Saturday March 1st in Columbus, Ohio we’ll see UFC 82 Pride of a Champion. This is the card that they should have called STACKED, with fighters on the preliminary card such as Andrei Arlovski, Josh Koschek and Diego Sanchez. Hopefully we’ll get to see a couple of those fights; nevertheless I won’t mind shell’n out 45 bucks for this event.
Now as for the fights we will see, I must say besides the obvious Silva-Henderson match the one I really want to see is Tanner-Okami. Tanner, who’s been out of the UFC since April 2006 is a fan favorite and an exciting guy to watch throw down. A win for him will make the middleweight division all that much better. Getting into my thoughts on that division will be a post for another day, today I’ll give my opinion and predictions on Saturday night.
Silva-Henderson
Every time I think Anderson Silva will show a weakness he’s even more dominating then before. That being said, he’s never faced a wrestler the caliber of Dan Henderson. Henderson has never been knocked out and he’s stood in there against the likes of Wanderlei Silva and Rampage Jackson. Some say Anderson is the best striker in the UFC and I tend to agree, but the best striker’s he’s faced have been Chris Leben and Rich Franklin and their no Dan Henderson. My opinion is if Travis Lutter can take Anderson down, Henderson can as well. The difference is once there, he’ll do a hell of a lot more damage.
PREDICTION: Henderson by GnP , Round 3
Herring-Kongo
This is an interesting match. Kongo is coming off a win over (in my opinion and many others) a very disinterested Cro Cop. Herring having just beat Brad Imes and nearly beating Big Nog hasn’t really impressed me.
PREDICTION: Kongo on his back a lot and this time, Herring actually finishing. Unlike he did with Nogueira.Herring via stoppage due to strikes.
Tanner-Okami
Look for “a pumped to be back” Tanner to come out and really try to set a fast pace. I don’t see this one going the distance; if Okami wins he could be in line for a title shot. If Tanner wins it makes things a whole lot more interesting in that division. Okami says he’s been working on his standup, Tanner says he’s training seriously for the first time.
PREDICTION: In the end, as strong as Okami is, it will be Tanner, with his relentless elbows TKOing him in the 2nd round.
Wilson-Fitch
This fight was supposed to be Akinoro Gono and Jon Fitch , but with Gono going down with a hand injury, Chris “The Professor” Wilson got the call.
Taking this fight on short notice (while on vacation nonetheless) Wilson gladly accepted. The Professor has bounced from the IFL ( where he defeated Jay Hieron and Rory Markham) to Bodog. Now he’s in the big show. While Fitch is a tremendous wrestler, Wilson is an above average striker. But will fighting in the Octagon for the first time, and against such an accomplished guy like Fitch get to Wilson? I think it might. I do see this being a very competitive fight.
PREDICTION: I see Fitch taking it. Fitch by rear-naked choke in the 3rd round.
Sakara-Leben
This one should also be a great battle. I’m pretty sure we see Leben continue to look improved as an overall fighter, but do what he does best.
PREDICTION: Leben by KO round 2.
Bielkheden-Sanchez
Sanchez will be looking to get back on track after two consecutive losses . While Bielkheden will be making his UFC debut. Bielkheden trains with Brazilian Top Team and has 5 losses but all by decision. Sanchez needs to have a good showing. Letting this fight go the distance, even with a victory, over a relatively unknown fighter is not going to help him. I think we’ll see a very determined Diego looking to end this fight quick.
PREDICTION: Sanchez by TKO strikes round 2.
Here’s the Rest…
Arlovski-O’brien
Neither has fought in a while (O’Brien coming off surgery for nerve damage and Arlovski seemingly getting screwed by the UFC) but both are coming off wins. If “The Pitbull” wants a new contract he better come out swinging and hope O’Brien doesn’t do to him what he did too Heath Herring or it will be another boring fight for Arlovski.
PREDICTION: Arlovski by KO in the 1st
Cummo-Fioravanti
This should be a slugfest.
PREDICTION: Cummo decision.
Hazelett-Koschek
Can’t believe this is not on the main card, any other card it probably would be. Hazelett is a tough kid, but Kos will simply out muscle him.
PREDICTION: I see this one going the distance, but Koschek winning by decision.
So these are my predictions “FROM THE GUT” . Log on Sunday to see if I know what I’m talking about. As we all know judging by 2007 anything can happen!
