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Predict the outcome of the Shogun-Gustafsson at UFC on Fox 5, who wins and how?
MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Shogun hasn't seemed himself since the first round of the Jon Jones fight. Granted, he had the classic with Dan Henderson AFTER that fight, but he looked in a haze and a step slow even in that fight. That said, I could see him clubbing Gustafsson in the dome and pouncing in quick fashion. But I'll take the safe approach and say Gustafsson uses his considerable length and picks a faded Shogun apart for three rounds en route to a clear-cut, albeit somewhat underwhelming decision.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think we get an entertaining slugfest that culminates with Shogun getting the highlight reel knockout. I'm a believer in Gustafsson, but I think he's still got a little bit to go before he can take out a guy like Shogun. I think it ends in the 2nd round by TKO.
CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST
The Biggest question on Shogun's head is: does he still have it? The question on Gustafsson: is he really an elite fighter in the light heavyweight division?
We may get both questions answered on Saturday night. I think Rua has plenty left in the tank while I don't think Gustafsson is even close to the level of his Brazilian opponent, and I can see this becoming very obvious on Saturday.
If Rua is on point then this could end quckly, and violently. @MMATorchUK
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
This fight is really tough to predict, Shogun stunk it up against Brandon Vera who is nowhere near the opponent that Gustafsson is, and Gustafsson has never faced a threat like Shogun. This fight can go either way and for whomever wins it will give them a huge boost in the rankings and in the direction of title contention. Shogun didn't look motivated or like himself against Vera, but Gustafsson hasn't really beaten anyone that can be considered an elite fighter, and he fell victim to a submission from Phil Davis. I have to give Shogun the edge here, I don't know if the "real Shogun" is going to show up, but if he does I expect him to overwhelm the much younger Gustafsson. I'm going to take Shogun by TKO.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I am looking more forward to this fight more than any other fight the rest of the year. It has the potential to be an all-time great. On paper, it looks like this will be a stand up war. I think if Gustafsson is smart, he will take Shogun down and keep the fight on the mat. This would be a great and unexpected game plan that would be successful. I think Gustafsson has a good enough ground game not get caught in the black belt BJJ skills of Shogun. I predict Gustafsson wins via decision.
DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
If chubby Shogun turns up, then my money is on Gustafsson to win this at a canter. If Shogun comes into the fight well prepared and without nagging injuries, then he's more than capable of beating the Swede. After all, Gustafsson has never fought someone as good as Shogun, and the pressure is all on him.
We all see him as a potential match up for Jon Jones sometime next year, and he needs to look good. I'm going for Gustafsson to finish Shogun by TKO in Round 3, but it's another fight this weekend, that really could go either way.
[Shogun Rua art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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