Breaking Down The UFC Des Moines Card: Fight Predictions

Omar Yusuf

5 min read

Post on May 04, 2025

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Main Event Prediction: Robert Whittaker vs. Dricus du Plessis

Robert Whittaker's Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Exceptional striking: Whittaker possesses a well-rounded striking game, utilizing a combination of power punches, precise kicks, and effective counter-striking. His footwork is also a significant asset, allowing him to evade incoming attacks and create offensive opportunities.
• Improved takedown defense: While historically vulnerable to takedowns, Whittaker has significantly improved his takedown defense in recent fights, showcasing better sprawl and awareness.
• High Fight IQ: Known for his adaptability and strategic approach, Whittaker consistently adjusts his game plan based on his opponent's strengths and weaknesses.
• Cardio: Whittaker's cardio is exceptional, enabling him to maintain a high pace throughout all three rounds.
• Weakness: Grappling: While improved, Whittaker's grappling remains a potential area of vulnerability against elite wrestlers.

Dricus du Plessis' Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Powerful wrestling and grappling: Du Plessis is a dominant wrestler with excellent takedown skills and a strong ground game. His ability to control the fight on the mat is a significant threat.
• Improving striking: Du Plessis' striking is steadily improving; though not his primary strength, it is becoming more effective and accurate.
• Aggressiveness: Du Plessis brings relentless pressure and aggression to his fights, making him a challenging opponent for anyone.
• Weakness: Striking Defense: Du Plessis' striking defense is a clear vulnerability, leaving him susceptible to powerful counter-strikes.
• Weakness: Cardio (potentially): While generally durable, prolonged high-output fights could potentially test his stamina.

Prediction and Reasoning:

The likely outcome of this fight hinges on Whittaker's ability to keep the fight standing. If he can successfully defend takedowns and utilize his superior striking, he should be able to outpoint Du Plessis over five rounds. However, if Du Plessis secures takedowns early and controls the fight on the ground, he has a clear path to victory. Our prediction leans towards a Whittaker victory by unanimous decision, based on his improved takedown defense and superior striking.

Co-Main Event Prediction: Jessica Andrade vs. Erin Blanchfield

Jessica Andrade's Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Explosive Power: Andrade possesses incredible punching power, capable of ending fights with a single shot.
• Aggressive Wrestling: Andrade is a powerful wrestler with excellent takedowns and ground-and-pound skills.
• Durability: Andrade is incredibly durable and rarely shows signs of fatigue.
• Weakness: Striking Defense: While possessing power, her striking defense can be exploited by more technical strikers.
• Weakness: Submission Defense: While resilient, her submission defense has shown occasional vulnerabilities.

Erin Blanchfield's Strengths and Weaknesses:

• Elite Grappling: Blanchfield's grappling is arguably the best in her division, featuring a devastating submission game.
• Improving Striking: Her striking is steadily improving, adding another dimension to her already impressive skill set.
• Cardio: Excellent cardio allows her to maintain a high pace throughout the fight.
• Weakness: Striking Power: Lacks significant power in her striking, relying more on technique.
• Weakness: Experience at the highest level: Relative inexperience against top-tier competition could be a factor.

Prediction and Reasoning:

This fight presents a compelling stylistic matchup. Andrade's power and wrestling against Blanchfield's superior grappling. The predicted winner is Erin Blanchfield via submission. Blanchfield's grappling advantage is too significant to overcome. Andrade's power is a threat, but Blanchfield's superior ground game and submission skills make her the favorite.

Other Notable Fights and Predictions:

Jalin Turner vs. Dan Hooker:

This lightweight bout features two exciting strikers. The predicted winner is Jalin Turner by TKO. Turner's power and speed should be too much for Hooker to handle. This could be an upset alert, with Hooker’s experience potentially playing a factor.

Alex Pereira vs. Jan Błachowicz:

This is a mouth-watering clash of styles. The predicted winner is Jan Błachowicz by decision. Błachowicz's wrestling and grappling should be the deciding factor in neutralizing Pereira's striking.

Caio Borralho vs. Chris Curtis:

This fight pits a rising prospect against a veteran gatekeeper. The predicted winner is Caio Borralho by unanimous decision. Borralho's well-rounded game will likely be too much for Curtis. This could prove an upset potential, however, if Curtis's experience is a factor.

UFC Des Moines Card: Potential Upsets and Surprises:

While our predictions are based on thorough analysis, the UFC is known for its upsets. Dan Hooker, in the fight against Jalin Turner, represents a potential upset. His experience and durability could be a surprising factor. Additionally, the stylistic matchup in the Andrade vs Blanchfield fight presents a significant upset potential for Andrade; one well-placed punch can change the course of the entire fight. Keep an eye out for these sleeper picks!

Conclusion:

This UFC Des Moines card promises to deliver exciting matchups and potential upsets. Our predictions highlight Whittaker's likely victory via decision over du Plessis, and Blanchfield's submission win over Andrade. Other notable fights offer exciting potential for both predicted outcomes and upsets. Our analysis method considered fighters' strengths, weaknesses, and recent form to provide the most informed UFC Des Moines fight predictions. Stay tuned for more UFC fight predictions and analysis! Check back for our post-fight recap and analysis of the UFC Des Moines card to see how our predictions fared. Don't miss our further UFC Des Moines analysis and predictions!