Rich Franklin vs Wanderlei Silva

A great save to the main event by having Rich Franklin fill in for the injuried Vitor Belfort in what looked like it could of been a entirely crappy card. I love both these fighters, the battle of legends. I just don’t think Wandelei has much left in the tank, and I think Rich is going to strike with him but he is going to take him down as well. Wanderlei did finish Cung Le in impressive fashion, but he was getting beat till that. I’m just not sure Wandelei’s chin will hold up for 5 rounds in this one though I think Franklin will put away Silva by TKO in a good scrap.

Mike Russow vs Fabricio Werdum

I’m liking Werdum here right out of the gate. Russow is a strong wrestler, certainly has the heart but his cardio in the later stages is rather lackluster. Russow does have decent standup, and power in his hands but it’s not all that intimidating. Werdum has the best BJJ in MMA in my opinion, and has very underrated striking. He is comfortable wherever this fight takes place, an invites his opponent into his guard. I think that Werdum should dominant Russow here, and at some point submit him.

Yuri Alcantara vs Hacran Dias

An important fight in the featherweight division, and a battle of one of the better combined records in a match i’ve seen. Alcantara is on a 13 fight win streak, and has looked very solid in his last 3 fights, under Zuffa. Hacran Dias is making his UFC debut, and is rding an 8 fight win streak. I am not entirely familiar with Hacran Dias but I know he is slick on the ground and has decent standing up. Alcantara definitely has the edge in striking, and in his 3 fights under Zuffa, he has looked very dominating. He may not have the best striking but he makes due, and I think he will edge out Dias via decision 

Gray Maynard vs Clay Guida

An exciting main event that will feature a fast pace, and will have high implications riding on it. Maynard recently ended the trilogy with Frankie Edgar, succumbing to defeat for the first time in his career. Maynard, has since made the switch to AKA, and will look to show his new and improved mma game. Maynard features a strong wrestling background that carries over to a strong top game. Maynard also has good cardio, and a pretty legit striking game that features a devastating uppercut. As for Guida, he was most recently defeated to the now UFC Lightweight champion Ben Henderson, in what was an exciting fight. Any fight with Guida is an exciting one has he features a relentless and non stop pace, which attributes to having great cardio. Although Guida is not special in one area, he is pretty well rounded, and usually his non stop pace overcomes his opponents. I expect this one to go the full 5 rounds, in what will be a very exciting fight. I think Gray is better in every aspect than Guida except cardio, although Gray knows what going 5 rounds is like recently. Gray takes this via unanimous decision.

Spencer Fisher vs Sam Stout

This is one of the trilogies that not many MMA fans really know about, but feature two very exciting fighters. Both have a win a piece, but Fisher believes he won both which understandable due to Stout win coming via split decision in a controversial decision. Anyways, the last fight between these two was back in 07…5 years ago. Fisher used to be so explosive, and quick but recently has slowed down and in result faded in fights. Fisher is 1-4 in his last 5, which means that his back is against the wall in this fight. As for Stout, he may be at the peak of his career. He has won his last 4 out of 6 fights, which includes 3 fight of the nights, and one knockout of the night. Although coming off a loss, Stout has looked really good recently, and I think he is going to take this trilogy. I got Stout via unanimous decision.

Brian Ebersole vs TJ Waldburger

Right out of the gate I like Ebersole in this one. Not taking anything away from Waldburger who not only has a cool name but one of the better submission games in the business. BUT, Ebersole has so much experience (65 Fights), never has been knocked out, and has an all round solid mma game. While he’s not intimidating with an arrow on his chest, he certainly knows just how to down right beat you. Watch out for some cartwheel kicks, and other things he bring out in arsenal, I think Waldburger is going to eventually succumb to defeat though via ground and pound. Ebersole takes this early via TKO.

Ross Pearson vs Cub Swanson

A really solid featherweight bout, but I am questioning why this one is more important than the number two featherweight in the world’s fight, Hatsu Hioki? Anyways, I think we are in for a treat here if Swanson will oblige and strike with technical striker Pearson. But, I don’t see that happening the entire bout. I envision that Swanson will use his wrestling to steal some rounds, and grind out a victory over Ross Pearson.

1. Joseph Benavidez (16-2, 8-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Demetrious Johnson #2

2. Demetrious Johnson (11-2-1, 5-2-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Joseph Benavidez #1

3. Ian McCall (11-3-1, 1-3-1 UFC)

4. Jussier Da Silva (13-1, 5-0 Shooto) *Next Fight: John Dodson #8

5. Yushiro Urushitani (19-5-6, 0-1 UFC) *Next Fight: John Lineker #NR 

6. Mamuro Yamaguchi (26-6-3, 1-1 TPF)

7. Darrell Montague (11-2, 5-1 TPF)

8. John Dodson (13-5, 2-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Jussier Da Silva #4

9. Louis Gaudinot (6-2, 1-1 UFC) * Next Fight: Darren Uyenoyama #NR

10. Rambaa Somdet (9-2, 5-0 Shooto)

1. Dominick Cruz (19-1, 9-0 UFC)

2. Urijah Faber (26-5, 10-5 UFC) *Next Fight: Renan Barao #3

3. Renan Barao (27-1, 5-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Urijah Faber #2

4. Brian Bowles (10-2, 7-2 UFC)

5. Michael McDonald (15-1, 5-0 UFC)

6. Eddie Wineland (19-8-1, 6-4 UFC)

7. Scott Jorgensen (13-5, 9-4 UFC)

8. Brad Pickett (21-6, 4-2 UFC) *Next Fight: Yves Jabouin #17

9. Miguel Torres (40-5, 8-4 UFC)

10. Bibiano Fernandes (11-3, 8-1 DREAM)

11. Eduardo Dantas (14-2, 4-0 BFC)

12. Mike Easton (13-1, 3-0 UFC)

13. Antonio Banuelos (20-8, DREAM 1-1) 

14. Masakatsu Ueda (15-2, 0-1 BFC)

15. Ivan Menjivar (24-9, 3-3 UFC) 

16. Raphael Assuncao (16-4, 4-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Issei Tamura #NR

17. Yves Jabouin (18-7, 4-3 UFC) *Next Fight: Brad Pickett #8

18. Damacio Page (15-7, 3-4 UFC) *Next Fight: Alex Caceres #NR

19. Takeya Mizugaki (15-7-2, 4-5 UFC)

20. Zach Makosvky (14-3, 6-1 BFC)

21. Marcos Galvao (12-5-1, 3-2 BFC) *Next Fight: Luis Nogueira #25

22. Wilson Reis (13-4, 1-0 WFE) 

23. Vaughan Lee (12-7-1, 1-1 UFC)

24. Norifumi Yamamoto (18-6, 0-3 UFC)

25. Luis Nogueira (14-2, 4-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Marcos Galvao #21

1. Jose Aldo (21-1, 11-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Frankie Edgar #2 at LW

2. Chad Mendes (12-1, 7-1 UFC) *Next Fight: Hacran Dias #19

3. Pat Curran (17-4, 7-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Patricio Friere #11

4. Chan Sung Jung (13-3, 3-2 UFC)

5. Ricardo Lamas (12-2, 7-2 UFC) 

6. Hatsu Hioki (26-5-1, 2-1 UFC)

7. Dustin Poirier (12-2, 5-2 UFC)

8. Erik Koch (13-1, 5-1 UFC)

9. Dennis Siver (20-8, 9-5 UFC) *Next Fight: Eddie Yagin #NR

10. Diego Nunes (18-3, 7-3 UFC)

11. Patricio Friere (17-1, 5-1 BFC) *Next Fight: Pat Curran #3

12. Tatsuya Kawajiri (31-7-2, 10-2 DREAM)

13. Daniel Straus (20-4, 6-1 UFC)

14. Marlon Sandro (22-4, 5-2 BFC)

15. Cub Swanson (18-5, 8-4 UFC) 

16. Joe Warren (7-3, 5-2 BFC)

17. Rani Yahya (17-7, 6-5 UFC)

18. Mike Brown (26-8, 8-5 UFC)

19. Hacran Dias (21-1-1, 1-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Chad Mendes #2

20. Mark Hominick (20-11, 6-5 UFC) *Next Fight: Pablo Garza #NR

21. Bart Palaszewski (36-16, 5-5 UFC)

22. Iuri Alcantara (27-4, 3-1 UFC)

23. Robert Peralta (16-3, 2-0 UFC) *Next Fight: Jason Young #NR

24. Hiroyuki Takaya (17-9-1, 8-2 DREAM)

25. George Roop (12-9-1, 3-6-1 UFC) 

Kenny Florian (14-6, 12-5 UFC), Removed due to Retirement

Demetrious Johnson vs Ian McCall

The first fight was awesome, and we were robbed of a sudden death round due to a error in the scorecard that awarded Johnson the winner, when it really was a draw. Anyways, Johnson who is the quickest person I’ve ever seen in the octagon will look to use his speed and decent stand up game to set up his wrestling, and strong top game. McCall showed great takedown defense in the first fight, and even was able to takedown Johnson, which is very impressive. McCall has pretty good stand up, and will look to corner Johnson and light him up. Although, McCall might look to takedown Johnson, where he almost finished Johnson late in the third round. Anyways, this is a very even fight, as both guys are pretty well rounded, and have solid cardio. Johnson will look to takedown McCall, and McCall who said he is going to finish will look to do just that. I’m going with Ian McCall in this one though to edge Johnson in another great fight.

Erick Silva vs Charlie Brenneman

I have a feeling this is going to be a quick fight. Silva is well rounded, and obviously holds a big edge in the striking department over Brenneman. Brenneman is a solid wrestler but I have a feeling he won’t be able to shot when Silva swarms him with quick punches reminiscent of Vitor Belfort. Silva by TKO.

Mike Pyle vs Josh Neer

I think this fight is being underlooked but it’s a fun fight. Pyle who will be bigger than Neer, will definitely look to take him down. Neer doesn’t have the best takedown defense, and Pyle is a very good wrestler with a strong top game. Neer has the striking edge in this one, and hopefully worked on his takedown defense because he has been saying that Pyle won’t stand with him. Although I built up Pyle as the better fighter here, I’m going with Neer here who will comeback and TKO Pyle late in the second.

Scott Jorgensen vs Eddie Wineland 

A solid fight to start the main card. A bantamweight bout that features two former WEC contenders that are looking to bounce back after there recent skids in the UFC. Jorgensen is good wrestler, with decent hands but will be definitely looking to take Wineland down. Wineland who showed improved takedown defense against Faber, and Benavidez will look to keep this one on the feet where he has the striking edge over Jorgensen. I know both men are tough, and I think Wineland has improved much more then Jorgensen but I’m taking the wrestler here. Jorgensen by decision.

Jake Ellenberger vs Martin Kampmann

An awesome main event, with a lot on the line for both these guys. In my opinion the winner here should face Hendricks to be the number one contenders match. Ellenberger is on fire in the UFC, has for the most part looked impressive during his win streak. Ellenbergers game is very well rounded, and his only weakness might be off his back as far as I’m concerned. Kampmann should have a better record in the UFC, he’s been robbed numerous times in my opinion. Kampmann is pretty underrated and also has very well rounded game. He is a very technical striker, and has pretty solid jui jitsu. I think we are in for a war! I think this fight goes the distance, and I’m taking Martin Kampmann.

Al Iaquinta vs Mike Chiesa

Not going to over analyze this fight, and that’s not a shot to any of these guys but Iaquinta should win this fight. Chiesa is very open to being beaten by strikes and is very one dimensional. He has shocked before but that attributed to his willingness to win and his big heart. I just don’t see him winning here, Al Iaquinta by TKO in the second round.

Max Holloway vs Pat Schilling

Both men will step back into the octagon needing a win after both losing their UFC debuts. Holloway had perhaps the tougher fight facing Dustin Piorier. Holloway looked solid early, and reminds me of a Pettis/Diaz mix which is really intriguing. He loves to strike, and watch out for multiple flying knees. Schilling succumbed to Daniel Pineda, but despite that setback he has a good mixture off an mma game. Overall I think this matchup is pretty even, but I like the way Holloway strikes. I think we are going to see an early fight, in which Holloway puts away Schilling in the first round via strikes

Jonathan Brookins vs Charles Oliveira

Season TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins will step back into the octagon against a future title contender in Charles Oliveira. Brookins is 2-2 in the UFC including a fight against Jose Aldo in WEC. Brookins features a pretty well rounded MMA game, as does Oliveira. Oliveira is more explosive although, where as Brookins is more of a grinder. Brookins touts some nice wrestling with some good ground and pound, while Oliveira touts a very nice offensive submission game. This is a pretty even fight as far as i’m concerned but I’m going to take Brookins in this one to grind out a decision victory.

Justin Lawrence vs John Cofer

Lawrence was the first overall pick in Season 15 of TUF, and was an early heavy favorite to win it all. Lawrence would win his first two fights impressively bu then he succumbed to future finalist Mike Chiesa. Lawrence was doing very well on the feet but showed poor instinct when he went to the ground with Chiesa which ultimately lost him the fight. As for Cofer, he is pitted as more of a wrestler although showed improved standup on the show. I’m not sure if Cofer is game enough to beat Lawrence, who i’m sure won’t make the same mistake twice. Lawrence will put away Cofer in the second round by TKO.