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The UFC's second event on network television comes on Saturday night when they go live on Fox from the United Center in Chicago, Ill. The three-fight card features two high-level number one contender fights, as well as another solid middleweight bout to round out the broadcast. The two-hour block is the UFC's first Fox event under their new seven-year television deal, and they're banking on something special out of the night's fighters. Here's what's on tap for the millions tuning in to Fox on Saturday night:
Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis (Light Heavyweight)
Phil Davis attempts to take the leap from undefeated prospect to legitimate title challenger in this fight against former Champ Rashad Evans. The decorated collegiate wrestler has showed a fantastic ground acumen, with good takedowns and some creative submissions as well. Evans hopes to continue off an impressive performance over Tito Ortiz in August, with a shot at hated former teammate Jon Jones on the line.
Davis believes his wrestling to be far superior to that of Evans, while Evans himself has shown little appreciation for Davis' wrestling game and believes he's the better fighter. The big difference in this fight comes in the striking game, however. Evans is the far superior striker, with proven success on the feet in his career. He's been tagged several times by a number of other opponents, but Davis isn't the level of striker of any of them.
If Davis gets Evans on his back, he'll need to be looking for submissions in quick fashion. His hope to win this fight is to get Evans down and stop him there, and the longer the fight goes without that happening, the more he leaves himself open to being stopped himself. He's the least-hit fighter in the UFC, but that's been because he's able to keep his opponents on their backs. That's not going to be the case with Evans, and that could lead to a long night.
Ultimately, this fight simply may be a little too soon for Davis. He's coming in supremely confident in his own abilities, but with a lengthy injury layoff keeping him out for most of 2011, and the considerable leap in competition he's taking, he's not yet as good a fighter overall as Evans. Because of that, I see "Sugar" Rashad staking claim to his fight with Jones.
PREDICTION: Evans via TKO in the third round
Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping (Middleweight)
There is absolutely no secret about what Chael Sonnen will do in this fight. He wants to take Michael Bisping to the ground, punch him in the face a bunch of times, bully him around and try to dominate the position of the fight. Bisping will want to strike with Sonnen and keep himself standing in order to play out his gameplan.
A few factors influence how this fight will play out. If Bisping's takedown defense is solid, or his ground game capable of getting him back to his feet, he'll have an advantage in the striking department and be able to score points there. If his takedown defense isn't on point, Sonnen will dominate and beat him up on the ground. However, if that plays out for a couple of rounds, don't be surprised if a desperate Bisping pulls off a submission off his back in the final frame.
Sonnen's recent performances have him clearly the favorite coming into this fight. And he should be. He's defeated some very talented fighters with some one-sided performances, and he's out to get into another fight with Anderson Silva.
Bisping is completely capable of finding a way to win this fight. He's more dangerous than some want to give him credit for, and he's tough as well. But the more likely scenario will be Sonnen controlling the pace of the fight and doing what he's done to numerous opponents over the last few years.
PREDICTION: Sonnen via decision
Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman (Middleweight)
Weidman's only had 11 days to prepare for one of the best grapplers in his division. His top game is fantastic, and his ability to pass and set up submission attempts is a lot of fun to watch, but in Maia he's got an immensely dangerous grappler to contend with.
Maia had been preparing for a striker in Bisping, but his ground game is still his best attribute, and he's capable of snatching submission wins from anywhere. Of course, he hasn't done that as much lately, and a young fighter like Weidman is still a very tough out on that front.
If the fight hits the ground, it's going to depend upon who can gain the upper hand early. Weidman, if he can work his top game, could shock people with what he can do against another high-level grappler. Maia, however, if he takes control, can do very well positionally himself and dictate the pace of the fight.
This is a tough fight to call because of the late change and the unknowns involved, and while I think Weidman is wholly capable of pulling off the upset, I have to go with the established fighter in this instance.
PREDICTION: Maia via decision
======Preliminary Card Quick Picks======
* Nik Lentz over Evan Dunham via decision
* Mike Russow over John Olav Einemo via TKO in the second round
* George Roop over Cub Swanson via decision
* Charles Oliveira over Eric Wisely via submission in the first round
* Shane Roller over Michael Johnson via submission in the second round
* Joey Beltran over Lavar Johnson via TKO in the third round
* Chris Camozzi over Dustin Jacoby via decision
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