Main card
Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir (UFC heavyweight championship unification)
This is also known as Mir Lesnar 2, since UFC 81, Brock Lesnar the former WWE world champion has become UFC world heavyweight champion, beating legend that is Randy Couture. The worrying point is he has only had 4 mma fights, within 3 fights he was champ. He has skills and his size and frame only emphasise the change in the heavyweight division and the need for the smaller guides to work harder and bulk up. Lesnar has two positive signs from the first fight, he controlled the fight with Mir until the ankle lock, and Mir has pulled out the fight already once and a game plan against such a big man is going to be hard, especially one with only 4 MMA career fights.
Mir on the other is one of the most experienced fighters in UFC heavyweight division, although he has well documented issues he appeared to be better than ever against MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, where his game plan worked to a t and won by TKO due to strikes. Mir has a 12 and 3 fight record and looks to regain the heavyweight title in the unification fight.
Mir has to dominate Lesnar from the first round, this won’t go the 5 round distance, Mir must get Lesnar uncomfortable and make Lesnar make mistakes. Whether he can or not it will be unsure as Mir is clearly the smaller fighter and may come unstuck when it comes to the wrestling and power of Lesnar.
The only way I can see Mir winning is taking Lesnar with a leg or ankle lock, I cannot see anyone being able to submit Lesnar with a choke as he is far too big. Lesnar will have far better cardio and personally speaking over power and dominate the interim champion Frank Mir. I think this fight will attract a number of former WWE fans and increase the awareness of UFC in the mainstream.
Danny D prediction – Lesnar win in second round
Georges St-Pierre vs. Thiago Alves (UFC welterweight championship)
Probably the potential fight of the night, GSP long serving welterweight champion comes off fight with Lightweight champ BJ Penn @ UFC 94, aka grease gate, went on a bit didn’t it….anyway GSP is now 18 and 2 and takes on the Pitbull Thiago Alves. Brazilian Alves is 16 and 3 and comes off a 7 win fighting streak including impressives wins against Matt Hughes, Karo Parisyan and Josh Koscheck.
GSP no doubt has the skills and game plans to take on any fighter in his weight class and possibly could go up to middleweight if competition becomes limited, his main strength is his overall skills, his power, his technical skills and striking can be deadly. He has come through some real tough fights by taking his opponents strengths and turning against them or using his game plans to overcome his opponents slight advantage. His main advantage against Alves is his history and experience of big fights and winning those bigger fights, Alves being a striker will need to either knock GSP out or ground and pound GSP which we have not ever really seen before.
GSP will have the slight advantage when it comes to the ground game but do not discount Thiago Alves who has slick BJJ. I like both fighters so either winner would do me but think Canadian GSP will take this within 3 rounds unless a massive KO from Alves.
Danny D prediction – GSP round 3
Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping (middleweight)
The coaches from ultimate fighter fight in the 3 big fight on the main card. It appears there is no real love between the coaches and the winner of the bout appears to be the next in line for a title fight.
Brit Michael Bisping led Ross Pearson and James Wilks to victory over Dan Henderson’s American team, which could be an advantage but with Dan Henderson’s experience I cannot see this being a big advantage. Michael “The Count” Bisping has a very impressive 18 wins and only 1 loss, which in any book is impressive, the way Bisping put away dangerous fighter Chris Leben in his last outing rose his profile in the light heavyweight division. His only lose was to former champ Rashad Evans, which was a split decision that could have gone either way. Bisping has to put his master tactician hat on and take apart the brutal striker Hendo. Hendo is a legend from his wrestling days and his time in Pride. His record is 24 wins and 7 losses, his last fight against Rich Franklin could have gone either way and his striking didnt seem to phase the former middleweight champion. This fight will be close but think unless Bisping is caught with a massive right hand he will come out the other side the victor.
Danny D prediction – Michael Bisping victory by decision
Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago (welterweight)
This fight will be strange, not many people know enough about Paulo Thiago to say he will give former title challenger Jon Fitch any problems. Paulo Thiago is actually unbeaten in 11 MMA fights, his was being dominated by Josh Koscheck in his previous fight until he knock Koscheck out.
Fitch on the other hand is a popular fighter and went on a 8 fight winning streak before his title shot lose to current champ GSP. I think Jon Fitch never say die attitude will be a bit too much for his Brazilian opponent but there is no tellings what Paulo Thiago comes out with. If Fitch does win and Alves beats GSP I can see a fight between the two as Dana White and Joe Silva seem reluctant to allow a fighter another title chance against someone they have already lost to.
Danny D prediction – Jon Fitch TKO
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher (middleweight)
Its the first fight in the UFC for Oriental superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama, the first fight Octagon nerves may play apart but the exremely well rounded 33 year old Japanese fighter will no doubt want to impress in his first fight. He fights Alan Belcher who is 13 and 4. He did dispatch classy middleweight Denis Kang in his previous fight by choke. Its hard to call this one, but I can promise you this – this could be another fight of the night.
Danny D prediction – Akiyama to win in 2 but not a clean win.
Undercard
Mark Coleman vs. Stephan Bonnar (light heavyweight)
Bonnar KO – Coleman too old
Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller (lightweight)
Jim Miller in 2
Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien (light heavyweight)
Bones Jones big KO – this kid will be massive in the next year
Dong Hyun Kim vs. TJ Grant (welterweight)
Kim win
CB Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor (middleweight)
Dollaway win by submission
Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty (lightweight)
Gugerty but very close
Danny Denhard
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