This event looks pretty weak. Nothing too exciting. Without further ado, below are my predictions:
Rich Franklin vs. Anderson Silva
Silva has been impressive ever since he came to the UFC in July of 06. Finishing all four of his fights, one by submission and three by knockout. One of those knockout victims was against Franklin. In their first fight, Franklin was the champion and Silva was the challenger. Even though Franklin took the high road and never made any excuses, he did not look healthy. He looked sick and did not move the way he usually does, agile and precise footwork. Franklin made a bad strategy decision and decide to clinch with Silva, his specialty. Silva put on a muay thai clinic, stopped Franklin in the first round and gave him a broken nose.
I see the rematch as a carbon copy of the first fight. Best chance Franklin has is to take Silva down and try some ground and pound. Franklin might take Silva down but his ground defense is pretty good. Silva will just stall until the ref stands them up. Silva will win via third round knockout. Another interesting note is that the event will be held at Franklin’s home, Ohio. Pretty weird that a challenger gets home advantage.
Pick: Silva
Tim Sylvia Vs. Brandon Vera
I’m picking an upset and choose the Tim “MaineIac” Sylvia by decision. Brandon Vera is good but it is a bad matchup for him. Sylvia will keep Vera at bay with his long arms and pretty much bore audiences for the ten millionth time. Majority thinks Sylvia is a can but he’s a technical fighter. Technical but very boring. Vera’s biggest strength is his kickboxing. I don’t know if that will be enough to bring down the big Tim.
Pick: Sylvia
Alvin Robinson Vs. Jorge Gurgel
Last time Robinson fought in the UFC, he got worked by Kenny “I finish fights” Florian. Jorge Gurgel will win by unanimous decision. It’s pretty much guaranteed whenever Gurgel fights, it will go to the judge. The only exciting factor on this fight is whether Gurgel will win via submission.
Pick: Gurgel
Eric Schafer Vs. Stephan Bonnar
Bonnar by unanimous decision. I wonder if Bonnar wins the fight, if he gets fed to Shogun. Maybe the two finalists in the first TUF are Shogun stoppers.
Pick: Bonnar
Alan Belcher Vs. Kalib Starnes
I’ll pick another upset here and go with Alan Belcher. Kalib Starnes is pretty good and beat Chris Leben in his last fight. I think Belcher is hungrier and will win by knockout in the second round
Pick: Belcher
Jason MacDonald Vs. Yushin Okami
Okami by tko in the second round. McDonald moves pretty damn slow for a middleweight and he doesn’t have the strength to hang against Okami. Expect Okami to take MacDonald down and go for ground and pound.
Pick: Okami
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