end in an instant due to the one-shot knockout power they possess, and bet on that happening here to kick off the main card. Dos Santos has always been known for having great boxing (especially a great jab) and footwork, with the experience to stay composed under pressure. Despaigne is the more aggressive of the two fighters and will be able to use his karate skills to land kicks at range to disrupt JDS. The explosiveness of “The Big Boy” will allow him to apply constant pressure, leading to a knockout. Prediction: Despaigne By Second-Round KO
Salahdine Parnasse (22-2) Vs Kenneth “The Boss” Cross (17-4), 3 Rounds At Lightweight
Parnasse is considered one of the best lightweights outside the UFC and in Europe. He gets the chance to fight in the United States for the first time. He does everything with great technique and has elite kickboxing with the fight IQ to make reads on his opponents and adjust quickly. The key will be for Cross to make it an ugly fight, relying on his durability and forward pressure to force the action to create openings. Parnasse is the more polished fighter and will be able to pick apart Cross each round by controlling the striking range and landing the cleaner shots. Prediction: Parnasse By Unaminous Decision
Francis “The Predator” Ngannou (18-3) Vs Philipe “Monstro” Lins (18-5), 5 Rounds At Heavyweight
Lins is well-rounded with the ability to frustrate opponents by mixing in clinch grappling with his strikes. He has also shown solid defensive awareness in avoiding power shots and not rushing into reckless exchanges. Weathering the storm early is key because he’s facing one of the most devastating knockout artists ever seen at Heavyweight in Ngannou.
“The Predator” has produced highlight-reel finishes in the UFC and will be looking for another one here. If this fight goes the distance, Lins has a real chance of winning with his grinding style tiring out his opponent. There is just too much power from Ngannou, however, as one shot is all he needs to end a fight. Expect to see the knockout of the night here within the first five minutes. Prediction: Ngannou by First-Round KO
