Guillard vs Lauzon:
Joe Lauzon is a quick and scrappy submission artist who shocked the world with his knockout victory over the highly favored Jens Pulver at UFC 63. His takedowns are average and being an undersized lightweight (especially compared to Melvin), Lauzon’s wrestling is outmatched. His newest task in the Young Assassin will present the single most explosive striker in the 155-pound weight class. Guillard has heavy hands that move lightning fast. Guillard having been submitted in the past has improved, and has promised his weakness for submissions is no more. This revamped Melvin Guillard will be able to evade the takedowns and submission setups of Lauzon and keep the feet standing.
Prediction: Guillard via KO/TKO round 3
Phan vs Garcia:
In the first war between these two exciting featherweights, controversy overshadowed the decision. Leonard Garcia stole a win that appeared to clearly belong to Phan and soon enough Nam Phan lost to Mike Brown at UFC 133 giving him his second straight loss inside the octagon. Now that the Ultimate Fighter veteran has his back up against the wall he knows a win here means everything. Phan has great body shots mixed in with an exciting arsenal of strikes that will be able to overpower the game of Garcia. I believe that Phan will be able to drop the WEC veteran with a shot, and soon after submit him to end the fight.
Prediction: Phan via Submission round 3
Stann vs. Sonnen:
Chael Sonnen is wrestler and a damn good one. He has been able to control the biggest and baddest middleweights in the world with forceful canvas warfare and ground and pound. Since Stann's drop from light heavyweight, he has found his calling, with knockouts out both Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago. His hands possess crazy power that put Leben out quicker than even Anderson Silva could. Stann’s striking will overwhelm Chael and for the most part neutralize him. Sonnen will take the Marine down maybe a few times but the athletic and powerful Brian Stann will return to his feet to win the fight with his hands.
Prediction: Stann via Split Decision
Aldo vs. Florian:
I don’t need to rave about how great Jose Aldo is because everyone knows it. His quickness and athleticism is one of a kind. His weight cut tired him out heavily at UFC 129 but is leaner and faster for this fight. Kenny Florian doesn't pose as big a threat as Mark Hominick did, but the UFC wants to give him another title shot. I don't think choke is the right word, but rather Kenny Florian is only a decent fighter that isn't near Aldo's level. I think that Aldo could finish this fight in a number of different ways, but he will end up with finishing with strikes.
Prediction: Aldo via KO/TKO round 4
Edgar vs. Maynard:
Gray Maynard has a great clinch game and takedown defense, but late in fights his size sometimes hinders him. His striking is powerful as we all saw at UFC 125 but Edgar will be sure to cover up this time around. The wrestling of these two lightweights will cancel out giving each guy just a few takedowns. I think the fight will be a back and forth battle for the majority of the fight, but the quicker and better versed Edgar will win his 3rd title defense. Edgar has the ability to finish with his underrated jiu-jitsu, but given Gray Maynard’s toughness, this fight will go to the judges’ scorecards.
Prediction: Edgar via Decision
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