Can't wait for the show to start, I'm a bit pissed off that the only way to see the prelims is if you have Fuel TV because I'm visiting my fiance down in LA and we have to watch on the tv in the lounge, atleast I can see the one fight they put on facebook because that makes sense.
Atleast I get to see the main card, that's what really matters.
Chris Camozzi vs Dustin Jacoby
Camozzi was a guy everyone loved after his stint on TUF where he showed what a warrior he is, but he isn't the best fighter in reality. Jacoby is new to the roster, he came in late last year with a record of 6-0 and lost his debut against fellow newcomer Clifford Starks, that aside he seems to be decent. I expect this one to be a battle that goes the distance in Chris's favor or a submission.
Camozzi via Submission(Rear Naked Choke)
Joey Beltran vs Lavar Johnson
Beltran has become somewhat of a gatekeeper in the HW division, and he'll have a hell of a guy knockin on the gate in this one. Lavar Johnson is one of the better guys the UFC is going to get from Strikeforce, he's not on the elite level of guys like Barnett and Cromier but he's with the younger pack and should make some noise. Beltran is notoriously tough so i'm not sure how to call the fight ending but I'm taking Johnson here.
Johnson via TKO
Michael Johnson vs Shane Roller
This should be a good one, Johnson was one of the top guys coming off of season 12 of TUF but since the show he hasn't really lived up to the hype. Meanwhile Shane Roller is one of the toughest guys to come over in the WEC merger and even though he's hit skid bumps in losses to Melvin Guillard and TJ Grant he will show he's the better man in this fight tonight and bring back the power he showed in his UFC debut when he KO'd Thiago Tavares.
Roller via Submission(Rear Naked Choke)
Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Charles Oliveira is one hot young contender, he may be coming off some rough losses but we've seen what he's made of and he's the real deal. Wisely is no joke either though, not many know him but anyone who holds two wins over Hermes Franca and one over Matt Veach shouldnt be looked past. That being said I think Oliveira is just that much better and will take it.
Oliveira via Submission(Triangle Armbar)
Cub Swanson vs George Roop
Cub Swanson is a scary mofo, but George Roop is a guy who not only doesnt scare but is not an uncommon name to hear on the upside of an upset. Swanson is coming off a rough loss to Ricardo Lamas but that will have him even more fueled up to win. Roop recently chalked up an impressive win over former contender John Grispi, but then lost a split decision to Hatsu Hioki at UFC 137. Bottom line is Swanson should be the favorite but Roop is best when he's cornered, so I'm going to call Cub winning but expect Roop to upset.
Swanson via TKO
Mike Russow vs Jon Olav Einemo
This is the one I care most about on the preliminary card, a massive HW clash that will clear up the division a bit and send the winner up the ladder. Russow has been proving he deserves respect for some time now, he's undefeated in his 3 UFC outings and is 14-1-(1) overall with his only loss coming from Sergei Kharitonov. Einemo is another beastly HW and one of my favorites, though he came up short in his UFC debut he is a top level grappler and a beastly Norweigan. Russow may pull this off like Dave Herman did to Einemo over the summer but I expect Einemo to finish Russow.
Einemo via KO
Evan Dunham vs Nik Lentz
Lentz has been the boring wrestler pain in everyone's ass since coming to the UFC, but at the same time wins fights people dont expect him to. This could very well happen again but I think Dunham is going to be too much for him.
Dunham via Split Decision
Demian Maia vs Chris Weidman
This one will be interesting, Weidman is a rising star wrestler and Maia is the vetran sub specialist(best in the UFC). Weidman's best bet is to keep it standing but even there Maia has improved in every fight and even gave Mark Munoz a run for his money standing. It sounds like Weidman is getting too much too fast and now he's going to learn what it's like to lose in the octagon.
Maia via Submission(Kimura)
Chael Sonnen vs Michael Bisping
The fight that everyone is looking forward to, the ultimate war of trash talkers with these guys and the fight will be nothing short of awesome. Bisping is technically the perfect opponent for Chael and odds are he will be taken down and raped for 3 rounds. This is Chael's fight to lose though, everything is on him and all eyes are on him so hopefully he pulls it off, if not he gets passed up for the title shot he'll never recieve. It would be cool to see Chael finish this fight with his new submission skills but Bisping showed in the Kang fight that he has decent defense so I think Sonnen will be able to control him but not end it.
Sonnen via Decision
Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis
This has the potential of being boring as shit, still dont get why they would give this one the headline spot on a Fox card for casual fans but oh well. The question here is will Phil's wrestling be too much for Rashad or will he be able to shrug it off and knock out Davis. There's no secret in the game plans, we'll just have to see what goes down. It'd be more fun to see a KO but I would take Phil winning a decision over that, I'm not a big Rashad fan and I enjoy Davis when he turns it on, he can be a sleeper though. I would love nothing more than to see Phil sub Rashad, but itll be a decision win.
Davis via Submission(Philmura)
