UFC 133

Tired, and feeling like all I want to do is go play Assassins Creed II (I'm behind the times, bite me) Here's what I think goes down tonight.

Rory "Ares" MacDonald vs Mike "Quicksand" Pyle
welterweight

Pyle is as tough as they come, but MacDonald is something new. A 21 year old with experience, and an impressive skill set with very few holes, and the ones he has are getting filled in very quickly. Pyle will keep it interesting, maybe even steal a round, but MacDonald runs away with the final round in a very entertaining fight.

MacDonald via Unanimous Decision


Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera vs Constantinos Philippou
middleweight

Rivera was originally supposed to fight Alessio Sakara, who succumbed to injury and and had to replaced on short notice, but for this card, that's nothing new. (More on that later) Rivera needs a win to get the bad taste of his last fight out of his mouth, and Philippou is not going to do much to stop him. With superior boxing, and a far greater reach, this is Rivera's fight to lose. I see Philippou eating the mat early in the second.

Rivera via KO, Rd. 2


Dennis "Superman" Hallman vs Brian "Bad Boy" Ebersole
welterweight

With over 120 professional fights between them, it's safe to say that in ring jitters will be non existent. Hallman is a solid wrestler with a great ground game, if only average striking. Ebersole is the master of unorthodoxy, with strikes from odd angles, and no slouch in the submission area himself. It will likely come down to Hallman being a better wrestler, and a larger, stronger fighter. I just can't root against Ebersole though, and he'll likely find a way to eke out a decision. It worked against Chris Lytle! Why not now?

Ebersole via Split Decision


Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort vs Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama
middleweight

Belfort has only a couple of fights since rejoining the UFC nearly two years ago, but in the 2+ years that Akiyama has been with the promotion, he's only had one more fight than that. Belfort is 1-1, and Akiyama is 1-2. Akiyama has looked tough, but hasn't shown an ability to keep his pace going for more than a round and a half. Belfort has had both his fights end in the first round, so his cardio is unknown. Akiyama is a game fighter, but Belforts speed, and striking prowess are going to be too much here. It may make it into the second round, but it wont make it out of it as Belfort gets a late round stoppage.

Belfort via TKO, Rd. 2

"Sugar" Rashad Evans vs Tito "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Ortiz
light heavyweight

Despite the fact that a draw is on the record for the result of the first time these two fought, Ortiz won the fight in the eyes of most people. Four years later, the roles have reversed with Evans being the top banana, and Ortiz being the hungry underdog. Evans should win this by all accounts, but Ortiz was supposed to get mauled by Ryan Bader too. Ortiz has looked and sounded more motivated than he has in years, and very well could pull off the upset victory. Evans has been more reliant on his hands ever since knocking Chuck Liddell out, but has still fought smart against superior strikers. Ortiz is a beastly wrestler in his own right, and take downs will not come easy. Ortiz is going to come out guns blazing, and look to push the pace to take Evans off his game. I don't know why I feel this, but either Ortiz gets another surprise stoppage, or he will have Evans so off balance early that he takes the first two rounds, and avoids trouble late for the upset victory. Ortiz gets the judges nod after all is said and done.

Ortiz via Unanimous Decision