UFC 87 Seek and Destroy
Saturday August 9th the UFC will be at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. If this card is actually as good as it is on paper we’re in for a treat. Here are my predictions for this event.
Main Event:
George “Rush” St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch
This has the makings of a great fight but I’m not convinced it will be the best fight of the night. Fitch is riding a 15 fight win streak, beating guy’s like Diego Sanchez, Thiago Alves and Josh Burkman along the way. His wrestling is very good but remember GSP out-wrestled Josh Koscheck, so I don’t really see an advantage to Fitch there. The better striking has to go to St. Pierre. Strength has to go to St. Pierre as well, he bullied Matt Hughes around like nobody has ever done. We’ve also seen GSP not as prepared as he should be and pay the price. I believe the best GSP is still to come and he’ll finally defend the title. I see this being a competitive fight but in the end GSP will have his hand raised.
Prediction: GSP by unanimous decision.
Brock Lesner vs. “The Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring
I’m not telling you anything you don’t know when I say Lesner is an absolute Beast!! It wasn’t enough against Frank Mir but as good as Herring’s ground game is, he’s no Mir. Still, he’s a lot better than Lesner on the ground and standing as well. Herring’s looked decent lately but hasn’t been able to finish any one off. I’m sure Lesner has improved his submission defense but Herring has 16 submission victories. Will Lesner be able to simply overwhelm him with brute strength? Possibly, but I doubt it.
Prediction: Herring by rear-naked choke round 1
Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian vs. Roger “El Matador” Huerta
This is the fight I believe will be the fight of the night. Both fighters are very well rounded, so it won’t matter where the fight takes place. When you look at Huerta’s record (20-1-1) you can’t help but be impressed, the thing is and with no disrespect, there’s not a top-ten lightweight on there. Whereas Florian has gone 5 rounds with Sean Sherk. Sure he lost, but did you see Sherk after? It was Florian’s notorious elbow’s that messed Sherk up bad, the same ones that did it to Chris Leben, Alex Karalexis ect. Huerta may not have a modeling career after this one.
Prediction: Ref stoppage due to cut round 3, winner Florian.
Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald vs. Demian Maia
As good as MacDonald is on the ground, I see him trying to keep this fight standing. Maia is not someone to roll with. Then again, MacDonald has 16 submission victories, and may feel he can beat Maia down there. I see this being MacDonald’s downfall.
Prediction: Maia by submission round 2
Manny Gamburyan vs. Rob Emerson
Gamburyan is an underrated lightweight as is Emerson, so this should be a pretty evenly matched fight. Emerson has never been finished, (all 6 losses by decision) and I see this trend continuing. Gamburyan may prove to be a threat at lightweight if he can prevent any more shoulder injuries. Remember, he was beating Nate Diaz until the shoulder gave out.
Prediction: Gamburyan by split decision in a hell of a fight.
It should be a great night of fights and even though I don’t see Lesner winning, he will still be a force in the UFC within a year or two. GSP will successfully defend his title for the first time and Kenny Florian will get a step closer to another title shot, this time with BJ Penn. A fight I’m not sure many in the lightweight division really want. Enjoy the fights.
