Friday, November 19, 2010

UFC 123 Staff Predictions



UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida
Saturday, November 21st at 7 p.m on PPV
Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA


Main Card:
Quinton Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida (Light Heavyweight Bout)


Mike Bohn:
Oh snap, UFC 67 homies collide! Speed vs. power. I’ll take speed in this one. Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson:
Tough main event. People all over the Internet are questioning Quinton’s motivation in preparation for this fight. Stylistically this is a bad matchup for Rampage as well. He will need to close the distance and press Lyoto like Shogun did if he wants to stand a chance. Do I think Rampage will win? No. That being said, I can’t pick against him. Rampage Jackson via TKO R2

Travis Crowe:
Where do you even start? Machida is clearly the favourite in this fight, his elusive unpredictable style is very uncommon and to be honest I don’t think Rampage will have an answer for it. It is interesting that Rampage isn’t training at Wolfslair in England for this fight, I wonder if this will have an effect on the fight ie training wise, preparation and fatigue. There is no doubt in my mind he will come out swinging for the fences and just try and land a lucky punch. However, I feel like hes lost some of his desire to fight as he just doesn’t seem like the Rampage that KO’d Wanderlei or defended his title in his prime against Hendo. Overall both fighters have something to prove, neither will be going to far if they lose but a win puts them both closer to the title. In a perfect world Rampage would KO the much loved Machida, Rashad would get murdered by Shogun and 2 epic fights would be brought to Vancouver consisting of a rematch between The Dragon and that pussy Rashad, and a title match between Rampage and Shogun. Lyoto Machida via TKO R2

Jon Gerow:
Expect to see the extra elusive Machida we saw pre Thiago Silva. Rampage is just too slow. Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision

Paul Curtis:
Both fighters coming off loses, and both need a bounce back badly. Machida in my eyes wants this fight more than Jackson. Many believe Quinton just doesn't care that much anymore after filming the A-Team. I personally think he still has a drive to win, and with the power he possesses he has a chance in every fight. I think Machida has the speed advantage along with better takedowns, look for him to use both of those strengths and win a unanimous decision. But because I love Rampage so much and love seeing him knock guys out, I’ll "officially" pick him to finish this fight viciously. Rampage Jackson via KO R2

Patrick Weafer:
If Rampage can connect clean and hard then it’ll be a short night for Machida. That being said, I think Rampage has lost a step and won’t be able to handle the quickness of Machida. Rampage isn’t exactly known for his leg kicks so Lyoto will remain nimble while outpointing Rampage for 3 rounds. Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision


Matt Hughes vs. B.J Penn (Welterweight Bout)


Mike Bohn:
I don’t know about these two guys anymore, they are obviously not what they once were. I don’t think Hughes is going to be able to get this fight to the ground, and if he does he will likely try to pull the “Reljic” and throw nothing as B.J will stifle him. Penn’s going to light Hughes up in this fight and end this trilogy in devastating fashion. B.J Penn via TKO R2

Erik Jackson:
Another interesting fight. Matt Hughes has looked very impressive lately and seems to be having fun. He’ll have the size advantage over BJ come Saturday and he will probably look to wear BJ down over 3 rounds. I feel that if Hughes can get his takedowns going he will be able to get the win. I hate to admit it but I feel like the result of this fight will leave me very disappointed. However, like rampage, I cannot pick against BJ. BJ Penn via Submission (RNC) R2

Travis Crowe:
This fight is upsetting, because I want BJ to win but I know Hughes will pull it off. The size advantage, the fact that BJ’s formerly known impeccable takedown defense is shot and that his confidence is completely drained makes me believe the calm and confident Hughes who is purely fighting because he loves it with nothing to lose is going to win. Both fighters have already solidified their place in the MMA world so there really is no loser. I expect both fighters to come out strong and hope that these guys will scrap the wrestling or subs and let their hands go to just give the fans a legendary finish to this epic rubber match. Matt Hughes via Unanimous Decision

Jon Gerow:
Despite Hughes rocking Almeida, his chances standing up with Penn are slim to none. Hughes couldn’t take Penn down in the first round of their second fight because Penn wasn’t gassed. Penn now has cardio. BJ Penn via TKO R2

Paul Curtis:
Penn making the move back up to welterweight after coming off two UD losses to the champion Frankie Edgar. Meanwhile Hughes has put together a nice streak of victories most notably choking out a BJJ black belt in Ricardo Almeida. I see the third fight between these two going in Penns favor. His striking his currently miles ahead of Hughes'. His newborn cardio I believe is equal or better, and he has the speed, power and takedown defense in his favour as well. Look for Penn to defend takedown's while absolutely picking Matt apart standing. B.J Penn via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer:
This should be an exciting fight with two legends settling the score in a rubber match for the ages. I love BJ and hope he can return to form, but I’m just not sure he has it in him after being handled twice by Frankie Edgar. This may motivate him, but until BJ gets with a proper camp I don’t think he’ll have the drive to pull this off. Matt Hughes will outweigh him, have a strength advantage, and he has the confidence of being on a 4-fight win streak. Matt Hughes via Unanimous Decision


Gerald Harris vs. Maiquel Jose “Big Rig” Falcão (Middleweight Bout) 


Mike Bohn:
I have no clue who this guy is but he has a badass name, is Brazilian, trains from Chute Boxe and black. He also has a shitload of first round knockouts. I’ll take him to upset Harris. Maiquel Falcão via KO R1

Erik Jackson:
Both of these men have mediocre knockout power at best. Both fighters have had (T)KO victories in each of their last 4 fights and are looking to assert themselves into the upper echelon in the division. I expect fireworks. Gerald “Hurricane” Harris via TKO R1

Travis Crowe:
Gerald is 3-0 in the UFC, all three wins have come by devastating fashion. I know very little about Falcao except that his fights usually don’t make it past the first 3 minutes because the opponent is KTFO’d. This should be an interesting fight. Really a toss up on whos gonna get cracked first. Gerald Harris via TKO R1

Jon Gerow:
Gerald Harris. Gerald Harris via TKO R1

Paul Curtis:
Coming off an unbelievable slam KO over Dave Branch, Harris looks to continue his way to the top of the Middleweight division. He has unbelievable power in his hands with a lot of victories via KO. We will see more of the same come Saturday. Gerald Harris via TKO R1

Patrick Weafer:
I expect Harris to take this one via (T)KO, he hits hard and has the power to do away with the UFC newcomer. Gerald Harris via TKO R2


Phil Davis vs. Tim Boetsch (Light Heavyweight Bout)


Mike Bohn:
Tim Boetsch loses to superior wrestlers. Matt Hamill, Vladimir Matyushenko, Jason Brilz, and soon to be “Mr. Wonderful”. Phil Davis via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson:
Ye. This card is too good. All my favorite fighters. Look for Phil to show an improved striking game at the beginning. However, in the end, he will stick to his roots of wrestling before using his ground and pound for the finish. Phil Davis via TKO R3

Travis Crowe:
Phil is soft. He is a questionable rising star in the UFC and I suppose time will tell if he deserves that role. After eliminating Sho Nuff it would be easy to say I don’t like him. Publicly coming out and saying he doesn’t just want to be another wrestler who wins decisions is improving but perhaps for this fight not the best strategy. I expect Mr. Wonderful to have troubles implementing a game plan in which The Barbarian gets KO’d but rather probably wrestling him to the ground and laying on him, doing exactly what he said he doesn’t want to do. Mr. Wonderful by submission, why not right? Phil Davis via Submission (RNC) R2

Jon Gerow:
Phil Davis is looking better and better every time we see him fight, hopefully he showcases his stand-up in this fight, but expect him to go to his roots and grind out a decision. Phil Davis via Unanimous Decision

Paul Curtis:
UFC 117 homie Phil Davis looks to keep climbing as he faces Tim Boetsh. Phil is better in every area and will win this fight wherever it goes. Phil Davis via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer:
Davis is a rising star in the LHW division. His overall game is improving drastically, and it’s on the ground where he will shine in this fight. Phil Davis via Submission R2


George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon (Lightweight Bout)


Mike Bohn:
Besides maybe more devastating hands, there is not much that Lauzon brings to the table here than George’s last two opponents (Kurt Pellegrino, Joe Stevenson) did not. Sotiropoulos should control this fight to victory, setting up either a number one contender or title bout for him in Australia early next year. George Sotiropoulos via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson:
My pick for FOTN. Both men are moving up the ranks quickly and I think George could earn a title shot with another impressive victory here. It will be interesting to see how Joe can go against a grappler like Sotiropoulos. George Sotiropoulos via Split decision

Travis Crowe:
This is going to be an insane fight. Both fighters are looking very impressive as of late. Joe’s destruction of Gabe Ruediger convinced me that J-Lau is legit. Since both George and Joe are submission specialists it will be interesting to see who will top who. I am hoping this fight takes FOTN and that’s on a card with 4 superstars. In the end I wish both of them could win but got to draw a line somewhere. Joe Lauzon via Split Decision

Jon Gerow:
Sotiropoulos is close to being on my favourite list, and after watching the countdown I gained even more respect for him. His strategy of traveling to all of the best gyms in the world to get the best training possible really impresses me. Although JLO looked very impressive in his last fight, we must not forget that he was fighting Gabe Ruediger. JLO will put up a good fight because he has a lot of heart, but his main weapon is his submissions, and that will be his downfall because Sotiropoulos will outclass him in that area. I`m hoping for a finish from Sotiropoulos, but JLO might prove to be too tough. George Sotiropoulos via Unanimous Decision

Paul Curtis:
Both fighters looked great in their last fight. Lauzon poses a threat on the ground, but I think Sotiropoulos will neutralize it very well with his rubber guard, and maybe even submit Joe. George's stand up is arguably better and that will be the decider of the fight. George Sotiropoulos via Unanimous Decision

Patrick Weafer:
This could be my favourite fight on the card and is a fight that has potential top contender implications in the LW division. I’m a huge Joe Lauzon fan, and after his destruction of Gabe Ruediger in his last fight I think he has shown he may have enough to deal with George Sotiropoulos. Unfortunately for J-Lau, Sotiropoulos is a huge step up in competition and has the BJJ chops to compete on the ground. I hope Joe can take it, but I think....George Sotiropoulos via Unanimous Decision

Spike Prelims after the jump:



Preliminary Card (Spike TV):
Aaron Simpson vs. Mark Munoz 
(Middleweight Bout)

Mike Bohn: 
Tough fight to call. Could be fight of the night. Both guys are wrestlers so this could end up being a stand up battle and if that’s the case I think Munoz ends this first. Mark Munoz via TKO R2

Erik Jackson:
I expect both of these fighters wrestling abilities to be cancelled out in this fight and it should turn out to be an entertaining stand up fight. Mark Munoz via Unanimous Decision

Travis Crowe:
This fight is a great way to start the night. Both fighters are respected wrestlers, although Munoz did look pretty awful with his takedown attempts against Yushin. I expect the majority of this fight to stay standing as the wrestling abilities are hopefully cancelled out. Ultimately I think the Filipino Wrecking Machine will walk away with a devastating TKO victory. Mark Munoz via TKO R2

Jon Gerow:
102 homies clash! Expect this one to keep standing as these fighters wrestling pedigrees will cancel each others out. Taking Munoz to win because of the power advantage he will likely have. Mark Munoz via Unanimous Decision

Paul Curtis: Both fighters like to wrestle, but lets be honest how boring is that shit? Hopefully these 2 figure it out because I'd rather not have the first 3 rounds of my night be a hug fest. Probably will be watching the Habs vs Leafs anyway. Habs 4-3 in OT at the Centre Bell! Aaron Simpson via Unanimous Decision.

Patrick Weafer:
Two long-time friends face off in this opening bout of the night; both men were All-American wrestlers during their collegiate careers, with Mark Munoz holding a slight edge in this regard. Munoz did not look very impressive in his last fight against Okami, but as Yushin has risen to top contender status the split-decision loss looks markedly better on his record. Simpson has the advantage on the feet, but I’ll take Munoz via ground n pound, reminiscent of his win against Kendall Grove. Mark Munoz via TKO R2


Matt Brown vs. Brian Foster (Welterweight Bout)


Mike Bohn:
This should be an exciting fight as these two have only fought to the distance twice in a combined 39 fights. Brown will always be a personal favourite since he gave the terrible Wilks his first UFC loss, but I don’t think this will be his night and he will get controlled to a decision. Brian Foster via Unanimous Decision

Erik Jackson:
Brian foster has never been to a decision in his entire career, I don’t expect Saturday to be any different. This has potential to be a very exciting fight but I expect Brian to get the finish late in the 2nd round. Brian Foster via Submission (Arm Triangle) R2

Travis Crowe:
A little shocked this fight made it to Spike TV, at least its better then Nik Lentz. The Immortal has shown how awful he really can be in his last few fights. He is extremely lucky that Foster isn’t a BJJ practitioner as it is clear Browns submission defense is hurting. Hoping that Foster can finish this fight as fast as his last so we can see George sooner. Brian Foster via TKO R1

Jon Gerow:
Matt Brown because Bonjjj likes him. Matt Brown via TKO R2

Paul Curtis:
Brown will submit Foster. Matt Brown via Submission R2

Patrick Weafer:
Should be a very exciting fight. It’ll be a back and forth battle, but I think foster will be able to put away “the Immortal” in the end, either by TKO or submission. Brian Foster via TKO R3

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