UFC 167 is live on Saturday from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The headline act is Georges “Rush” St-Pierre (24-2) vs. Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks (15-1), but the bout is far from the only quality matchup on a stacked card.
Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen are also set to dance on the main card, as are Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler in what amounts to a sure-fire great night of action.
Add in a celebratory mood thanks to UFC’s 20th anniversary, and UFC 167 has the makings of an epic night.
The card is by no means top-heavy, but the focus has to be on the top three matchups with so much at stake for all involved.
Below is a full breakdown of the top three showdowns. Enjoy.
Note: All pertinent info courtesy of UFC’s official website.
Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler
Rory MacDonald continues to rise up the welterweight ladder and has a solid shot to do even more for his stock with a major bout against Robbie Lawler Saturday.
MacDonald has won six of seven since his entrance to the Octagon in 2010 and brings a strong evasive style to UFC 167 that counters Lawler perfectly.
Lawler himself is a knockout aficionado in the midst of a career resurgence after back-to-back knockout victories.
It’s a toss-up as to who needs the win more. MacDonald would love nothing more than to continue his climb up the ladder toward a date with Georges St-Pierre. Lawler has the same goal on his comeback trail.
In the Octagon Saturday, expect MacDonald to utilize his versatility and quickness for a win via decision. Lawler hunts for the knockout but just has 41-percent accuracy on significant strikes. MacDonald’s evasive maneuvers have allowed him to block or miss over 67 percent of his opponent’s strikes.
That will come in handy against Lawler.
Prediction: MacDonald via decision.
Rashad Evans vs. Chael Sonnen
Rashad Evans needs this much more than Chael Sonnen.
Things are crowded at the top of the 205-pound weight class right now. This would normally mean both men desperately need the victory.
With Sonnen now the coach opposite Wanderlei Silva for the next installment of “Ultimate Fighter” in 2014 per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, a loss would not do Sonnen much harm with his schedule already booked. He’s 4-3 in his last seven fights as is.
Evans has much more on the line with his future in doubt. A knock down the peg in the division with a loss against Sonnen would do major harm at this point in his career.
Evans is an elite striker and good enough on the mat to match Sonnen should the fight go that route.
If both men stay upright, who can forget Evans’ knockout of Chuck Liddell in 2008? Sonnen surely knows of the event:
Evans needs it more. He’ll get it via knockout on Saturday.
Prediction: Evans via knockout.
Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks
Georges St-Pierre has 11 consecutive victories since August of 2007. Eight of those have been title defenses.
Expect Rush to make that nine.
St-Pierre has crushed any and all opposition the UFC has placed in front of him. He’s already arguably the best 170-pound fighter to ever step in the cage. A victory here over Johny Hendricks will only further the notion St-Pierre is closing in on retirement.
Hendricks deserves credit. A two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champ, Hendricks relies on the proverbial puncher’s chance with big swings that can fell most with one connection.
The problem for Bigg Rigg is simple—St-Pierre is known for his stellar defense that sees him block or evade almost 75 percent of significant strikes thrown his way.
That’s enough for yet another victory for St-Pierre. Hendricks would love nothing more than to be the man who dethrones GSP, but it simply won’t happen with Hendricks at a major disadvantage from the opening bell.
Prediction: GSP via decision.
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