hector234
Bench Warmer
So this might be one of the most cursed fight cards in mma history, and after all the injuries and what not, this is still a pretty solid card. I will go ahead and break down each of the main fights and give MY opinion on who will win.
Junios Dos Santos vs Gilber Yvel
Yvel's first fight in the UFC, he is a mma vet and is well known by the hardcore MMA community. He has good kicks and knees, and has a nice ground game, my only problem with Yvel is he can bring it one fight, and look out of it at times the next. Dos Santos is coming off a huge win against Cro Cop, and did have a nasty KO of Werdum. Both guys are pretty even, but I will say Dos Santos keeps riding the wide of success.
Joe Lauzon vs Sam Stout
This is an awesome fight at 155. I really like both of these guys. Lauzon has greatly improved in each of his fights, especially his stand up. Stout is a great striker, and is has had some great battles, especially against Spencer Fisher. I think Lauzon's solid ground game gives him an edge, but don't be shocked if this turns into a kick boxing match, which might favor Stout. I'll still take Lauzon though to win this.
Dustin Hazelett vs Paul Daley
Hazelett has a good ground game, and has had some tough losses in his career. Coming off a loss, he really needs to bounce back. Paul Daley is one tough customer, and is coming off a HUGE win over Martin Kampmann. I think he makes it 2-0 in the UFC with a win here over Hazelett.
Thiago Silva vs Rashad Evans
This should be a great fight, both guys like to stand up and trade, and have good ground games to compliment their striking. Thiago has shown he has KO power, coming off a 1st round KO of Jardine. Though he may not be as techincally sound in his striking as Evans, he is just as dangerous. He has a great jiu jitsu game, though it's never really been shown, he hasn't submitted anyone, but he has vicious ground and pound. Rashad is coming off a nasty loss to Machida. He has improved A LOT in his striking since he was on TUF. He doesn't really use his wrestling as much anymore, and it will be interesting to see if he decides to go to that against Silva. I really like both guys, and think both can KO each other easily. I don't see this going to a decision. I will have to go with Rashad though. Thiago's brawler style of striking tends to leave openings, and that could really spell trouble against a guy like Rashad.
Junios Dos Santos vs Gilber Yvel
Yvel's first fight in the UFC, he is a mma vet and is well known by the hardcore MMA community. He has good kicks and knees, and has a nice ground game, my only problem with Yvel is he can bring it one fight, and look out of it at times the next. Dos Santos is coming off a huge win against Cro Cop, and did have a nasty KO of Werdum. Both guys are pretty even, but I will say Dos Santos keeps riding the wide of success.
Joe Lauzon vs Sam Stout
This is an awesome fight at 155. I really like both of these guys. Lauzon has greatly improved in each of his fights, especially his stand up. Stout is a great striker, and is has had some great battles, especially against Spencer Fisher. I think Lauzon's solid ground game gives him an edge, but don't be shocked if this turns into a kick boxing match, which might favor Stout. I'll still take Lauzon though to win this.
Dustin Hazelett vs Paul Daley
Hazelett has a good ground game, and has had some tough losses in his career. Coming off a loss, he really needs to bounce back. Paul Daley is one tough customer, and is coming off a HUGE win over Martin Kampmann. I think he makes it 2-0 in the UFC with a win here over Hazelett.
Thiago Silva vs Rashad Evans
This should be a great fight, both guys like to stand up and trade, and have good ground games to compliment their striking. Thiago has shown he has KO power, coming off a 1st round KO of Jardine. Though he may not be as techincally sound in his striking as Evans, he is just as dangerous. He has a great jiu jitsu game, though it's never really been shown, he hasn't submitted anyone, but he has vicious ground and pound. Rashad is coming off a nasty loss to Machida. He has improved A LOT in his striking since he was on TUF. He doesn't really use his wrestling as much anymore, and it will be interesting to see if he decides to go to that against Silva. I really like both guys, and think both can KO each other easily. I don't see this going to a decision. I will have to go with Rashad though. Thiago's brawler style of striking tends to leave openings, and that could really spell trouble against a guy like Rashad.