UFC on ESPN 16 Germaine de Randamie vs. Julianna Pena, Odds and Prediction
UFC on ESPN 16 fight three pits ex featherweight champ Germaine de Randamie (-120) against TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena (+100). The prevailing side could get either Holm or Aldana next to determine top contender honors at bantamweight.
Germaine de Randamie (9-4, 36-years-old, 4 TKO's)
Thrilling MMA insiders for years with a punishing kickboxing style, ‘Iron Lady’ de Randamie recently extended reigning pound-for-pound queen Amanda Nunes while dropping the duo’s 135 lb championship rematch. During her UFC tenure, behind a 72.5 inch reach, the AKA staple has beaten Holly Holm, Raquel Pennington and most recently phenom Aspen Ladd in convincing fashion to claim elite status.
At 36, de Randamie erased rising Ladd with a crisp one-two combo after outmuscling Pennington to earn another crack at 'Lioness.' Each performance showed the no. 1 contender is dangerous on any given night, and will be ready for her latest test. Overall de Randamie lands 2.72 strikes per minute. And while the Netherlands native isn't an offensive wrestling threat, her 88 percent takedown defense bodes well vs. seasoned Pena.
Julliana Pena (9-3, 31-years-old, 3 TKO's, 3 Subs)
Once the alpha TUF, Julianne Pena returned from an almost two year absence last July to spoil ex flyweight titleist Nicco Montano's hopes at another championship run. After dropping the first round vs. gritty Montano, 'Venezuelan Vixen' imposed her natural size edge to steal an impressive mat-based win and re-establish top-ten ranking.
When sizing up Pena and de Randamie skill wise, the former owns a deeper MMA tool bag. Overall, Pena lands 2.95 strikes per minute and 2.79 takedowns per fifteen minutes. Though, de Randamie cancels out those statistical barriers with greater length, power and size.
In a matchup as pivotal as the evening's main event, look for de Randamie to work behind her near three-inch reach advantage while shrugging off Pena's takedown attempts. As the fight wears on, 'Iron Lady' will bust up 'Venezuela Vixen's features to leave a winning impression on the ringside officials.
Germaine de Randamie is on another physical plane than her upcoming competitior, and it will show.
The Winner: Take de Randamie by Decision
Odds courtesy of BestFightOdds
