UFC fans are in for a treat this weekend as a handful of intriguing matchups will unfold inside Key Arena in Seattle, site of UFC on FOX 8, which will be broadcast on network television.
Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson headlines the event. The 125-pound champion will put his title on the line against John Moraga in Saturday night’s main event.
Welterweight star Rory MacDonald and female bantamweight contender Liz Carmouche will also be put to the test inside the Octagon. But before the action gets underway, here we’ll get you set with predictions for every main card event on Saturday.
Liz Carmouche Over Jessica Andrade via TKO
Liz Carmouche showed in her bout with Ronda Rousey that she’s an elite fighter and on Saturday Girl-Rilla will remind UFC fans of that when she earns a stoppage victory over Jessica Andrade.
Andrade, a raw 21-year-old from Brazil, has made her way through the ranks thanks to a dominant guillotine choke. But the experienced Carmouche is aware of where Andrade‘s strengths lay in this matchup and should do well to neutralize them.
Carmouche, the more versatile fighter, can win in a variety of ways and that’s why she has the edge.
Robbie Lawler Over Bobby Voelker via KO
Robbie “Ruthless” Lawler has struggled with consistency over the past few years, failing to record back-to-back victories since 2007. But Lawler is coming off an impressive TKO win over Josh Koscheck at UFC 157 last February and possesses the power to knockout Bobby Voelker this weekend.
A dominant southpaw boxer, it’s no surprise that 17 of Lawler‘s 20 professional wins have come via knockout, every single one involving punches.
Keep in mind that both fighters will making just their second career UFC appearance on Saturday. But at the same time, Voelker is coming off a loss to Patrick Cote at UFC 158 and is taking this fight on short notice.
Lawler can end a fight at any moment and that makes him the safest pick in this welterweight clash.
Rory MacDonald Over Jake Ellenberger via TKO
Two exciting fighters are set to go head-to-head in the second-to-last fight of the night on Saturday.
Both Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger are lethal strikers and flying high at the moment, each having put together a string of victories. But look for the superior athleticism of MacDonald to overcome the experience and wisdom of Ellenberger, who has more twice as many professional bouts under his belt.
MacDonald brings a bit more size to the table and is every bit as quick as his opponent.
In addition to winning two of his last three fights via technical knockout, MacDonald looked awfully tough against B.J. Penn in his most recent outing last December, defeating The Prodigy via unanimous decision.
That said, look for the Canadian to keep his winning streak alive against Ellenberger, taking out the veteran via TKO to boost his welterweight credentials.
Demetrious Johnson Over John Moraga via Unanimous Decision
In Saturday’s main event, UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will put his title on the line against challenger John Moraga, who has won 13 of his 14 professional fights, including two in the UFC.
Moraga is a surprisingly lethal striker for a flyweight, but that doesn’t mean he has enough to get past Mighty Mouse this summer.
Johnson has incredible speed and is a master at wearing down opponents and outlasting them down the stretch, as evidenced by his eight career decision victories. The 26-year-old has won three consecutive fights coming in, each via decision.
Johnson’s past seven fights have all gone the distance. He won five of them and should add to that count on Saturday in Seattle.
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