UFC 117 Predictions
Saturday, August 7th at 7 p.m on PPV
Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen (Middleweight Title)
Mike Bohn: If Chael Sonnen can repeatedly take Silva down and keep him there without getting caught in a submission, he has a serious chance. If not, he gets crushed in less than 5 minutes. I’ll go with the latter. Silva via TKO R1
Erik Jackson: Chael talks the talk but unfortunately is going to get destroyed. Silva via TKO round 3
Travis Crowe: Interesting to say the least, Chael was just caught lying about the bit on Lance Armstrong does that make them both liars (inside source- Shane; story broke before BE) I am interested to see what Pat has to say in these write ups perhaps Sonnen via TKO (strikes) . Silva via TKO
Jon Gerow: Look for Chael to fight the same strategy as he did against Nate Marquardt. We have really yet to see someone with such a high wrestling pedigree put the pressure on Anderson from bell to bell. If Chael is able to continuously take it to the mat it will be a long night for Anderson. Unfortunately for Chael I’m not buying all his talk, I see Chael scoring a couple takedowns early, but Anderson’s agility and takedown defence will keep the fight standing long enough for The Spider to get the job done in round 2. Silva via TKO round two.
Pat Weafer: Sonnen (R) has become accustomed to winning in recent months, both in the octagon and in government. Too bad for him that in this contest he isn't running unopposed and one of the p4p greats is standing in his way. 99.6% of people may believe he belongs in public office but approximately that percentage believes he doesn't belong in the cage with Anderson Silva. I'm starting warm up to his personality and trash talking abilities; it's too bad he'll fade out of the title picture after this fight. Expect Anderson to hit Chael (R) so hard that he votes Democrat in 2012. Silva via 3rd rd (T)KO
Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida
Mike Bohn: Almeida has the advantage in the stand up and BJJ categories but Matt Hughes has fought against the best in the world for a long time and he knows how to win a fight by neutralizing his opponent’s strengths with his wrestling abilities. That being said I think Hughes is on the tail end of his career and Almeida is very motivated and with a win could fight for the belt in the near future. Almeida via Unanimous Decision
Erik Jackson: Hughes is a seasoned vet who will impress once again, as much as Ricardo would like to avenge Renzo's loss I just don't see it happening. Hughes via decision
Travis Crowe: Matt Hughes is coming off of his destruction against Gracie and will look to land some vicious low leg kicks however Almeida intends to avenge the loss and has revenge built up. Hughes is a champ but...Almeida via unanimous decision
Jon Gerow: It’s going to be a war as both fighters hold similar sets of skills, but I believe Hughes is going to show his age in this fight, even if he is only 3 years older than Almeida, those 36 extra fights he has under his belt will take a toll on him in the later rounds. Almeida is the young hungry lion in this fight looking to avenge Renzo`s loss. Almeida via out grappling then RNC round 3
Pat Weafer: No matter how bad Matt Hughes looked against an aged Renzo Gracie, his only welterweight losses (the loss to Alves was a catch weight bout) in the past 9 years have been to champions. Almeida isn't at that level. Hughes via TKO in the 3rd round
Clay Guida vs. Rafael Dos Anjos
Mike Bohn: Dos Anjos looks to make it 4 straight with a win over the always relentless Clay Guida. Rafael can certainly catch and submit Clay as he is highly skilled on the ground, but the pace and wrestling of “The Carpenter” will be too much for Dos Anjos to stop. Guida via Unanimous Decision
Erik Jackson: Guida hit a rough patch with 2 straight losses to Diego and Ken Flo but he's back on track with a nice win over Gugerty. Guida via decision
Travis Crowe: Guida wants to avoid a submission... going to try and brawl. Guida via TKO
Jon Gerow: Guida has shown in the past great success against BJJ fighters. With both fighters lacking in the stand up department, I expect Guida to do what he does best, neutralize the submission artist and grind out a decision victory. Guida via Unanimous Decision
Pat Weafer: While Guida is 1-2 in his last 3 fights, his losses have been to title contenders Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. This is Dos Anjos's first foray into the pool of upper-tier fighters in the lightweight division, and I don't think he'll be able to hang with the relentless pace and conditioning of Guida. For someone whose greatest asset is his BJJ to step up into the upper tier with only one submission in the UFC is risky, especially with someone who works as hard as Clay Guida. Guida by Unanimous Decision
Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves
Mike Bohn: Alves seems highly motivated to get his revenge in this rematch, but Jon Fitch doesn’t lose unless you’re GSP. Fitch via Unanimous Decision
Erik Jackson: Split on this one as I would like to see a nice knockout by Alves but on the other hand Jon Fitch is a beast. The fact that Alves is favoured even though Fitch beat him and has only lost to GSP since amazes me. Also, an Alves-GSP rematch does not intrigue me and Fitch deserves his shot again. Fitch via decision
Travis Crowe: Either going to be another boring Fitch decision or Alves landing some huge strikes maybe a flying knee ,, Fitch via decision
Jon Gerow: Coming off brain surgery and just over a year layoff expect Alves to have a slow start and look for Fitch to capitalize with some early takedowns. I believe Alves has evolved leaps and bounds more since their first fight. I see Fitch suffering the same fate as his teammate Josh Koscheck did against Alves. With Fitch’s iron chin and never quit attitude don’t expect Alves to finish this early. Alves via Unanimous Decision
Pat Weafer: Alves is coming off a title loss to GSP where he got taken down and controlled for 25 minutes. Hopefully between brain surgery and recovering he found time to work his TDD and escapes. If not expect 15 more minutes of the same. That being said I believe Alves is a different fighter than in his first fight with Fitch, more controlled and experienced in the fight game. I expect his new knowledge and control to be the difference in this fight, and I expect (and hope) to see Fitch hit hard, often, and early.
Alves via (T) KO 2nd round. Or alternatively, Fitch hugs and slugs for 15 minutes and walks away with a UD victory. I'm going for the (T)KO.
Junior Dos Santos vs. Roy Nelson
Mike Bohn: I see this fight panning out similar to Nelson’s fight against Arlovski, Nelson may have a chance if he can get this to the ground and wear Junior out. Unfortunately in the end the boxing and speed of Dos Santos will be too much for Roy to handle. Dos Santos via TKO R2
Erik Jackson: JDS is too big and too powerful for Roy and his titties to handle. JDS via KO round 1
Travis Crowe: Its plan and simple JDS is going out there to finish him, Big Country may try to pull a classic crucifix. JDS via KTFO
Jon Gerow: Yes, Big Country could knock Cigano out with his big right, but that’s if it lands. JDS will beat him to every punch; they will be coming very hard, and very fast. No need to worry about the submissions as the only time this goes to the ground is when Roy is unconscious. Look for this to end in typical JDS style, vicious. Junior Dos Santos via KO round 1
Pat Weafer: Both men have displayed KO power, but Cigano will have an edge on the feet due to his technical prowess. Behemoth bellied Big Country will most likely have a distinct advantage on the ground, although that is not a certainty as we have not seen Cigano's grappling displayed in the octagon. Expect Cigano to hit Roy with some heavy shots inside the first 10 minutes, only to be submitted late in the 2nd round.
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