UFC 164 Henderson VS Pettis – Pre-Fight Predictions

Holy shit, I haven’t put out a blog post for more than a month, almost two now. I know, its because Angel Hesseltine and I have been waking up in the middle of the night for three months with our new baby Colton! (who besides the lack of sleep, he is simply amazing)

So what better way to get back into the blogosphere by giving you some of my pre-fight predictions for UFC 164 going down tomorrow night, Sept. 1, 2013 on PPV. Arizona native Benson Henderson currently holds the lightweight belt and if you do not know the history behind this fight, I urge you to watch this video of the kick heard round the world. Anthony Pettis jumped off the cage in WEC 53 in 2010 and took the championship bout from Henderson. The fight won ‘Fight of the Night’ AND ‘Fight of the Year.’

Enough about that, lets get into the predictions shall we?

Benson Henderson (c) VS Anthony Pettis (Lightweight)

Both Henderson (@BensonHenderson) and Pettis (@showtimepettis) are very skilled fighters and have a lot of wins under their belts, Pettis may have the advantage by having already beat Henderson in WEC 53 but on the flip side, I’m sure Henderson wants his revenge to avenge the loss. Pettis carries a 3^rd degree black belt in Taekwondo and a Purple belt in BJJ as well as a professional MMA record of 16-2 while Henderson has a black belt in both as well as an All American Wrestler in NAIA and a 19-2 record. This is going to be a close fight. In a recentarticle posted on Yahoo! Sports, Pettis’ coach compares to Pettis a MichaelJordon of MMA. Not sure if he has the accreditation to cite those claims but it does give you an alternate view of Pettis and his history.  

Looking at the opponents that each have fought, Henderson has notable wins over Nate Diaz, Clay Guida, Jim Miller, as well as Frank Edgar and Donald Cerrone twice each in the last three years. Pettis, however, lost to Clay Guida but also has some victories over big names including Donald Cerone as well, Joe Lauzon, my boy Jeremy Stephens but the kicker is, he has already beaten Benson Henderson.

Prediction: Pettis, Round 4, TKO

Frank Mir VS Josh Barnett (Heavyweight)

Okay I’m not too sure about this fight; Frank Mir (@thefrankmir) has been a top contender in the Heavyweight spotlight for a number of years even holding the belt at one period of time (UFC 48, June 19, 2004 defeated Tim Silvia to be exact) however Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2002 – THAT’S MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO! 

Don’t discredit Barnett just yet though, he has fought 24 separate times since his last UFC appearance so it’s not like he has been sitting naked in a beanbag eating cheetos for ten years – however, he hasn’t been fighting top opponents like he will be facing tomorrow night in the UFC against Mir. Frank is coming off duel losses against Daniel Cormier and Junior dos Santos so he is looking to take another rung out of the UFC heavyweight ladder.

Prediction: Mir, Round 2, Submission (probably triangle choke)

Chad Mendes VS Clay Guida (Featherweight)

This fight will be a huge challenge for Chad Mendez (@chadmendez), he has a good winning record but not over any big names or top contenders. In the blue corner, Clay Guida (@clayguida) has fought more than 40 documented fights in the cage and been against the toughest in the featherweight weight class. 

Having won multiple submission and fight of the nights, I think this fight should be a walk in the park for Guida. Facing a guy who has a good record but hasn’t seen any top contenders other than Jose Aldo which he lost the featherweight championship to in 2012, this punch-fest should end with Guida’s hand in the air.

Prediction: Guida, Decision

Ben Rothwell VS Brandon Vera (Heavyweight)

From 2002-2006, Brandon Vera (@Verafied) was one of the UFC’s top emerging contenders with an 8-0 record during those four years; then he met Tim Sylvia and that all changed. Since his first loss in 2007, Vera has won only four of his last 11 fights, not the best record around the UFC heavyweight division. 

However, Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) demolished fighters in the IFL but hasn’t had the same streak in the UFC. Rothwell has had only five fights it the UFC, his first in 2009 against Cain Velasquez which he lost in the second round. Since then, Big Ben is 2-2 losing to Gabriel Gonzaga, Mark Hunt and defeating Brendan Schaub and Gilbert Yvel at UFC 115 in Canada. Rothwell has had more than 40 fights and has shown some tremendous heart but I’m not sure if he is going to pull this one off.

Prediction: Vera, Round 2, TKO

THINK YOU HAVE BETTER PICKS? COMMENT THEM BELOW AND THEN RETURN AFTER THE FIGHTS TO SEE HOW YOU LOST ALL FOUR MENTIONED IN THIS POST!

UFC 161 Rashad Evans VS Dan Henderson – Fight Predictions

 

A little pressed on time and want to get this post out before I finish my lunch so in a nutshell, here are my picks for the main fights tomorrow night for UFC 161:

Jake Shields VS Tyron Woodley

I personally like Jake Shields, he is former military and a great fighter. He is a seasoned wrestler but can also stand and bang with his opponent. Losing two of his last four and taking a No Contest with Ed Herman because he failed to pass a post-fight drug test; I’m not sure if he is ready for this fight.

However, Tyron Woodley is coming into this fight with an 11-1 record with his only loss to a notable Nate Marquardt in Strikeforce last July. Woodley has notable wins over Paul Daley and Jay Hieron and should be able to perform nicely in this fight too.

Prediction: Tyron Woodley, Round 3, TKO

Pat Barry VS Shawn Jordan

Coming into this fight with a kickboxing background, Pat Barry is heading into the UFC octagon for his 13th time. We can easily say he is used to being in the UFC spotlight. Shawn Jordan has a much better record than Barry but has not appeared in the UFC no more than three times, this marks his fourth appearance.

Both contenders have lost bouts to Cheick Congo so we know they have no problem going against a big dude. This should be a good fight for both opponents but I think Jordan will have his hand raised at the end of the fight.

Prediction: Shawn Jordan, Round 2, TKO

Alexis Davis VS Rosi Sexton

Oh yeah! Chick fight! Rosi Sexton isn’t much of a chick, more of a soccer mom trying to make some extra bucks by stepping in the cage but does have a decent record. She can fight, she deserves to be there but her last three fights have been overseas.

Same as the guys from the UK, 90% of UK fighters are just a little more soft than United States fighters. Davis has a winning record of 13-5 and is looking to make this her third consecutive win. The UFC is ramping up their women to give Rousey some competition. I’m not too big into chick fights unless they start doing them topless so I’m going to go with the better looking fighter on this one.

Prediction: Alexis Davis, Round 3, Rear naked choke

Roy Nelson VS Stipe Miocic

I don’t know too much about Stipe Miocic but I do know I cant pronounce his name. He lost last September to Stephan Struve and Roy Nelson knocked out Struve a year before that.

I can only imagine Roy Nelson is going to run through this Miocic dude and then break the cage when he tries to hop on top to rub his belly. This should be a no contest.

Prediction: Roy Nelson, Round 1, TKO

Rashad Evans VS Dan Henderson

The main event. This part is my favorite, also because I enjoy watching both fighters and since they are going head to head, it will be a very good fight. I do not see this going to the ground however I do see someone getting knocked out in devastating fashion.

Rashad Evans is coming off a two fight losing streak to Jon Jones (current Champ) and Antonio Nogueira in February so he needs to be on his A game to get a W tomorrow night. On the other hand, Hendo has won 7 of his last 9 fights including wins over Fedor Emelianenko, Maurício “Shogun” Rua and Rich Franklin, his most recent fight and loss was to Lyoto Machida which went to a split decision in Machida’s favor. Even though I like Rashad Evans better, I think Hendo is going to take this one. He is going to catch Evans on the chin (just like Machida did) and jump on top of him to finish with ground and pound making Henderson the winner by TKO.

Prediction: Dan Henderson, Round 3, TKO

UFC 160 Cain Velasquez VS Bigfoot 2 - Fight Predictions

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!