George St Pierre vs Jake Shields
If you take the Dan Henderson vs Jake Shields fight and remember that Henderson had Jake in bad places early in that fight before tiring out and laying on the ground for a few rounds. Now imagine if Henderson had crisp clean striking, cardio for days, a game plan, speed, and a sick ground game. If you can imagine that then you can see George St Pierre easily winning this fight.
If this fight turns into a grappling game, Shields probably has a minor edge. If this stays on the feet, Shields has no chance and I mean NONE. I like St. Pierre even with the heavy favorite roll.
Jose Aldo vs Mark Hominick
Despite me thinking Aldo will likely win, Hominick is an excellent bet at +295. He won’t have reach, he won’t have speed, and he won’t have variety that Aldo brings. However, all it takes is one punch and Hominick carries his own sack of power. I like Hominick here as a value play.
Vladimir Matyushenko vs Jason Brilz
Perfect matchup here for these two stocky brawny wrestlers. I like Matyushenko here.
Randy Couture vs Lyoto Machida
If Randy beats Machida, he should end on a high note. He is coming in as a heavy underdog against Machida on the early line of -330 over at Intertops.
Machida has problems on his back. Can Randy take him down and beat him for 3 rounds? Yes I THINK SO.
If Randy stands with Machida it will be a short night. Machida’s style tends to take awhile to unravel. Randy tends to get better over the course of multiple rounds. Both fighters styles will have them meeting and peaking near the end of the fight and should make for an entertaining matchup.
I like Randy in this fight in the heavy underdog position.
Mark Bocek vs Ben Henderson
This is such a tough one to call. I think I’m running with Bocek here in his backyard.
Preliminary card (Spike TV)
Nate Diaz vs Rory MacDonald
Awesome fight. Rory can hit and take big hits. Problem is he’s been KO’d a decent amount now and it seems to be happening easier. Not only that he doesn’t have the ground game of Nate Diaz, not even close.
I like Diaz to win at any odds.
Sean Pierson vs Brian Foster
Pass
Preliminary Card
Claude Patrick vs Daniel Roberts
Daniel Roberts
Ivan Menjivar vs Charlie Valencia
Ivan Menjivar
Jason MacDonald vs Ryan Jensen
MacDonald back in the UFC. A one time title contender taking on the up and coming Ryan Jensen. Jensen’s wrestling and ground work as well as submission defense is good. MacDonald is decent everywhere, but best on the ground. MacDonald is probably an underdog, but I don’t see it on the early lines.
I like MacDonald to win here regardless.
John Makdessi vs Kyle Watson
Pass
Yves Jabouin vs Pablo Garza
Pass