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Dec
26
UFC 92 Predictions
December 26, 2008 |
By James Denly
It’s the time of the year again when families come together celebrate the holidays. Most people think of traveling, exchanging gifts, and sharing precious moments with friends and family when it comes to the month of December. However, for MMA fans, it’s time for the biggest UFC fight card of the year. This card is no exception as UFC 92 will feature three of the year’s biggest fights including two title bouts. In the main event, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin will defend his crown against undefeated contender “Sugar” Rashad Evans. In the other title bout, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir will finally get a shot at the belt he never lost as he takes on current interim champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. The final blockbuster bout on this card will between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as he takes on Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva for the third time. These are my predictions for the entire card.
Forrest Griffin over Rashad Evans
No one has ever been able to force Rashad to fight a fast paced fight like Forrest will. I think cardio will come into play and we don’t know if Rashad has enough in his gas tank to keep up a furious pace. Forrest seems to shine in big fights and has fought the best of the best in the division. I think Forrest wins a unanimous decision.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira over Frank Mir
This bout features arguably the two best heavyweight ground fighters in the history of MMA. Mir will definitely have the strength and speed advantage, but his cardio has been questionable in the past. Minotauro has solid striking and his ground game is top notch. His ability to recover is like no other. I think that Mir will gas out by the third round and Minotauro will be able to finish the fight. I’m going with Nogueira via submission.
Wanderlei Silva over Quinton Jackson
I don’t think that this is a good fight for Jackson to take right after a loss to Forrest Griffin. Wanderlei has beaten Rampage twice in Pride and both fights ended with brutal knockouts. Wanderlei just seems to have Rampage’s number. He’s going to come out fast and put furious pace on Jackson. I just don’t see Rampage being able to weather the storm. I am going to predict Wanderlei via knockout.
Cheick Kongo over Mostapha Al Turk
Kongo’s superior striking is going to be the key to this fight. I don’t know much about Al Turk, but I hope he has a solid stand up game. If he doesn’t, this fight won’t make it past the first round. Kongo via knockout in the first round.
Yushin Okami over Dean Lister
Okami is extremely strong and very well rounded. Lister is an amazing ground fighter and his only chance at winning is to get this fight to the mat. Okami is a good wrestler and will be able to keep this fight standing. Okami should be able to finish Lister on their feet. I’m going with Okami via knockout.
Antoni Hardonk over Mike Wessel
Hardonk is a great striker and is getting better on the ground training with Rickson Gracie. I think that if Hardonk can keep this fight on the feet, he will be able to win a technical bout over Wessel. I say Hardonk via unanimous decision.
Matt Hamill over Reese Andy
Reese Andy is a good wrestler, but his wrestling is no nearly as strong as Matt Hamill’s. Hamill’s striking has improved by leaps and bounds and continues to get better every time he steps into the octagon. Hamill is also ridiculously strong. I believe that he will be able to overpower Andy and control the fight wherever it goes. I’m going with Hamill in a unanimous decision.
Ryo Chonan over Brad Blackburn
Chonan has fought some of the best fighters in the game today. He also has that big over Anderson Silva. I believe that his experience will play a huge factor in this fight. I’m going with Chonan via split decision.
Dan Evensen over Pat Barry
Both of these fighters have won most of if not all of their fights by knockout. Evensen is four inches taller than the 5’11” tall Barry. Evensen will clearly have the reach advantage in this fight and it if he can keep Barry on the outside, he should win this fight. I say Evensen via TKO.
The UFC always saves their biggest fight card for the end of the year and this is no exception. This should truly be an exciting night of fights. A lot of questions should be answered by the end of the night. Will Forrest be able to successfully defend his crown, or is he just a transitional champion? Who will win the Heavyweight crown and go on to face Brock Lesnar to unify the titles? Can Rampage end this tough year on a good note, or will Wanderlei go 3 for 3? Whatever way these answers turn out, it should be fun to watch unfold. Hope everyone had a good holiday and has an even better New Years.
