UFN Gleison Tibau v. Caol Uno

Gleison Tibau and Caol Uno come from wrestling / grappling backgrounds so this is a technique matchup rather than a striker versus grappler contest. This kind of matchup produces two things: sheer boredom or a thrilling fight. Either someone gets clipped early and this fight ends in a surprise knockout or they will roll like dung beetles trying to get behind each other and squeeze the consciousness clean. I am hoping for fireworks, but Gleison Tibau has been a decision master in the recent past like he can't find the right strategy to win. This indicates a weaker mental strength. Caol Uno rolls for broke sometimes and if he comes in with the right strategy he may surprise Tibau. I think Uno's best tactics will be to explode and look for the opening and gain the back of Tibau for a rear naked choke. Tibau is a larger fighter, so I predict he will use his power advantage to smother Uno and keep Uno in jeopardy. I predict Tibau by decision.

UFN Nate "Rock" Quarry v. Jorge "Conquistador Rivera

This should be one of the best fights of the night, right before Takanori Gomi puts Kenflo's lights out. Nate and Jorge are UFC fixtures with long and violent histories. Each has faced the top tier that the UFC has to offer and only lost by a little. In terms of overall skill, Rivera has a better striker style and that means he does have the advantage. But in the end, Nate Quarry will be the fitter and more durable fighter. I predict Nate Quarry by either a TKO/KO or a unanimous decision.

UFN Ross Pearson v. Dennis Siver

Both Siver and Pearson are up and coming fighters in the UFC, both are hoping to make it into the upper crust of lightweight fighters. Pearson is better known from the ultimate fighter TV show, but I was impressed with Siver's striking skill. Pearson will try and set the pace and grind out this fight. But I think he has bitten off a little more than he can chew or swallow. Look for Siver to punish Pearson slogging in with a pinpoint kick that sets Pearson on his back. I predict a win for Siver, perhaps by TKO.

UFN Stefan Struve v. Roy "Big Country" Nelson

Stefan Struve poses a serious challenge to Roy "Big Country" Nelson. Like Paul Buentello before, Struve's chin is hard to hit from the bottom half of a ladder so this will not be an easy affair. What is going in Roy "Big Country" Nelson's favour is that he is a better grappler that Paul Buentello. Big Country's best strategy will be to make this a wrestling match and look for an ankle lock. Struve will know this, and he should come prepared to circle away and fire jabs into that oncoming mullet. I predict Struve by decision.

UFN Kenny "Kenflo" Florian v. Takanori "Fireball Kid" Gomi

Kenny "Kenflo" Florian is trying to find a purpose since losing to BJ Penn. Takanori "Fireball Kid" Gomi is a real challenge. Florian is well rounded, but Gomi is no stranger to danger and has seen it all. Kenny Florian weakness is punching power; he is not a hip-puncher. Florian does not have knockout power. Gomi, on the other hand, does have dynamite in his hands. BJ Penn ran Florian around with his KO power and look for Gomi to do the same. Gomi will use the threat of a one punch dirt nap to bully Florian and keep him back on his heels. I predict Gomi by KO or Decision to defeat Florian.

UFC 111 Georges "Rush" St. Pierre v. Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy

The welterweight belt is on the line at UFC 111, with Georges "Rush" St. Pierre returning from an injury layoff to face a pompous and brash striker Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. From the outside this looks like a karate striker versus muay thai striker match. But GSP has found a natural talent for wrestling that he has used to dominate larger stronger wrestlers. GSP's best tactics will be to smother and ground and pound Hardy into submission. GSP is not afraid of heavy hands. Hardy is not as well rounded and he will look to get that one nasty blow in to TKO/KO GSP. I predict GSP will dominate from whereever he wants and grind Hardy to a 3rd round submission or TKO.

UFC 111 Matt "The Immortal" Brown v. Ricardo "The Big Dog" Almeida

Matt Brown is part of the new wave of MMA fighters. Ricardo Almeida is one of the old school BJJ fighters that can claim to be part of the founders of the MMA movement. Matt Brown is a rounded striker and grappler. Almeida has submitted strong competitors like Nate Marquardt. But Matt Brown is more than a strong MMA fighter, he has determination to win and powers through pain and adversity. While Brown has lost by arm bar to Amir Sadollah, he has had 2 years of training to get out of that trap. Brown's best tactics are to keep this on the feet and look for the KO, and if that fails grind out a win in top position while keeping out of the submission. Almeida's best chance is using his BJJ grappling to a submission if he doesn't want to end up like Pete Sell - dazed and confused. Brown has the rounded skill advantage, I predict Brown with a TKO or long hard decision.

UFC 111 Jon Fitch v. Thiago "The Pitbull" Alves

This matchup comes down to which fighter has evovled more skills and power since their last meeting when Jon Fitch beat Alves. As Randy Couture says, the pressure is on the winner because the loser can make some adjustments and is motivated. Fitch has not evolved to the same level as Alves. Thiago has the skill set to dominate Fitch anywhere. Alves defeated Matt Hughes and this could be very similar. The best tactics for Alves will be to stop the takedown and use his muay thai to punish Fitch as he tries to grapple. My system predicts a Thiago Alves victory.

UFC 111 Jim Miller v. Mark Bocek

Jim Miller and Mark Bocek is a classic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt versus a converted wrestler contest. Mark Bocek has been in the UFC for a while now, and has not broken through the journeymen gatekeeper in the lightweight division. Bocek's best chance occurs if he can keep Jim Miller on the mat looking for the next submission. Jim Miller has better striking and will make it difficult for Bocek to grapple for the takedown. Miller's best tactics will be to circle away and counter punch until an opening appears to finish a frustrated Bocek. My system predicts a Miller victory

Dream 13 Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga v. Josh "The Baby Faced Assassin" Barnett

Josh Barnett and Mighty Mo are longtime members of the MMA/K1 elite. Josh Barnett is known now as the guy who blew a chance to face Fedor in Affliction due to a positive drug test. In this matchup he faces a very experienced kick boxer who was submitted during his last MMA match. I predict that Mighty Mo will want to stand and trade. Josh Barnett has a size and reach advantage and is a good grappler. Josh's best tactics will be to use his reach to frustrate Mighty Mo and then either dive in for the takedown and the arm-snapping submission against a heavier opponent on the ground ( a favorite tactic of smaller fighters in good ol' open weight days of UFC ) or he may want to make a statement and silence critics by knocking out Mighty Mo on the feet. Barnett is more conservative with strategy than he is with steroids so this may be an arm snapping affair.
I watched the DREAM news conference and Barnett looks like a man who understands what a last chance looks like. He will arrive prepared and fight like a wounded animal. In either end game, I predict Barnett will defeat Mighty Mo inside the distance.

UFN Brandon Vera v. Jon Jones

Brandon Vera was Jon Jones 3 year ago when he burst onto the scene and demonstrated talent and arrogance - and he won. Now Vera faces elimination from contention, so his back is against the wall and he needs a win. Jones has a few years to take his time and mature. Jones has shown wild striking that paid off against limited talent. My system predicts Vera to rise to occasion and TKO / KO Jones inside 2 rounds

UFN Eliot Marshall vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Vladimir Matyushenko is a tough opponent who lost to the top of the MW / LHW divisions. Eliot Marshall has a youth and size and a slight reach advantage which is good for a striker. But Matyushenko can take a punch to deliver a knockout and Eliot has a suspect chin. My system predicts Matyushenko by TKO inside of round 2.

WEC 47 Deividas Taurosevicius vs. L.C. Davis

I am not the most familiar with either fighter, but I do know that Taurosevicius is a good tactician and he adapts in real time to his opponents. My system predicts Taurosevicius by a close decision.