UFC 167 from Las Vegas features superstars of the sport like Georges St-Pierre, Rashad Evans and others celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with an impressive slate of fights.
As if their mere presence on the card wasn’t enough to draw fans into the event, the fact that both St-Pierre and Evans are taking on challengers who could steal a win on the marquee stage has anticipation for Saturday’s pay-per-view growing.
Here is all the vital viewing information needed to watch this PPV and predictions for how each top name will perform.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
When: Saturday, November 16 at 10 p.m. ET
Watch: Pay-Per-View (call local service provider)
Live Stream: UFC TV
* (c ) denotes champion.
Georges St-Pierre (24-2-0)
Welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has won 11 straight fights coming into Saturday’s matchup with Johny Hendricks, including eight successful title defenses. Hendricks is red-hot right now, and the focus has shifted from GSP‘s utter dominance of the division to whether or not he will be able to successfully defend the belt.
Experience in title fights always becomes a factor. As well as Hendricks has fought during his six-fight winning streak, this is his first chance at a UFC championship. The bright lights of the PPV main event are much hotter than most fighters expect, and the pressure can play a role in the success or failure of a fighter.
GSP has been in 12 title fights during his long MMA career and knows exactly how to pace a fight to keep himself out of trouble. Fans complain about his style being boring due to the lack of knockouts, but he knows how to win.
The game plan St-Pierre uses Saturday night will be the same ground-and-pound formula he utilizes every time. The ultimate X-factor remains Hendricks, though.
The No. 1 contender could easily falter and fail under the pressure of performing in the main event, but his track record suggests he could rise to the occasion and make this a close fight. This is a bona fide dream matchup.
Predicted Winner: St-Pierre via Decision
Rashad Evans (23-3-1)
Rashad Evans is undoubtedly one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division, but he faces a tough matchup against Chael Sonnen. Both men are elite wrestlers, and that will force each fighter to rely on another skill in their arsenal to get the victory Sunday.
Sonnen proved he is one of the more dangerous submission artists in the division with his victory over Mauricio Rua, but this co-main event is all about Rashad Evans and if he can once again climb the championship ladder.
Evans is one of the best strikers in the sport. His unique blend of speed, aggressiveness and raw power from his sturdy frame make him one of the most dangerous men in the division. While Sonnen may be the more vocal of the two outside the ring, it is Evans who is the more talented in the Octagon.
Expect Evans to come out fast and land a barrage of shots in the first round. That will set up Sonnen for the same in the second round and will result in a TKO victory.
A victory would signal that Evan’s hunt for the Jon Jones and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship would be back in full swing.
Predicted Winner: Evans via Second-Round TKO.
Tyron Woodley (11-2-0)
Josh Koscheck may be the fighter most know in this matchup, but it will be Tyron Woodley who everyone is talking about when this bout is over.
Woodley is coming off a controversial split-decision loss to Jake Shields and will be looking for redemption in the form of a decisive victory. If his first-round knockout against Jay Hieron is any indication of what to expect Saturday, Koscheck will be dealing with an even more focused challenger.
As well as Woodley has been fighting, Koscheck has been flat-out awful.
Two straight losses and three in his last five fights prove his time as a legitimate contender for the welterweight championship is over. Expect Koscheck to play gatekeeper for Woodley Saturday.
With Koscheck’s loss to Robbie Lawler in February coming via first-round TKO and Woodley trying to send a message to Dana White and company officials, MMA fans should expect a quick end to this bout as Woodley standing tall.
Predicted Winner: Woodley via First-Round TKO.
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