Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche
Rousey is still undefeated has looked unstoppable. Carmouche says she won’t fall victim to an armbar like the others, but many Rousey’s past opponents thought the same. No doubt Carmouche is a great fighter, but there’s nothing that separates her from the rest of the competition that Rousey has faced. In fact, she lost a decision to Sarah Kaufman, while Rousey dominated Kaufman and submitted her in the first round. Wrestlers, Strikers, and all around well rounded fighters have all fallen at the hands of Rousey, and this fight will be no different.
Pick : Ronda Rousey
Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson
Henderson could end his fight at any moment if he lands his “H-Bomb”, but against the most elusive fighter in MMA, there’s a good chance of Henderson’s fans being disappointed. As good a wrestler as Henderson is, it’s surprising that he has chose to keep the fight standing in his most recent bouts. This strategy will backfire against Machida. When Henderson is unable to land a powerful right hand, he will become desperate and reckless, and that’s when Machida will find an opportunity to strike. Machida has already knocked out two strong wrestlers, Randy Couture and Ryan Bader. If such an experienced fighter like Couture got caught by Machida, then why not Henderson? He’s hasn’t been knocked out thus far, but time will catch up to almost every fighter, and any fighter in their 40’s is long over due for it.
Pick : Lyoto Machida
Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
Both fighters are in top elite of the UFC’s Bantamweights, but with the exception of only three fighters, Faber can defeat anyone at 135 lbs. Menjivar has the better Jiu-Jitsu off his back, but Faber’s wrestling will be enough to avoid any armbar attempts, unlike Menjivar’s last opponent. I don’t see either fighter getting the finish, but Faber should get a unanimous decision win.
Pick : Urijah Faber
Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler
The betting odds truly reflect just how stacked the odds are in Koscheck’s favor. Just like his fight with Tim Kennedy, Lawler will be outclassed by an expert wrestler. Only this time, Lawler is facing an opponent who is also possesses very proficient striking. Between his wrestling, striking, and Cardio; Koscheck will have more than enough tools to defeat Lawler. I don’t see a knockout happening, but Koscheck can hold his opponent down for three rounds, or sneak in a rear naked choke as he’s done to several one dimensional fighters who rely solely on their striking.
Pick : Josh Koscheck
Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson
This is probably the toughest fight for me to predict a winner. Schaub is well rounded and has strong work ethic, but his chin is questionable after suffering two consecutive knockout losses. If Schaub was finished by Ben Rothwell and “Big Nog”, then Johnson can certainly do the same. Johnson has finished fighters with better striking and iron chins, such as, Pat Barry and Joey Beltran. The Achilles heel of Johnson seems to be the ground game, and Schaub is a BJJ brown belt. However, Johnson should know the takedown is more than likely coming from Scaub, and he’ll be ready to stuff the takedown, or counter with his heavy uppercuts. Once hurt, Schaub will be in survival mode, and Johnson will look to finish with an impressive knockout.
Pick : Lavar Johnson
Michael Chiesa vs. Anton Kuivanen
Kuivanen showcased much improved grappling in his last fight against Mitch Clarke, but Chiesa is a different kind of animal on the ground. He has a near perfect combination of wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu style that will be a nightmare for Kuivanen. If a wrestler like Justin Salas was able to implement his wrestling on Kuivanen, then Chiesa can do the same, but he will actually finish the fight via submission.
Pick : Michael Chiesa
Court McGee vs. Josh Neer
The biggest X Factor in this fight will be McGee’s weight cut. Personally, I think McGee and Demian Maia had similar body types at middleweight, and certainly wasn’t significantly large or lean in that weight class. The weight cut shouldn’t be too hard on him, and his performance shouldn’t be affected negatively. If that’s the case, McGee will have the advantage on the feet, and as equally strong on the ground. McGee is a karate black belt and proficient in Jiu-Jitsu, especially with chokes. He has multiple wins by either rear naked, arm triangle, or guillotine choke. As a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Neer is proficient in grappling and has twelve wins by submission. He is deadly off his back with triangles and is capable of countering a takedown attempt with a guillotine choke. However, McGee’s well rounded skills will keep him comfortable wherever the fight takes place, and he’ll find one way or another to secure a win.
Pick : Court McGee
Sam Stout vs. Caros Fodor
Stout has looked mediocre in his last three fights, and could only muster up a win over the no longer significant Spenser Fisher. In his amateur career, Fodor was a champion in MMA and Muay Thai. He also trains with Matt Hume, so we know his grappling is up to par, and will most likely have the advantage on the ground. As he proved in his fight with Justin Wilcox, Fodor can end a fight fast and early. I don’t expect Stout to come into this fight any better than he did in his last three. He’ll put up an effort, but Fodor will out strike him for 3 rounds, if he doesn’t finish him first.
Pick : Caros Fodor
Dennis Bermudez vs. Matt Grice
Both fighters have a great wrestling talent, but the striking, athleticism, and physical strength advantage are all in the corner of Bermudez. As if he didn’t already have more advantages in this fight, Bermudez also has one hell of a chin, so I certainly don’t see Grice pulling off a lucky knockout. Grice is touch, and won’t be easy to finish, but Bermudez will out wrestle the wrestler and take a decision.
Pick : Dennis Bermudez
Kenny Robertson vs. Brock Jardine
Not a lot of success for either fighter in the UFC, so this becomes a game of who sucked less in there fights. Robertson didn’t do that bad against Aaron Simpson, but Simpson had a poor performance due to it being his first fight at welterweight. Jardine held his own against Rick Story, and when he wins, he wins quickly. Robertson has a few first round wins as well, but I’m picked Jardine as the more well rounded fighter.
Pick : Brock Jardine
Jon Manley vs. Neil Magny
I was wrong two times when I picked Manley to lose on the Ultimate Fighter sooner than he did. He was one of the best grapplers of the season, and really improved his striking. His reach over Magny is pretty significant, so this will give him an even greater advantage in the striking. Magny is a skilled fighter, but Manley has him outclassed.
Pick : Jon Manley
Nah-Shon Burrell vs. Yuri Villefort
Quick Pick; they both finish fights, but Villefort is a little more well rounded than Burrell. He can win by knockout or submission.
Pick : Yuri Villefort
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek