The most highly anticipated UFC fight card in quite some time airs Saturday night on pay per view. It is one of the more stacked cards in a long time as the depth of talent in place after the WEC merger really shows through for the first time this card.
Main Event – Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua vs Jon Jones
Rua is the more experienced fighter here, but I don't see a way to victory for him here other than a punchers chance with his power. Jones is just an awful matchup for him with his length and wrestling ability. While Rua will test Jones on the ground, unless there is a glaring submission defense hole that nobody other than Rua has any idea about, Jones will eventually win this fight by TKO on the ground.
Main Card fights
Urijah Faber vs Eddie Wineland – Wineland, the first WEC bantamweight champ will be a difficult test for Faber in his second fight at the weight and I actually think Wineland, after a couple of years of struggles but still only 26, will win the fight. I just don't believe Faber won't take the type of risks that got him knocked out in the first fight against Mike Brown and Wineland certainly has plenty of power to make that Faber's reality again.
Jim Miller vs Kamal Shalorus – Like recent fights involving Evan Dunham and George Sotiropolous, Miller is being put in with a dangerous guy he is supposed to beat as a showcase on the way to title contention. Like those two, he is going to lose, though it will be by decision after a sloppy kickboxing match.
Nate Marquart vs Dan Miller – Miller is average and coming in on short notice. Marquart is not in a title eliminator or title fight here. That combination means it will be a short night.
Brendan Schaub vs Mirko Crocop – PRIDE is dead. Crocop is old, injured and falling apart after many wars. Fans need to get that in their head. Schaub by KO.
Spike TV Prelims
Luiz Cane vs Eliot Marshall – What is Marshall's strategy? If it is to make this a standup fight, he is going to sleep. If it is to grind out a decision, that will be the result. Cane is going to win, by KO.
Anthony Njokuani vs Edson Barboza Jr. - Barboza is a polished striker and Njokuani isn't. This won't be pretty as Barboza picks him apart.
Facebook Prelims
Ricardo Almeida vs Mike Pyle – Almeida wins a boring jiu-jitsu match, bu decision.
Kurt Pellegrino vs Gleison Tibau – Pellegrino might could make 145. Tibau might could fight at 170 Size makes all the difference in a fight that is otherwise even. Tibau by decision.
Untelevised Prelims
Joseph Benavidez vs Ian Loveland – Why is the number two ranked bantamweight in the world not even on the facebook stream. Benavidez will take that as a slap in the face and take his frustration out on poor Mr. Loveland. Benavidez by whatever finish he feels like using, round one.
Raphael Assuncao vs Erik Koch – Assuncao is a better wrestler, but he likes to stand and bang. That will be his undoing against the Duke Roufas trained Koch.
Nick Catone vs Costantinos Philippou – I have no idea. I've at least seen Catone fight before. I wasn't impressed. Philippou by decision.
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