Phil Davis vs Ryan Bader

Barring Bader can get past Ortiz, I’d have to think this would be a fight that would be rumored. Davis is 5-0 in the UFC and is climbing up the ranks fast. Bader is coming off his only lost of his young career to the now current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. I’m not looking over Ortiz but just saying Davis vs Bader seems like a prospect leap fight similar to that of Bader vs Jones.

Rich Franklin vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

I have a gut feeling that this would be one of those fight of the night bouts. The Fists would be let loose in this one.

Alexander Gustafsson vs Brandon Vera

Gustafsson is a prospect on the rise in the light heavyweight division. Ever since losing to Phil Davis he has come back and won 2 fights by submission. He actually trained with Davis after losing to him which is why his wrestling is improving. Vera saved by Silva’s failed drug test will have another shot at proving he belongs. Vera would be back on track if he beat the likes of Gustafsson who is game opponent always. For Gustafsson, he would have a chance to establish a stronger name in the UFC. A lot on the line for both fighters if this bout happened. 

Karlos Vemola vs James Te-Huna

Vemola is 1-1 in the UFC and 1-0 since dropping down to Light Heavyweight. Vemola is just a brute and swings with those right overhands till your out cold. Te-Huna is also 1-1 in UFC and is not afraid to trade punches with you. 8 of his 12 wins come by knockout. That means you have a 67% chance of seeing the light.

Cyrille Diabate vs Stephan Bonnar

Diabate is 2-1 in the UFC and is probably looking for a named opponent. If you haven’t seen his debut vs Luiz Cane, watch it. Diabate can strike and with efficiency. The only downfall is his hands are always low which allows his chin to be exposed. Bonnar is 7-6 in the UFC and certainly a future hall of famer. The man has been in so many wars I don’t know how he still fights. This bout would certainly be another war, and if Bonnar could grab a W. That would mean 3 in a row for man who almost got cut.

Igor Pokrajac vs Eliot Marshall

Igor is 2-3 in the UFC and has recently picked it up going 2-1 in his last 3 fights. Igor hasn’t beaten anyone that would really catapult him to a better fight. He called out Tito Ortiz after beating Todd Brown, no offense but how’s that even worthy of Ortiz? Marshall is 3-2 in the UFC and recently signed back with the UFC to take a fight on short notice in which he was brutally beaten down by Luiz Cane. It earned him another fight in the UFC though. Both these guys need to prove they belong. This could virtually be a cut fight.

Alexandre Ferreira vs Ricardo Romero

Cacareco has 17 of his 18 wins by submission. Romero has 6 of his 11 wins by submission. Who would submit who?

Jared Hamman vs Steve Cantwell 

Hamman is one tough guy who has that one punch knockout power. However he is 1-2 in the UFC but has had 2 fight of the nights. Cantwell the former WEC standout has had a miserable run in the UFC. He looks completely lost, if he isn’t cut now, then one more fight should do it. Hamman might get the ax too unless he earns another fight of the night. The bottom dwellers of the light heavyweight division, someone needs to get out of it.

Minotauro Nogueira vs Brendan Schaub

Nogueira should be ready to go soon after having successful knee, and hip surgeries. He is a legend and still a top heavyweight for the UFC. Schaub on the other hand is a rising prospect and hasn’t looked back since losing to Roy Nelson. Schaub is a riding a 4 fight win streak with some decent wins over the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga, and Mirko Cro Cop. I have Nogueira as the #6 Heavyweight in the UFC , and Schaub as #7. This definitely would be a main card fight at UFC Rio.

Mike Russow vs Ben Rothwell

Russow is coming off a good win over Jon Madsen who was undefeated at the time. Russow displayed effective striking which showed up on Madsen’s swollen shut eye. Rothwell is a knockout artist with 18 of his 31 wins coming by knockout. He has been out of action for awhile but remains a top heavyweight in the UFC. This would be a perfect Co-Main Event for a UFC Versus, Live, or Fight Night card. It could also be a main card fight for a pay per view card but i’d think this would be a sweet fight to show live.

 Mirko Cro Cop vs Mark Hunt

Cro Cop might be done depending on if Dana White won’t let him fight 1 more time. IF he does get him up in a rematch with Mark Hunt. The only thing I fear is that Cro Cop will get brutally knocked out. Hunt is at the bottom of the UFC Heavyweights but make no mistake for his KO Power. A win for Cro Cop would not only avenge one of his defeats but possibly put his legend career to a rest. This would be on the main card of a UFC Versus, Live or Fight Night card. 

Jon Madsen vs Rob Broughton

Madsen is coming off his first loss of his young career. Madsen had gone 4-0 and had a chance to make some noise in the heavyweight division but was defeated by Mike Russow. Broughton is 1-0 in the UFC and was supposed to fight Dave Herman but was replaced. Both of these guys are wrestlers and are around the same rankings on the UFC Heavyweight roster.  These guys like to take you down and beat you up. A preliminary bout for sure.

Main Card:

Nick Diaz def. Paul Daley by TKO (strikes) Round 1 (4:57)

Gilbert Melendez def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by TKO (strikes) Round 1 (3:14)

Gegard Mousasi and Keith Jardine fought to a majority draw (29–27, 28–28, 28–28)

Shinya Aoki def. Lyle Beerbohm by submission (neck crank) Round 1 (1:33)

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Strikeforce Predictions Results: I was 27-20 coming into this on a hot streak and had a minor setback. I went 1-2-1 which isn’t bad but not good either. I am now 28-22-1. Just want to add that this Strikeforce card was awesome. Lot’s of action, and great fights.

Main Card

Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley

Prediction: Daley by TKO

Gilbert Melendez  vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri

Prediction: Melendez by decision

Gegard Mousasi  vs. Keith Jardine

Prediction: Mousasi by TKO

Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm

Prediction: Beerbohm by decision