This Sunday’s UFC card might not be as stacked as the previous ones but there are a few fights that are really interesting and as Mike Goldberg would say, “And here we go!”
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca (Lightweights)
This one has fight of the night written all over it. It might be a cliché but it rings very true that these guys always come to fight. Though Franca is an excellent grappler it will be interesting if he can take Griffin to the ground. Griffin has an excellent sprawl and knows how to keep the fight standing up where he has a slight advantage over Franca. I like Griffin on this one, at the same time the former WEC champion (Franca) will be a handful which means this is going to be an exciting one.
Prediction: Griffin by unanimous decision
Mirko CroCop vs. Junior Dos Santos (Heavyweights)
I highly doubt it if any of these guys will receive a title shot after winning this one but it is still an exciting match up nonetheless. In a weird, twisted kind of way, this is not only a chance for Crocop to creep back into title contention but it will be an opportunity to exact revenge for his former grappling coach Fabricio Werdum who was knocked out senseless by the heavy handed youngster in Junior Dos Santos. It will be easier said than done as Crocop is nowhere near the level he once was and Dos Santos is quickly learning the game and is getting better by the day. It’s just a shame because we don’t get to see him fight that long because he always knocks people out within the first few minutes and I highly doubt that this one will get past the first round as someone is bound to get knocked out early. I’ve always been a Crocop fan and I want him to succeed but I think his time has passed as an elite contender. If he has something left in the tank and wins, I’ll be more than happy to eat crow.
Prediction: Dos Santos by KO in the first round.
Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin (Catchweight 195 lbs.)
I don’t know about you guys but I can’t wait to see Belfort back in the Octagon. Make no mistake about it though; he’s going to have to be as sharp as he was against Matt Linland because Rich Franklin is going to present a lot of interesting challenges for him. Rich is a unique fighter because he is as well rounded as anyone could be, yet he isn’t dominant in any aspect. It will be interesting how he’ll deal with Vitor’s hand speed and power. Franklin has a pretty good chin but Anderson Silva proved to all of us that Rich has a hard time against quick fighters. Belfort might not be as elusive as Silva but as far as hand speed and KO power goes, Vitor is at par with the middleweight champ. Franklin is one of my favorite fighters but I’m confident Vitor Belfort will punctuate his return to the UFC by knocking out one of the best in Rich Franklin.
Prediction: Vitor Belfort wins by 2nd round KO.
Tags: UFC 103 by bparedes
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