10 Predictions For UFC 196

By Jay Anderson /

5. Amanda Nunes Vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Weight Class: Women's Bantamweight The PPV portion of the card opens with Amanda Nunes (11-4) taking on Russia's Valentina Shevchenko (12-1) in a women's bantamweight bout. Nunes was a potential title contender for Ronda Rousey before Holly Holm derailed that train, and she's still a threat to anyone in the division. Shevchenko is more of a wild card in this case. She's a decorated kickboxer with limited top level MMA experience, yet she turned heads coming in as a late notice replacement against Sarah Kaufman and pulling out a split decision win late last year. Now, having a full fight camp behind her, can she continue to find success against a high level opponent? Maybe, but the smart bet is that Nunes takes this, by TKO. She's 4-1 in the UFC, and all four wins have been stoppages.