That’s right fight fans, it is that time again; UFC is
putting on another big time show with some heavyweight contenders. The main
event will feature current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez and Antonio
“Bigfoot” Silva.
A guy that I play softball with (Brendan Waller) has decided to throw a party
at his house on Saturday too, depending on the baby status, I may not be able
to make it. Colton Timothy Hesseltine was officially due on May 23, 2013 and after the doctor appointment last Wednesday, my
amazing wife Angel Hesseltine was able to get scheduled to get induced Sunday morning 7:30am. Colton's Birthday should be May 26, 2013.
UPDATE: I just found out that Jeremy Stephens is fighting on
this card, not sure why he is bottom of the card unless he was a fill in but after
losing his last three UFC fights I can see why he isn’t on the main card.
Regardless, you have love down in Phoenix Jeremy, hit me up next time your in Vegas
and I’ll make the 5 hour trip! Anyways, let’s get into the fight predictions
shall we? Since I just mentioned Lil Heathen, let’s start with his fight.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Estevan Payan
First off, Jeremy is a guy I used to train with back in Iowa years ago, used to
kick it in the club and even hit a few parties with him (remember the Drake
brawl Jeremy?).
So, not too sure who this Payan guy is and no one else should
waste their time either. Jeremy should take the win and I’m making the bold
prediction he is going to do it in devastating fashion by way of KO in the
first round. JSteves, get KO of the night for a nice little bonus check huh?
Prediction: Stephens, Round 1, KO (Knock out of the night)
Glover Teixeira vs. James Te-Huna - Light Heavyweight
Teixeira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Luigi
Mondelli and he is also training with the same guy who trained chuck Liddell.
Teixeira has won a number of grappling tournaments so this could very well go
down to the ground early.
Coming off of a good winning record of 10-1 in his
last eleven fights, Te-Huna is a TKO artist. If he can stay on his feet and
connect with Glover’s chin, he may end this fight early, more than half of his
last 10 fights have finished within the first round.
Prediction: Te-Huna, Round 3, TKO by ground and pound
Gray Maynard vs. TJ Grant – Lightweight
Maynard is another product of the TUF series, coming out of
TUF 5, he was unbeaten for three years until a draw with Frank Edgar for the
lightweight championship (which also won fight of the night and fight of the
year) and then only seven months after the draw, a rematch in which Edgar was
victorious over Maynard.
With wins over Nate Diaz, Kenny Florian, Clay Guida,
Roger Huerta and Jim Miller; TJ Grant better be prepared for this stand up
bout. Grant, on the other hand has also had some very notable wins including
most recently over Matt Wiman and Evan Dunham late last year which was also the
fight of the night. Both these fighters have won fight of the night multiple
times, this should be a good stand up toe to toe battle.
Prediction: Gray Maynard, Round 2, KO by right hand combo
Mike Pyle vs. Rick Story - Welterweight
Mike Pyle has won six of his last seven fights with his last
loss in August of 2011 to Rory MacDonald. Another fighter who is no stranger to
TKO’s and KO’s of the night, Pyle should have a pretty good chance going toe to
toe with Rick Story.
Story, who has lost three of his last five fights, is
looking to extend his one fight comeback against Pile. Another good bout that
should stay on their feet and away from the ground game. Look for this fight to
go in the first or second round.
Prediction: Pyle, Round 2 by TKO
Junior Dos Santos
vs. Mark Hunt – Heavyweight
Junior Dos Santos has only lost one fight since 2008, it was
against current Heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez. Could you go 5 years without
losing a professional fight, bet not. He fought some big names and pulled off a
W in the end; some of the fighters Dos Santos beat include: Frank Mir, Cain
Velasquez, Shane Carwin, Roy Nelson, and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Dos Sasntos has a big
heart and seems to be a pretty humble guy repping his home country, Brazil. Hunt,
who has had a long kickboxing career, my surprise many coming in to this fight.
Hunt has heavy hands and has won 30 fights in his kickboxing career. Hunt also
fought in Pride and is looking for his fifth consecutive win in the UFC, facing
Junior Dos Santos Saturday night in the co-main event.
Prediction: Hunt, Round 2, TKO
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva – Heavyweight
The main event. The fight no one has been waiting for because
Velasquez has fought the same two people in his last four fights. Regardless,
Velasquez vs Bigfoot I was a good fight, bloody fight, just what the fans want
to see. Big heavyweights battling it out and getting bloody.
Antonio Silva may
come out with a vengeance to beat Cain but I don’t think it is going to happen.
Velasquez has amazing wrestling skills and power behind his punches, only thing
he needs to do is keep his hands up and not let Bigfoot use him as a punching
bag.
Prediction: Velasquez, Round 3, TKO
Think you have better picks, comment yours in the box below - lets see who can be victorious!