Ufc predictions and preview

Mizugaki always brings it, and several years ago he was touted as the next best thing out of Japan since Okami. His resume is impressive, with bouts against Urijah Faber, Miguel Torres and Rani Yahya to his name. Although not all wins, he has fought the toughest in the division and made a name in the WEC. Escovedo is coming off a loss in his first fight in the UFC, but he is also a vet, having fought in the Tachi Palace, WEC and Dream. Both may face a cut if they do not pull off a win, so this could be a barn burner!

Previous TUF contestant Ring took a controversial win against Fukuda at UFC 127, but redeemed himself with a submission win over James Head at UFC 131. He is fighting Boetsch, who has a wrestling background and will certainly attempt to do what Fukuda did at 127. MMA journalists all around the world scored the bout for Fukuda and Fukuda received his win bonus despite being on the losing end of the judge’s score cards. Ring will be attempting to avoid a repeat of that at all costs, so expect a sprawl and brawl match with Ring trying to utilise his boxing. He won’t want to be pinned or taken down for the duration of the fight again and will be going for an early KO or TKO. It should be an interesting match-up!

The main card promises some intriguing match ups.

Diaz vs Gomi is lightweight battle that promises much. Diaz is normally quite slow out of the blocks, with third round performances far better than the previous rounds in his last two fights. He has an excellent chin, and possesses a very dangerous guard courtesy of his Cesar Gracie training. Gomi is an MMA veteran and has a freestyle wrestling and boxing background, finishing his last fight by KO. The powerful Japanese fighter will look to utilise his boxing and the clinch, keeping Diaz against the fence and nullifying his reach. Diaz’s jiu jitsu is far less effective when he is pinned against the cage, and if Gomi is going to take it, I say he takes it with ground and pound TKO against the cage. If it’s Diaz’s night, then he wins by submission as it is clearly Gomi’s weakness. Gomi is running a 1-2 record at the moment, so he will be looking for the win to stay in the UFC.

Hunt Vs Rothwell may be another big fight as Hunt had lost his last 6 fights up until the win at UFC 127 against Tuchscherer! There were contractual elements which obligated the UFC to give him fights when they bought Pride and they couldn’t release him despite the awful streak. He really has to pull this one out of the bag and perform, as I can see him being cut if he picks up another L on his record despite the KO of the night bonus at his last showing.

Browne Vs. Broughton is being touted as a gimme for Browne, who is on a long running unbeaten streak. His last spectacular KO against Stefan ‘Skyscraper’ Struve cemented his place as a contender in the heavyweights and I am expecting him to dish out some severe punishment to Broughton. Browne has very heavy hands and has a record to prove it, he’s also 6’7’’ and no slouch in the cage. Expect this fight not to go the distance, as Browne looks for the right opportunity to sling his anvils with pinpoint accuracy. He’s lining up a run at a top five opponent and this could push that door wide open. Broughton is one of our own (British), and has a mixture of subs and finishes to his record that evidence his competency as a true mixed martial artist. He has fought in M1, and is a former Cage Rage champ. Despite the press, I don’t think he’s a gimme, and as he can pull finishes from kneebars out of his toolbox, he would be a sound underdog to place a pretty penny on.

Hughes Vs. Koscheck is a battle of the unlikeables. Hughes has a ridiculous amount of negative press behind him, after boasting of castrating piglets in his book, and acting like a veritable douchebag on TUF. He was always portrayed as a bully in his early years and this has won him many haters. He is now a man of God, and has mellowed considerably with age. He is a veteran of that Division and has an amazing history with the UFC. Love him or hate him, he always brings it to the cage, and he will lay his heart and soul on the mat. I cannot believe that I am reading that he is the heavy under-dog and again, this would be a sound bet in anyone’s eyes. Hughes will always have the skill to finish no matter the calibre of his opponent and you can bet that he knows all the tricks of the trade with experience on his side. Koscheck is just a spoon. I have never liked him since his first outing on TUF, and despite some moderate boxing, great ground and pound, and (let’s face it) fantastic wrestling pedigree, I still can’t bring myself to appreciate anything he says. He has a smattering of KO’s/TKO’s on his record, but his speciality is the decision win. I really hope it doesn’t go the distance and Hughes manages to eke out some sort of respect from him, although I do think that Koschek will eventually do exactly what he always does and control out a decision win.

The headliner is the bout that everyone is talking about, and I’m not afraid to nail my colours to the mast with this one. I love Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. The guy is one talented mofo, and is bringing evolution of technique into the cage alongside superior athletic genetics. Everyone is talking about his arrogant attitude and his seemingly obvious aloofness, but I can’t see this at all. I think he is grounded for a 24 year old world champion who has only lost through disqualification. And not only has he beat everybody, but he has beaten them soundly and with style. He is a very entertaining fighter, and as he matures in MMA I can see him becoming a younger Anderson Silva – with wrestling (which is incredibly scary).

What can I say about Rampage..? He is incredibly experienced and has fought – and won – in the gauntlet of Pride. His slams are legendary, his boxing is excellent, and his style is calculated and clinical. He has looked very calm and almost reticent in his last two fights, especially the Hamill fight, which he could have finished early on had he pulled the trigger. He looks like he is not the same war machine that brought the ‘Rampage’ name to life in Pride and many have said that his focus seems to lie elsewhere (the film industry). I really hope that some of that flame comes back against Jones and he comes out blasting, because if he stands off and attempts to box, or pin Jones against the cage with movement, he will bring about a storm of elbows and knees thrown from unorthodox angles at unorthodox times with unorthodox range. He can’t let Jones find that rhythm, because if he does I think that Jones will fight his fight to the beat of his drum. I certainly don’t think this fight will go to decision.

There’s always a chance that Rampage could possibly test Jones’ jaw… It hasn’t really been tested yet. There’s always that puncher’s chance, and Rampage is certainly a puncher. Anything’s possible in MMA…