UFC 131 Predictions

Main Card:

Heavyweight: Junior Dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin

Featherweight: Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes

Middleweight: Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz

Heavyweight: Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman

Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha

Shawn's Predictions:

Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha: Cerrone via TKO

I'd say this fight is pretty easy to predict. Rocha is a new comer and he is known for jiu-jitsu, but Cerrone's BJJ isn't too shabby. If Cerrone decides to use his wrestling to take this fight to the ground, his skills will prevent him from getting subbed. Cerrone will do what he does best and I think he will dictate this fight on the feet using his effective kickboxing. Expect Cerrone to school Rocha on the feet eventually leading to a stoppage.

Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman: Herman via TKO

Being that this fight is featuring two newcomers to UFC, I find it difficult to predict. Einemo is known for his world-class BJJ skills and many believe that he will easily sub Herman. What makes me questionable of Einemo is his record. With only 7 fights to his name, he isn't very experienced. Also, he hasn't fought in an MMA bout since 2006 which is a very long time ago. Herman on the other hand has been staying fairly active, making a name for himself in the past few years. If this fight hits the mat, it could be over very quickly, but I expect Herman to keep this on the feet, staying as unpredictable as possible to avoid takedowns. I see Herman picking his spots with his kickboxing skills, eventually catching Einemo and pouncing, finishing the fight via TKO.

Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz: Munoz via Decision

In this bout each fighter has clear strong point against one another. Against anyone, Maia's strength is his BJJ. He hasn't landed a sub victory in a while, but there is no doubt that he is still trying. He has also been working intensively on his stand-up as of late, but I don't think it will be able to match Munoz's. I will be surprised if Munoz uses his wrestling to take this to the ground because this is where Maia would like the fight to go. I think Maia is confident enough in his striking to stand with Munoz, but I think soon enough he will realize Munoz is levels above him. I expect Munoz to use his striking to keep this fight standing, picking his spots and scoring points on the feet, winning a clear-cut decision.

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes: Florian via Decision

Having Nunes being 16-1, this is Florian's fight to lose. An important factor of this fight will be how well Florian deals with the weight cut. I also don't think that Nunes has faced anybody the caliber of Florian. I predict Florian will stay on the outside, mixing in kicks and a different variety of strikes to score points, but he will not do enough to finish the once-beaten Nunes. The pick is Florian by decision.

Junior Dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin: Dos Santos via TKO

Both of these big guys have impressive resume in the UFC so far. Since both of these fighters have very similar methods of destruction, this fight is very hard to predict. Both are known for their knockout ability, and anything could happen. Carwin definitely has a size advantage on Dos Santos, but JDS is much quicker. Also, JDS has better BJJ most likely has better cardio that Carwin. Although Carwin might be stronger, I predict JDS to be quicker, and more agile. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they stared at each other for 3 straight rounds waiting for one another to make a move, but who knows. Predict JDS to use his quickness and power to rock Carwin when he least expects, winning the fight via TKO.

Vinny's Predictions:

Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha: Cerrone via Submission

Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman: Herman via KO

Demian Maia vs. Mark Munoz: Maia via Submission

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes: Florian via Decision

Junior Dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin: Carwin via KO