UFC 241 is one of the best cards of the year, headlined by a heavyweight title fight rematch, and Cageside Press has their picks set.
| Staff Writers | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Payne (130-55) |  |  |  |  |  |
| Joe McDonagh (121-56) | | | |  | |
| Heath Harshman (124-61) | | | | |  |
| Keith Shillan (83-43) | | | | | |
| Ryan Fortune (83-43) | | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (118-67) | | | | | |
| Dan Doherty (117-68) | | | | | |
| Mike McClory (70-42) | | | | | |
| Josh Evanoff (114-71) | | | | | |
| Gabriel Gonzalez (114-71) | |  |  | | |
| Marcus Rebelo (14-12) |  | | | | |
| Eddie Law (75-65) | | | | | |
Stipe Miocic and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will finally run it back over a year after their first bout in the main event of UFC 241. Cormier stunned the champion in that fight with a first-round knockout to become a double-champion. DC has defended his title once since then, while Stipe has been waiting patiently to get his shot. Nine of 12 writers believe Cormier will defend his belt.
The co-main event features the unexpected return of Nate Diaz, as he takes on Anthony Pettis. Diaz hasn’t competed since 2016, which is when his epic rematch with Conor McGregor occurred. Pettis, on the other hand, sparked new life into his career when he knocked out Stephen Thompson in his UFC welterweight debut in March. Cageside Press is split down the middle at six picks apiece.
In perhaps the most muscle-bound fight in UFC history, Yoel Romero will battle Paulo Costa. Romero has exclusively fought in title fights since 2017, going 1-2 with both losses being incredible battles against current champion Robert Whittaker. Costa is 12-0 and has knocked out all four opponents he’s fought in the Octagon. All but one writer picked Romero.
Rising fan-favorite Sodiq Yusuff looks to keep it up against Gabriel Benitez. Yusuff is 2-0 in the Octagon after an impressive performance on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. Benitez is an impressive fighter himself with a 5-2 UFC record and three finishes, with a slam KO most recently. All but three writers picked Yusuff.
Opening up the main card will be promising middleweight Ian Heinisch taking on Derek Brunson. Heinisch has faced tough competition right out the gate after appearing on the Contender Series, defeating Cezar Ferreira and Antonio Carlos Junior. Brunson is looking to be the knockout artist of old, as he’s lost two of his last three fights. 10 of 12 writers picked Heinisch.
