Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen Prediction
In the first meetup, Chael owned Anderson for 4.75 rounds taking Anderson down and ground n pounding him. However, Silva was hurt. It was clear in the fight and it was clear in his movie where they showed the incident.
Silva has been extremely vocal about this bout something he has never been. He is clearly angry. Silva imo is going to destroy Sonnen. I picked Sonnen last time, but this time its going to go Silva’s way and I think within 3 rounds. The odds for Silva aren’t outrageous either. Once again though if you believe Sonnen will win this time and not get caught in a last minute triangle, Sonnen odds are pretty good here.
However, Silva will keep this standing and Sonnen will get hurt badly. Odds are not outrageous for an Anderson win.
Forrest Griffin vs Tito Ortiz
This will be Tito Ortiz’s last fight in the UFC. He is retiring win or lose. I expect him to give everything and Griffin is going to make this fight to remember as well. Nothing Tito presents will stop Griffin. Griffin’s height is a problem for Tito in the standup, and Ortiz’ wrestling is going to be the best advantage he has. However, his age is going to be a factor against Griffin. Both guys haven’t fought in awhile either.
I think Griffin is going to win, but in this fight if you want to take the underdog with a chance to win it would be Ortiz. Plus you will rooting for a hall of famer who has given his entire career to the UFC. A legend will retire tonight and much respect to Tito Ortiz who I’ve been watching since his very first fight.
Middleweight Cung Le vs Patrick Côté
Cung Le has all the tools to beat Cote. Cote is favored though. Everyone thinks the glass jaw of Cung Le is a problem and going against power puncher Cote will be a problem. The problem is Cote hasn’t fought anyone great in awhile and hasn’t won against top contenders since his knee got kicked out of socket against Anderson Silva. His puncing power imo is not the same and he has a similar style to Scott Smith who Cung Le lost too the first time, but owned Smith the second time. Cung is a smart fighter. I think if he can utilize the same Scott Smith part 2 gameplan and keep it on the outside (and KEEP HIS DAMN HANDS UP) he will be fine.
When Cung lost to Wanderlei that was because its Wanderlei. The guy doesn’t stop rushing you. The issue is Cung on the ground, where Cote is pretty decent actually. Just look at the Rich Franklin vs Wanderlei fight to see that Rich fights similar to Cung without the awesome kicks and rock solid chin.
I like Cung Le in the underdog position as the odds are pretty good.
Welterweight Dong Hyun Kim vs Demian Maia Predictions
Dong Hyun Kim is one of my favorite fighters. I feel his skillset is underloved. Maia has improved so much that this fight should be pretty good. Kim is great at submission defense however and I think Maia will have problems submitting him despite being the master he is.
I like Kim winning this one.
Featherweight Chad Mendes vs Cody McKenzie
The wrestler vs the special guillotine master. Mendes is likely winning this one and the odds are around -625 for Mendes. This is a pass or if you want to root for McKenzie the odds make it worth it for him to catch his signature move which is always amazing to see. Most likely going to be a TKO, but really, I would put a small amount on McKenzie here just to say you called it.
Bantamweight Ivan Menjivar vs Mike Easton
The Hulk vs the veteran. I like the Hulk here.
Preliminary Card on FX
Lightweight Gleison Tibau vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Despite the veteran skills of Tibau you just never know which version of himself will show up. Nurmagomedov is pretty damn good and a heavy dog here. I’m going with the Russian.
Lightweight Melvin Guillard vs Fabrício Camões
Who doesn’t like seeing Melvin fight? I got Melvin winning this, but odds have me passing on a bet.
Constantinos Philippou vs Riki Fukuda
This is interesting fight. Philippou is a great power puncher. While Fukuda is an excellent grinder. The odds show Philippou winning this fight overwhelmingly, but I kinda like Fukuda here in the heavy dog. He can put up a good fight against the best of them and when you have a grinder against a guy that runs out of gas…
Nobody is picking Fukuda here, but I like the play. I got Fukuda.
Lightweight John Alessio vs Shane Roller
Shane Roller is very inconsistent imo. Alessio hasn’t fought in the UFC in quite awhile aside from his last loss to Bocek. Alessio is a talented fighter who I think has lost at inopportune times in his career that have kept him out public viewing because he has been forced out of the UFC several times and even lost in some Tier 2 organizations. However, he is back now and I think Alessio has an excellent shot at beating Roller.
I like Alessio here.