UFC Fight Night 81 Predictions

Dominick Cruz vs. TJ Dillashaw: Mike Drahota: It should be a bantamweight title fight to remember, as a meeting between two elite competitors like Dillashaw and Cruz could be billed as the best 135-pound fight in UFC history and definitely the most hyped. The only thing holding it back from that being a certainty are

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Dominick Cruz vs. TJ Dillashaw:

Mike Drahota: It should be a bantamweight title fight to remember, as a meeting between two elite competitors like Dillashaw and Cruz could be billed as the best 135-pound fight in UFC history and definitely the most hyped. The only thing holding it back from that being a certainty are the question marks about Cruz’s health, which have limited him to only one bout since October 2011.

Dillashaw has obviously looked nothing ess than dominant in his run as bantamweight champion in Cruz’s absence, finishing his last three bouts with an amazing mix of pinpoint precision and power. But Cruz essentially invented the style that Dillashaw now employs (albeit with less power), so if ‘The Dominator’ comes back at anything close to one hundred percent here, we could see him regain the belt in impressive fashion.

He’s also seemingly got inside Dillashaw’s head during the media buildup for this fight where the champion was badly outclassed by the intelligent needling of FOX Sports analyst Cruz.

While I think that Cruz will use his movement-heavy style to give Dillashaw some issues, I still think ‘The Viper’ is the evolution of the 135-pound landscape, ad there are far less questions about him than there are the former titleholder. The trash talk could come it play here, and so could Dillashaw’s highly publicized departure from Team Alpha Male to Colorado’s Elevation. I just think the champ gets the job done here by a slim margin. While it’s a close one, I’m going with Dillashaw by unanimous decision.

Rory Kernaghan: In Cruz vs. Dillashaw, we have a very rare pairing of fighters with unique styles. Both have incredible footwork, which allows them to cut angles and land the worst strikes possible for their opponents, the ones they don’t see coming. A prime example of Dillashaw’s advantage over a more ‘regular’ fighter’s style is against Renan Barao, as he cracked the former champion with beautiful head kicks and sharp right hands to finish the Brazilian both times they fought.

‘The Dominator’ has dynamic head movement, and a style I’d be very surprised to learn that anyone could mimic in the gym for the champion. Cruz also has some serious wrestling chops, and just seems like a new man since all his injury woes in recent years. I don’t often go with my gut, but I just get the feeling that the head movement and striking of Cruz will win the day. Also, the trash talking element seems to have got to ‘The Viper,’ who could resort to little more than pointing out his record against fighters with standard styles, as opposed to what his actual strengths are against Dom. I’m gonna go with Cruz by TKO round one.

Mike Henken: To me, this is simply one of the best fights that the UFC could put on, and it’s quite a tough one to predict, as well. While Cruz has been nursing numerous injuries on the sidelines over the last few years, Dillashaw has risen to the top of the bantamweight division in emphatic fashion. Using a similar style to that of Cruz’s, the champion has implemented exquisite movement and footwork to bolster an accurate, yet powerful striking arsenal. Cruz, on other hand, is essentially known for his footwork as well, along with his head movement and striking defense. Both men have wrestling backgrounds, and are quite evenly matched in my opinion. It all depends on what shape “The Dominator” returns in, but I also have to go with my gut. Cruz by unanimous decision.

Find our picks for the pivotal lightweight co-main event on the next page….

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Healthy Pettis Doesn’t Think Anyone In The World Can Beat Him

Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will return this weekend (January 17, 2015) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 81 from Boston, Massachusetts for the first time since losing his title last March Coming off of a brutal loss at the hands of current champion Rafael dos Anjos, Pettis is set to

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Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis will return this weekend (January 17, 2015) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 81 from Boston, Massachusetts for the first time since losing his title last March

Coming off of a brutal loss at the hands of current champion Rafael dos Anjos, Pettis is set to meet former Bellator champion Eddie “The Silent Assasin” Alvarez in an attempt to jump back into the title picture.

Not only did “Showtime” suffer a huge loss, but he was also faced with yet another injury setback that has forced him out of the Octagon for the last 10 months.

Injuries have seemed to be the constant downfall for the ex-champ, but now seemingly healthy, Pettis feels as if he’s the best in the world:

“I don’t feel like these guys are on my level when I’m 100 percent. When I’m 100 percent, I don’t think anybody in the world can beat me.” Pettis told MMAFighting.com.

As far as the fight goes, “Showtime” currently sits at No. 1 in the 155-pound rankings while Alvarez is currently ranked No. 4. “The Silent Assassin” is also coming off of a hard fought win over Gilbert Melendez last June, meaning that this scrap could potentially have major title implications.

According to Pettis, he was actually guaranteed a title shot with a win over Alvarez, although he’s not sure he wants to sit around and wait:

Yes, I was told [that I’d get a title shot], but I don’t know if I’m going to wait anymore. I feel like I have been waiting for belts. I have a new contract with the UFC. I’m getting paid what I want to get paid and I feel like now is the time to get out there and just keep fighting.”

Dos Anjos is slated to defend his title next in a mega fight with featherweight boss Conor McGregor at March 5’s UFC 197 from Las Vegas.

Should he get passed Alvarez in Boston, should “Showtime” get a chance to reclaim his title?

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The Past vs. The Present: Four Reasons To Watch UFC Fight Night 81

We are now just days away from a highly anticipated UFC card, as the Octagon is set to head to Boston, Massachusetts for UFC Fight Night 81 this Sunday (January 17, 2015) live on FOX Sports 1. With an intriguing four fight main card, the promotion has stacked the deck from top to bottom, as

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We are now just days away from a highly anticipated UFC card, as the Octagon is set to head to Boston, Massachusetts for UFC Fight Night 81 this Sunday (January 17, 2015) live on FOX Sports 1.

With an intriguing four fight main card, the promotion has stacked the deck from top to bottom, as the event promises to be a fantastic one.

As we near in on the action, let’s take a look at why you should consider clearing your schedule to watch UFC Fight Night 81:

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