UFC 104 Main Card Predictions
Here we go with part two of three, the main card predictions. Still to come is the main event, a full look at everything each fighter has going for himself and a prediction so make sure you come back to check it out.
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
What a way to get the PPV started. Two great and exciting welterweight fighters each looking to put on a show. This fight will be an ultimate clash of styles and it will be good to see who gets the better of the other. On the one hand you have Anthony Johnson who has a solid set of hands and is probably one of the best kick-boxers amongst the welterweights of the UFC. On the other hand you have Yoshida who is a black belt in Judo.
It is hard to see where this fight will end up. Both fighters are good standing and on the ground but each has their advantages. I think if Johnson can keep his distance from Yoshida and stay away from the clinch he will dominate the stand-up game. If Yoshida is able to get into the clinch though and pull off a few big throws to put Johnson on the ground then we could end up seeing UFC 104′s opening fight going to a decision.
The keys to victory for Johnson are to keep the fight standing and to keep distance from Yoshida. Johnson should look to be throwing jabs in order to set up for some nice head kicks or big overhands.
The keys to victory for Yoshida are to get in close. Yoshida needs to keep it close to stop Johnson from throwing those huge kicks. Also when the time is right Yoshida should be looking to get the take-down on Johnson therefor scoring points with the judeges and stopping the standing attack of Rumble.
I believe this fight will go the distance and that the extreme underdog Yoshiyuki Yoshida will come out with the win.
Final Prediction: Yoshiyuki Yoshida via unanimous decision
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Here we go with another fight I see going the distance. Joe Stevenson has seen the judges score cards both times in his last two fights, winning one and losing the other. Fisher has seen his score cards four times in his last five fights. In the fight that never went to decision Fisher still found himself in the third round.
Once again though I see this fight as being a clash of styles. Stevenson will be looking to dominate Fisher with his wrestling whereas Fisher will be looking to stay away from the ground against the stronger opponent.
Keys to victory for Joe Stevenson are clear he will have to take the fight to the ground and use his superior wrestling to dominate his opponent and work his way towards a decision or try to finish it earlier.
Keys to victory for Fisher are to keep the fight standing and try not to let Stevenson get any take-downs. If Fisher is able to keep the fight standing he should come away with the victory.
I myself can’t see Fisher being able to stay away from the ground so for that reason I am going to pick Joe Stevenson to win the fight by a unanimous decision.
Final Prediction: Joe Stevenson via unanimous decision
Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
Once again we have another set of fighters who like to finish it off late in the fight. I don’t expect this one to be in the judges hands though. I think we will see a submission victory. The question is who will get it because both fighters are well versed on the ground.
The keys to victory are the same for both fighters. They should both be looking for the submission victory or maybe if one wants to be tricky try for the KO. Either way I see this fight going to the Brazilian fighter Tibau via rear naked choke in the third round.
Final Prediction: Gleison Tibau via rear naked choke in round three.
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
This is the c0-main event of the evening and it features Ben Rothwell’s UFC debut against the undefeated Cain Velasquez.
Since his first fight in the UFC many people believed that Velasquez could go on to become a top contender. Here we are well over a year into his UFC career and he is fighting to be the man who will have the next title shot. It wont be easy for Velasquez though, he will have to face a mixed martial arts veteran in Ben Rothwell.
Rothwell a former IFL champion got the fight against Velasquez after Affliction Entertainment cancelled their third show. Both Rothwell and his scheduled opponent at the event, Gormley, were picked up and will compete at UFC 104. For Rothwell this will be his UFC debut. It has been a long time coming as well, Rothwell is 30-6.
I think this fight will be a good one to watch. You have two heavyweight fighters who are within most peoples top 10′s going at it for the chance to face the champion, whoever that might be when the time comes.
The keys to victory for Velasquez are to use his wrestling. He needs to get Rothwell on the ground and beat him up down there. One thing he must watch out for though… don’t let Rothwell get on top of you or it might be game over. That’s a lot of weight if Rothwell gets the ground advantage.
The keys to victory for Rothwell are obviously to use his weight advantage. If he is taken down he needs to gain control and pin Velasquez down which will be no easy feat to achieve. If Rothwell is however able to avoid the take-down he should start throwing them gloves right at Velasquez, if one hits clean it will be goodnight Velasquez.
My prediction for this fight is a TKO win for Velasquez. I think Rothwell is past his prime and Velasquez is just too good of a fighter. If Rothwell goes down to the ground Velasquez will waste no time in putting him out.
Final Prediction: Cain Velasquez via TKO round one
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