Sam’s Picks
Main Card
Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffeidine: Heading into this
fight, Saffeidine is being extremely overlooked, and for good reason. Marquardt
was one of the best middleweights in the world before he made his drop down to
welterweight and went to war with Tyron Woodley. Lots of people were predicting
Woodley to ride out a decision, but instead it was a standup war. Marquardt did
eventually demolish him in the 4th though, with one of the sickest combos of
2012. Saffeidine is an extremely talented fighter who has been under
appreciated throughout his MMA career. His well-rounded attack can leave anyone
at 170 flustered. But his greatest enemy
is wrestling and a constant forward attack. Marquardt is a very aggressive
fighter with great wrestling, I see Marquardt out-grappling Saffeidine from the
get go = Marquardt via unanimous decision.
Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring: The only aspect that
Staring has an advantage in is the size and intimidation factors. Other than
that, Cormier will demolish him = Cormier via 1st round TKO (ground and pound).
Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino: This is a very similar
case with the Cormier/Staring fight. Intimidation and size goes to Guelmino but
Barnett will dispatch of him with ease = Barnett via 1st round submission (arm
triangle).
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle: This is another easy pick.
Kyle is a scrapper with little technique and a poor ground game. Mousasi has
some of the best kickboxing in MMA and an improving ground game that is
starting to actually turn out pretty decent. Kyle has a lot of power but
Mousasi has never even really been rocked. The best idea for Gegard is to punch
down the pipe and pick Kyle apart = Mousasi via unanimous decision.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Ed Herman: This is a really interesting
matchup. I’m really leaning towards picking Herman but Souza is the safer pick.
Herman has the standup advantage and a great ground game and submission defense
but Souza’s standup is starting to get better and his ground game is possibly
top-5 P4P. Herman is the scrappy-enough fighter to ride out a close decision
win but I have a feeling that Souza will fight similarly to Jake Shields =
Souza via unanimous decision.
Prelims
Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh = Healy via 2nd round
submission (guillotine).
Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith = Gracie via 1st round
submission (armbar).
Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith = Kennedy via 3rd round
submission (RNC).
KJ Noons vs. Ryan Couture = Noons via 3rd round TKO.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Antonio Martins = Martins via unanimous
decision.
Estevan Payan vs. Mike Bravo = Bravo via split decision.
Dave’s Picks
Main Card
Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffeidine: This will be a much
closer fight then anyone will see coming. Tarec is a phenomenal fighter who can
do everything and do it well. However, so can Nate but Nate is also a little
bit better everywhere. This fight might not be a ton of fun to watch for some
because I believe it will be very technical but I can’t wait. I think Nate will
be the aggressor and take control early on. Nate is just more proven at this
point but believe me it will be a close one. = Nate by unanimous decision.
Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring: This fight sums up why I am
so glad Cormier is finally coming over to the UFC: he needs stronger
competition. I know Cormier was supposed to fight Mir at first but even then I
think Cormier would KO Mir quickly. Cormier will berserk Staring and will not
let up until it’s over. = Cormier by KO in round 1.
Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino: Oh boy. This fight will be
fun for the casual fan who wants to see quick finishes. Barnett is better
everywhere but especially on the ground. = Barnett by submission in round 1.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle: This fight will be nuts. Mike
Kyle fights are always crazy…mainly because Mike Kyle is crazy. But Gegard is
just way too technical for the wild Kyle. Kyle could KO anyone in the world if
he lands cleanly but I don’t see that happening here. I see Gegard keeping him
at bay and then finding openings for solid strikes. I am not sure if Gegard can
finish him but for his sake he better try because as long as Kyle is conscious
he is dangerous. = Gegard by unanimous decision.
Ronaldo Souza vs. Ed Herman: This fight is going to be very close in my
mind. I know Souza’s BJJ is way better than Herman’s but Herman is no joke and
is a tough as they come. However, Souza will just be too much for Herman on the
ground. My only fear is that Souza will try and keep it standing and will get
KO’ed. But I think Souza wants a UFC contract so he will fight smart. = Souza
by unanimous decision.
Prelims
Pat Healy vs. Kurt Holobaugh = Healy by submission in round
1.
Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith = Gracie by submission in
round 1.
Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith = Kennedy by submission in
round 2.
KJ Noons vs. Ryan Couture = Noons by KO in round 2.
Jorge Gurgel vs. Antonio Martins = Martins by unanimous
decision.
Estevan Payan vs. Mike Bravo = Payan by split decision.
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