Quick UFC 149 Breakdown

Faber via UD

Lombard via TKO round 1

Jordan via KO round 1

Ebersole via submission round 2

Riddle via UD

Ring via UD

Delorme via Sub round 1

Jimmo via UD

Caraway via Sub round 1

Pineda via UD

Clarke via Sub round 2

KO of the night- Jordan

Sub of the night- Caraway

Fight of the night- Faber vs. Barao

Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Kennedy

Date: Jul 14, 2012

Location: Portland, Oregon

Venue: Rose Garden

Broadcast: Showtime and Showtime Extreme

MAIN CARD (Showtime)

Champ Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Kennedy (for middleweight title)-

Kennedy will look to get this fight to the ground early and often however with Rockhold that is easier said than done. Even if Kennedy does get the fight into his world, Rockhold should have no problem getting back to his feet and avoiding any damage. Rockhold holds a substantial edge on the feet and should be able to pick Kennedy apart and frustrate him throughout the course of the fight.

Rockhold via Decision

Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley (for vacant welterweight title)-

Marquardt has had a problem facing good wrestlers throughout the course of his career. Woodley is quick and has excellent wrestling and should pose a big problem here for Marquardt. Also being off for 16 months might have a negative effect on Marquardt, Woodley should be able to earn a decisive decision victory.

Woodley via Decision

Roger Gracie vs. Keith Jardine-

Jardine has some pretty good takedown defense which will serve him well in this fight. If Gracie can get it there he could make short work of Jardine and he could be looking at the first submission loss of his career. I think Gracie will get him down early in the first and lock in a submission by late first round.

Gracie via sub round 1

Lorenz Larkin vs. Robbie Lawler-

When first looking at this fight I thought Larkin would be able to walk through Lawler, but after looking further into it I think Lawler will test his chin and eventually put him out in the 2nd round.

Lawler via KO round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD (Showtime Extreme)

Jorge Masvidal vs. Justin Wilcox-

If this fight remains standing Masvidal has the power to make for big problems for Wilcox, Fortunately enough for Wilcox he is the stronger of the 2 competitors and will use his boxing to set up his takedowns en route to grinding out a decision victory.

Wilcox via Decision

Pat Healy vs. Mizuto Hirota-

Healy has looked good the past few years and has only really lost to the top guys in the division. Hirota on the other hand looked to be a beast in Japan until he got his arm snapped by Aoki. Since the broken arm he has won 2 fights by decision but has not looked like the beast that he was before that fight. This fight he will look to get back on track but Healy has the size advantage and more well rounded game to edge out a decision victory.

Healy via Decision

Jordan Mein vs. Tyler Stinson-

This fight should be exciting right from the start. Both fighters like to come out of the gate swinging and both have a very good chin. This fight can truly go either way but I see Mein winning a decision.

Mein via Decision

Jason High vs. Nate Moore-

Jason High will look to shoot in for the takedown early and often. He should have no problem getting the fight to the ground and using his relentless, fast paced ground and pound to wear Moore down en route to a decisive decision victory.

High via Decision

Ryan Couture vs. Joe Duarte-

Couture has looked better in every fight and this one should be no different. I see this one playing out with Duarte having a slight edge in the stand up before Couture takes it to the ground and grinds out a decision victory.

Couture via Decision

UFC on Fuel TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman

Date: Jul 11, 2012

Location: San Jose, California

Venue: HP Pavilion

Broadcast: FUEL TV and Facebook

MAIN CARD (FUEL TV)

Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman-

This fight should be a close one throughout, both fighters and similar in every aspect of the game. They both have good wrestling, decent grappling and improving stand-up. Munoz holds the edge in experience, while Weidman looked better vs. their common opponent Damien Maia. I give the slight edge to Weidman in this fight based off the belief that he might be able to steal close rounds with late takedowns. I can see this being a 48-47 decision in favor of Weidman and possibly a split decision.

Weidman via close Decision

Joey Beltran vs. James Te Huna-

I am excited for this one, both of these fighters like to come out throwing. Unfortunately for Beltran this plays into the strength of Te Huna, as he has only really had issues with competition on the ground. Beltran doesn't pack as big of a punch so I think he could be in trouble early. Beltran has a pretty good chin though so he might be able to make into the later rounds to test Te Huna's cardio but I wouldn't count on it.

Te Huna via TKO round 1

Kenny Robertson vs. Aaron Simpson-

This fight could be close, neither fighter has had much success vs. good competition but Simpson cutting down in weight might play a big factor here. Being that Simpson is a life long wrestler I think he will handle the weight cut just fine and him coming in as the bigger fighter will allow him to out muscle Robertson. The key for Simpson to win this fight is to take advantage of his advantage in the stand-up and avoid submissions from the ground. Simpson should beat Robertson up on the feet in the first round, continue the same in the second before he stuns Robertson and take him to the ground finishing off a TKO victory in mid-way through round 2.

Simpson TKO round 2

Francis Carmont vs. Karlos Vemola-

Vemola holds a big edge in the strength department in this fight but has looked horrible on his feet and vs mid-level talent in the UFC. Carmont on the other hand thrives in stand-up and while he has faced some good competition outside of the UFC those matches have resulted in losses. If Carmont can keep this fight standing he should be able to pick Vemola apart and finish him early in the 2nd round.

Carmont via TKO round 2

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Vaughan Lee-

This fight plays right into Dillashaw's strengths, Dillashaw is highly skilled on the ground and Lee lacks submission defense. This basic fact should make for an early stoppage here and Dillashaw will get lee to the ground early in the first. From there it will only be a matter of time before he sinks in a choke and finishes the fight late in round 1.

Dillashaw via Sub round 1

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Anthony Njokuani-

This is an interesting fight because Njokuani struggles when taken to the ground, but his love for throwing kicks make him susceptible to being take down and Dos Anjos possesses the BJJ game to finish it if the fight ends up there. However, if the fight remains standing Njokuani should be able to pick apart Dos Anjos. I am leaning towards Njokuani here to impose his will and pull out a decision.

Njokuani via Decision

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

Alex Caceres vs. Damacio Page-

I am not a fan of either fighter in this one and will not be sad one bit when the loser finds himself no longer with the UFC. However in a match where I must pick a winner I am giving the edge to Damcio Page. Page is a slight underdog and has struggled since coming back from injury. However, those losses have come against Demetrious Johnson, Brian Bowles and Brad Pickett. I feel that all these fighters are way better that Caceres, who has struggled vs lesser competition.

Page via Decision

Chris Cariaso vs. Josh Ferguson-

I am surprised that this fight is nearly a pick em. Cariaso should be able to impose his will in this fight throughout. He has only lost to 2 contenders over the past 4 years and looked really good in his last fight vs. Mizugaki. Now with the drop into his correct weight class he should excel and be a major contender in the near future. Ferguson has horrible stand up and the only real way he can win this fight is by getting it to the ground. I do not see this happening and Cariaso should win by UD

Cariaso via Decision

Andrew Craig vs. Rafael Natal-

Craig looked good vs Noke on short notice last time out but Natal's skill set are a whole different animal for him to deal with. Natal has the advantage in every aspect of this fight and should be able to impose his will enough to earn judge's decision.

Natal via Decision

Marcelo Guimaraes vs. Dan Stittgen-

Guimaraes is the jungle fight champion but has not looked especially dominant in his previous fights. Stittgen on the other hand has been in the cage with higher level talent but hasn't had much success with that talent. I look for Guimaraes to hold the strength advantage and the skill set to impose his will in this fight en route to a decision victory.

Guimaraes via Decision

Raphael Assuncao vs. Issei Tamura-

Assuncao has not looked particularly good in his past few fights but he should have the skill set to deal with Tamura. I see Assuncao grinding out a decision victory here in a lackluster fight.

Assuncao via Decision

UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II

Date: Jul 07, 2012

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena

Broadcast: Pay-per-view, FX and Facebook 

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

Champ Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen (for middleweight title)-

I have been going back and forth on this fight, every time I think about it I see a different outcome happening in my head. This can really only go one of two way; either Sonnen will come out, control the fight and win a decision or Silva will come out firing looking for the KO and finish the fight relatively early. I had almost come to the decision that Silva would finish this fight by KO but I am now thinking this fight will go in Sonnen's favor. Sonnen will be able to close the distance and take Silva down but while on the ground he needs to get into half guard to avoid Silva's slick submission game so he can grind out a decision victory.

Sonnen via Decision

Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz-

For nostalgia purposes I want to see Tito win this one and ride into the sunset, however that will be easier said than done. Both of their first 2 fights went to split decision and this one has a good shot at doing the same. Forest has been off for almost a year, so he will be fighting off ring rust as well as a hungry fighter who will be looking to put a stamp on his hall of fame career. If Tito wants to win he will try to put Forest on his back after a minute or two of feeling out the stand up. Forest does not have the greatest takedown defense and if Tito can impose his will I see him getting the nod from the judges

Tito via Decision

Patrick Cote vs. Cung Le-

Cung Le has a great and exciting stand up game but often leaves himself open for big shots from his opponent and lacks the chin to handle that flaw effectively. Cote is the type of fighter that waits for those holes and picks his spot to attack. Cote will try to cut off the ring, close the distance and push Cung agaist the cage. Cung will try to keep his distance use his kicks and try to stay away showing a superior standing skill set. I think this type of match will favor Cung and he will be able to outpoint Cote to earn his first victory in the UFC.

Cung via Decision

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Demian Maia-

Maia dropped weight for this fight and cuts down to welterweight for the first time in his career. The UFC in turn rewarded him with a hard uphill battle that will either put Maia immediately in the title picture or make him into the division's gatekeeper. Maia has not been in good form lately and this fight should end up being a long night for him. Kim has the skills to take advantage of this fight on the feet and negative most of Maia's offense on the ground. Look for Kim to keep the fight standing where he will dominate for 15 minutes.

Kim via Decision

Chad Mendes vs. Cody McKenzie-

I do not know why the UFC would put these 2 men together at this point in their career. McKenzie is a fan favorite who looks to be a prospect for the future whereas Mendes just fought for the title in his last fight. This fight should be easy for Mendes, all he really has to do is stay away from the guillotine choke because he outclasses McKenzie in every aspect of this fight. This seems like the type of fight in which Mendes would be able to finish the fight early but I see a lopsided decision victory for him.

Mendes via Decision

Mike Easton vs. Ivan Menjivar-

This fight should be action packed and can really go either way. Easton is taking this fight on semi-short notice but he has had enough time to prepare so that should not be an issue. Easton will likely come out throwing bombs while looking to clinch up, use his knees and take the fight down to impose his will. Menjivar will likely be looking for the same thing. I see Menjivar imposing his will on the fight more effectively and pulling out a decision here in a fast paced scrap.

Menjivar via Decision

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX)

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Gleison Tibau-

Despite a 17-0 record Khabib has not really faced true competition, even his last fight with Shalorus he fought a fighter who seemed to be in there more for a paycheck than a desire to win. He will not get such easy competition with Tibau. Tibau will be able to win the war of strength in the clinches and be able to take Khabib down and submit him in round 2

Tibau via sub round 2

Fabricio Camoes vs. Melvin Guillard-

Melvin claims that he is a more patient fight but that is something I will have to see before I can believe it. Somewhat lucky for him he is facing a ground specialist that Melvin will be able to pick apart of the feet. That could be a good thing for Melvin or not depending on how aggressive he is in closing in for the kill. Melvin has had a problem in the past rushing in and gutting caught in a submission. So the key to this fight is all Melvin, it is his fight to win or lose. I think he will KO Camoes in round 1.

Guillard via KO round 1

Riki Fukuda vs. Constantinos Philippou-

Philippou should be able to keep this fight standing where he will use his far superior boxing skills to out point Fukuda. I think he might be able to get the KO but Fukuda has shown to be tough so I think it will go the distance.

Philippou via Decision

John Alessio vs. Shane Roller-

I  don't know what has been going on with Roller lately but he hasn't been the same type of fighter he was in the WEC. Knowing that this is a must-win fight for him I look for him to bring some of that thunder back and really look to put a stamp on this one to show he belongs. Alessio is a seasoned vet but has many holes in his game that Roller should be able to exploit.

Roller via Sub round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

Yoislandy Izquierdo vs. Rafaello Oliveira-

I do not see this fight lasting past the 1st round, Izquierdo will come out hungry and look to finish Oliveira early. Unfortunately for Oliveira he will not be able to handle the early onslaught. He will find him knocked out of this fight and the UFC by the time the first round's bell rings.

Izquierdo Via KO round 1