Joe Lauzon (+180) vs. George Sotiropoulos (-230)Seriously tough fight to call in my opinion. George Sotiropoulos is undefeated in the UFC after coming off The Ultimate Fighter, and he has some good wins over tough opponents. Joe Lauzon has a couple of tough losses, but looked really good in his last fight. Lauzon’s losses are against some tough competition, and I think he has the octagon experience to pull of the upset. I don’t see G.S. submitting Lauzon in this one. Risky and unpopular pick, but I have to go with creepy Joe.. I’m surprised Sotiropoulos is favored in this fight to be honest.
Lauzon via Unanimous Dec.
Tim Boetsch (+400) vs. Phil Davis (-550)
Fan favorite Tim Boetsch is back again after racking up some wins in smaller promotions, and a unanimous decision victory at UFC 117. He has his hands full tonight though. Phil Davis is undefeated
and looking to continue his winning ways. Put simply... he will... dominantly.
Davis via Unanimous Dec.
Maiquel Falcao (+220) vs. Gerald Harris (-280)
Gerald Harris is on a 10 fight win streak and has serious power in his hands. Falcao is Brazilian fighter out of chute boxe who has a few TKO wins of his own. He is making his UFC debut, which is always tough. Couple that with Harris’s heavy hands and it makes for a rough night. No matter who comes out on top, expect some fireworks.
Harris via TKO ***
Matt Hughes (+160) vs. BJ Penn (-200)
This fight has been a long time in the making. Each fighter owns a win apiece in this trilogy bout. This fight breaks down pretty easily in my opinion, and I am shocked by the vegas odds in this one. BJ Penn is coming off of consecutive losses in the lightweight division, and is hungry for a win. Hughes has been looking great recently and when you look at his record his only losses come at the hands of the current champion and a monster (and overweight) Thiago Alves. BJ Penn has never looked very impressive to me at welterweight, and his cardio is always up for question. You simply can not say the same thing about Matt Hughes. Look for Matt to put him on the ground quickly and avoid submissions all night. Hughes himself says he cannot see himself finishing Penn in a 3 round fight, and I agree. Hughes may possibly lose the first round, but that’s it.
Hughes via Unanimous Dec.
Quinton Jackson (+185) Lyoto Machida (-235)
This is a pivotal fight for Quinton (Rampage) Jackson, it will determine where he belongs in the UFC’s light-heavyweight division. Is he a top contender, or destined to be the gatekeeper for the rest of his career. Everybody knows that Rampage has power, but Machida’s striking is just too sophisticated for him. Look for Machida to frustrate Jackson early in the fight, and throw Rampage off of his game. This fight looks like a more dominant and clear cut version of Jackson vs. Griffin. Rampage failing to find his timing and being slowly picked apart.
Machida via Unanimous Dec.
SPIKE PRELIMS
Aaron Simpson (+105) vs. Mark Muñoz (-135)
Muñoz via Split Decision ***
Matt Brown (+120) vs. Brian Foster (-150)
Foster via TKO
PRELIMS
Tyson Griffin vs. Nik Lentz
Griffin via Unanimous Dec.
Paul Kelly vs. T.J. O'Brien
Kelly via Split Decision.
Edson Barboza (-450) vs. Mike Lullo (+350)
Barboza via KO
Karo Parisyan (-175) vs. Dennis Hallman (+145)
Parisyan via Unanimous Dec.
*** BONUSES ***
Fight of the Night - Aaron Simpson vs. Mark Muñoz
Submission of the Night - N/A
Knockout of the Night - Paul Harris
