If I had to choose the winner based on mean-lookin' faces, I'd choose Thiago Silva, by way of "Pulverizing th' Bum"

Some people are complaining about this line-up, but really, what could the UFC have done? Several main event guys had to drop out, and there’s only so many guys around that are “true” headliners. Rashad Evans is one, and Thiago Silva is getting there. With a clean win over Evans however, Silva will be a main eventer. There are a bunch of solid bouts here though, just like how last year’s “Fight for the Troops” turned out to be an incredible card, with “b-level” fighters.

Main Bouts (On Pay-Per-View):

Rashad Evans (205) vs. Thiago Silva (205)

Evans will have picked the brain of teammate Keith Jardine, whose brains were scrambled by Silva a few months back. I say Evans takes it by TKO, but it will be a close fight.

Paul Daley (172) vs. Dustin Hazelett (168)

The one-dimensional Daley will get taken down and submitted by Dustin “McLovin’” Hazelett in short order, or Hazelett will be staring at the lights. I’m betting Hazelett is smarter than that, and will take Daley down fast.

Joe Lauzon (155) vs. Sam Stout (155)

I like Stout, a fellow Canuck, but Lauzon is too much on the ground for him. Joe by sub.

Duane Ludwig (156) vs. Jim Miller (155)

Bang.

Junior Dos Santos (237) vs. Gilbert Yvel (239)

Junior takes the duke, and puts himself in the short list for guys to fight for the heavyweight strap.

Preliminary Bouts (On Spike TV):

Martin Kampmann (171) vs. Jacob Volkmann (171)

Kampmann has sure fallen down the charts after a single loss, from a welterweight title eliminator against Mike Swick at UFC 103 to the prelims here. Sounds like he has Jon Fitch-itus. Why no love for Marty?

Dan Lauzon (155) vs. Cole Miller (155)

J-Lau Jr. (pronounced Jay-Low) takes on the wiry pipe cleaner of an excuse for a fighter, Cole Miller. I think Dan is still too young, and will get taken out by Miller, who has had more big show experience.

Preliminary Bouts (Non-Televised):

Mark Munoz (185) vs. Ryan Jensen (186)

Munoz. Because he has a better last name.

Mike Pyle (171) vs. Jake Ellenberger (170)

What a Pyle of…Jake takes this, after improving his cardio after the loss to Condit. Jake was doing great until he gassed. Hopefully that problem has been fixed.

Rafaello Oliveira (156) vs. John Gunderson (155)

This is the first of the un-televised prelims for a reason. Not much of an idea who these guys are, but I’m taking Oliveira, because I like that pasta.

UFC 99 Main Event:

Wanderlei Silva (194lbs) vs. Rich Franklin (194lbs)
My heart says Wanderlei, my head says Franklin. My wallet says Franklin too. They may both be coming off losses, but Franklin hasn’t hit the sharp decline yet, as Wanderlei seems to have. If Wanderlei can manage to bull his way in quickly, it will be another rape-choke finish for him. If not, look for Franklin to win by decision.

Cheick Kongo (230lbs) vs. Cain Velasquez (239lbs)
This could very well be Cain’s coming out party. Kongo is on a roll with 3 straight wins, but his achilles heel is wrestling, and that’s exactly what Cain is. If he’s done his homework, he’ll watch some tapes of UFC 64, where the under-sized Carmelo Marerro took Kongo down at will and held him down for a decision win.

Ben Saunders (169lbs) vs. Mike Swick (169lbs)
While Saunders is the “sexy” pick, due to his destruction of Brandon Wolff, Wolff is really a 155′er with average skill. Swick has fought bigger and better guys (and won) so take Swick by TKO in the first.

Dan Hardy (170lbs) vs. Marcus Davis (171lbs)
Should be a good one. I pick Hardy to take a nap, sometime before the end of the 2nd round. Davis is too good and too experienced for Hardy at this time.

Caol Uno (155lbs) vs. Spencer Fisher (154lbs)
Good to see one of the originals back in action. Uno has a tough chore in Fisher, and I’m taking Fisher to spoil Uno’s return.

Mustapha Al-Turk (236lbs) vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (233lbs)
The 2nd return, Cro Cop’s, will be more successful. Take a rejuvenated Cro Cop to take Mustapha out by TKO in round 1.

UFC 99 Preliminary Bouts:

Justin Buchholz (155lbs) vs. Terry Etim (156lbs)
Dale Hartt (156lbs) vs. Dennis Siver (156lbs)
Paul Taylor (169lbs) vs. Peter Sobotta (169lbs)
Roli Delgado (155lbs) vs. Paul Kelly (156lbs)
Stefan Struve (248lbs) vs. Denis Stojnic (241lbs)
Rick Story (169lbs) vs. John Hathaway (170lbs)

RICH “ACE” FRANKLIN vs DAN “HENDO” HENDERSON

It appears to be a fight that was thrown together, like these were the two biggest names still “available” at the time. Add to the fact the winner of this fight, at 205lbs, will face Michael Bisping at 185lbs makes even less sense. Both Franklin and Henderson failed in their attempts at beating Anderson Silva, the 185lb king, pitting them against Bisping and possibly derailing Bisping’s road to Silva makes even less sense. In any event, Franklin’s crisper striking and sub-defense will be the difference maker, and he’ll eke out a decision.

MARK “THE HAMMER” COLEMAN vs MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA

I like Rua in this one. 17 years younger, way less mileage, better technique and he’s finally healthy. Look for Rua to make it a short night for Coleman, with a TKO in round 1.

ALAN “THE TALENT” BELCHER vs DENIS KANG

This is Kang’s big debut. He’s huge overseas, but an unknown to casual fans. Hopefully that changes after this fight. Kang is just one notch better at everything than Belcher, and I expect him to take the decision.

JEREMY “GUMBY” HORN vs ROUSIMAR “TOQUINO” PALHARES

Horn has been around forever, with over 100 fights, but he’s still younger than Rich Franklin. That adds up to a huge amount of wear and tear, and give Palhares the submission victory. Say, round 2.

MARCUS “THE IRISH HAND GRENADE” DAVIS vs CHRIS “LIGHTS OUT” LYTLE

Ok, so this one will be a stand-up war, with one of these guys getting knocked out. It just HAS to happen, with two good friends, both former boxers and a ton of friendly trash talk. I say Davis by TKO in the 2nd round. It really could go either way though.

MARTIN “THE HITMAN” KAMPMANN vs ALEXANDRE BARROS

I know nothing about Barros, but I know Kampmann is quite impressive, even fighting above his weight class. I say Kampmann by TKO, round 2.

ERIC “RAVISHING RED” SCHAFER vs ANTONIO “SUMURAY” MENDES

Hmm, Mendes by TKO, round 2. He looked really good in a losing effort to a Brazilian buzzsaw in Thiago Silva.

Here are the official weigh-in numbers for UFC 88, which will air live on pay-per-view September 6 from Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.  Like I said before, I picked Chuck to win judging by how pissed off he looks in this poster.  Evans merely looks agitated.  Chuck looks like he wants to eat Rashad’s kids…if he had any.

Main Event
Rashad Evans (205) vs Chuck Liddell (204)

Main Card
Matt Hamill (205) vs Rich Franklin (204.5)
Dan Henderson (185) vs Rousimar Palhares (184.5)
Nate Marquardt (185) vs Martin Kampmann (184.5)
Matt Brown (170) vs Dong Hyun Kim (170)

Thiago Tavares (155) vs Kurt Pellegrino (156)
Tim Boetsch (205.25) vs Michael Patt (205.25)
Jason Lambert (185) vs Jason MacDonald (185)
Ryo Chonan (170) vs Roan Carneiro (170)

Let’s see here.  Liddell by 2nd round KO, Rich Franklin by unanimous decision, Dan Henderson by round 3 TKO, Nate Marquardt by unanimous decision, Dong Hyun Kim by round 2 TKO, Kurt Pellegrino by unanimous decision, Tim Boetsch by round 1 TKO, Jason MacDonald by round 2 TKO, and Ryo Chonan by round 2 tapout.   There, I said it.

I’m a bit surprised the Battle of the Jasons is on the under card.  Despite the Karo Parisyian vs Yoshiyuki Yoshida being scrapped to to Karo’s injury, the UFC chose to bump Matt Brown vs Dong Hyun Kim up instead.