UFC Fight Night 24

So this will be a bit different than most preview/predictions that I do. As I am attending this fight card, I'm previewing each fight, albeit in very short form, and then I'll be doing a recap early next week. Pretty neat! Onto the fights.

MAIN CARD

Leonard "Bad Boy" Garcia vs. Chan Sung "Korean Zombie" Jung
featherweight

A late replacement for Nam Phan, Jung looks to avenge a loss that many thought he won. Garcia will try to justify the win, and put Jung out early. Garcia is a tough nut to crack, and will do his best to finish, and will likely catch Jung with one of his looping punches early to set the tone. Expect Jung to make a strong comeback late, but it wont be enough, and Garcia will once again get the decision win.

Garcia via Unanimous Decision

Amir Sadollah vs. DaMarques Johnson
welterweight

A very close, and interesting fight. Sadollah has nasty muy thai skills, and is solid on the ground. Johnson has decent stand up, and his length gives him a lot of advantages in the grappling department. Neither is a particularly strong wrestler, but Sadollah can usually get the fight to the ground if he needs to. This will be close early, but Sadollah will frustrate Johnson early, and capitalize on a mistake leading to a late second round TKO.

Sadollah via TKO, Rd. 2

Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy vs. Anthony "Rumble Johnson
welterweight

This will be good. Hardy is coming off his KO loss to Carlos Condit, and Johnson hasn't fought in almost a year and a half. Despite this, the potential for someone getting blasted into unconsciousness is through the roof. Both like to stand and trade, and even though Johnson is the far bigger fighter, Hardy is much more technical, and well rounded. If Johnson can't get Hardy down, he could be in for a long night of getting beat up at a distance. Hardy wins with either a late stoppage or submission after weathering an early barrage from Johnson.

Hardy via TKO, Rd. 3

Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis vs. Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira
light heavyweight

Another late replacement (quite a few on this card), Davis steps in for Tito Ortiz, and actually makes the main event more compelling. The fighter known affectionately as Lil Nog has had a rough go during his stint in the UFC, and Davis looks to make it tougher. A very talented athlete, with rapidly improving skills in striking and grappling, Davis looks to be the next big thing. Nogueira is a battle tested veteran, who has fought the elite in the sport, and will try to right the ship after losing his last fight to Ryan Bader. Davis needs to have improved his boxing, or he'll get eaten alive, but his wrestling should be able to keep Nogueira from turning it into a grappling match. It should be a very exciting, back and forth fight, with Davis pulling away late to snag a tight decision victory.

Davis via Unanimous Decision


UNDER CARD

Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres vs Mackens "Mack dad Menace" Semerzier
featherweight

Caceres is tough, but still young, and Semerzier is much too experienced to be caught off guard by his antics. Caceres will start strong, but fade late, as Semerzier gets the late TKO win.

Semerzier via TKO, Rd. 2

Mike Russow vs. Jon Madsen
heavyweight

This could be a less than exciting bout, but it may surprise us. Both men are tough wrestlers, but Russow has KO power. Madsen is game, and can take a bigger man down, but most likely loses by decision.

Russow via Unanimous Decision.

John "The Hitman" Hathaway vs. Kris "Savage" McCray
welterweight

Both coming off losses, Hathaway is the taller fighter and better striker, where McCray is the bigger fighter, and more ground and pound oriented. Hathaway will keep it standing and fight off McCrays take downs en route to a solid unanimous decision.

Hathaway via Unanimous Decision.

Sean "Big Sexy" McCorkle vs. Christian Morecraft
heavyweight

Morecraft is not going to be able to enjoy his usual size advantage, McCorkle is HUGE! "Big Sexy" is a better striker, and should be able to fend off the attempts by Morecraft to take the fight to the ground. McCorkle will utilize his 6'7" frame to perfection, and get a late second round stoppage after battering Morecraft for a round and a half.

McCorkle via TKO, Rd. 2

Johny Hendricks vs. Anthony "TJ" Waldburger
welterweight

Hendricks should win this easy. Waldburger is no slouch, but Hendricks is a machine who is intent on grinding his opponents into a fine paste. Look for him to wear Waldburger down over the course of three rounds and pick up a lopsided victory from the judges.

Hendricks via Unanimous Decision

Aaron "A-Train" Simpson vs. Mario Miranda
middleweight

Miranda is just a huge middleweight, with solid wrestling to back up his very impressive BJJ. If Simpson can't use his own stellar wrestling to stay standing, he's getting tapped out. Look for Simpson to tire late, and Miranda picks up a late submission victory.

Miranda via submission (rear naked choke) Rd. 3

Nik "The Carnie" Lentz vs. Waylon Lowe
lightweight

Lentz has been on a tear and will continue to do so against Lowe. Both are tough wrestlers, but Lentz is just a beast, and has been in fights against much tougher opponents. It will be close, but decidedly in the favor of Lentz as he out wrestles, out strikes, and out works Lowe.

Lentz via Unanimous Decision

Michael "Mayday" McDonald vs. Edwin "El Feroz" Figueroa
bantamweight

Figueroa is stepping on very late notice, and that is bad news against a fighter like McDonald. Despite a strong showing early, Figueroa will end up getting the worse of a nasty stand up war, and get finished in the second.

McDonald via TKO, Rd. 2