Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez
The main event on Saturday night pits undefeated Cain Velasquez against Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Title. Both are coming off of strong victories: Lesnar escaped a first round flurry from Shane Carwin back in July, and Velasquez handed future hall-of-famer Antonio Nogueira a loss by knockout.
Both fighters have proven that they are heavy hands, but Lesnar will use his size and improved ground game to take Velasquez to the mat, as he did in his fight against Carwin. Though Velasquez is battle tested on the ground, Lesnar will smother him and ultimately pound him out.
Prediction: Lesnar by TKO – Second Round
Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampmann
In a welterweight battle, Jake Shields makes his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann in the co-main event of the evening. Shields will put his 14-fight winning streak on the line against Kampmann, who has great knockout power.
There is some contrast in this fight; Shields is a great grappler, while Kampmann is a monster in the stand up game. Shields cannot take Kampmann for granted on the ground, though, or he will be looking at his fifth loss.
With a win in this fight, Shields could make himself the obvious choice to fight Georges St. Pierre for the welterweight title. Kampmann's two-fight winning streak will come to an end in a brutal, bloody "slobberknocker" that will go the distance.
Prediction: Shields by decision
Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago
In another welterweight bout, Diego Sanchez will take to the mat against Paulo Thiago. Both fighters are coming off of losses and looking to get back on track. Sanchez is a proven grappler, while Thiago is known for his strong chin.
Sanchez is a fighter who is not afraid to fight the best of the best. Coming off tough losses to B.J. Penn and John Hathaway, Sanchez will bounce back and beat Thiago.
Prediction: Sanchez by submission – Third Round
Tito Ortiz vs. Matt Hamill
This light heavyweight match will feature two aging stars. In a teacher vs. student battle whose origin dates back to Ultimate Fighter 3, Ortiz is looking to make one final run in the division.
Ortiz has not won a UFC bout in four years. Hamill, on the other hand, is on a roll with four consecutive wins. Hamill will use his speed advantage to land a destructive blow on Ortiz, possibly ending the career of an Mixed Martial Arts legend.
Prediction: Hamill by knockout – Second Round
Brendan Schaub vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
This heavyweight bout should be a very even match. Schaub and Gonzaga are both solid in the stand up game and on the ground. Schaub is coming off of two straight wins and is looking to make a statement in the heavyweight division.
Gonzaga is no slouch, but Schaub will use his stamina to outlast his fellow heavyweight on Saturday night. Schaub will drop Gonzaga in the last round of an exciting back-and-forth fight.
Prediction: Schaub by knockout – Third Round
E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
