We got another thirteen fights to predict, and I’m confident that we’ll out predict the other thirty something MMA websites making their predictions. Let’s get to the predictions, because a long intro to an article like this is pointless, we all know we’re making predictions.
– Francisco Trinaldo vs. Mike Rio
With the exception of Gleison Tibau, Trinaldo may be the largest lightweight in the UFC, and he has yet to show it affect his conditioning. Rio is an exceptional wrestler with proficient submissions, but I believe his opponent is a tad better. Rio will put up a tough fight, but Trinaldo will be victorious.
Pick : Francisco Trinaldo
– Hacran Dias vs. Nik Lentz
I’ll admit that I underestimated Lentz in his fight with Diego Nunes, but Nunes was all striking with limited grappling ability. Against Dias, Lentz will have his biggest strength neutralized, as Dias will be an equally skilled grappler, but with far better Jiu-Jitsu. Dias will be comfortable whether on top or on his back, and this even if he doesn’t submit Lentz, his efforts will win him the fight.
Pick : Hacran Dias
– Rafael Natal vs. Joao Zeferino
As usual, my initial edge goes to the fighter with UFC experience. Zeferino is a talented grappler, but Natal’s grappling will at least neutralize, if not overcome his opponents grappling. If it’s a stalemate on the ground, I give a edge in striking to Natal, which should get him the win.
Pick : Rafael Natal
– Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham
I’m eager to see this fight take place. Both are well rounded fighters who aren’t exactly in the elite of the division, but a win could draw them a top ten opponent in their next fight. Dunham was considered among the UFC’s best lightweights a few years back, I think the Brazilian is just a bit better in all aspects of the game; striking, wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu. That may sound odds seeing Dunham is coming off a win over Gleison Tibau and dos Anjos dropped a decision to Tibau at UFC 139, but I don’t see Dunham having the tools to win after seeing dos Anjos overwhelm a excellent striker like Anthony Njokuani, and a strong grappler like Mark Bocek. The Brazilian seems to be getting better with every fight, and should have the advantage wherever the fight goes.
Pick : Rafael dos Anjos
– Ronaldo Souza vs. Chris Camozzi
I was really looking forward to seeing Costa Philippou square off with Souza , but I suppose this is the best replacement bout that was available. Camozzi is on a four fight win streak, but he could’ve just as easily lost three of those fights. Souza has tapped better fighters than Camozzi, so he’ll will be the one to delay his climb in the middleweight division. Bottom line, Costa Philippou is a superior striker to Camozzi, and I was still picking Souza in that fight. Throwing Camozzi in the mix doesn’t change the outcome in the least.
Pick : Ronaldo Souza
– Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold
Rockhold utilizes his height and length better than most fighters with a similar build, making it nearly impossible for his opponents to avoid his kicks. The excellent takedown and submission defense that Rockhold possess played a huge part in his victories over Ronaldo Souza and Tim Kennedy, so I doubt he’ll be worrying about the ground game. Although I’d admit that Rockhold has the cardio advantage, Belfort’s conditioning has improved, as well as being very precise in his offense so no energy is wasted.
Belfort’s biggest advantage will be his speed. Most people remember his fight with Anderson Silva as a one sided fight, but Belfort looked sharp early in the fight, as he caught a kick from the champ and used it to take him down. He even landed a bit of ground and pound before Silva got back to his feet. What’s the moral of the story? Belfort is fast enough to counter his opponent’s kicks, and if Rockhold chooses not to use and kicks in his offense, it basically becomes a boxing match, which the Phenom will win.
Pick : Vitor Belfort
* Quick Picks *
Yuri Alcantara > Iliarde Santos
Paulo Thiago > Michel Prazeres
John Lineker > Azamat Gashimov
Fabio Maldonado > Roger Hollett
Gleison Tibau > John Cholish
Jussier da Silva < Chris Cariaso
Lucas Martins > Jeremy Larsen
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek