Mark J. Rebillas-USA Today Sports
This weekend features UFC on Fox Sports 1, which showcases a great card from top to bottom. Headlining the card is a light heavyweight bout between Chael Sonnen and Shogun Rua. Both of these light heavyweights are trying to restore their MMA career, and will stop at nothing to get an impressive win under their belt.
Let’s now take a look at the rest of the card and make some predictions.
Joe Lauzon vs. Michael Johnson: This lightweight bout is important for both fighters. Lauzon has the edge in almost every single department save for the wrestling. He will use his crisp boxing combinations to rock Johnson, who will look to take the fight to the ground. Lauzon will then lock on a submission. Final Prediction: Joe Lauzon wins via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.
Uriah Hall vs. John Howard: This middleweight matchup could end violently, as both have knockout power in their kicks and hands. Howard has more experience, but Hall has more raw power. Hall will find his rhythm early in the fight and will land something devastating on Howard. Final Prediction: Urijah Hall wins via KO in the first round.
Matt Brown vs. Mike Pyle: A lot is at stake in this welterweight matchup. Both fighters have been on a roll, and it really could go either way. Brown has shown some weaknesses with his submission game, which is where Pyle excels. Pyle will weather the early storm from Brown, and take this fight to the ground. From there, he land some good shots until a submission opens up. Final Prediction: Mike Pyle wins via submission (armbar) in the second round.
Urijah Faber vs. Yuri Alcantara: Both of these bantamweights have a lot of experience under their belts. Also, they each can finish the fight standing and on the ground. Faber has the championship experience, which will serve him well in this bout. Faber will have the speed advantage as well. He will get multiple takedowns and control Yuri on the ground. Yuri will try to scramble, and Faber will lock up his patented submission. Final Prediction: Urijah Faber wins via submission (guillotine) in the second round.
Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne: Both of these heavyweights have knockout power in their hands. Overeem will be looking to redeem himself in this bout. Browne will start this fight out aggressively, but Overeem will use effective counter strikes, utilizing his kicks and devastating knees. Overeem will pick his shots and find an opening that ends Browne’s night quickly. Final Prediction: Alistair Overeem wins via TKO in the first round.
Chael Sonnen vs. Shogun Rua: Rua has never had the best cardio, which will serve Sonnen well in this bout. Sonnen will hang with Rua on the feet, and then shoot in for takedowns. From there, Sonnen will put relentless pressure on Rua, who will threaten with submissions, but Sonnen will avoid danger each round. Final Prediction: Chael Sonnen wins via unanimous decision.
