Charles Walker:
Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
- Let's say it how it is, this fight will only mean something if Rich wins. With that said, it should be an interesting fight as both guys like to stand, one looking for one big shot, the other likes to pick away at his opponents. The major thing will be Chuck's condition after he layoff, the size difference, and Chuck's speed. If Chuck has problems getting off from the get-go it's going to be a long (or short) night for him. I don't think Rich has the power to put Chuck down and out but I could very well see the volume of strikes adding up after a about two rounds. In any case, Rich Franklin needs this more than Chuck, so I'm picking him to win a decision.
Patrick Barry vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
- I should be picking smartly but I'm not, Pat Barry's a likable guy but you want to see your favorites win. Cro Cop didn't look absolutely horrible against Junior dos Santos, so that gave me a glimmer of hope, I think with the right strategy, Cro Cop can keep Barry at distance and chop him down. If by any means he allows Barry to close the distance, I think it's a wrap. But I'll go with my heart on this one and call Cro Cop via TKO in round 2.
SBN coverage of UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
- This is going to be a good fight, a lot of folks are big on Thiago and feel he has the overall tools to put away Kampmann but I also think the other is true too. I see this being a closely contested bout with neither gaining any kind of dominance. However, I see Thiago being strong enough to get Kampmann down late and keep him there for the decision win.
Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
- Man, this one won't be pretty. Two big ugly guys in the Octagon throwing leather can only lead to one thing...good night Ben Rothwell.
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
- I got Rory in this one, should be a war though. Condit is aggressive but I think Rory's wrestling will be the key to victory. Don't see either guy finishing the other, so decision for Rory MacDonald.
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman
- This should be decent, but I just don't think Danzig's good enough to fight on this stage. Wiman's a gamer too, so Wiman via decision.
Evan Dunham vs. Tyson Griffin
- This'll be a barnburner, if it becomes ultimate small guy kickboxing, I kind of lean towards Griffin but if it become an overall MMA bout, Dunham could find some success. I don't know, this is a pick 'em fight so I'll go with my gut and pick Griffin to pull out an impressive hard fought decision.
David Loiseau vs. Mario Miranda
- Miranda via decision
Peter Sobotta vs. James Wilks
- Wilks via decision
Ricardo Funch vs. Claude Patrick
- Funch via TKO in round 3
Jesse Lennox vs. Mike Pyle
- Pyle via decision
Rich Wyatt:
Franklin over Liddell by decision- I'm unsure how to predict here. Rich isn't the most durable guy in the world but my gut instinct is that he'll come in with the right gameplan and execute it.
Barry over Filipovic by TKO in the 2nd- This fight should provide some drama for however long it lasts. With guys that hit like this, I don't see how this one could go to the scorecards.
Thiago over Kampmann by decision- I foresee Thiago earning a convincing win by decision in this one.
Rothwell over Yvel by TKO in the 2nd
Dunham over Griffin by decision
Condit over MacDonald by decision
Danzig over Eiman by decision
Patrick over Funch by TKO in the 3rd
Sobotta over Wilks by decision
Pyle over Lennox by decision
Miranda over Loiseau by decision
Kelvin Hunt:
Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
-I think both fighters are about shot. This fight will stay standing the whole time which means that it's going to be a battle of power and who has the better chin. Liddell has the edge in power with both chins being kind of questionable. Ehh...I'm go with Liddell via TKO in Rd. 2.
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry
-Another stand up battle, although Mirko could win this one fairly easily if he took Barry down. However, his PRIDE will probably cause him to make this harder than it should be. He'll have a height and reach advantage over Barry, but Barry has shown he can overcome those problems against larger guys. Mirko was able to 'ok' against the very hard hitting JDS, so I think he should be able to take this one. I think it's going to goto a decision though regardless of how much Barry says it ain't going to go outta the first.
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
-Should be a good scrap right here. I think Kampmann has the tools to potentially win this one. However, Thiago has looked better and better each time in the octagon I'm go with Thiago via decision.
Gilbert Yvel vs. Ben Rothwell
-I'm going with Rothwell via TKO
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald
-I like this fight a lot and it should be a war. I think MacDonald could get Condit with him coming off the long layoff, but if Condit is on. I think he'll be a little too much too soon for MacDonald. I'm go with Condit via close decision. However, MacDonald could make a name for himself in this one.
Tyson Grififn vs. Evan Dunham
-Griffin goes back to his decision ways in this one
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman
-I think Danzig is the more complete fighter. He takes the decision
Claude Patrick vs. Ricardo Funch
-Patrick via TKO Rd. 2
James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
-Wilks via decision
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox
-Mike Pyle via Submission in Rd. 2
David Loiseau vs. Mario Miranda
-Miranda via UD
Robert Downey Sr.:
Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin
Franklin is the better all around fighter and always has been. If Liddell is truly prepared for this fight-as photographic evidence has suggested-it should be one fun scrap. I don't think the Iceman can outpoint Franklin at this stage of the game, even though he shouldn't worry too much about any devastating power Franklin has been hiding from us all these years. The true battle is Rich's skills vs. Chuck's power and I'll wager on the former being the greater advantage. Rich Franklin via Decision
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Patrick Barry
If this is a kickboxing match, Barry is indeed younger and faster. But Cro Cop's pedigree is simply a cut above Barry's. Although in better days for the Croatian, he's faced better K-1 strikers than Pat Barry and defeated them. Cro Cop could make this easy on himself: take down Barry and unleash the ground-and-pound that brutalized Noguiera and Barnett in PRIDE. If he does that, I guarantee his victory. Even if he doesn't, I think he gets some of the old glory back anyway. Cro Cop via TKO, Round 2
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
I'm not totally writing off Kampmann, but every time we've seen Thiago in the Octagon he's been an improved fighter in standup and submissions. Thiago has faced nothing but top-10 competition in the UFC and has a winning record (2-1). No matter how much Joe Rogan pumps the Dane's "great kickboxing", Paulo is deadlier on the feet as well as on the mat. Paulo Thiago via Submission, Round 3
Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
I found Yvel's comments about his camp ditching him prior to the Junior dos Santos fight very interesting. I think he's motivated for this one and he just plain hits harder than Rothwell. Gilbert Yvel via KO, Round 1
Carlos Condit vs. Rory McDonald
McDonald has a ton of upside at just 20 years old, but Condit is too much for him right now. Carlos Condit via Submission, Round 2
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