Aaron Simpson vs. Mike Pierce
When Simpson was set to face Jon Fitch in his welterweight debut, I thought he had a good chance of winning. As it turned out, it was a blessing in disguise for Simpson when Fitch pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Kenny Robertson. Like many fighters in their first fight at another weight class, Simpson’s performance wasn’t his best. He was slower than normal, and the weight cut seemed to affect his cardio. Pierce on the other hand, has never showed problems with his cardio and is on the wrestling level of Simpson. Although Simpson may have the advantage in punching power, Pierce should have the overall striking advantage, which he will use to out strike and outpoint Simpson when the wrestling is a stalemate. Pierce has gone toe to toe with elite welterweights such as Johnny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck and lost controversial decisions. I think third times a charm for Pierce in this case. I don’t see this fight ending by Knockout or submission, so Pierce will take a decision. Don’t be surprised if it’s a split decision.
Carlo Prater vs. Marcus LeVesseur
LeVesseur is a high level wrestler, but seems to lack skills in the jiu-jitsu department and that could cost him dearly against Prater. He was clearly the stronger, more dominant fighter in his fight with Cody McKenzie, but a simple mistake got him caught with a guillotine choke, so Prater could find a quick submission if LeVesseur hasn’t fixed his novice mistakes. LeVesseur should seize control early in the fight seeing it took him just seconds to get a takedown in his fight with McKenzie. The challenge will be not letting Prater counter with his jiu-jitsu, but I can see LeVesseur using his wrestling to stifle Prater’s jiu-jitsu attacks and overpower him with his top control. Prater’s striking isn’t anything spectacular, and LeVesseur should be the heavier handed fighter, regardless of his own striking ability. This fight could go the distance, but I see LeVesseur getting and early finish via vicious ground and pound.
Darren Uyenoyama vs. Phil Harris
Even though Harris is making his octagon debut, he will be the more experienced fighter, about three times as much experienced. This may give Harris an advantage, but even the most experienced fighters have shown the “octagon jitters” in their debut which can negatively affect their performance. Uyenoyama may have only had one fight in the UFC, but it was against the very popular Kid Yamamoto. Even before his UFC debut, Uyenoyama has fought in top MMA organizations such Strikeforce and Dream, none of which Harris has ever fought for. Both are primarily grapplers and it’s difficult to say which fighter has the superior striking, but Uyenoyama was able to close the distance and avoid taking damage against Kid Yamamoto who is well known for his striking. This may be a lackluster ground fight, but I’m giving it to the fighter who has home field advantage. Darren Uyenoyama by decision.
Bart Palaszewski vs. Diego Nunes
Palaszewski is always looking for a highlight finish, his five knockouts in his last seven wins are proof of that, but the technical striking advantage clearly goes to Nunes. Nunes will use his kicks to keep Palaszewski at a distance, and seeing Nunes also possesses the speed advantage, I doubt Palaszewski will be successful in closing the distance to land any significant strikes. Nunes has faced several fighters with the capability of knocking anyone out and done exceptional well in those fights. In just his last four fights, Nunes has faced a diverse range of fighters from ground fighters, Mike Brown and Manny Gamburyan, to technical strikers,Kenny Florian and Dennis Siver. I don’t think it matters what Palaszewski brings to the table, it won’t be anything Nunes hasn’t seen before and hasn’t already overcome. Nunes hasn’t been known for finishing fights, so I’ll pick him to win by unanimous decision.
Jason Volkmann vs. Shane Roller
Roller is a good wrestler and has solid jiu-jitsu, but because his striking is average at the best, he is in a world of hurt when he faces a superior wrestler. The jiu-jitsu advantage may lie with Roller, but Volkmann is the better wrestler with great top control. Roller’s guard is not deadly enough to threaten Volkmann with anything off his back, and Volkmann’s losses have come at the hands of submission specialists, Paul Sass and Paulo Thiago. Roller just doesn’t possess that level of jiu-jitsu to give him a fighting chance of betting Volkmann. This is another fight that is most likely to take place on the ground, so I predict Volkmann to win by unanimous decision.
Dennis Hallman vs. Thiago Tavares
I think people are forgetting how skilled Hallman is on the ground and are automatically giving it to the Brazilian. What people are forgetting, is that Tavares’ loses have come at the hands of fighters who are good wrestlers and also possess submission skills such as Tyson Griffin, Matt Wiman, Kurt Pellegrino, and Shane Roller. Tavares’ last two wins over Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher were easier for him because neither of them had much skill in wrestling or jiu-jitsu. Now that he is facing an opponent who possess such skills, he will know he’s in a fight, Hallman is a fighter who comes out in the opening seconds of the fight and is in his opponents face. His early finishes of Karo Parisyan and John Makdessi are proof of that. On top of that, he nearly submitted Brian Ebersole early in their fight, but Ebersole was able to weather the early storm and reverse the position. Tavares doesn’t possess the durability of Ebersole, which is why I’m picking Hallman to win and I think he’ll even get the stoppage, either by KO or submission.
Michael Johnson vs. Danny Castillo
Johnson was very impressive in his last three wins, while Castillo’s last several performances has seemed sluggish, even against lesser talented opponents such as John Cholish and Shamar Bailey. His takedown attempts have been feeble and his cardio has taken a toll. Johnson is extremely aggressive and is dangerous on the feet. He should have no problem avoiding Castillo’s takedown attempts and picking him apart on the feet. Johnson won’t stop coming forward and will eventually stop Castillo via TKO.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Yves Edwards
This may be the fight where Edwards will exercise his jiu-jitsu, because I don’t see him going toe to toe with Stephens. After all Stephens out struck Sam Stout, and Stout was able to beat Edwards to the punch and knock him out. Edwards is the more technical striker, but he isn’t on the level of Marcus Davis, Anthony Pettis or Donald Cerrone. Therefore, I doubt Edwards will overcome the shier power and aggression of Stephens. Bottom line, I don’t see Edwards avoiding the power of Stephens or being able to use his technical striking to out point him. The chin of Edwards is in question and Stephens will look to test it over and over in their fight. I got Stephens by devastating knockout.
Written by : Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@fightfreek