Whenever UFC holds an event, Joe and Rob from GuysNation do our best to predict the matches on the card. Sometimes we (mostly Joe) get things right, sometimes we don’t, but we always try to give you our reasoning…even when that means someone (mostly Rob) flips a coin.
Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo
Joe’s thoughts: On paper this could be a great fight. Two highly skilled heavyweight kick boxers could lead to fireworks. Unfortunately, Kongo likes to strategize for his fights and will probably look for the takedown or a clinch along the fence. It is something I noticed in his previous fights against strikers as Kongo likes to control the pace of the fight. His wrestling is still mediocre, but his size and strength help where he is weak. This is what he will need to do to win as Barry is much faster than him.
Joe’s Prediction: Kongo by Decision
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: I hate the way Kongo fights, getting frustrated and using cheap tactics to slow things down to let him get comfortable. He hasn’t had a quality win since early 2009. Barry went late into the third round against Cro-Cop, and that’s enough for me. Barry by decision.
Matt Brown vs. John Howard
Joe’s Thoughts: This should be an exciting fight as both fighters will be looking to stay in the big leagues. Brown has lost his last three and Howard his last two. Though, Howard’s recent losses come against some of the best in the division. Both fighters like to stand and bang so do not blink while watching this one. Look for Howard to be a little sharper in the exchanges and expect this fight to be in the running for fight of the night.
Joe’s Prediction: John Howard by KO
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Brown might have lost three straight, but he lost all three of those by submission, and John Howard hasn’t made someone tap out in nearly four years. I don’t know why, but I like the way Brown can fight, and although I realize he’s probably not going to move way up in the division, I will pick Brown to win this one by KO.
Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft
Joe’s Thoughts: In his first few fights, Mitrione has looked great. He has stopped three of his first four opponents and comes in to fights with great conditioning and solid striking skills. Morecraft is a good challenge for Matt due to his solid wrestling game. Christian will need to use his grappling abilities and control where the fight goes if he wants to defeat Mitrione. Matt has showed great wrestling defense in the past I expect him to be even more improved for this fight.
Joe’s Prediction: Mitrione by KO
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Mitrione has surprised me and looks to be learning a lot from each fight, and Morecraft’s resume doesn’t excite me at all. Sometimes fighters prove me wrong twice, and I can’t bet against them until their winning streak ends, so I’m going with Matt Mitrione by KO.
Tyson Griffin vs. Manvel Gamburyan
Joe’s Thoughts: After starting his career with some big victories Tyson Griffin has really fallen down the ranks as of late. He has three straight losses even though his last one was controversial. He is making his return to 145 lbs. for this fight, but it is not going to be an easy challenge. He is facing Manny Gamburyan who is coming off a loss to champion Jose Aldo. Both fighters are in a sense looking to start over and should come out swinging. I’m giving the advantage to Manny in this one. I feel like Tyson Griffin’s style has hit the wall.
Joe’s Prediction: Manny by Decision
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Tyson Griffin is a good fighter, and this will be an entertaining fight, but all you have to do to know how this one will end is to look how these guys do against really good opponents. Gamburyan will win by decision
Joe Stevenson vs. Javier Vazquez
Joe’s Thoughts: Joe Stevenson is making his featherweight debut against a game opponent in Vazquez. Joe Daddy desperately needs a win or we could see him on the outside of the UFC. If he can bring Vazquez in to a grappling match then Joe should come out on top. If not, we will probably see the same Joe Stevenson that we see each fight. Luckily for him, Vazquez is not known for his striking power, and he should be able to take and keep him on the ground to grind out his first victory in four tries.
Joe’s Prediction: Joe Stevenson by Decision
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: I really like Joe’s thoughts on this one, and I think Stevenson is going to win by knockout.
Joe Lauzon vs. Curt Warburton
J-Lau is an interesting fighter. Sometimes he looks amazing in his fights, other times he gets dominated. This should be one of the fights where he looks good. Warburton is a decent fighter, but I do not think his skills match up too well with Joe. Expect Lauzon to grind out Round 1 then submit him in the second.
Joe’s Prediction: Joe Lauzon by Submission
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Lauzon’s last three losses don’t bother me, based on who his opponents were. Nothing on Warburton’s resume impresses me, especially that his past three fights went to decision. I agree that Joe Lauzon is going to make him tap out.
Daniel Roberts vs. Rich Attonito
Joe’s Thoughts: This match will mostly be a grappling event. It might start out as a standup war early, but I expect Roberts to get this fight to the ground and work for submissions. Not too sure if he will find one against ATT product Attonito though.
Joe’s Prediction: Daniel Roberts by Decision
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Daniel Roberts is a fighter whose skills I really like, and until he faces someone of note, I won’t pick against him. Roberts by submission.
Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira
Joe’s Thoughts: Lentz has been on a serious roll since coming to the UFC. Going 5-0-1 in his first 6 fights, he has shocked a lot of his opponents with his wrestling ability. Oliveira came in to the UFC with high expectation but faltered against top contender Jim Miller in his last bout. This is a tough one to call, but most of the fight should take place on the mat.
Joe’s Prediction: Nik Lentz by Decision
Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Nik Lentz finds ways to win by decision, but Charles Oliveira doesn’t let things get there, and he won’t start now. Charles Oliveira by submission.
Ricardo Lamas vs. Matt Grice
Joe’s Thoughts: Grice is making his UFC return after being released by the company previously. He won his last four outside of the promotion and is looking to stay this time. Lamas is a WEC export making his UFC debut. A lot is on the line for both of these fighters if they want to keep themselves in Joe Silva’s head for future fights with the company.
Joe’s Prediction: Matt Grice by Decision
Rob’s Prediction: Grice has worked really hard to get back to UFC, but I don’t normally like it when a fighter who failed to succeed in their first run with the company gets their return, and I also don’t like it when a fighter takes a long fight to decision and then takes another fight without much of a rest between the two fights. For those reasons alone, I’ll go with Lamas by decision.
Edward Faaloloto vs. Michael Johnson
Joe’s Thoughts: Johnson has the experience in this fight, but Falo must have something to him if Zuffa decided to sign him after only two pro fights. Unfortunately, I think Johnson can grind him down and take a decision.
Joe’s Prediction: Michael Johnson by Decision
Rob’s Prediction: I don’t know much about these guys, but I’ll go out on a limb and pick Faaloloto
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com
UPDATE: After technical difficulties prevented the 
Here are the 
The