Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping:
Mike Drahota:
I think Rockhold is fully deserving of a pot near the top of the pound-for-pound ranks with five straight finishes over top quality opponents, and I also believes the lopsided betting odds in tis one are justified. That’s obviously not a unique school of though, however, as mostly everyone (if not everyone) is picking the bigger, younger, and more well-rounded challenger to send the seasoned “Count” back to England with another finish loss on his record. It’s certainly doesn’t hurt that Rockhold finished Bisping somewhat easily in their first meeting back at UFC Fight Night 55 in late 2014.
True, the Brit is coming off three straight wins highlighted by his decision victory over Anderson Silva, but as “Rocky” said, “The Sider” isn’t on his level right now – or ever. To prove that true, Rockhold will need to build a record-setting streak of title defenses, and that begins with a second stoppage over Bisping tonight. “The Count” no doubt possesses some of the best volume striking, cardio, toughness, and heart at 185 pounds, but I don’t like his chances standing or especially if it goes to the ground, where Rockhold finished former champion Chris Weidman in his last bout. To beat Rockhold, you have to get in his face and knock him out. While he has the pressuring style, Bisping doesn’t have the necessary power in my eyes. I have to pick Rockhold by first round submission.
Rory Kernaghan:
UFC middleweight champion Rockhold has some of the nastiest kicks in the game today. He used them very effectively in the first with Michael Bisping in late 2014, and although ‘The Count’ looked a lot better vs. Anderson Silva, I unfortunately can’t see how he overcomes the power and effective range of ‘Rocky.’ There will be a lot of heart needed to overcome the physical disadvantages for Bisping, and I wouldn’t write him off completely, but I would place money on Rockhold if I were a betting man. He’s fresher, trains with a very elite team of champions, has the size, power, reach and weight advantage. Rockhold by submission round three.
Mike Henken:
As much as I’d like to see the longtime veteran in Bisping finally acquire the UFC middleweight title, I just don’t see him getting past Rockhold here. The champion got the better of “The Count” the first time around, and Bisping had a full camp heading into that bout as opposed to the two weeks he had to prepare this time. The Brit has indeed won three straight since losing to Rockhold, but I believe that the champion has too many tools to win here. His lengthy southpaw striking and brutal kicks could provide Bisping with problems on the feet, and his elite-level submission skills make him a threat on the ground as well. Rockhold by third round knockout.
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber:
Mike Drahota:
The former and current 135-pound king – and many say the best bantamweight ever – miraculously returned to form after an almost four-year spat with serious leg injuries to take the belt from former champ (and Faber protégé) TJ Dillashaw, so now his rivalry with “The California Kid” both continues and ends tonight. “The Dominator” beat the previous consensus No. 1 bantamweight, albeit by split decision, in his last fight, while Faber has appeared to be slowly fading over his last three fights, where he beat mid-level fighters Frankie Saenz and Alex Caceres while losing to Frankie Edgar. Faber does own a previous win over Cruz, but that was back in 2007 when “The Dominator” was 21, and it remains his only loss. It’s a trendy and simple pick, but I have to think the champ used his peerless footwork and otherworldly ability to avoid getting hit to cruise to a win here. Cruz by unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Cruz looks to make the first defense in his second reign as UFC bantamweight champion, and he does so against a man who’s had some tough hands during his UFC run. Faber has been there and done it, but never made it to a UFC title, and I don’t think tonight will be the night. ‘The Dominator’ just has footwork that’s out of this world, and although ‘The California Kid’ looks jacked in recent training photos, it’s going to take so much more than that. An interesting fact for you, TJ Dillashaw only connected with 26% of his standing strikes against Cruz. Will Faber step up and take Cruz out? I’d actually like to see it, but again I have to go with my gut instead of my nuts; Cruz by decision.
Mike Henken:
I see this bout playing out as many of Cruz’s bouts do. Faber has always had a well-rounded skillset featuring powerful punching, established takedowns, and slick submissions. With that being said, Cruz’s footwork and movement makes him a master of not getting hit, and his wrestling usually allows him to dictate the pace of the fight. I see the champion picking apart Faber from the outside and essentially outpointing him. Cruz by unanimous decision.
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