UFC 117 Predictions

[AUSMMA]

Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen

Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen is a very interesting matchup. If Chael Sonnen has been working exstensively on his submission defence, do not be surprised to see him grind out a 5 round unanimous decision, with brutal G'n'P. As always Anderson Silva will be looking to use his Muay Thai to end the fight, but due to Sonnen's wrestling pedigree, he may be cautious about throwing kicks. Also, once on the ground, look for Anderson Silva to use up kicks to set up a triangle choke with his long legs. Due to Sonnen's dubious submission defence, Anderson will not feel to uncomfortable on the ground.

Result: Silva Via 3rd round (T)KO

 

Jon Fitch Vs. Thiago Alves

Takedown Defence: This whole fight could very well hinge on Alves' takedown defence. If Alves can keep this standing, look for him to use his brutal Muay Thai to destroy Fitch. You may notice a lack of his kicks, as in the Silva fight, he will be cautious about the takedown. I think despite his best attempts, Alves will be taken down, where he must work on his submission offense from his back, or at the very least, hip escapes. If Fitch does manage to get the takedown, look for him to wear Alves down, in search of a UD. Looking at this fight, it is a virtual copy of Silva Vs. Sonnen, minus two rounds

Result: Fitch via Unanimous Decision

 

Clay Guida Vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Guida is a spaz. Everyone knows it, and frankly, it works! He has to go in there, and push the pace and look to wear dos Anjos down. He should be able to rely on his wrestling to keep the fight standing, but should not go to the ground with dos Anjos. dos Anjos is a serious BJJ blackbelt, and can submit the best of them. If he can get the fight to the ground, he has a massive chance of winning this fight. But, in the standup, I believe, the cardio machine Guida has the advantage, and this is where the majority of the fight will take place

Result: Guida via Unanimous Decision, or 3rd Rd TKO

 

Matt Hughes Vs. Ricardo Almeida

Whilst technically not a Gracie, Almeida will be looking to restore the pride of his mentor, Renzo Gracie and Royce Gracie. A legitimate BJJ black belt, you won't see him looking disappointed if he gets taken down. But has he ever been on the bottom, with a world class wrestler on top, like Matt Hughes. Matt Hughes could look to keep the fight standing, where he has very good hands, but if that doesn't go well, he always has his wrestling to fall back on. Despite not being ranked, Matt Hughes is believed to have Black Belt caliber BJJ, so he can feel safe going to the ground

Result: Hughes Via Unanimous Decision, or 2nd Rd TKO(Fight of the Night)

 

Roy Nelson Vs. Junior dos Santos

Do not count out Roy Nelson. Jut because he doesn't have the physique of a fighter, soes not mean he is not a serious threat to the heavyweight division. I believe he has a distinct advantage in the ground game (he outgrappled Frank Mir in 2003) so he will probably look to take the fight their as soon as possible. He will look for a submission, but at the same time, will look to wear him down, using his weight. Junior dos Santos has the exact opposite game plan. He wants to go out their, and knock Roy Nelson out in the first round, to solidify his title shot at the winner of the Lesnar/Velasquez fight. If he does go to the ground, look for him to use hip escapes to get to the feet immediately. If the fight does stay standing, however, his hands will be good enough to end the fight quickly, probably with huge uppercuts

Result:dos Santos Via 1st Rd KO (KOTN)

[Smooth_Criminal81]

Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen

Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen is a very interesting matchup. If Chael Sonnen has been working exstensively on his submission defence' date=' do not be surprised to see him grind out a 5 round unanimous decision, with brutal G'n'P. As always Anderson Silva will be looking to use his Muay Thai to end the fight, but due to Sonnen's wrestling pedigree, he may be cautious about throwing kicks. Also, once on the ground, look for Anderson Silva to use up kicks to set up a triangle choke with his long legs. Due to Sonnen's dubious submission defence, Anderson will not feel to uncomfortable on the ground.

[b']Result: Silva Via 3rd round (T)KO[/b]

 

Jon Fitch Vs. Thiago Alves

Takedown Defence: This whole fight could very well hinge on Alves' takedown defence. If Alves can keep this standing, look for him to use his brutal Muay Thai to destroy Fitch. You may notice a lack of his kicks, as in the Silva fight, he will be cautious about the takedown. I think despite his best attempts, Alves will be taken down, where he must work on his submission offense from his back, or at the very least, hip escapes. If Fitch does manage to get the takedown, look for him to wear Alves down, in search of a UD. Looking at this fight, it is a virtual copy of Silva Vs. Sonnen, minus two rounds

Result: Fitch via Unanimous Decision

 

Clay Guida Vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Guida is a spaz. Everyone knows it, and frankly, it works! He has to go in there, and push the pace and look to wear dos Anjos down. He should be able to rely on his wrestling to keep the fight standing, but should not go to the ground with dos Anjos. dos Anjos is a serious BJJ blackbelt, and can submit the best of them. If he can get the fight to the ground, he has a massive chance of winning this fight. But, in the standup, I believe, the cardio machine Guida has the advantage, and this is where the majority of the fight will take place

Result: Guida via Unanimous Decision, or 3rd Rd TKO

 

Matt Hughes Vs. Ricardo Almeida

Whilst technically not a Gracie, Almeida will be looking to restore the pride of his mentor, Renzo Gracie and Royce Gracie. A legitimate BJJ black belt, you won't see him looking disappointed if he gets taken down. But has he ever been on the bottom, with a world class wrestler on top, like Matt Hughes. Matt Hughes could look to keep the fight standing, where he has very good hands, but if that doesn't go well, he always has his wrestling to fall back on. Despite not being ranked, Matt Hughes is believed to have Black Belt caliber BJJ, so he can feel safe going to the ground

Result: Hughes Via Unanimous Decision, or 2nd Rd TKO(Fight of the Night)

 

Roy Nelson Vs. Junior dos Santos

Do not count out Roy Nelson. Jut because he doesn't have the physique of a fighter, soes not mean he is not a serious threat to the heavyweight division. I believe he has a distinct advantage in the ground game (he outgrappled Frank Mir in 2003) so he will probably look to take the fight their as soon as possible. He will look for a submission, but at the same time, will look to wear him down, using his weight. Junior dos Santos has the exact opposite game plan. He wants to go out their, and knock Roy Nelson out in the first round, to solidify his title shot at the winner of the Lesnar/Velasquez fight. If he does go to the ground, look for him to use hip escapes to get to the feet immediately. If the fight does stay standing, however, his hands will be good enough to end the fight quickly, probably with huge uppercuts

Result:dos Santos Via 1st Rd KO (KOTN)

 

PFFFFFT.....Nelson getting knocked out in the 1st.

 

Nelson will win by submission in the 2nd

[everlast69]

Very good predictions. Alves will definatley be affected by ring rust. Its tough one for Big Country vs Junior. I think Nelson may get a UD, using takedowns and just wearing the s*it out of him.

[BOOGMAN]

Nice post.

 

I have Sonnen pulling the upset and winning via UD.

 

I also think Hughes loses via UD. He's getting long in the tooth.

[l1fel1ke]

Nice post. I agree cept i think Roy will pull the upset and win by tko on the feet

 

Hopin Matt Hughes has a good fight too

[K22UFC]

Good post but I think that Almeida will beat Hughes and I don't think Big Country will be finished in the first round.

[gordongopher]

I think you've got it pretty good there although I also have Almeida to win, Alves also but in a close fight and i see Silva looking immense to make up for his last fight and winning it in 1 or early in 2.