Friday, November 14, 2008

Luke's UFC 91 Predictions



Heavyweight Championship Match: Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar[1]

I got Randy via submission somewhere between rounds two and four, for more details see my article from yesterday.

Lightweight bout: Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson

Ken Flo is on a nice five match undefeated streak since losing to Sean Sherk in 2006. He needs this win over a bigger and more physical 155 lb fighter like Stevenson to show the UFC brass that he is ready to hang with BJ or Sherk. The Huerta win was nice, but I think Stevenson is much more established on the ground, which is where a fight with BJ or Sherk would end up. Stevenson is a big 155er, accomplished wrestler and very strong, but can be very one dimensional i.e. I don't see Kenny get caught with a guillotine. I think Kenny keeps the fight standing, peppers him with shots, avoids the takedown and squeezes out a tight decision victory.

Heavyweight bout: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Josh Hendricks[5]

Gonzaga is kind of the forgotten man in the heavyweight division, but you don't hand Mirko Cro Cop his most devastating defeat and lose your ability over night. Hendricks isn't new to fighting, but holding the Gladiator Challenge belt and fighting under the lights in Vegas are two different things. Gonzaga via TKO in round two.

Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Nate Quarry

Classic grappler versus brawler match up. Maia is a hot prospect, who has won submission of the night in all three of his UFC appearances and a much tougher opponent for Quarry than the fleet footed Khalib Starnes. I like Maia in a decision here, because I think Quarry's conditioning and stregth will keep him in the fight.

Welterweight bout: Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory[6]

Not to much to offer here, I like Hazelett via submission, possibly submission of the night honors

Lightweight bout: Jorge Gurgel vs. Aaron Riley[7]

Gurgel via submission

Lightweight bout: Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael dos Anjos[8]

Rafael dos Anjos via decision

Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs. Alvin Robinson[9]

Robinson via submission

Welterweight bout: Matt Brown vs. Ryan Thomas

Brown via TKO

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