MMA4Real UFC 97 Predictions

Kelvin Hunt-While I think Leites has a chance of beating Anderson Silva, I can't go against him in making this pick.  I think Anderson will do his usual and feel Leites out for a couple of minutes and get his timing down...then goto work.  However, Leites is durable as all hell.  I think he makes it to the 3rd round and then Anderson puts him away via TKO.

Charles Walker- While I don't think it'll be a total domination, I think Anderson will soundly do away with Thales Leites.  His reach, his accuracy, and his killer instinct is going to give Leites hell and I have a hard time seeing Thales able to take this fight to the ground unless pulling guard in which I highly doubt Anderson would be dumb enough to follow.  I think it'll be a slow start in the first round, maybe a flurry midway through it, I think Leites will show he can take some good shots from Anderson and then I think 2nd round, both will get loose and Leites will try to push forward to close the distance, which will be his undoing and Anderson will go home with his fifth straight title victory.

Kelvin Hunt-I'd love for Shogun to win this fight, but I just can't see it.  He will not be able to take and/or keep Liddell down.  He doesn't possess devasting KO power like Rampage or Rashad.  The longer this fight goes, the more it favors Liddell as I think Shogun's cardio will still be suspect.  I think Liddell takes Shogun out via TKO in Rd. 3

Charles Walker- Both guys are trying to reinvent themselves and I think it'll show...for maybe two or three minutes then both will go back to what they feel comfortable doing.  I think Chuck will be head hunting but be smart about it and I think Shogun will be trying to get inside and close to Chuck by throwing kicks.  In the end, I think it'll be a war, I think the fans will get a good well fought fight but I think Shogun will land more and better shots due to his youth and quickness and I think he'll actually finish Chuck via TKO in round 3.

Kelvin Hunt-I'm go against the grain in this one and pick Brian Stann.  Soszynski will probably not want to stand with Stann, and I think Stann might be able to pull this out.  Stann via decision

Charles Walker- Reading that Stann's been working with Greg Jackson might change my mind but I still can't see him winning this, I think Soszynski will take it to the ground repeatedly and we'll be in for a boring decision win for the Polish Experiment.

Kelvin Hunt-Kongo via TKO Rd. 1.  I think the guy is on a mission.  Hardonk does have better BJJ, but I don't think this fight will make it to the ground.

Charles Walker- This'll be a war, plain and simple, it's a toss up fight as both excel at the same thing, both have power and both can take a shot.  So I'm gong to bet on black and pick Kongo by decision.

Kelvin Hunt-Cane via TKO Round 2.

Charles Walker- Luiz Cane by TKO in round 2.  No explanation needed, I think he's just an overall better fighter than Cantwell.