Main card
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
Vitor Belfort missed weight by a quarter pound, but ultimately made in on later attempts. Belfort is making his much-anticipated return to the Octagon, but he is taking on the ultimate gatekeeper in Rich Franklin. Franklin has served as a welcoming party for light heavyweights wanting to drop to middleweight. He fought Wanderlei Silva earlier this year and defeated him at the catchweight of 195 pounds. Franklin isn’t planning on going back to 185, and is dedicating himself to the 205 pound division. The biggest question that remains to be answered will be: Is Vitor really back to form? Or was the temporary success just because he fought less than elite competition? As for Rich, he is looking to give another hopeful middleweight contender a rude welcome to the weight class.
Prediction: Rich Franklin
Mirko Filipović vs. Junior dos Santos
Mirko Cro Cop hasn’t looked good in ANY of his bouts in the UFC. He said he is finally adjusted to the cage. Now, whether or not that’s true will be tested when he takes on young heavyweight prospect Junior dos Santos. Dos Santos has shown that he has knockout power and he’s looking to beat Cro Cop at his own game. If Cro Cop isn’t as sharp as he needs to be he could end up like he did against Gabriel Gonzaga, and instead of being two fights away from a title shot, he could be two fights away from being out of the UFC…again.
Prediction: Junior dos Santos
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
Martin Kampmann was always impressive in whatever weight class he was in. He was doing fine in the middleweight division, until losing to contender Nate Marquardt. He made his debut in the welterweight division, picking up two wins and moved his way into title contention. He was supposed to take on Mike Swick in a title contender eliminator bout, but Swick suffered a concussion was replaced by Paul Daley. Daley, nicknamed Semtex, is most well known for his explosive striking ability and knockout power. He expects to stand and trade with Kampmann, a Dutch-kickboxer.
Prediction: Martin Kampmann
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
Frank Trigg makes his long anticipated return to the UFC against the younger, evolved version of himself in Josh Koscheck. Trigg is riding high though, having won his last four fights. Trigg took this fight, knowing a win over Koscheck would shoot him up the welterweight ladder towards another title shot. Koscheck, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after being knocked out by Paulo Thiago, and he as well is looking for another chance at Geroges St. Pierre. Both men have excellent wrestling pedigrees and are known for knockout power.
Prediction: Josh Koscheck
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
This bout was originally supposed to be at 155 pounds, but Franca missed the weight limit and Griffin agreed to a catchweight bout. This will be Franca’s first fight since tearing his ACL a year ago. Griffin on the other hand is looking to rebuild his momentum and work his way back into title contention.
Prediction: Tyson Griffin
Spike TV Portion
Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
Efrain Escudero came into the bout a little overweight and according to UFC officials, made the 155 pound weight limit. Escudero is known for his wrestling, but it might not be a smart idea to grapple with Cole Miller on the ground. Miller’s jiu-jitsu is slick and has caught Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel and Junie Browning in chokes. Expect Miller to try and work a submission off of his back, if Escudero takes him to the ground.
Prediction: Cole Miller
Drew McFedries vs. Tomasz Drwal
Drew McFedries is known for his explosive knockout power in both of his hands. He is coming off of an impressive KO victory of Xaiver Foupa-Pokam at UFC 98. McFedries has shown to have issues with submission fighters. Tomasz Drwal is making his middleweight debut, and won knockout of the night in his last outing at the TUF 9 Finale. Expect fireworks in this one
Prediction: Drew McFedries
Preliminary card
Jim Miller vs. Steve Lopez
Jim Miller originally was ready to fight Thiago Tavares, but Tavares had to pull out due to an injury. Regardless of his opponent, Miller isn’t taking Lopez lightly. The little-known Lopez is 12-1 and has won four consecutive bouts.
Prediction: Jim Miller
Rafaello Oliveira vs. Nik Lentz
Rafaello Oliveira is making his UFC debut and was supposed to take on Dan Lauzon. Lauzon had to pull out and was replaced by Nik Lentz. Oliveira is a jiu-jitsu practitioner, but he isn’t afraid to stand and trade as three of his wins have come by TKO. Lentz is also making his UFC debut, and is an equally capable ground fighter. He has a wrestling background and has won seven of his fights by submission.
Prediction: Rafaello Oliveira
Rick Story vs. Brian Foster
Rick Story’s first fight in the UFC didn’t go exactly as planned, losing a split decision to John Hathaway. Story came into the fight as a replacement for Paul Daley who was moved onto the main card, replacing Mike Swick. Brian Foster is looking kick off his UFC career with a victory. All of Foster’s fights have seen a finish, and he has yet to go to a decision.
Prediction: Brian Foster
Eliot Marshall vs. Jason Brilz
Jason Brilz hasn’t lost a fight since 2001, and is on a 12-fight unbeaten streak (11-0-1). He made his UFC debut at UFN 15 with a TKO victory over Brad Morris. He followed it up with a victory earlier this year with a decision win over Tim Boetsch. He has won nine of his fights by submission. Eliot Marshall is coming off a victory over Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Vinny Magalhaes at UFC 97. Since arriving to the UFC, Marshall is 2-0 and looks to continue his ascent up the ladder.
Prediction: Jason Brilz
Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Igor Pokrajac
Vladimir Matyushenko is making his UFC debut after being one of the top fighters in the International Fight League. He is a well-rounded fighter, having won seven fights by KO and seven fights by submission. Igor Pokrajac is from Crotatia and trains out of the same gym as Mirko Cro Cop. He is also making his UFC debut and is riding an eight-fight win streak.
Prediction: Vladimir Matyushenko.
Rob Emerson vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Rob Emerson took the fight after replacing Matt Wiman, who suffered a knee injury. Emerson is 6-1 (1 NC) in his past eight bouts, but lost his last fight against Kurt Pellegrino. He takes on Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace Rafel dos Anjos, who is still for his first UFC victory. He was knocked out by Jeremy Stephens in his first UFC fight, before being outpointed by Tyson Griffin in his next.
Prediction: Rafael dos Anjos
