UFC on Fox

It's a historical event taking place tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim. For the first time ever, the UFC will be shown on network television. Not only that, but the main event is going to be for the heavyweight championship, for free! The under card is being streamed online, so that's kind of a bummer. I'll briefly touch on the four main card fights, but will focus on the main event.

Mike Pierce vs. Paul "The Gentleman" Bradley
welterweight

Pierce is a tough kid who has only lost to Jon Fitch, and Johny Hendricks, and has a solid wrestling background with ever improving stand up. Bradley has a very well rounded game, and is looking to prove something after losing his UFC debut. With both fighters sharing a wrestling background, look for most of the action to take place on the feet, and Pierce's experience being the factor. Three rounds later, he gets the judges nod.

Pierce via Unanimous Decision

Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto vs. Darren "BC" Uyenoyama
bantamweight

A veteran of the sport that was expected to do big things, Yamamoto fell short to former title challenger Demetrious Johnson in his UFC debut. Expect him to right the ship against Uyenoyama, who while being a solid fighter, simply doesn't have the skills or experience to handle Yamamoto. "Kid" is a fantastic wrestler, with very crisp stand up and nasty ground and pound. Uyenoyama has good, but not great skills, and was ostensibly tabbed for an easy win for Yamamoto. This fight will likely not make it out of the second round, as Yamamoto gets his UFC career back on track with a resounding TKO.

Yamamoto via TKO, Rd. 2


Dustin "The Diamond" Poirier vs. Pablo "The Scarecrow" Garza
featherweight

Garza has made big waves since coming over from the WEC with two resounding wins in electric fashion. Poirier has been more workmanlike in his recent wins, but has been impressive nonetheless. Poirier has shown an aptitude for keeping fights where he it benefits most, and taking opponents out of their element. Against Garza, he's going
to want to try and negate the reach advantage of "The Scarecrow", and avoid his nasty submission game. Unfortunately, Garza is very good at nullifying take downs, and is well rounded on the ground, so this could be a long night for Poirier. Garza has too many weapons for "The Diamond" (love the nickname) here, and will probably get a submission late in the second round, or early in the third of what should be a pretty exciting fight.

Garza via submission (Triangle) Rd. 2


Ben "Smooth" Henderson vs. Clay "The Carpenter" Guida
lightweight

Earlier in the week it was announced that the winner of this fight will get the next crack at Frankie Edgar's lightweight title belt, so expect even more fireworks than were already headed our way in this fight. Henderson is coming off two very impressive wins, including an absolute dismantling of the very tough Jim Miller. Guida has been on a tear of his own, having won four straight, with three submissions. This fight will most likely go the distance, and will be fought at an incredibly breakneck pace. Both men have the ability to push the tempo of their fights beyond that of normal men, along with very good wrestling, and incredibly resiliency. Henderson is a bit bigger, has better stand up, and is maybe the most difficult fighter in the UFC to submit. Guida simply does not quit, and has fantastic pressure. This will be the Fight of the Night, and the only bummer about it, is that it wont be shown on television, which is a shame since it will be a sterling example of mixed martial arts that would do the UFC a world of good to bring to the masses. Henderson wins by simply being a better fighter. Three rounds of being able to dictate where the fight takes place will take it's toll on Guida, and "Smooth" gets a close, but decisive victory.

Henderson via Unanimous Decision.


HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Champion: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior "Cigano" Dos Santos

For the first time in over a year, Velasquez will step into the Octagon, and make his first title defense. Dos Santos has been demolishing everyone in his path, and is finally getting his title shot that he won after beating Roy Nelson last year. He put it on the line against the monstrous Shane Carwin, but silenced any doubt that he was the number one contender with a sound thrashing of Carwin. Velasquez took an undefeated record into his title fight with Brock Lesnar, and summarily dismantled the champ in a first round TKO. This fight is going to be very exciting, as these two fighters have been on a collision course for quite some time, and their meeting just so happens to be for the belt.

Velasquez has just nine fights to his resume, but in those nine fights, he's shown the kind of growth and improvement that most fighters gain in a lifetime. An All American wrestler at Arizona State, he made the transition to MMA quite easily, and after only two fights, made his UFC debut. Velasquez blends speed, strength, and solid technique so seamlessly, it's hard to pinpoint any weakness. His stand up improves by leaps and bounds every time he fights, and he's shown a fantastic ability to recover the few times he's been hurt. The big question mark is how has the long layoff affected him? After injuring his shoulder against Lesnar, he needed surgery. Is he back to form, and has the shoulder become a non issue? We'll see when he sets foot in the Octagon tonight.

Dos Santos has been on a tear in the UFC. After knocking out Fabricio Werdum in his debut, Dos Santos has rattled off six straight wins, with four coming by way of stoppage. Supposedly having fantastic ground skills, he should be comfortable if he gets taken down. I say supposedly, because he's never been anywhere but his feet, where he's shown very clean, and powerful boxing, backed up by a staunch take down defense. I'm interested to see how well he does on the ground, because Velasquez is one of the best in the heavyweight division of getting a fight there. That being said, Velasquez hasn't fought anyone with the ability to put together combos like Dos Santos, and will need to be wary on the feet.

Two young bucks charging head long into each other in this fight, and with this being the first time a lot of people will see the UFC, and maybe mixed martial arts as well, they will not be disappointed. Both men are extremely talented, and regardless of outcome, they will both be involved in title fights for the next several years. That being said, I'm slightly leaning towards Dos Santos due to his slightly better stand up, and Velasquez's long layoff. Dos Santos will get the better of the stand up, and be able to avoid being on his back enough to get a TKO finish late in the third round.

Dos Santos via TKO, Rd. 3, and new champion!