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By Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor I went 3 for 5 predicting winners last time but 0 for 5 predicting the finish. I'm going to try to do better this time.
Quick Picks:
Ben Saunders vs. Ryan Thomas- Saunders by TKO in 1st round
Chris Wilson vs. Steve Bruno- Thomas decision after the 3rd round
Andre Gusmao vs. Jon Jones- Jones by KO in the 2nd round
Luke Cummo vs. Tamdan McCrory- Cummo by Guillotine in the 2nd round
Cheick Kongo vs. Dan Evensen- Kongo by TKO in the 2nd round
Televised Fights:
Jason MacDonald vs. Demian Maia- MacDonald will have a tall mountain to climb if the fight goes to the ground as Maia has some unreal BJJ. Jason's strategy might be to stuff Demian's takedown attempts and force a stand-up fight. MacDonald has 30 fights full of experience so he should be able to work the fight in his favor but if he gets careless than Maia will submit him. I think MacDonald catches Maia coming in for a single-leg and puts several knees in his face and ends the fight.
Prediction- MacDonald by TKO in the 2nd round
Manny Gamburyan vs. Rob Emerson- Why in the world is this guaranteed to be televised but not the Cheick Kongo fight? Nothing against either one of these guys, I guess I'm just really biased towards Kongo. I just don't understand the logic here. Regarding the fight, though, I think this will be a grinding affair where Manny gets guard on Rob and tries to ground and pound a victory out. I think this goes to a decision and Manny wins a lackluster decision. I just think Rob is good enough to stifle Manny and prevent a clear win. I just get the feeling that this will be a bad fight because neither guy will be able to get the advantage on the other.
Prediction- Manny decision after the 3rd round
Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta- I'll freely admit that I'm totally biased for Kenny Florian. I just love the way the guy fights and his attitude. Huerta hasn't fought in 8 months and I don't think he can beat Florian right now. Nothing against Roger, but I don't think he's fought a guy like Kenny. Huerta has a lot of fights but KenFlo is a different animal and I think he cuts Huerta with one of his nasty elbows and then takes his back and chokes him out. This will cause Huerta to go on another long string of victories but I don't think he can beat Florian right now. Roger's best bet is to work the leg kicks and keep it standing and also keep Kenny at a distance to avoid any elbows. I think Florian gets Huerta into a clinch and works the body before delivering a cutting elbow.
Prediction- Florian by Rear Naked Choke in the 2nd round
Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring- To be totally honest, I think Lesnar is going to absolutely crush Herring. Frank Mir was able to beat Lesnar because of superior technique. Brock got careless and Mir made him pay. I just don't think that Herring will be able to do the same even when Lesnar makes a mistake. Lesnar's combination of size and strength is almost unbelievable but that will only take him so far against a skilled submission artist or expert boxer. Herring can throw but I don't think he'll be able to match power against Lesnar. Herring's last 4 fights have gone to the decision but this one won't. I think Brock pounds out a win in the first 2 minutes.
Prediction- Lesnar by TKO in the 1st round
Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch- GSP is a huge step-up in terms of a quality opponent for Fitch. This one looks to go to the ground early and often but I think GSP will have the advantage no matter where the fight goes. Fitch's best bet is to keep going for takedowns and try to keep the fight grounded. I think GSP has the advantage standing up. Fitch can take a punch but GSP is very quick and will follow with many more shots and finish the fight if it becomes a boxing contest. GSP loves to ground and pound so Fitch needs to stay on top and keep throwing elbows if he wants to win. Fitch may be a better wrestler but GSP has tremendous athleticism and I think he'll successfully defend his Welterweight belt. I think this'll be a long and fairly even fight until GSP gets the advantage and pounds out the victory as both men are tested in their conditioning.
Prediction- St. Pierre by TKO in the 4th round
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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