Punisher Bass
He who drives a Buick
144 predictions.
Frankie Edgar vs Ben Henderson - I don't know how after 4 title fights Edgar is STILL an underdog. The only thing I don't like about Bendo is how he beings god into every post fight interview, but there is no denying how he's really hit his stride since the WEC folded. That being said, I think Frankie is going to leave with his title despite the size disadvantage he'll be at, I think his heart, endless gas tank, and speed are going to be too much for Ben to overcome.
Frankie by UD.
Quinton Jackson vs Ryan Bader - Logic says Rampage should take this due to his power and experience, but he's nowhere near the same fighter he used to be, the last few years have shown how he's regressed skill wise and how lazy he is with his training. Granted, he looked to be in great physical shape for the Jones fight, but he used the same old gameplan of plodding forward while only throwing punches. For this fight he's moved his camp to Cali because the last one was in Colorado and he didn't want to be where it's cold... that's just another red flag to me. So I'm going with Bader because he's young and hungry and he has the wrestling cred to take Jackson down and possibly pound him out. Bader is also a lot younger and is hungry to advance up the rankings while Rampage figures he should get another title shot after this.
Bader by TKO.
Mark Hunt vs Cheick Kongo - It's 2012 and a Mark Hunt match is third from the top of a UFC PPV... who saw this happening just 12 months ago? I'm going with Hunt here for obvious reasons, I just hope his gas tank holds up better than it did last time out.
Hunt by KO.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Jake Shields - This should be a loser leaves town match, but I'm sure both will be kept around no matter who loses. As I've said before, Akiyama just has a way of failing upwards, he loses 3 in a row and gets a high profile opponent each time out. I'm not willing to write off Jake's last loss because of the death of his father, if he wasn't 100% ready for that fight he could have pulled out and no one would think any less of him, but he climbed in the cage and got KTFO so he doesn't get a pass from me. I see no way Akiyama can beat Shields here unless some very sketchy judging goes down.
Shields by UD.
Yushin Okami vs Tim Boetsch - My gut says this will be the start of a long skid for Okami.
Boetsch by I don't know.
Anthony Pettis vs Joe Lauzon - This should be an exciting fight but I think Joe is going to get another submission victory on his record.
Frankie Edgar vs Ben Henderson - I don't know how after 4 title fights Edgar is STILL an underdog. The only thing I don't like about Bendo is how he beings god into every post fight interview, but there is no denying how he's really hit his stride since the WEC folded. That being said, I think Frankie is going to leave with his title despite the size disadvantage he'll be at, I think his heart, endless gas tank, and speed are going to be too much for Ben to overcome.
Frankie by UD.
Quinton Jackson vs Ryan Bader - Logic says Rampage should take this due to his power and experience, but he's nowhere near the same fighter he used to be, the last few years have shown how he's regressed skill wise and how lazy he is with his training. Granted, he looked to be in great physical shape for the Jones fight, but he used the same old gameplan of plodding forward while only throwing punches. For this fight he's moved his camp to Cali because the last one was in Colorado and he didn't want to be where it's cold... that's just another red flag to me. So I'm going with Bader because he's young and hungry and he has the wrestling cred to take Jackson down and possibly pound him out. Bader is also a lot younger and is hungry to advance up the rankings while Rampage figures he should get another title shot after this.
Bader by TKO.
Mark Hunt vs Cheick Kongo - It's 2012 and a Mark Hunt match is third from the top of a UFC PPV... who saw this happening just 12 months ago? I'm going with Hunt here for obvious reasons, I just hope his gas tank holds up better than it did last time out.
Hunt by KO.
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Jake Shields - This should be a loser leaves town match, but I'm sure both will be kept around no matter who loses. As I've said before, Akiyama just has a way of failing upwards, he loses 3 in a row and gets a high profile opponent each time out. I'm not willing to write off Jake's last loss because of the death of his father, if he wasn't 100% ready for that fight he could have pulled out and no one would think any less of him, but he climbed in the cage and got KTFO so he doesn't get a pass from me. I see no way Akiyama can beat Shields here unless some very sketchy judging goes down.
Shields by UD.
Yushin Okami vs Tim Boetsch - My gut says this will be the start of a long skid for Okami.
Boetsch by I don't know.
Anthony Pettis vs Joe Lauzon - This should be an exciting fight but I think Joe is going to get another submission victory on his record.