Dave's Picks
Main Card
Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy: Great fight but hard to pick. Both guys are good everywhere but I think Rockhold will have the better striking. Kennedy might have the better ground game. I think Rockhold is just too hot right now. He is easily winning all of his fights and destroying people. I think Rockhold will control the pace and avoid submissions but he better be able to get off his back. = Rockhold by unanimous decision.
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley: Woodley has never really impressed me. He is good but not great. Nate is an elite fighter. I will be shocked if he loses here. Nate will have the better striking and submissions. This is for the welterweight title and I see Nate taking this. = Nate by submission in round 2.
Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine: Jardine is done. He literally has no chin. His ground game is good but nowhere near the level of Gracie = Gracie by submission in round 1.
Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler: Larkin actually looked pretty good against King Mo, who was jacked up with steroids. Mo is one of the best wrestlers to ever come over to MMA and Mo actually had a little trouble getting Larkin down. Lawler is a long time seasoned vet who has fought big names his whole career. Lawler is similar to Dan Henderson where he fights to land one big punch. Lawler has the power and has been successful with that style. But Larkin is going to be way faster and more technical. It is a hard one for me to pick. = Lawler by TKO in round 3.
Prelims
Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox: Masvidal by unanimous decision.
Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota: Healy by unanimous decision.
Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson: Mein by unanimous decision.
Jason High vs. Nate Moore: High by unanimous decision.
Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte: Duarte by unanimous decision.
Sam's Picks
Main Card
Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy: Tim Kennedy is going to be Rockhold's toughest test to date. They are both similar fighters where there standup is solid but they are best on the ground. Rockhold is the type of fighter that gets better after every fight, especially in his striking. He seriously impressed me with his performance against Keith Jardine, where he brutally finished him with punches in the first round. I think one of the big deciding factors heading into this match is the fact that Tim Kennedy hasn't fought in almost a year; while Rockhold just fought a few months ago. Rockhold should take this but it will be closer than the betting lines are showing = Rockhold by unanimous decision.
Tyron Woodley vs. Nate Marquardt: Finally, Nate is making his welterweight debut. Woodley is a tough first test, but he has no chance. He barely won his last fight against Jordan Mein, who I thought he would easily beat, and hasn't done much else. He is a strong wrestler but Marquardt was a huge and strong middleweight. Marquardt will beat him anywhere the fight goes = Marquardt by 4th round TKO.
Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine: Jardine's career is over. Gracie will hurt him, take him down, and submit him. Fight over. = Gracie by 1st round submission (choke).
Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler: Larkin has a very bright future. He has great kickboxing and decent takedown defense. Robbie Lawler has some crazy power and Larkin showed that he is susceptible to being finished = Lawler by 2nd round KO.
Prelims
Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox: Masvidal by 3rd round TKO.
Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota: Healy by unanimous decision.
Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson: Mein by split decision.
Jason High vs. Nate Moore: High by 1st round submission
Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte: Duarte by unanimous decision.
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