I decided to do this preview slightly differently than usual. Rather than talk about the top one or two fights, I wanted everyone’s thoughts on the main card. However, I just wanted their prediction for the winner and prediction for the finish. We’ll see how this works out.
I was able to get more people to participate, which was the main reason I wanted to do it this way. Other than the FGB crew, we have predictions from Ryan Frederick, Big D, Stevie J, and JP.
Antonio Banuelos vs. Miguel Torres
This is the first fight in the UFC for both guys and it will probably open the show, and wow, what an opener. The fight should be fast-paced and both guys will be looking to start off their careers in the UFC on a good foot. While Banuelos is more than likely going to be shorter than everyone he fights, Torres is pretty tall for the division so it should look almost freak show-like.
Duan: Torres by 2nd round submission
Alan: Torres by 2nd round submission (rear naked choke)
Ryan: Torres by 2nd round submission
Big D: Torres by 2nd round submission
Stevie J: Banuelos by decision (split)
JP: Torres by 2nd round submission
Cactus Jim: Torres by 2nd round TKO
GG: Torres by 3rd round submission
Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones
Both guys are young lions and this fight will separate the winner from the rest of the young light heavyweight pack. Jones is going to be bigger than Bader, but Bader, as a strong wrestler, could impose his will on Jones more so than anyone else who Jones has fought. Most people expect Jones to continue his climb to the top and be a fight or two away from a title shot.
Duan: Jones by decision
Alan: Jones by 2nd round submission (guillotine)
Ryan: Jones by 2nd round TKO
Big D: Jones by 2nd round TKO
Stevie J: Jones via decision
JP: Jones by 1st round TKO
Cactus Jim: Jones by 3rd round submission
GG: Jones by decision
Jake Ellenberger vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha
Many fans are wondering why this is on the main card when Donald Cerrone and Kid Yamamoto are on the undercard. The main reason is because Ellenberger was originally scheduled to face Jon Fitch on this show and that fight was going to be on the main card. Most won’t remember Rocha, but he knee barred Kris McCray last year in his only UFC fight. It’s your classic wrestling vs. jiu-jitsu battle.
Duan: Ellenberger by decision
Alan: Ellenberger by decision
Ryan: Ellenberger by 3rd round TKO
Big D: Ellenberger by decision
Stevie J: Ellenberger by 1st round TKO
JP: Ellenberger by decision
Cactus Jim: Ellenberger by decision
GG: Ellenberger by decision
Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin
It’s the battle of the fan favorites. Both guys will probably always be with the UFC for what they meant when the business was growing and how dependable each are when it comes to taking fights. To me, it’s also a battle of the gate keepers. If you beat either guy, you’re a pretty solid contender (Vitor Belfort). If you don’t, you’re not up to snuff (Tito Ortiz). It should be a fun and lively battle as both guys don’t mind mixing it up.
Duan: Franklin by decision
Alan: Franklin by 2nd round TKO (Bonus prediction: Griffin cries again)
Ryan: Griffin by decision
Big D: Griffin by decision (close fight)
Stevie J: Griffin by 2nd round TKO
JP: Franklin by 2nd round TKO
Cactus Jim: Griffin by decision
GG: Franklin by decision
Vitor Belfort vs. Anderson Silva
Conventional wisdom says that Belfort has the skills to finish it early on, and also that he’ll need to, to win the fight. If it goes longer than a couple of rounds, Silva probably becomes a heavy favorite. There’s some real heat here and it looks like Silva has learned a little bit in how to hype a fight. Maybe Sonnen rubbed off on him a bit.
Duan: Belfort by 1st round TKO
Alan: Belfort by 1st round TKO
Ryan: Belfort by 2nd round TKO
Big D: Silva by 2nd round TKO
Stevie J: Silva by 4th round submission
JP: Silva by decision
Cactus Jim: Belfort by 2nd round TKO
GG: Silva by 4th round submission
The main event was split right down the middle.
We’ll be back with live coverage, including the Kid Yamamoto vs. Demetrious Johnson fight, which will be streamed live on Facebook at 5:25PM PST.
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