UFC on Versus 3

I don't have a lot of time, so the previews and predictions are going to be short and sweet.

Joe "Daddy" Stevenson vs. Danny "Last Call" Castillo
lightweight

Castillo is making his UFC debut, though he's been fighting in the WEC for the past 2+ years, so he's no stranger to the Octagon. Stevenson has nearly four times as many fights, and having lost his last two fights, he really needs a win to get back on track. Look for Castillo to come out strong, and take the fight to Stevenson, but "Daddy" will weather the storm, and out work "Last Call" for a tough decision victory.

Stevenson via Unanimous decision

Brian Bowles vs. Damacio "The Angel of Death" Page
bantamweight

Bowles is coming off the first loss of his career last year to current 135 pound king, Dominic Cruz. After badly breaking his hand, Bowles had surgery, and was set to return to the WEC last fall, but a broken foot pushed his return back until after the WEC/UFC merger. Eager to get back to fighting, he faces a man he's already beaten in Page, which has to help his confidence after his year long lay off. Page is a very tough fighter, and after beating the relentless Scott Jorgensen in his WEC debut, he split his next four fights, and is looking to rebound from a loss himself, having been choked out by Demetrious Johnson in November. Page is scrappy, and well rounded, but Bowles is so smooth on the feet, and has a solid ground game. Page will perhaps have learned his lesson from their last fight and not be so reckless, but Bowles is so patient, I don't see this fight making it out of the second round before Bowles can snag a submission.

Bowles via submission (rear naked choke), Rd. 2


Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara vs. Chris Weidman
middleweight

After bowing out of his fight with Jorge Rivera the night before it was scheduled due to illness, Sakara makes his return to the Octagon against newcomer Weidman, and he's looking to regain some of the momentum he had coming into the Rivera fight. On a three fight win streak, but having not fought in nearly a year, Sakara takes on a tough wrestler in Weidman, who is also fairly savvy on the ground for a fighter with only four fights to his name. Sakara has improved upon his take down defense, but can be put on his butt rather easily. Unless he's learned to sprawl and stuff take downs, he's in for a long night. On the other hand, Sakara is one of the strongest pure boxers in the middleweight division, and Weidman only has a fifth of the experience. If Weidman can't get the fight to the mat, he's in a lot of trouble, because Sakara will be more than happy to put his lights out, and is more than capable. Weidman will come out looking for the take down, and if he doesn't get it, it should be a quick KO for Sakara, who should be able to get a rather stunning knockout late in the first.

Sakara via KO, Rd. 1

CB "The Doberman" Dollaway vs. Mark "The Phillipine Wrecking Machine" Munoz
middleweight

Two outstanding wrestlers with varied skill sets clash in this co-main event. Dollaway has solid ground skills, and adequate striking to back up his grappling acumen, and Munoz hits like a freight train, and has solid defensive wrestling to back up his base. It will be a very close fight, and it all comes down to which fighter wants the win more. Dollaway has been on a tear as of late, winning three straight, including an impressive guillotine choke against the experienced veteran, Joe Doerksen. Munoz himself has been rolling, winning four of five since dropping to 185, losing only to one of the next in line for the middleweight belt, Yushin Okami. If Dollaway can avoid the C4 laced bombs Munoz likes to throw, he may be able to outpoint him, and perhaps get the fight to the mat where he is definitely the stronger jiu jitsu player. If not, Munoz will be able to dictate the pace of the stand up, and impose his larger frame on Dollaway. While Munoz is a bit bigger and stronger, Dollaway has more polish and technique, and that will win him what promises to be an outstanding middleweight affair. Dollway will get the judges nod, but both men will get Fight of the Night bonuses.

Dollaway via Unanimous Decision

Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez vs. Martin "Hitman" Kampmann
welterweight

This should be a very telling fight, and a very entertaining one to boot. Both fighter recently fought on the same card in October, but had different results. Kampmann lost a very close split decision to current number one contender Jake Shields, whereas Sanchez handed the very tough Brazilian, Paulo Thiago, a decision loss that went in Sanchez's favor in all the judges eyes. This fight is going to be about whether or not Sanchez can get Kampmann down. The stand up is clearly in Kampmann's favor, but even if the fight gets to the mat, the Dane is no slouch. Sanchez is going to need to keep the fight paced as only he can, and force Kampmann to be reactionary. In Sanchez's win over Thiago, he overcame a rough first round, to struggle back and win the next two rounds on guts, cardio, and sheer strength of will. When Kampmann fought Thiago last summer, he soundly beat him in every area of the fight, and nearly submitted him a couple of times. This will be an outstanding fight, no doubt, but Kampmann is just too strong in all areas of mma, and is a bigger fighter to boot. We're talking about a man who used to fight at 185, and in Sanchez, we have a fighter that briefly fought at 155! The size may not be too different come fight time, but Kampmann will still prevail in a close, but decisive unanimous decision.

Kampmann via Unanimous decision.