UFC 102

UFC 101 isn't even a distant memory yet, and still I sit here getting geared up for 102. While this last card had some good matchups, I believe this could be one of the more entertaining cards we have seen in a while. Headlined by some solid matchups, the return of Chris Leben, and two legendary heavyweights squaring off, this card has a lot to offer and should be well worth the PPV cost. So lets get to the fights I am really looking forward to, with predictions as well.



Randy Couture vs Antoniono Minotauro Nogueira


Preview- This matchup contains two completely different styles, and two masters of their respective martial art. Randy Couture is a world class clinch fighter, and has awesome cardio with solid ground and pound. Contrastly Minotauro is one of the greatest BJJ practitioners in the world, with good boxing and a legendary chin. This matchup is long overdue, and should be a very entertaining fight. Whoever can implement their style and control where the fight takes place should win, and set themselves up for a title shot at Brock Lesnar.



Prediction- I think this fight has the potential to go to the distance. Both fighters have good cardio and a solid all around game. While i can see Nogueira catching Couture in one of his signature submissions, my gut tells me that Randy Couture will win a unanimous decision in a very entertaining fight.



Keith Jardine vs Thiago Silva



Preview- Keith Jardine comes into every fight the same way, as one of the most underrated and least talked about fighters in the light heavyweight division. Why this guy isn't talked about more is a mystery to me. While not a top flight contender, Jardine holds wins over Chuck Liddell and an absolute destruction of Forrest Griffin. He has unorthodox standup which allows him to catch people not used to his style. His ground game is not as good, which is where Silva can dominate the fight. Silva comes in off a loss to Lyoto Machida, but possess great power, and a good grapple game. Depending on where the fight takes place will be a huge factor on the outcome.



Prediction- Thiago Silva via first round TKO. While Jardine is a constant upset threat, I don't see him staying on his feet. Look for the ref to pull a highly motivated Silva off of Jardine late in the first round.



Nate Marquardt vs Demian Maia



Preview- This fight has all the makings of a classic. At first look, Marquardt would be the favorite, as he holds the definitive striking advantage, and is a BJJ black belt. A solid wrestler, Marquardt has all the tools to beat anyone at 185. Demian Maia, however has something else, something very few people posess. Maia can claim to be a two time WORLD CHAMPION at BJJ. There is a world of difference in a BJJ black belt and a world champ. Maia has some of the most technical BJJ in all of MMA, and one mistake on the ground can result in an instant submission.



Prediction- This is an upset pick to some degree as I predict Maia wins with his patented triangle in the second round. He is undefeated in the UFC for a reason, and he will remind us why on August 29th, as he solidifies himself as a top contender at 185.



Chris Leben vs Jake Rosholt



Preview- This has fight of the night written all over it. Chris Leben makes his anticipated return to the octogon to take on a very solid wrestler in Jake Rosholt. Rosholt has won his fights with his dominant ground striking and will look to continue to do so against Leben. As we all know, no Chris Leben fight is boring with the brawling style he posseses. Leben has a lot to prove, and this fight may be worth the PPV price itself



Prediciton- Chris Leben is going to knock out Rosholt in the second round. Look for the Crippler to connect on some solid overhands, setting himself up for the KO victory.





While I am sure these fights will not be the only good ones, they are very compelling and should be very entertaining. This card has several big names on it, and should be a good card to end the summer on. And with a fight night in mid september there is a lot of UFC action to look foward to in the next few weeks. I will make sure to cover this much more as we get closer to the date of this card. Until next time fight fans.

Take it easy