We're Back With Another LineStar Weekly Knockout!

Written by LineStar contributor, combat sports enthusiast, and practitioner, Chris Guy.

Instagram: @therealsethgeko & Twitter: @DadHallOfFamer

“If you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, one moment, would you capture it or let it slip?” –The GOAT

Warriors, soldiers, and fighters line the annals (not anals) of history. From the gladiators of the Roman Coliseum; to the revolutionaries who witnessed the banner yet wave; to the young men who fell on the shores of Normandy and raised again in the ether as a member of the “Greatest Generation,” the spirit of the fighter has been the pinnacle of admiration. It’s an ancient spirit only on display in the modern day in combat sports. The primal instincts that bond us to the participants are hidden in the depths of our biology.

We all believe, somewhere inside, there’s an inner Nate Diaz taunting and Stockton slapping the shit out of any adversity that comes our way, an inner Conor McGregor refusing to apologize to anyone left in the wake of our determination. Fighting is our last tie to times of matters of life and death lurking around every corner.

Combat sports are the only sports that aren’t games, the only sports you don’t play. Fighting is fighting; by default, the stakes are affixed high enough to produce enough force to penetrate the biggest of hearts. Winner takes all; tomorrow isn’t promised; these are sentiments rooted in the realities of combat.

In combat sports, there aren’t one hundred sixty-one, eighty-one, or sixteen more games to make amends for an off night. It’s now or never. And never is a mighty long time. We live vicariously through fighters that display all the heroic platitudes we think are hidden somewhere deep inside us but are all too often afraid to confirm.

Most likely, Saturday night will be about Islam Makhachev and his quest to pick up where Khabib left off, dominating a division and embracing the pride of Dagestan. But, to me, it will be about Bobby “King” Green putting his mortgage on the table and rolling the dice for one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything he ever wanted, one moment… to shock the world. Come Saturday night, you know through whom I’ll be living vicariously.

Main Card

Islam Makhachev (-900 ) vs Bobby "King" Green (+600)

Makhachev: DK: $ k | King: DK:$ k

On just ten days’ notice, Bobby Green agreed to fight the most feared fighter in historically the most competitive division in MMA. Life is about risks, the ones we never took. Too often, the fear of failure outweighs our desire to succeed. There’s safety in never trying and pretending that we did. But Bobby Green doesn’t know what the fook I’m talking about because he’s about that life. That anytime/anywhere life.

Bobby Green fought just two weeks ago and put on a boxing Masterclass. He dominated Nasrat Haqparast for all three rounds and didn’t lose a single minute. On the feet, Green is elusive; the epitome of hit and don’t be hit, stick and move, sting like a butterfly, and all that. King Green weaves together the most intricate techniques of boxing and kickboxing and puts them on display.

You can’t teach someone how to fight like Bobby Green; his instincts and reactions and physical speed and agility give him a style that can’t be replicated. He fights with his hands at his waist and rarely deviates from that position. His abilities to judge distance and anticipate the opponent’s attacks make him a ferocious counter puncher who can strike while moving in any direction. Bobby flows between stances mid combination and is never out of position to throw hands.

I’ve seen every Islam Makhachev fight, and although many insiders say his striking is highly underrated, I’ve never been impressed. As a southpaw, Makhachev has heavy power in his left-hand strikes but doesn’t put together fluid combinations. If this fight were a kickboxing match, I think Bobby Green would piece-up Islam Makhachev convincingly. But this isn’t a kickboxing match, and what makes Makhachev’s striking dangerous is the threat of the takedown.

Can Bobby stop Makhachev’s takedowns? I said it two weeks ago, Green’s wrestling/grappling is highly underrated, and his movement on the feet makes him a hard target to takedown. Green has to force Makhachev to take him down in the center of the cage and not get trapped along the cage without any escape routes. Pick and pop. Dawn the yellow jersey and stay on the bike for the duration, skirting around the outside of the pocket. It’s an exhausting game plan, but Bobby has the conditioning to pull it off.

Risks. That's the theme here. Bobby has to take them when he ends up on his back. The default setting when facing an elite grappler is to freeze up on the ground and try to slow things down in hopes of not making a mistake that will land you in a dangerous position. The problem with that approach against Makhachev is that you allow him time to maneuver you into a vulnerable position. The ground is lava. Remember that game? For Bobby Green, the mat is lava, and touching it will be fatal. Bobby has to explode and force scrambles the instant his ass hits the mat and risk giving up his back or the mount. It’s inevitable either way, so he might as well give himself the best possible opportunity to escape, which is forcing transitions and creating space to get up.

There’s not much I can tell you about Islam Makhachev that you don’t already know. He’s going to get this fight to the mat and work into a dominant position while hunting for chokes. This is his fight to lose and is tailor-made to assert his dominance. His value is in takedowns, top control, and an eventual submission.

It doesn’t matter who the opponent is; a win for Islam Makhachev will earn him a title shot, but make no mistake, this night, win or lose, will be about Bobby Green, my favorite fighter. As of two weeks ago, Bobby Green was unranked, but if he can pull off the unthinkable, he’ll instantly be deserving of a title shot. Think about that. If you beat the guy, you are the guy.

The main event-winning streak sits at three after Jamahal Hill dropped Johnny Walker faster than 9.8 m/s. Walker looked like he was doing the wave in the middle of the fight on his way down. I had time to smoke an entire genetically modified cigar while Walker fell. The question is, do I risk win number four to take the underdog of all underdogs, Bobby Green? There’s that word again, risk. Don’t mind if I do, Bobby “King” Green via TKO, round four. On wax.

Winner: Bobby Green | Method: TKO Rd.4

Misha Cirkunov (-120 ) vs. Wellington Turman (+100)

Cirkunov: DK: $ k | Turman: DK: $ k

Pray nothing happens to the main event because, unlike last week, there isn’t a headlining caliber matchup in the co-main slot that can fill in. Misha Cirkunov vs. Wellington Turman ain’t it, boss. This is a grappler vs. grappler matchup stamped with a Nyquil drowsiness warning should either fighter struggle to get the fight to the mat.

For better or worse, seven of Misha Cirkunov’s last eight fights have ended in the first round, and during that stretch, he has gone 3-5. Cirkunov is a one-round warrior and grappling dynamo, like the guy wrapped up in Christmas lights in The Running Man. He times power double legs that look more like the Goldberg Spear, waiting for his opponent to engage so he can change levels and shoot. If/when Misha gets you to the mat, you’re gonna have a bad time.

Misha Cirkunov has a roadmap to the mount he follows after securing top position and rarely deviates from it. He’ll pass to half-guard with distracting strikes, then go to side mount, where he’ll look to pin one arm with his legs in a half crucifix position. If he can’t secure the far side arm with his head, Cirkunov will go straight to the mount and use the opponent’s desperation to escape to hunt for chokes. Cirkunov’s specialty is head and arm chokes: arm triangles, D’arce, Anaconda, neckties, etc.

Wellington Turman was scheduled to face Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 270 last month, and the bout fell through after the weigh-ins. This is what I wrote then, and nothing has changed. Turman is still facing a better grappler, but against Cirkunov, if the fight stays standing, Turman should have an advantage by default:

It’s that time of year again, folks. In the bosom of January lies the heart of winter, and there’s no better time of year to wrap up in a warm cozy Wellington Turman. J.C. Penny’s exclusive winter scarf collection features a mix of out-of-season pastel colors with in-season plaid patterns. The combination of the Wellington Turman’s lively colors and patented cotton-wool blend construction provide both the illusion and reality of warmth, a two-pronged attack perfect for the toughest winter conditions.

In addition to Wellington Turman sounding like the name of a J.C. Penny’s high-end scarf, he’s also a Jiu-Jitsu specialist in the UFC. Some of you may remember C.B. Dollaway; he was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter Season 7. Turman's style and stature remind me a lot of Dollaway. Both are basically wrestler strikers with big power and minimal technical skills. Wellington has heavy hands but is mostly a one's and one-twos striker and never gets to the second and third level. His jab is limited, and he relies on his power right hand to close the distance rather than speed and footwork.

Wellington (also sounds like a cut of steak) is coming off a win against Sam Alvey; Turman won a decision even after having two points deducted during the bout. Turman used his wrestling/grappling extensively and took down Alvey at will and controlled him. Turman is 2-3 in the UFC and has yet to record a finish. The only play here is taking a gamble on Cirkunov to catch Turman in an early scramble and submission. This is an impossible fight to pick, but in continuing with the theme, risk, I’ll take Misha Cirkunov via guillotine choke, round one.

Winner: Misha Cirkunov | Method: Guillotine Choke Rd.1

Ji Yeon Kim (-165 ) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (+145 )

Kim: DK: $ k | Cachoeira: DK: $ k

If something happens to the main and co-main events, and the next bout up is this fight, Bruce Buffer will be announcing, “AND Neeeeeeew!” at its conclusion. This would be crowned the worst main event in history, an unbeatable pinnacle like Joe DiMaggio’s fifty-six-game hit streak. If I were to draw a real world parallel for this bout, I’d say it was the corporate elite vs. middle/lower-class citizens, power vs. no power. Priscila Cachoeira is wild, howls at the moon and throws caution to a nonexistent breeze, and watches it shatter at her feet. Ji Yeon Kim is a technical kickboxer whose strikes come with boinking and hollow clanking sounds when they land.

Priscila Cachoeira’s nickname is Zombie Girl, and it couldn’t be more fitting. This young lady marches mindlessly with her hands out in front of her while unloading massive overhands and hooks. That’s it; that’s the entirety of her game. She’s a swinger, and I don’t mean in her personal life; she’s a puncher, not a boxer. Cachoeira is one of the most hittable fighters in the UFC, refusing to move her head or attempt to avoid any strike in any of her fights. Priscila is 10-4 with six TKO/KO’s, including 2-4 in the UFC. In 2018, Cachoeira made her UFC debut against… Valentina Shevchenko. Talk about a tough debut, but to her credit, Cachoeira made it to the end of the second round before she was sub’d.

Ji Yeon Kim lacks power. That’s like saying the Dallas Cowboys lack coaching; an understatement. Kim is a high output, technical kickboxer, but she lacks power. She can counter punch while moving backward and attack aggressively with quick, long hand combinations, but she lacks power. Like Cachoeira, Kim is very hittable; her head never deviates from the centerline, and she hasn’t met a punch she didn’t want to eat. Ji Yeon will need to keep Cachoeira on the outside at the end of her punches and avoid a firefight because she lacks the power to bang with Cachoeira in the pocket Willy Nilly.

When it comes to Fantasy rosters, each fighter has their benefits. Cachoeira will provide the only possible finishing points, and Ji Yeon Kim will provide high significant strikes, as she averages over five strikes landed per minute. Again, I have zero point zero idea who wins this fight. The last two fights are impossible to pick, and I’d like to meet the man/woman/child who picks both of these correctly. Ji Yeon Kim has never been finished in her thirteen-fight career, and a three-round decision heavily favors the combination high output fighter. Ji Yeon Kim via decision.

Winner: Ji Yeon Kim | Method: Decision

Arman Tsarukyan (-250 ) vs. Joel Alvarez (+200 )

Tsarukyan: DK: $ k | Alvarez: DK: $ k

Finally. A fookin’ banger. Arman Tsarukyan’s last name sounds like a Streetfighter move, like if a Hadouken and Shoryuken mated. In a sense, this is a classic grappler vs. striker matchup, but both fighters are still highly skilled in the other’s area of expertise. Tsarukyan is a grappling Harry Potter but can still stand and bang with anyone, while Joel Alvarez is a world-class kickboxer with a slick guard and submission game. Neither fighter will be hung out to dry if they have to compete in the other’s realm, but they both have clear advantages.

Other than the guy who spinning back-kick KO’d Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan gave Makhachev his toughest fight back in 2019. And that was Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC debut. Tsar’s takedowns are incredible, and he hides his level changes behind heavy power punches. Amran will throw his right at the same time as he’s changing levels and shooting a double leg. Working single-leg takedowns is an art form that even high-level wrestlers struggle with in MMA. Not Tsarukyan; single-legs are a specialty for him with many variations to finish.

On the feet, Tsarukyan is a high-level wrestler striker who is good at putting together short, basic, heavy combinations. The advanced dynamic techniques will belong to Joel Alvarez, but Tsarukyan’s power can earn anyone’s respect, and the added threat of the takedown supplements his striking.

Joel Alvarez is a serial killer hiding murder material in a cereal box on top of your stereo. This mother-shut-your-mouf is 19-2 and has only been to a decision ONCE in his career. He finished all nointeen of his professional wins, including sixteen submissions and three TKO/KO’s. A lot of those submissions are a result of the work he does on the feet that end in chokes. Muay Thai is the art of eight limbs, including knees, elbows, and shins, and Joel Alvarez attacks with all of them.

Alvarez will start combinations with hands and finish them with standing knees and elbows. I love fighters who throw elbow combinations; there’s something extra savage about it, and Alvarez is one of those fighters. He’ll string together multiple standing elbows that cut through the opponent’s guard. Alvarez throws them bows like Ludacris in ’00.

On the mat, Alvarez is multifaceted. He not only has an active guard and slick submissions, including dangerous guillotine chokes, but he also strikes and creates damage from his back. Alvarez will use frame elbows and down elbows from the guard, forcing the opponent to move to avoid damage. That allows Alvarez to create space and scrambles and submission attempts. You can’t just lie on top of Joel Alvarez and lay and pray your way to a dub.

This is the real co-main event, homies. Don’t miss this one. Spoiler alert: Joel Alvarez will be the (+250) underdog, and you already know what time it is. That’s the magical Jacksons-to-Grants range, and you know I got a twenty-twen-twen with Alvarez’s name on it. The play here is clearly the ol’ win-win; pick one and bet on the other. I think Tsarukyan can avoid danger on the feet and control the top position to eke out a decision. Arman Tsarukyan via decision.

Winner: Arman Tsarukyan  | Method: Decision

Armen Petrosyan (+135 ) vs Gregory Rodrigues (-165 )

Petrosyan: DK: $ k | Rodrigues: DK:$ k

“Hi, Kids. Do you like violence? Do you want to see me stick nine-inch nails through each one of my eyelids?” How about, “Do you wanna see a dead body?” If the answer is yes to both those questions, this is the fight for you. Absolute. Banger.

He’s back; “What bike?” Brazilian Deebo is back and will be participating in yet another certified banger. Gregory Rodrigues is only twenty-noine years old but looks like he’s Heinz 57. He’s the Danny Almonte of MMA.

Rodrigues is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt with powerful grappling and KO power on the feet. Although Rodrigues is no chump on the feet, his advantage against Armen Petrosyan will be on the mat. Like Arman Tsarukyan, Rodrigues is handy with single-leg takedowns and is Slick Rick with the eye patch from the top position. Rodrigues wastes no time transitioning off takedowns straight into the mount or to the back. Grappling is all about hips. The hips provide the power to hold the opponent down and create a powerful base to strike from. Rodrigues has strong heavy hips from the top, making it difficult to escape and get back to your feet.

The Brazilian Deebo has heavy hands but lacks defensive tactics. He’s too hittable, and Armen Petrosyan will be coming in holding a Craig brick in each hand. Petrosyan is making his UFC debut after an impressive win on The Contenders Series and is 6-1 professionally. This dude is a killer on the feet, hyper aggression with long hand combinations and heavy kicks. Armen will have a decided technical and speed advantage, but the question will be, can he keep it standing?

Petrosyan lacks takedown defense but makes up for it with hustle. The best way to get back to your feet is to scramble as soon as your ass hits the mat. The second you accept the takedown, it's infinitely harder to get back to your feet. Petrosyan doesn’t accept the bottom position and will force scrambles nonstop. This skill was honed from defending takedowns in every one of his fights. Nobody wants to stand and bang with him. The Amazon guy probably shoots on him when he hands Petrosyan a package.

Armen doesn’t need much time to work with; he’s used to sprawl-and-brawling and makes every second count. His left leg from either stance is deadly, and the Cowboys should seriously consider cutting Greg Zuerlein and signing Petrosyan to kick field goals. Pace on the feet will be the key for Petrosyan. Rodrigues is a big guy and tends to fade in fights; the later rounds should be all Petrosyan.

The moral of the story is to have one of these guys on your roster. Rodrigues is a submission threat early in the fight, and Petrosyan will be a KO threat for the entirety. I don’t see this fight going the distance. Either Petrosyan is going to end up in a bad position on the mat early, or Rodrigues is going to end up in a bad position standing early. My biggest concern is the speed disadvantage and a somewhat suspect chin for Gregory Rodrigues. Armen Petrosyan via TKO, round two.

Winner: Armen Petrosyan | Method: TKO Rd.2

Prelims

Highlighted Fighter

Ignacio Bahamondes (-275) DK: $ k

Ignacio Bahamondes is a monster. He earned a UFC roster spot on the Contender Series with a coffin corner punt KO that was downed inside the one-yard line. Bahamondes won via Anderson Silva front kick to the face after putting on a striking master class. His movement is like my two-year-old playing Tekken, all over the place and unpredictable. Switching stances and fighting seamlessly from both is a trademark of elite strikers. Bahamondes switches stances mid combination while moving forward and while countering moving backward. He also uses stance switches to cut off the cage and create angles.

The first things you’ll notice about Bahamondes when he steps in the Octagon are the size eleven and a half mint black Avia tennis shoes on his feet and his Night Stalker haircut. Ignacio is long with a cape on, super long, and taller than the cage. He’s a physical mismatch for almost anyone in the division and will be a problem in the future if he continues to develop. Bahamondes manages distance well and uses snap kicks and round kicks with both legs, leaving opponents stuck in no man's land with no ability to get inside. This guy is creative and throws never-ending hand and kick combinations; he leaves no dead air and can push the pace for all three rounds.

Bahamondes is coming off a KO of the year candidate spinning wheel kick last second KO of Roosevelt Roberts. Bahamondes issued his own New Deal after punishing the very tough Roosevelt for all of three rounds. This time, Bahamondes will be facing Rong Zhu, a competent kickboxer and solid grappler. If Bahamondes can avoid the clinch and stay on his feet, expect fireworks.

Twenty-Twen-Twen Sleepers

Twenty-Ten-Twen Sleeper

Bobby. King. Green. Take my Andrew Jackson. It's a done deal. Can he really pull it off, though? It's a long shot with a cape on, a super long shot. But if Bobby can survive and scramble back to his feet and throw hands between Makhachev's takedown attempts, he has the speed and slick footwork to piece Makhachev up on the feet. People seem not to notice the "1" in Makhachev's L column. He can be beaten because he has been beaten. October 3, 2015: In his second UFC bout, Makhachev was KO in 1:46 by Adriano Martins. Who? Exactly.

At (+200), Joel Alvarez has the stand-up to ruin anyone's day. He's slick on the ground and will be dangerous wherever the fight goes. Tsarukyan is vulnerable on the feet if Alvarez can keep it there long enough.

Armen Petrosyan (+135) is in a similar position as Joel Alvarez. If he can get back to his feet and manage not to give up his back early against Deebo, he'll have a serious speed advantage in the stand-up.

Pick 'Em

Rong Zhu (+175 ) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (-210 )

Winner: Ignacio Bahamondes

 Method: TKO Rd.3

Josiane Nunes ( ) vs. Ramona Pascual ( )

Winner: Josie Nunes

 Method: TKO Rd.2

Terrance Mckinney (+100 ) vs. Fares Ziam (-120 )

    Winner: Fares Ziam

 Method: Decision

Alejandro Perez (+195) vs. Jonathan Martinez (-240 )

    Winner: Jonathan Martinez

 Method: Decision

Ramiz Brahimaj (-360 ) vs. Micheal Gillmore (+280 )

    Winner: Ramiz Brahimaj

 Method: Decision

Victor Altamirano (+110 ) vs. Carlos Hernandez (-130 )

    Winner: Carlos Hernandez

 Method: Decision

Thanks for reading LineStar Weekly Knockout! We'll be back next Thursday with another one. Until then, good luck and support your local MMA Gym.

About Me

My name is Chris Guy, and I’m an avid combat sports enthusiast and practitioner. I’ve been a fan of MMA since the early 2000s when Limewire was still around, and I downloaded Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat. In 2004, I started training Muay Thai at City Boxing in San Diego, CA. I competed as an amateur for many years, and I've also dabbled in Jiu-Jitsu. I follow many different disciplines, such as Combat Ji-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Glory Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA.

I’m equally as enthusiastic about the craft of writing, and in addition to writing about combat sports, I also write short fiction and music. I hope to bring unique prose to sports writing, and along the way, encourage people to not only become Martial Arts fans but to also become Martial Artists themselves.

In the future, you may see me refer to the Thunderdome; it's an ode to the old Mad Max movie and refers to the world-class training facility I built in my one-car garage. It's complete with throw dummies, wrestling mats, heavy bags, and six months' worth of Chef Boyardee cans from when I thought the world was going to end back in March. I hope you enjoy my work, and if you don’t, the Thunderdome has an open door policy.

Check out my Podcast The Whiskey (S)ick Podcast on Apple and Spotify. Parental Advisory Warning