Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida: Current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has emerged as MMA’s wunderkind since breaking into the promotion in 2008. Some expect former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida to give Jones his first true test inside the Octagon. Machida’s karate based / counter-striking style is a bit different than what Jones has faced to date. The concern is that Machida’s ability to keep things at a distance will frustrate Jones, causing him to leave himself open as he becomes more aggressive. While this is a legitimate concern, if Jones does catch Machida he could be in big trouble and that’s the way I see this one going. Machida will keep things at a distance, but by the third round Jones will close that distance and end it. Jones by third round TKO.
Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: There will be no excuses when this rematch takes place. The first time these two met, back in 2008, Mir emerged with a second round TKO victory. There have been rumblings that Nogueira suffered from a Staph infection going into that fight, but now both fighters are (allegedly) healthy. Mir has not been overwhelming in his last two fights, but he seems to be coming into this one with a chip on his shoulder. On the other hand Nogueira’s confidence couldn’t be any higher as he is coming to this fight after a big knockout victory over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134. My take is that Mir comes in with a purpose and ends this one. Mir by second round TKO.
Tito Ortiz vs. Antonio Rogério Nogueira: Ortiz is experiencing quite the career resurgence in 2011. Heading into UFC 132 many believed he was walking to toward the UFC gallows, but he delivered a dominating performance submitting Ryan Bader and earning Submission of the Night honors. Ortiz then followed that up by taking a fight with Rashad Evans on short notice. Ortiz did lose that fight, but no one questioned the effort he gave inside the Octagon that night in Philadelphia. For his part Nogueira is on a two fight losing streak, dropping decisions to Ryan Bader and Phil Davis, before undergoing shoulder surgery. This fight is probably more important career wise to Nogueira as Tito has said he plans on only fighting twice more before retirement. As important as the scrap is to him, I just don’t see Nogueira getting past Ortiz on Saturday night as a healthy and motivated “People’s Champion” looks to close out his career on a high note. Ortiz by decision.
Claude Patrick vs. Brian Ebersole: Claude Patrick has been on a nice run since making his MMA debut back in 2002. He fought twice that year, going 1-1. His next fight was in 2005 and since then he has gone 13-0, including 3-0 in the UFC. For Brian Ebersole, well, he’s been in the fight game since 2000, racking up a record of 48-14-1-1 with two of those wins being in the UFC. In the end, I think experience and guile will rule the day and Ebersole will extend his UFC winning streak while ending Patrick’s. Ebersole by decision.
Mark Hominick vs. Chan Sung Jung: If you had to pick a fight that was an odds on favorite to garner Fight of the Night honors, you could do worse than choosing this one. Look for this one to stay standing and hope that it goes the distance as both of these fighters have shown an affinity for delivering entertaining battles. Hominick is the better striker of the two, but “The Korean Zombie” has shown that he is not afraid to stand and deliver as well. In the end, the striking ability of Hominick will carry the day. Hominick by decision.