It's almost time again for a great night of fights. This time it's free on Spike at 9 PM EST on September 8th. So it's that time again when I crawl out of the woodwork and throw my predictions out there:
Anthony Torres Vs. Jess Liaudin (Welterweight, 170)
Both won via submission in their debuts in the UFC (Liaudin at UFC 70 in England his home country, Torres on a Fight Night on Spike). However, I'm going with Torres because Liaudin has shown a bit of a glass jaw in the past, with the majority (5) of his 8 losses coming by TKO.
Naoyuki Kotani Vs. Dennis Siver (Lightweight, 155)
Both are coming off debut losses (Siver to Liaudin at UFC 70, Kotani to Tavares), but Kotani has a bit of an edge in this fight. Siver has only lost 4 times, but all have been by submission which is Kotani's speciality (13 of his 17 wins). I'm going with Kotani via submission
Tomasz Drwal Vs. Thiago Silva (Light Heavyweight, 205)
Silva is undefeated and has faced the better competition in Pancreas and UFC, while Drwal has a few more fights under his belt. Silva should take the win due to being used to the "big time".
Gleison Tibau Vs. Terry Etim (Lightweight, 155)
Terry Etim had his debut in England at UFC 70. While he is explosive and entertaining, he has yet to face great competition....that'll change when he runs into Tibau. Tibau has fought in three times as many fights (30 to 10) as Etim and has faced vastly greater opponents (Nick Diaz, Jason Dent). Tibau has only been beaten by superior strikers, Etim is not a big time striker he is however a submission man. Expect Tibau to find a way to grind out a win.
Houston Alexander Vs. Alessio Sakara (Light Heavyweight, 205)
Sakara has had a bumpy road in the UFC going 2-2-1. The issue is that he has problems fighting against tough strikers from good camps (McFridies out of MFS worked him over hard). Houston Alexander stunned everyone with his crushing knockout win over Keith Jardine, but what a way to make a statement. Alessio will be fighting to stay in the UFC (I doubt he'll be invited back if he losses a third fight in 6 tries) while Alexander is looking to prove that Jardine was not a fluke. Alexander by TKO
Marcus Davis Vs. Paul Taylor (Welterweight, 170)
The Irish Hand Grenade has lived up to his name in the UFC taking out his first 4 opponents (Tan, Petz, Carter, and Spratt). Taylor is moving up in competition (yeah he made his debut at UFC 70 but this is different). I think this is another step toward solidifing Davis as a possible contender in the division. Expect Davis to win.
Mirko Cro Cop Vs. Cheick Kongo (Heavyweight)
Nothing like getting stunned by a headkick to make you reevaluate. Cro Cop got stunned by Gonzaga, which stunned everyone. Kongo is not really a complete fighter in any sense. He has solid striking, but has no ground game to speak of. Cro Cop should win this fight based on talent, experience and the fact that Cro Cop has never lost back to back fights.
Matt Hamill Vs. Michael Bisping (Light Heavyweight, 205)
What was supposed to be the TUF 3 Finale matchup finally happens. Both fighters are unbeaten, both are excellent athletes and both have miles and miles of heart. That's where the comparision ends. Hamill may be the best wreslter in the UFC, but that does not make a great fighter in MMA. Bisping has a vastly more complete game, particularly in submissions and the striking game. Expect a nasty fight that grinds all the way to a decision, but Bisping wins in his home country.
Quinton Jackson Vs. Dan Henderson (Light Heavyweight Title, 205)
Wow....what a fight this should be. Henderson is a two title holder, Jackson one of the most feared strikers in the division with ungodly power. It's all going to come down to whether Henderson can put and keep Jackson on his back or if Jackson finds the power and range. This is a toss up to me, a real "flip a coin" match. I'm going to take Henderson....I think
Alright, have fun watching the fights, I got a feeling this will be one of those cards where I bif on a few picks.
Anthony Torres Vs. Jess Liaudin (Welterweight, 170)
Both won via submission in their debuts in the UFC (Liaudin at UFC 70 in England his home country, Torres on a Fight Night on Spike). However, I'm going with Torres because Liaudin has shown a bit of a glass jaw in the past, with the majority (5) of his 8 losses coming by TKO.
Naoyuki Kotani Vs. Dennis Siver (Lightweight, 155)
Both are coming off debut losses (Siver to Liaudin at UFC 70, Kotani to Tavares), but Kotani has a bit of an edge in this fight. Siver has only lost 4 times, but all have been by submission which is Kotani's speciality (13 of his 17 wins). I'm going with Kotani via submission
Tomasz Drwal Vs. Thiago Silva (Light Heavyweight, 205)
Silva is undefeated and has faced the better competition in Pancreas and UFC, while Drwal has a few more fights under his belt. Silva should take the win due to being used to the "big time".
Gleison Tibau Vs. Terry Etim (Lightweight, 155)
Terry Etim had his debut in England at UFC 70. While he is explosive and entertaining, he has yet to face great competition....that'll change when he runs into Tibau. Tibau has fought in three times as many fights (30 to 10) as Etim and has faced vastly greater opponents (Nick Diaz, Jason Dent). Tibau has only been beaten by superior strikers, Etim is not a big time striker he is however a submission man. Expect Tibau to find a way to grind out a win.
Houston Alexander Vs. Alessio Sakara (Light Heavyweight, 205)
Sakara has had a bumpy road in the UFC going 2-2-1. The issue is that he has problems fighting against tough strikers from good camps (McFridies out of MFS worked him over hard). Houston Alexander stunned everyone with his crushing knockout win over Keith Jardine, but what a way to make a statement. Alessio will be fighting to stay in the UFC (I doubt he'll be invited back if he losses a third fight in 6 tries) while Alexander is looking to prove that Jardine was not a fluke. Alexander by TKO
Marcus Davis Vs. Paul Taylor (Welterweight, 170)
The Irish Hand Grenade has lived up to his name in the UFC taking out his first 4 opponents (Tan, Petz, Carter, and Spratt). Taylor is moving up in competition (yeah he made his debut at UFC 70 but this is different). I think this is another step toward solidifing Davis as a possible contender in the division. Expect Davis to win.
Mirko Cro Cop Vs. Cheick Kongo (Heavyweight)
Nothing like getting stunned by a headkick to make you reevaluate. Cro Cop got stunned by Gonzaga, which stunned everyone. Kongo is not really a complete fighter in any sense. He has solid striking, but has no ground game to speak of. Cro Cop should win this fight based on talent, experience and the fact that Cro Cop has never lost back to back fights.
Matt Hamill Vs. Michael Bisping (Light Heavyweight, 205)
What was supposed to be the TUF 3 Finale matchup finally happens. Both fighters are unbeaten, both are excellent athletes and both have miles and miles of heart. That's where the comparision ends. Hamill may be the best wreslter in the UFC, but that does not make a great fighter in MMA. Bisping has a vastly more complete game, particularly in submissions and the striking game. Expect a nasty fight that grinds all the way to a decision, but Bisping wins in his home country.
Quinton Jackson Vs. Dan Henderson (Light Heavyweight Title, 205)
Wow....what a fight this should be. Henderson is a two title holder, Jackson one of the most feared strikers in the division with ungodly power. It's all going to come down to whether Henderson can put and keep Jackson on his back or if Jackson finds the power and range. This is a toss up to me, a real "flip a coin" match. I'm going to take Henderson....I think
Alright, have fun watching the fights, I got a feeling this will be one of those cards where I bif on a few picks.
