This weekend marks the UFC’s third card on the FOX
network. When the deal was first signed in
August of last year fight fans everywhere were overjoyed with thoughts of
all-time classic fights on free television.
Instead of instant classics the two cards have produced a 59
minute-long talk show with a 60 second heavyweight title thrown in and a three fight decision-fest on the following card. While the ratings have been strong
you can bet Dana White is hoping for some fireworks Saturday night, especially
going up against these guys.
UFC 145 was not very kind to the prediction machine. I continued to pick against Jon Jones for
some reason and put trust in veterans Miguel Torres and Mark Hominick… Thanks
for nothing guys.
Previews and
Predictions
Last Week: 2-4
Year: 20-15
How do you cure the disease knows as
Decisionitis? Simple answer, have these two slugging heavyweights kick off the
main card. The always entertaining Pat Barry is coming off a devastating KO of Christian Morecraft where he showed an improved ground game as well. HD is
right there with Junior Dos Santos as the most technical striker in the
division and owns the most vicious leg kicks in the company.
Johnson announced his Octagon arrival with authority by doing something no man had ever done in knocking out Joey Beltran, with uppercuts straight out of a video game. Before his UFC debut Johnson
was on a two fight skid against average heavyweight competition in Strikeforce.
Do not blink during this fight because it can end at any
second. Both guys have heavy hands and likely
won’t look to take it to the ground.
Barry KO 1st
Round followed by a celebration almost as cool as this.
Belcher put an exclamation mark on his comeback fro ma
career threatening eye injury with a submission win over Jason MacDonald at UFC
Fight Night 25 last September. After taking another break due to fatherhood “the
Talent” looks to propel himself to title contention with his toughest fight to
date. Belcher is well rounded and if not for a controversial decision loss to Yoshihiro
Akiyama he would be on a 6 fight win streak.
Palhares is one of the most dangerous fighters in the
UFC. Some people consider him dirty but
I think he is just aggressive and fights to win at all costs. He is a heel
hooking machine and despite the fact everyone knows he is going for it, they
can not stop it. He has won 6 of his last 7 fights and is a guy no one wants to
face in the division right now.
The winner of this fight will certainly “be in the mix”” as
Dana White puts it. This was the hardest fight for me to predict on this
card. If Belcher fights smart I think he
can certainly grind out a decision but if he gets too aggressive Belcher could be
in the market for a new leg.
Belcher Unanimous
Decision 29-28
Josh Koscheck has been in the UFC since his days on the
first season of the Ultimate Fighter. On the show he was strictly a four-time
All American wrestler with a very limited striking skill set. Over the years it
has been fun to see him develop into one of the best welterweights in the
sport. His last fight against Mike
Pierce was a disappointing decision win. I believe Kos knows
this is last chance to make a title run so he did not want to take any chances and
risk falling to the middle of the division.
Johny Hendricks is also a four-time All American wrestler,
however he posses more raw power than Koscheck. Hendricks who was often seen as
another guy in the division is currently on a three fight winning streak,
highlighted by a 12 second knockout over Jon Fitch. Now, he finds himself on
the brink of a title shot with only one man standing in his way.
Koscheck is the more experienced fighter of the two and is
in a good place mentally after switching camps. I have been a Hendricks doubter
for awhile now and think this may be too much of a push after just one punch
but he definitely can prove me wrong this weekend. Don’t expect a barn burner
in this one, look for Koscheck to pick his spots and grind out a victory.
Koscheck Unanimous
Decision 30-27
Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller
Now I know I can not hide my love of the Diaz brothers but I
love the fact I get to watch one of them fight on free television. My one concern is does the FCC feel the same way? The
brash-Stockton native put on a clinic against Donald Cerrone in ways no one
thought possible. Diaz has looked great
since his return to the lightweight division and can win a fight wherever it
goes. His boxing, like his brother’s is dangerous and also has earned his black
belt in jiu-jitsu from Cesar Gracie.
Jim Miller is one of the most underrated fighters on the
planet. He saw his seven fight win streak snapped by champion Benson Henderson
but bounced back with a submission victory over Melvin Guillard in January.
Miller is a put bull who will look to take Diaz down and use ground and pound
along with his own black belt skills to contain the dangerous 209er.
The five round-format favors Nate Diaz but Miller is not one
to gas either. Diaz gets in the most trouble against strong wrestlers so this
is a great test for him in order to earn a title shot. This is one that is
likely to go in the late rounds because they both are smart fighters with great
chins. I expect Diaz to out strike Miller in the same way he did Cowboy and
take home the #1 contender spot in an entertaining fight of the night.
Diaz Unanimous Decision 49-46
Diaz Unanimous Decision 49-46
 |
| Future Lightweight Champion! 209 for life. Credit: MMAlinker |
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