HooPH MMA: UFC 89 Predictions

New layout means new sport entries. That means, I’m finally going to let go of my personal MMA blog (MMA ALL DAY) and will now post my Mixed Martial Arts related entries over here at HooPH under the “other sports” category.

Anyway, UFC 89 is just around the corner and while it isn’t one of the better cards in the UFC this year (name wise) it’s one of the cards that has the closest match ups. Leben vs Bisping, our very own Brandon Vera vs Keith Jardine, Luiz Cane vs Sokoudjou and many more. That’s why I find it interesting. It’s tough to predict cause you really don’t know what to expect.

Anyway here are my predictions for UFC 89

(185) Chris “Crippler” Leben vs Michael “The Count” Bisping

One of the most intriguing matchups I’ve seen in a while. Bisping, a solid well rounded fighter. Has good striking and ground and pound and has looked good ever since making his debut at the Middleweight division against Chainsaw Charles McCarthy. Leben on the other hand is a brawler, a guy with a rock solid chin and heavy hands.

The match could go either way, it’s either Bisping goes for takedowns all night long and try to avoid Leben’s stand up or he’ll try to show off to his hometown folks by trying to stand with Chris. I believe the latter is going to happen and Leben will take this fight via KO.

(205) Brandon “The Truth” Vera vs Keith “Dean of Mean” Jardine

This is a match for two guys who likes to stand. Keith, the kickboxer and Brandon the Muay Thai guy. Brandon didn’t look great in his debut in the LHW division, although he did win against Reese Andy in a boring unanimous decision while on the other hand, Keith Jardine didn’t do any better. He got knocked out (or rape choked as some of my colleagues would say) in 36 seconds by Wanderlei Silva. So definitely, these are two guys who would want to rebound from their previous performances.

The key stretch in this match would be the very first round. Keith, as we’ve seen it, starts slow (EG: against Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva) and we all know, Keith is usually on the end of a highlight reel beating if his opponent takes advantage of his slow start. I’m sure Brandon has already watched some of Keith’s matches and will be looking to attack early in the get go.

I say Brandon takes this via KO.

(205) Luiz Cane vs Sokoudjou

Again,  two guys who hits hard and loves to stand and bang. Both will be coming out very aggressive and neither would like to fight on the ground. I say the guy who hits first gets the win here. And why am I thinking it’s going to be Soku? Well, ask Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Sokoudjou via KO

(170) Paul Kelly vs Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis

Davis’ title run was spoiled by AKA’s Mike Swick the last time around as he was taken down and grounded and pounded at will by Swick. Marcus will be looking to rebound from that loss as his takes on Paul Kelly. And if you’ve seen Kelly’s last fight against Paul Taylor, you know he’s going to stand toe to toe with Marcus Davis and that’s not really a bright idea.

Davis via TKO

(170) Chris “Lights out” Lytle vs Paul Taylor

This is going to be the fight of the night. Believe me when I say it. Lytle has crazy KO power and has only been finished twice (And that was via a cut) in about 50 matches.  Like what I said in the Kelly – Davis match above, Taylor is known for standing and banging and will surely try to do the same thing to Chris Lytle. With that being said, I say Lytle takes this via TKO.

I won’t be putting much description to my predictions on the prelims because it’s 3:30 in the morning and I really need to get some sleep. Anyways, here it goes..

(170) Akihiro Gono vs Dan Hardy

Gono via Unanimous Decision

(206+) Shane Carwin vs Neil Wain

Carwin via TKO

(170) David Beilkheden vs Jess Liaudin

Beilkheden via Unanimous Decision

(170) David Baron vs Jim Miller

Baron via Sub

(155) Per Ecklund vs Sammy Schiavo

Ecklund via Sub

(155) Terry Etim vs Sam Stout

Stout via Unanimous Decision

That’s it folks. I’ll be posting my UFC 90 predictions next week. :D