Mark "The Machine" Hominick vs. Pablo "The Scarecrow" Garza
featherweight
Hominick simply has not been the same since his valiant effort against featherweight champion Jose Aldo, getting KO'd by Chan Sung-Jung in 7 seconds, and then getting pummeled for three rounds by Eddie Yagin. That being said, he is still a formidable opponent, and any fighter on a three fight losing streak, and still employed by the UFC, should be considered very dangerous indeed. Garza is on a two fight skid of his own, and is probably fighting for his job just as much as Hominick is.
I give the edge to Hominick in the striking department, as he possesses some of the cleanest, most precise stand up in the featherweight division. Backed with a very underrated ground game, Garza will have his hands full.
Garza has decent stand up, but is mostly blessed by being one of the taller 145 pounders out there at 6'1". He does his best work in the clinch, and on the ground, or on the perimeter sniping away. I honestly think Hominick will be too much for him, and eventually wear down "The Scarecrow" en route to a unanimous decision, though it should be an entertaining fight for the fans.
Hominick via Unanimous Decision
Nick "The Promise" Ring vs. Constantinos Philippou
middleweight
An interesting 185 pound scrap, that could feature a fighter on the rise in Philippou. He has to get past the very game Ring, who seems to be coming on strong himself. Both men are solid on the feet, employing stout boxing, with Ring having a little more diversity, and Philippou decidely having the power advantage. The question is, can Ring get the fight to the ground where he enjoys a bit of an edge in the submission grappling department? Philippou has very good wrestling, which is likely to dictate where the fight takes place, and though he has a great record, Ring has had a few questionable decisions go his way. Unless that happens here, Philippou is pretty much going to own every aspect of this fight, and should be able to take to a hard fought, but one sided decision.
Philippou via Unanimous Decision
Francis "Limitless" Carmont vs. Tom "Filthy" Lawlor
middleweight
Carmont is a fighter on the rise, but overlooking "Filthy" is not smart, especially for Carmont, who while very impressive in his 8 fight win streak, has shown a tendency towards carelessness, and against a savvy veteran like Lawlor, that can prove to be your undoing.
Since getting dismantled by Chris Weidman (which it turns out, he apparently does to EVERYONE!) Lawlor rebounded with a quick KO win over the very tough Jason MacDonald. With a well rounded skill set, he could give Carmont fits.
For "Limitless" to win this fight, he will need to impose his will, and not get lazy. With solid top pressure and ground and pound, he can control Lawlor, and dictate the pace. If he lapses, and lets Lawlor get off first, and determine the speed of the fight, he could be in a world of hurt. Lawlor needs to keep Carmont guessing, and off balance. If he really pushes the pace, it will be a long night for Carmont. Maybe it's my heart talking, but I think that even though Carmont can get the fight to the ground, I don't see him holding it there, and Lawlor winning the fight on the feet, is a close decision.
Lawlor via Split Decision
Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann vs. Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks
welterweight
This fight will be fantastic, and I am making this my pick for Fight of the Night. Both men are coming off solid wins, and are on the brink of title contendership. Kampmann, the well rounded kickboxer with a very slick ground game, and the ability to pick opponents apart, and Hendricks, the powerful wrestler, with a rock solid chin, and a left hand that can put a man to sleep in an instant.
Hendricks will need to make this fight ugly, and a brawl. He wants to get in close, and push Kampmann against the cage, where he can tee off and try to end things with one big left hand. With Kampmanns tendency to back straight up, instead of circling off, this could make for a short night for the Dane. Kampmann, on the other hand, will want to stay on the perimeter, snapping off crisp combos, and frustrating Hendricks. If he does get in close, Kampmann has a solid clinch and Muay Thai game, that Hendricks will have to be wary of. He is also an underrated wrestler, and a very crafty submission artist, so Hendricks will have to be careful if he takes this fight to the ground.
Ultimately, I think this fight comes down to who has the better game plan, and sticks with it. Kampmann has been the comeback kid lately, and though it may not be a comeback this time, I think Hendricks makes a mistake late, and Kampmann capitalizes with a late submission.
Kampmann via submission ( guillotine)
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION FIGHT
Champion: Georges "Rush" St. Pierre vs.
Interim Champion: Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit
I am keeping this short, because little can be said about either man that hasn't been said many times over. GSP has been out for nearly a year and a half, but is still the top of the welterweight, and perhaps pound for pound heap. Condit has improved by leaps and bounds since coming over from the WEC three years ago, and will get a chance to add another title to his impressive resume. In St. Pierre, he faces one of the all time greats, who is hungry to reclaim his spot in the 170 pound pecking order, and possibly in line for a superfight with Anderson Silva. He can't look past Condit however, and if he does, he could be in trouble.
Simply, I don't think GSP is as dominant as he once was. Yes he looked less than impressive in his win over Jake Shields, and maybe that was due to an inadvertent eye poke, but he still lost a couple rounds for the first time in years. Coupled with an extended layoff from a pretty substantial injury, and facing a fighter as confident as Condit, I'm going with the upset. I see Condit negating any ground and pound GSP tries to mount, even though I see Condit giving up a lot of take downs, and also, GSP is likely to get out struck on the feet. Eventually, I see Condit capitalizing on late round weariness, even though GSP is one of the most well conditioned athletes in the sport. The ring rust, and pace that Condit sets will eventually wilt the champion, as he submits, yes I said it, submits GSP in the fourth round to become the new welterweight champion!
Condit via submission (triangle) round 4
Yeah, I am a little nuts, but I just have a feeling...
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