Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley - 2nd Rd Sub (Triangle)
The first bout of the night is a heavyweight bout between the new comer Chase Gormly and the taller than the empire state building Stefan Struve. Gormly is undefeated in his career, but I see Struves height / reach advantage coming into play, and with him taking it down to the mat for a submission.
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan - 2nd Rd TKO
Al-Hassan is famous for being the guy who didn't tap to Steve Cantwells armbar, but he looked smooth on the feet. I have to admit I have not saw Kyle Kingsbury fight, so I'm just picking this on the limb. Hopefully Al-Hassan will tap this time if a submission is executed, or it'll be another few months gone from the Octagon. Remember Razak .. Tapping is NOT for bitches, it's for you won't get INJURED.
Jorge Rivera vs. Trob Kimmons - 3rd Rd TKO
Jorge is back in the Octagon, and he's always shown to be very tough, just check out the Rich Franklin fight for proof. I see this being a lopsided battle with Rivera getting the TKO victory due to punches.
Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen - 2nd Rd TKO
Arguably the second best fight on the whole card, and IT'S NOT EVEN ON THE PPV! These two veterans in the mma game are both fantastic wrestlers (with Sonnen being Olympic calibre), and Okami being great controlling his opponents. Sonnen is currently 2-3 in the UFC, while Okami is 8-1 and holds a DQ victory over the current Middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Okami is defiantly ready for a shot at the title after he TKO's Sonnen with a Muay Thai Knee in the 2nd.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Patrick Barry - 1st Rd KO
A battle between former K-1 kick boxers, is this going to be a battle on the feet? Pretty much, but Hardonk could take this to the ground for a sub, because Berry has shown weakness in this area. On the feet Hardonk has the reach advantage and height for sure, but Berry hits very hard, and can head kick people much taller than him! I see this going KO for Berry, or Hardonk by Sub. Should be a great fight.
Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer - Decision
Ryan Bader has been on a roll since his win on the ultimate fighter show. His great wrestling will grind out a decision victory over Eric Schafer.
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - 1st Round Gullitine
This bout is a hard one to call, the easiest thing to say is Rumble will KO Zenko in the first round, which could really happen for sure, but after Johnson's weigh-in yesterday, I see him being very drained and he has shown before that he is open for submissions (the Rich Clementi fight). Yoshida will use his great Judo to take Johnson down and sub him. I see the upset happening.
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher - 2nd Rd Guillotine
The first round of this fight will be a battle on the feet, in which I believe Fisher will have the uppperhand. Stevenson will come into the second looking for the finish with his famous guillotine choke. Should be a great fight.
Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer - Decision
I see this fight going the same way Pelligrino Vs. Neer went. Neer will be on his back not doing that much, while Tibau will try to pound him out, and try for the occasional triangle choke. Tibau by decision.
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell - 2nd Rd TKO
Veteran of mma, but new comer to the UFC Ben Rothwell brings in array of weapons to his disposal which will surprise Velasquez. Velasquez did great in the Kongo fight.. When it was on the ground, but he was getting tagged on the feet every second they were standing. Kongo has no ground game and is a good striker, but Ben is a good striker.. With good wrestling to boot. People who don't know Rothwell are going to be surprised. TKO in the second due to punches.
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua - 2nd Rd TKO
Now, this is a fight I've been looking forward to since it's been announced. The only reason I'm picking Shogun is because I've been a fan of his longer, and he got me into MMA along with a couple other fighters. I believe Machida has not faced a tough competitor the calibre of Shogun yet, BUT Machida is a complete beast and nobody can figure him out. Either this fight does not last long, or it's an outright battle. It may be a kickboxing match, it may be a grappling match, it might be the full mma package, you never know with these two samurai’s. Shogun via TKO in the 2nd or Submission (triangle), or Machida by TKO in the 2nd / possibly 4th.
