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By: Alex Williams, MMATorch Contributor
Diego Sanchez vs Clay Guida: I am taking Guida in the upset. While he has a reputation as an exciting fighter, Guida has exhibited a "just win, baby" style in his last two bouts. He looked content to grind out points victories over Nate Diaz and Mac Danzig. I think he'll be able to do something similar to Sanchez. Though Diego has fought at higher weight classes, he does not look like a particularly large lightweight. If anything, Guida may have the strength advantage, and we know he has the better wrestling pedigree. I see Guida's mauling canceling out Sanchez's attempts to bang, and Guida taking the decision.
Nate Diaz vs Joe Stevenson: I like Diaz here. While Joe Stevenson is a BJJ black belt and Diaz only a brown, Diaz has exhibited the more impressive jiu-jitsu in recent bouts. Diaz's reach will also give Stevenson lots of problems standing. I don't think Diaz finishes, but he should win a decision.
Andre Winner vs Ross Pearson: Winner will be the winner (*rimshot*). His skills looked better on the show than Pearson's. While styles make fight, against a common opponent who both men fought last year, the experienced Abdul Mohamed, Winner battled to a draw while Pearson was bested by unanimous decision. I know I have a tendency to forecast fights going the distance, but all of Winner's last six outside of the show have, and Pearson has not been finished since his third pro fight. Winner via points.
DaMarques Johnson vs TBA: Johnson via forfeit; TBA has a habit of pulling out of fights. Really, Johnson should be the favorite over either James Wilks or Frankie Lester. The most impressive win any of them have scored in their career's was Johnson's first round stoppage of Ray Elbe in one of this season's try-out episodes. Generally, he has looked like the class of the welterweights on the show. My heart's with Wilks (I always fall for the leg lock guys), but it's Johnson's fight to lose.
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