UFC 102 Predictions and Results
A few hours from now, 2 of the greatest heavyweights of all time will square off to find out who still has it or who needs to hang it up. This might not have that type of stipulation but it certainly seems like it. But before we talk about the main event, let’s talk about some of the fights that I find intriguing. Without further ado, here they are:
Mark Muñoz vs. Nick Catone (Middleweights)
The sole reason why I writing about this fight is because Mark is a fellow Filipino and I got to give some love to a brother. I’m not implying that this fight is not interesting; it’s just that I don’t see how Catone can even keep this competitive and entertaining. Catone is primarily a wrestler and with Muñoz being a former NCAA Wrestling Champ in 2001 totally cancels out his only chance of an upset. By the way, have you seen Mark lately? He looks totally different from the guy that got knocked out by Matt Hamill at UFC 96. His move down in weight made him look like a monster. I never thought he can be that ripped, and I guess that’s exactly what he’ll do to Catone.
Prediction: Muñoz wins by shutout 3 rounds to none in a decision
Result: Munoz wins by split decision 29-28
Aaron Simpson vs. Ed Hermann (Middleweights)
Has the making of an exciting fight as both these guys fight in only one direction and that is forward. Hermann has been a good gatekeeper for the UFC and if Aaron Simpson wins, then he’s ready to be in the mix of contenders in the middleweight division.
Prediction: Simpson by KO Round 1
Result: Simpson by TKO rd.2 due to an injury
Brandon Vera vs. Krzysztof Soszynsky (Light Heavyweights)
I’ll make this short and sweet. Soszynsky’s 6 fight win streak is going to come to an end. Brandon will chop those legs down and I even see a head kick ending this thing. Vera has tremendous speed advantage and he should capitalize on it.
Prediction: Vera by KO round 2
Result: Vera by Unanimous decision 30-27
Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia (Middleweights)
As much as it pains me, I have to choose a winner in this one. Both of these guys are my favorites so it will be tough. Nate is a better stand-up guy and has a good ground game but he’ll be stupid if he takes this to the ground. 8 of Maia’s 10 wins were by submission and as good as Nate is on the ground, Demian is at least a couple of notches better. If Demian can withstand Nate’s early onslaught, he’ll win this one.
Prediction: Nate Marquardt by KO round 2 (this one might bite me in the ass but, whatever)
Result: Nate wins by KO round 1
Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Heavyweights)
If we’ll talk about both fighters’ credentials, it will take all day. So here’s the quick synopsis, Couture is the best heavyweight the UFC has ever seen and Nogueira is the best PRIDE heavyweight of all time not named Fedor, so there. In pro wrestling analogy, this would be like the first time Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair wrestled each other. I don’t remember what happened then but tonight I feel Randy has a little bit more in the tank than Nogueira. “Minotauro” looked terrible against Mir and while he was partly injured at the time he didn’t really look great against Sylvia prior to the later stages of that match. Still, regardless of the outcome, both their legacies are already firmly in place.
Prediction: Randy Couture by KO midway through the 3rd round
Result: Nog wins by UD
