Main Card Predictions
Light Heavyweight Championship bout: Jon Jones (c) vs Lyoto Machida
Love both these guys. The patience of Machida will probably give Jon Jones a little bit of trouble for the first round. However, I don’t think there is much that Machida can do against the elusive Jones. The best chance Machida has at winning this fight is being Jon Jones Guard and landing long punches. I hope the odds are too far apart on this one. I like Jon Jones winning this one pretty much no matter what. If the odds are like -600 though, I might take Machida.
Heavyweight bout: Frank Mir vs Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
A rematch that Mir won the first time. I think this back to being a toss up again as Nogueira was sick with the flu last time they fought. If the odds are ridiculously skewed in favor of Mir, I like Nogueira to win. Otherwise if its close go with Mir.
Light Heavyweight bout: Tito Ortiz vs Antônio Rogério Nogueira
Tito ain’t KOing Nogueira on the feet so imo that will give Nogueira time to work his championship level boxing. Ortiz’ best shot at winning this is obviously one way. The double leg > GnP. However, he is going against a Nogueira. So in that position you have to worry about being armbarred. The two brothers have some of the best armbars in the game. Nogueira’s boxing is much much better than Tito’s. I like Nogueira winning this, but I’ve been finding myself rooting for Tito in his last few fights. Maybe its the nostalgic fan in me. I used to dislike Tito all those years he fought before his stint on the TUF show, before he came back for the first Ken Shamrock fight, but these days I’m a fan. I think Nogueira has the right skillset to give Ortiz problems. I see little Nog taking a decision. Cardio could be Ortiz ace in the hole in this one though.
Welterweight bout: Claude Patrick vs Brian Ebersole
Ebersole. There are only a few people in the division that can beat him right now.
Featherweight bout: Mark Hominick vs Chan Sung Jung
Awesome fight potential, but I lean towards Hominick here. Sung Jung is wild and Hominick is crisp and tight. Big advantage for Hominick.
Preliminary card (Ion Television)
Light Heavyweight bout: Krzysztof Soszynski vs Igor Pokrajac
Soszynski will likely win being bigger and better on the ground. I like the way Igor fights though.
Middleweight bout: Jared Hamman vs Constantinos Philippou
Hamman is the guy that presses and he doesn’t look like hes tough or a fighter, but hes got skills. I expect him to win then sell you a computer when its over.
Lightweight bout: John Makdessi vs Dennis Hallman
One thing you can count on here is that Hallman won’t be wearing a mankini. Only prediction to be made here.
Bantamweight bout: Yves Jabouin vs Walel Watson
Preliminary card
Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs Nik Lentz
I want to see this fight. Bocek has been a monster lately, but Nik Lentz is always fun to watch and has some good skills. On the ground though Bocek has distinct advantage.