UFC 132 Predictions

Main Card:

Bantamweight Championship: Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Urijah Faber

Middleweight: Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben

Light Heavyweight: Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader

Welterweight: Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Lightweight: Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman

Shawn's Predictions:

Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman: Siver via Decision

I think that this is a step up for Matt Wiman, but its the only way he will start to make a name for himself. Siver is coming off a great win against George Sotiropoulos and this gained him a lot of momentum. Siver's stand up is great, and he proved with his last fight that his takedown defense isnt too shabby. Wiman might be able to take Siver down, but if Siver uses his superior kickboxing to keep distance, he should be fine. I expect Siver to use his kickboxing to pick his spots on the feet and score points much like his last fight. Siver by decision

Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim: Kim via Decision

This is a very hard to fight to predict for me, but it comes down to Kim's wrestling advantage and BJJ defense. Condit is known for his striking abilities and his high finish percentage, and because of this I would not be surprised if Condit caught Kim and put him out. We have seen that Kim has faded towards the end of his past bouts, and that Condit tends to rally towards the finish, but I expect this fight to go a lot like Kim's fight with Diaz. If Condit keeps being repeatedly taken down, then he has a very slim chance. I expect Kim to keep working takedowns much like his fight with Diaz, and stifle any submission attempts that Condit brings. The pick is Kim by very close decision.

Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader: Bader via Decision

As motivated as Tito is, he is getting older. Bader is coming off of a loss against the current champ Jon Jones, but still has a lot left in him. I think Tito's body slamming, ground and pound days are over, as he is too old and not big enough to out muscle most LHW's in the division. Meanwhile, Bader is throwing around plenty of fools (except Jones of course). Without much left to say, I expect thi bout will look much like Ortiz's bout with Hamill. Bader will use his power to control the pace of this fight, hitting Tito with powerful shots and attempting takedowns. Bader will do just enough to win the bout on the scorecards.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben: Silva via TKO

This could be candidate for fight of the decade, but once again, I would not be surprised if this turned into the opposite of a slugfest, which is a three-round stand fest. Either these guys will be swinging for the fences, or waiting until another makes a mistake. Every fight these guys are in is usually a war, so im going with the slugfest. Silva is back and looking better than ever, while Leben is coming off of a loss to Brian Stann. A win against a fighter like Silva would be huge for Leben, but it wont be that easy. Silva should watch out for Leben's left, and Silva shouldnt put himself in a position for Silva's flurries. I expect Silva to be quicker and more crisp with his strikings, while Leben will tire out and become sloppy with his shots. The two should be in the middle of some huge back and forth exchanges with both getting hurt at certain points but I think Silva is faster and more powerful. I expect Leben to go down in the later rounds, thereby having Silva recieve his first knockout win in more than three years.

Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Urijah Faber: Faber via Decision

This bout is a rematch, but could potentially be much different than their first fight years ago. Dominick Cruz has improved greatly and will not be an easy feat for Faber this time around. Faber might out-strength Cruz, but Cruz has good takedown defense. If Cruz keeps the distance this is his fight to win, but if Faber works the clinch and backs Cruz up against the fence, it's Faber's fight. I expect Faber to use his powerful striking to pressure Cruz and work takedowns. If Cruz can stay unpredictable on the feet then he has a chance, but I think Faber is too experienced. I think Faber will work some takedowns and stay busy on the feet. It should be close, but I'll take Faber to win a very close back and forth fight.