Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac
Michael Johnson vs. Jonathan Brookins
Kendall Grove vs. Demian Maia
Rick Story vs. Johny Hendricks
Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia
Shawn's Predictions:
Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia Phan via Split Decision
- This fight is going to be an all out war. Based on Garcia's battle with the Korean Zombie and Nam's fight with Michael Johnson on last night's final episode of the Ultimate Fighter Season 12, this fight wont disappoint. I will be very surprised if we see a 3 round "Stand N Stall." Both of these guys are very aggressive, fast paced lightweights. They both specialize in BJJ, but also like to stand and bang, as shown in the two fights I mentioned above. I see the two standing and banging for the majority of the fight, with an occasional takedown and maybe a close submission attempt on the ground. Both men need a win, but I believe Nam wants it more. He proved to be the most mature and driven on TUF, and I think this gives him an advantage. Honestly, this could go either way, but I think Nam will keep his spot in the UFC by beating Garcia in a razor-thin split decision victory.
Johny Hendricks vs. Rick Story: Hendricks via TKO
- Both of these men are on win streaks, but the difference is that Hendricks is undefeated. Bottom line is, that will make the difference in this fight. Neither of these guys have ridiculously impressive wins (except Hendrick's quick dismantling of Amir Sadollah in 29 seconds at UFC 101), but they are slowly but surely rising in the ranks. The problem is, one of these men will be stopped in there tracks. I believe that man will be Story, as he falls to Hendricks aggressive striking and wrestling ability and gives him his 6th TKO/KO victory.
Demian Maia vs. Kendall Grove: Maia via Submission
- Both of these guys are coming off wins and need this win to catapault them higher up in the Middleweight rankings. Grove has had a rather lacklust record in the UFC lately and I believe Maia is a step above him in competition. I think Maia will still try to prove his striking is improving and he will try to stay on his feet for some of the fight. Eventually, the fight will go to the ground and Maia will show what he does best, and thats submitting motherfuckers. Kendall Grove won't have much to offer in this fight, as he will get submitted by Maia and fall slightly down the ladder once again.
Jonathan Brookins vs. Michael Johnson: Brookins via Submission
- The moment weve been waiting for. Here we have two very athletic fighters going at it for what theyve always dreamed of. Johnson will try to use his wrestling for the majority of the fight and score takedowns. Brookins will also go for some takedowns but I think he will keep it standing the majority of the fight. Jonathan Brookins has a little more experience than Michael Johnson, and that will be a factor in this fight. Brookins fought at WEC 36 against Jose Aldo about 2 years ago, losing by TKO in the 3rd round. He actually put up a good fight. Anways, back to my prediction, I think somehow the fight will end up on the ground, Johnson will make a mistake, and Brookins will find the back like he always does. He will submit Johnson making him the Lightweight winner of Season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac: Bonnar via TKO
- Based purely off of Bonnar's last two fights, I'm expecting this fight to be an all-out war. Bonnars career is doing a complete 360 as he fights on the TUF 12 finale, being the runner-up on Season 1 of TUF. Although Dana White has previously said that Bonnar will always be in the UFC no matter what, he still has a lot to lose. He needs to prove he is still somewhat relevant in the UFC's LHW division. Im expecting Bonnar to push the pace and create a lot of problems for Pokrajac. I think Igor will be very hesitant and this will be a deciding factor. By keeping the fight standing up, Bonnar will keep pressure on Pokrajac and eventually knock him down for a late TKO.
Vinny's Predictions (quick write up):
Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac: Bonnar by Decision
Michael Johnson vs. Jonathan Brookins: Brookins by Sub
Kendall Grove vs. Demian Maia: Maia by Sub
Rick Story vs. Johny Hendricks: Hendricks by Decision
Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia: Phan by Decision
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