MMAVu

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.

The weigh-ins went off fairly well, except for Mike Cisnoleviscz, who came in 2lbs over the light heavyweight limit. He’ll forfeit 20% of his purse to his opponent for that infraction. As well, Deigo wins the award for “Goofiest Staredown” see below…Main Event:
Diego Sanchez (156 lbs) vs. Clay Guida (155 lbs)
As much as I like Guida, I think Sanchez is too much for him. Guida won’t be able to take Sanchez down as easily as he did Nate Diaz, and Sanchez’s boxing has greatly improved. Look for Diego, who apparently was promised the winner of Penn/Florian title fight at UFC 101, to eke out the decision.

Main Card:
Welterweight Finals: DaMarques Johnson (170 lbs) vs. James Wilks (171 lbs)
So how does a guy fighting out of Laguna Beach, CA supposed to be on Team UK? Wilks has been in the USA for a third of his life and started his MMA career here. Oh well. Watch for Johnson to trade a little, then take Wilks down and pound him out.

Kevin Burns (171 lbs) vs. Chris Lytle (170 lbs)
Kevin “feel the” Burns takes on the fireman, Chris Lytle. I have to believe the fireman wins here, and does so in convincing TKO fashion.

Lightweight Finals: Ross Pearson (156 lbs) vs. Andre Winner (155 lbs)
This is a close call, but the good big man will beat the good little man, as Winner wins.

Joe Stevenson (155 lbs) vs. Nate Diaz (156 lbs)
Steveson needs this win bad, and with his new camp, I think he’ll achieve that goal, and grind Diaz down for the decision.

Preliminary Bouts:
Melvin Guillard (155 lbs) vs. Gleison Tibau (155 lbs)
Ol Melvin is back from his legal and drug problems…but the ground game is his weakness, and that’s Tibau’s specialty. If Tibau, who likely weighs 180lbs come fight tme, doesn’t get caught by a hail mary punch, he’ll tap Guillard out with ease.

Edgar Garcia (171 lbs) vs. Brad Blackburn (170 lbs)
Um, Blackburn…because he has a cooler name.

Tomasz Drwal (205 lbs) vs. Mike Ciesnoleviscz (208 lbs)
Yup.

Frank Lester (170 lbs) vs. Nick Osipczak (170 lbs)
You have to root for Frank “Ma” Lester here, he’s the goofy underdog “who could” in this fight. Nick is tough, so hopefully Frank bring his A game. “Ma” Lester by armbar.

Cameron Dollar (154 lbs) vs. Jason Dent (155 lbs)
Let’s see…Dent by submission, also by armbar.

Diego Sanchez: Good Fighter, Idiotic staredowns...