Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 142 co-main event bout between Vitor Belfort and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson
Jan 12, 2012 - 6:45:49 PM ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 142 co-main event bout between Vitor Belfort and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson

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Predict the outcome of the UFC 142 co-main event between Vitor Belfort and Anthony Johnson; who wins and how?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST


I'm starting to accept vacancies on the Anthony Johnson bandwagon.  Get on at the ground floor while there are still some good seats available.  This fight plays out one of two ways: 1.)  Rinse and repeat of the Hardy fight, or rinse and repeat of the Reiner, Speer, Burns, Fioravanti, Yoshida, and Brenneman fights.  Vitor's not been known for the world's best chin, nor does he possess the world's best takedown defense. Anthony Johnson wins this fight handily, and announces his presence as the next major threat at 185.

And in a bit of good news, Belfort getting smashed will drop the line for his fight against Wanderlei Silva, which means more money in your pocket if you bet that line quickly enough, before all the money pours in on Belfort.  See?  We all win.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



I think Johnson takes Belfort out. This can happen one of two ways: Johnson will either knock out Belfort or he'll take him to the ground and pound out a TKO. I think Johnson beats Belfort by knockout.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I see Vitor Belfort putting in a warrior's fight against Anthony Johnson, who will take it to the Brazilian in his home country, and give him a fight to remember.  This fight will be my pick for Fight of the Night, and I see Belfort taking out Johnson late in the second round via TKO.  The pride of fighting in Brazil will be too much for Belfort and he will put in a career performance against Johnson.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR




This is going to be a great fight. On paper, these two excellent strikers are quick and match up well. I think Johnson can win this fight if he uses his wrestling advantage. He is good at using his wrestling in reverse to keep fights standing, but this fight is different from most of his fights in that he is not the better striker. If he and his team are smart, he will take down Belfort and ground and pound him. I think this is an excellent strategy, because it might catch Belfort off guard.  I feel Johnson is a good enough wrestler to take and keep Belfort down. Belfort has had trouble with wrestlers in the past, losing to Tito Ortiz, Dan Henderson, Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell. I am picking Johnson to win with his ground and pound in the third round.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

It doesn't matter if he decides to wrestle or strike, Anthony Johnson moves forward. Guys who move forward beat Vitor Belfort. Anthony Johnson wins.
 

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Even though Johnson has spent his entire UFC career at welterweight and Vitor spent his entire career at 205 prior to his UFC return, its possible that "Rumble" will be the bigger of the two fighters. He's also the better wrestler, but Belfort's jiu-jitsu should be enough to cancel out that advantage. I think it comes down to who's better on the feet, and that's still Belfort at this point. As long as Johnson doesn't try to turn this into a wrestling match, I think we see a finish. I'll take Belfort by T(KO) in the second frame.