UFC 157 will take place on February 23, 2013 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, with a number of great matchups set on the main card.
Former champion Dan Henderson will fight Lyoto Machida, whilst the UFC women’s bantamweight title will be on the line when Ronda Rousey takes on Liz Carmouche.
Read on to see who will triumph in those fights and more at UFC 157, with a full list of predicted winners from every fight on the main card this weekend.
Court McGee vs. Josh Neer
The winner of the 11th season of Ultimate Fighter has dropped to welterweight here and will take on Josh Neer, who is riding a two-fight losing streak into this one.
Justin Edwards and Mike Pyle both got the better of Neer in recent fights, and given Neer‘s tendency to be a touch careless at times, I’m leaning McGee in this one.
I’d say that it stays relatively close throughout, but expect McGee to continue his strong run since joining the UFC ranks with a solid victory.
Prediction: Court McGee
Josh Koscheck vs. Robbie Lawler
Josh Koscheck is still a genuine threat in the welterweight division and can’t be written off in this one—despite going 3-2 in his last five UFC fights. You pretty much know what you’re going to get from Koscheck every time he steps into the octagon—the biggest question here will be as to how good Robbie Lawler looks at 170 pounds in his UFC return.
If he’s switched on, it’ll be tough to stop Lawler‘s power striking from connecting at least once or twice—that could well be the difference in this fight.
I’m going with another close one, but picking Lawler to prevail.
Prediction: Robbie Lawler
Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
Ivan Menjivar has shown a susceptibility to being outworked by his opponents throughout his career, including a DQ against Urijah Faber previously.
And whilst it might not come in the exact same style here, expect Faber once again to get the better of his opponent and ram home the advantage. I think this could really open up for Faber early as Menjivar tries to avoid a repeat performance. If Faber sees the opening, he could wrap this fight up early with a submission or a knockout in the first round.
Prediction: Urijah Faber
Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson
Lyoto Machida will certainly be able to take some of the body blows that Dan Henderson throws in this one—the question is, how much will he be able to take?
Machida will get his chances to topple Henderson, but it just won’t happen. Hendo has too much riding on this one—with a fight against Jon Jones looming should he win—and will be able to take whatever Machida throws his way.
Then he’ll send it back with some interest—I’d say Henderson finishes this one early in the second round to finally book his shot at taking on Jones.
Prediction: Dan Henderson
Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche
Rousey will surely earn herself the title of women’s bantamweight champion of the UFC with a defeat of Carmouche—there’s just no other option in this one.
Carmouche has already been defeated once in a bantamweight title fight (losing to Marloes Coenen) and will not be able to match Rousey.
This one will seemingly be lucky to make it out of the first round, like many of Rousey‘s fights, with the Olympic judo champion proving herself to be the legitimate UFC champion as well.
Prediction: Ronda Rousey
Who do you think will be the winners and losers from UFC 157?
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