UFC 120

Okay, so I really put this off, and now I'm under the gun. The quick and dirty predictions......

GO!


James "Lightning" Wilks vs Claude "The Prince" Patrick
welterweight

All I know about Wilks is that he won season 9 of TUF, and has gone 1-1 in the UFC since then. Patrick is Canadian, and is quite slick on the ground. If Wilks cannot use his solid clinch work to keep dominant position either standing, or on the ground, he's in for a lot of trouble. There's a chance that Wilks may catch Patrick with something early, but chances are "The Prince" will find Wilks' neck, and with his bevy of guillotine entries, it'll all be academic after that.

Patrick via submission (guillotine), Rd. 2

Cheick Kongo vs Travis " Hapa" Browne
heavyweight

Browne is a huge heavyweight, standing 6'7" and weighing over 250 pounds. Unfortunately, he's making only his second UFC appearance, and it's against one of the top strikers in the heavyweight division. Kongo is more than capable of bringing the hurt with the leather, and if Browne can't (wont) get the fight to the ground, Kongo will pick him apart. The tactical striking of Kongo is simply going to be too much for Browne, who will be handed his first career loss, and Kongo will move on to seek revenge against Frank Mir.

Kongo via Unanimous Decision

John "The Hitman" Hathaway vs Mike "Quicksand" Pyle
welterweight

Is Hathaway the next big thing to come into MMA via the U.K.? Can he survive the onslaught of submission attempts that Pyle will throw at him? Will Pyle get off the schnide and put a halt to alternating wins and losses in his four fight stint in the UFC? Will I keep asking questions? Yes, yes, no, and no. Pyle is tough, but with the takedown defense of Hathaway preventing Pyle from getting the fight to where he wants it to, "Quicksand" will find himself struggling withe Brit's reach, and striking acumen. Hathaway puts a stamp on his destruction of Diego Sanchez, with a second round TKO of Pyle, and steadily moves up the welterweight ladder.

Hathaway via TKO, Rd. 2

Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy vs. Carlos "Natural Born Killer" Condit
welterweight

Hardy returns to the Octagon after his moral victory, but actual loss to Georges St. Pierre, looking to rebound, and get back to a championship fight. Condit is still struggling to gain the form he showed when he was the 170 pound champ in the WEC. Both fighters like to bang, and both are tough as hell. Hardy has a slight size advantage, but Condit has the reach advantage. Hardy will pick his spots on the feet, and utilize his superior boxing to wear out Condit, who is going to need to find a way to get Hardy on his back, and exploit the Brit's somewhat weak submission defense. Condit may threaten once or twice with submission attempts, but the boxing, size, and strength of Hardy will earn "The Outlaw" a tough, but well earned unanimous decision. Look for possible Fight of the Night honors to be bestowed upon this bout.

Hardy via Unanimous Decision


Michael "The Count" Bisping vs. Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama
middleweight

Looking to win two fights in a row for the first time in nearly two years, Bisping squares off against the always competetive, but in dire need of a win, Akiyama, who was recently submitted in the waning moments of his fight with Chris Leben. Unless Akiyama has substantially improved his cardio, do not expect this fight to last long. Akiyama is not huge for 185, and though he possesses solid skills in all areas, Bisping will push the pace, and force the Japanese judoka to either stand and trade with him, or get taken down and fight off his back. Bisping is still trying to get in a position to vie for a title shot, but he has to put a few wins together first. The season 3 TUF winner will get his track going in the right direction, with a solid finish of Akiyama, who will fight hard, but get finished early in the second round.

Bisping via TKO, Rd. 2