BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions for “UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin”

JULY 19, 2008 IN LAS VEGAS

Main Card Bouts:

Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin

Luke Thomas: I’m not going to over analyze this fight, so I’ll just address something a lot of people aren’t talking about. Irvin does have KO power, but he usually stops guys when they are flat footed and immobile. I think Silva’s footwork, trunk movement, use of range, angles and in-and-out motion won’t allow Irvin to land anything definitive. On top of that, there’s footage of Silva giving Big Nog all he can handle. Irvin will put forth a valiant effort, but will lose. Silva, by TKO, round 2.

Kid Nate: I'm going to bet that Irvin won't be able to land any trick shots on Silva -- no flying knees or superman punches -- for a flash KO. I'm also inclined to think that Silva will have trouble getting the KO on Irvin. Silva by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: Irvin has some for real power on the inside as well as from distance.  He is also going to be much stronger than Silva come fight time.  Anderson has much better technique all around and is much better on the ground but I don't think that this fight ends up going to the ground unless Irvin chooses to take it there as I figure Silva will be more than happy to stand and strike with "the Sandman."  Being honest I just don't like the match-up for Silva and I think Irvin is getting horribly overlooked here.  I'm going to pick against one of my favorite fighters on the planet here and take the big upset.  I think Irvin is going to be able to use his strength to push Silva around more than we're used to seeing and his power strikes are going to come into play late in the first.  Irvin by TKO in round 1.

Mike Rome: I find it highly unlikely that this fight lasts more than a round.  Irvin is going to come out swinging, Silva just needs to survive the initial onslaught and he should be okay.  This is a tough first fight at 205, but I think we're still going to see a Silva knock out in the first.  Silva via KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: The question is... Who is more dangerous? Silva is. Even if Silva stands and trades he still has a good chance of winning. But I'm thinking he'll play the cautious game and take it to the ground. Silva by submission.

Mike Fagan: Silva just has too many tools for a guy who's going to be looking for a one punch KO. Irvin finds himself off balance and out of position too often, and Silva is someone that will exploit such mistakes. Anderson Silva by TKO, round 1.

Chris Nelson: Irvin says his chances lay in the clinch, and I think it's feasible that he might bully Anderson around a bit in the opening frame. But plenty have come into fights against Silva with allegedly airtight gameplans, and it's never taken him long to suss them out. Different weight, same result. Silva via TKO, round 2.

Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy

Luke Thomas: Andy is EXTREMELY underrated and no one really knows how Vera’s weight cut is going to go. Andy is an exceptionally good wrestler and grappler and I suspect will look to keep the fight there since his stand-up skills are nothing compared to Vera’s. But Vera is no wrestling or grappling slouch himself. Vera can sometimes be a slow starter, but is often a strong finisher. Vera, by TKO, round 3.

Kid Nate: Andy hasn't seen Vera's level of muay Thai skill before. Vera by KO in 1.

Brent Brookhouse: Vera knows how important it is that he win this fight.  Moreover he knows how important it is he win this fight impressively.  Andy was pretty successful in his time in the IFL, but he didn't look overly impressive against that level of competition.  As long as Vera is able to make small sacrifices and cut to 205 like a pro he is going to take this one pretty easily.  Vera by submission in round 1.

Mike Rome: While an upset isn't impossible, I think Vera will return to the winning side of things here.  Vera needs a dominating win to make a statement at 205, and I think that is what we will see.  Vera via KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Resse who? The younger Vera by reach advantage and being more well rounded.

Mike Fagan: Hard to pick against Vera here. Andy isn't a can, but this fight has “showcase” written all over it. A Vera loss devastates his career, so I expect him to come in with something to prove. Brandon Vera by TKO, round 2.

Chris Nelson: Vera is still fuming from his incident with Miragliotta, has made a quick cut to 205 and is possibly looking past Reese Andy. Even so, I can't ignore Andy's year-plus hiatus; despite a solid wrestling game, he has nothing on Brandon's striking. Vera won't want this one to be decided on the cards, but Andy can grind it out so I think that's where it's going. Vera by Decision.

Frankie Edgar vs. Hermes Franca

Luke Thomas: Difficult fight to forecast. Franca’s boxing is sloppy, but his power is undeniable. His submissions are also far better than Edgar’s. In fact, I personally know grapplers who’ve owned Edgar is grappling tournaments. But Edgar is super tough, a much better wrestler than Franca and moves well enough to keep Franca desperate. Varner was beating Franca before gassing. I don’t see Edgar having that problem. Edgar via decision.

Kid Nate: Very interesting matchup. Franca's reach and KO power will be a threat to Edgar anytime they're on their feet. However, Edgar's solid boxing fundamentals should mean that he lands more strikes and makes Hermes' looping punches miss. I think Edgar will be able to get takedowns if he wants them, but that could be a fatal mistake, given Franca's size advantage and BJJ skillz. I'm going to gamble here and pick Franca by submission.

Brent Brookhouse: Franca by decision.

Mike Rome: Franca is tough, and his jiu jitsu top game is excellent, but I don't think he is good enough from the bottom to submit Edgar.  Frankie also has better standup, I think this will be a long night for Franca despite his size advantage.  Edgar via decision.

Nick Thomas: Fight of the night here, ladies and gents. Franca is on the comeback, beware lightweights. Sick BJJ + heavy hitter = Franca by TKO.

Mike Fagan: MMA favors guys who finish, and Franca is an excellent finisher. Edgar has good all around skills, but he lacks the ability to stop fights at 155. I expect this to be close and a contender for Fight of the Night. Hermes Franca by submission, late round 3.

Chris Nelson: The UFC did Franca no favors in giving him the aptly named "Answer" as his first fight back. Although Hermes is a tough guy to put away, Edgar will have no problem punishing him on the feet for 15 minutes. Likewise, Edgar's wrestling should neutralize Franca's BJJ. Edgar by Unanimous Decision.

Jake O'Brien vs. Cain Velasquez

Luke Thomas: Cain’s a better athlete, a better wrestler and a better submission grappler. I’ll give the edge in boxing to O’Brien, but not in power. Cain is better managed and trains with a better team. He’s got all the tools for success. Cain, by TKO, round 2.

Kid Nate: Velasquez should have the wrestling skills to neutralize the O'Brien blanket and beat him standing. Velasquez by TKO in 2.

Brent Brookhouse: Velasquez by TKO round 1.

Mike Rome: Velasquez obliterated his last opponent, it won't be so easy this time.  Both men have something to prove, but I think that Jake will be too worried about having a boring fight to do what is necessary to win, and Velasquez will finish him.  Velasquez via TKO, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Like I said before UFC 83, Cain is the future. A good striker, wrestler and has solid BJJ. Velazquez by quick submission.

Mike Fagan: When two guys come in with similar bases, the fight is usually decided in the other facets. I think Velasquez is a more interesting and dynamic prospect, and I expect him to show it here. Cain Velasquez by decision.

Chris Nelson: In a match with relevance to the non-Affliction heavyweight division, Velasquez continues his romp and records his first "name" victory much in the same fashion as his first three. Velasquez via TKO, round 1.

Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns

Luke Thomas: Johnson’s got great power and athleticism, but is letting his firepower go to his head. Burns, on the other hand, is the more even keeled fighter with at least some offense on the ground. He doesn’t have the wrestling Johnson does, but neither did Clementi. If you can weather Johnson’s early storm, you’re in good shape. Burns, by submission, round 2.

Kid Nate: Johnson by KO in 1.

Brent Brookhouse: Burns' story is great.  Johnson's explosive striking is better.  Johnson by KO in round 1.

Mike Rome: Kevin Burns has a great story and a very impressive win on his resume now, but nothing I saw from his last fight suggests to me he can handle Johnson's onslaught.  This is a big fight for Johnson, who will probably get a much tougher opponent next if he pulls off a big win.  Johnson via TKO, round 1. 

Nick Thomas: Johnson is a huge welterweight and the hype train will continue to build with him. Johnson by KO.

Mike Fagan: Johnson is coming off a devastating KO of Tommy Speer while Burns submitted Roan Carneiro in his last fight. A much smaller Rich Clementi exposed Johnson's ground game, and Burns could do the same thing. Kevin Burns in the upset by submission, round 2.

Chris Nelson: Burns' upset of Carneiro was one of the greatest things I've seen all year, but Carneiro didn't bring anything even remotely resembling the dynamite Johnson's got in his hands. Potential Knockout of the Night and a big showcase for "Rumble." Johnson via KO, round 1.

Jesse Taylor vs. C.B. Dollaway

Luke Thomas: I haven’t seen much from Taylor other than decent submission defense and good takedowns. Yes, he is training with Team Quest Temecula, but adding to a fighter’s arsenal takes time. Dollaway is a much better wrestler and has better hands. Dollaway by decision.

Kid Nate: Dollaway by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: This is more of a mental war than anything else.  CB is dealing with the fact that he has gotten caught twice by a guy who, on paper, he should have stormed through with ease.  Taylor is coming in to prove that he is ready for this level despite mistakes he made on the show.  I think we'll see CB being overly cautious in an attempt to avoid getting caught again and we'll see Taylor being overly aggressive in an attempt to prove himself.  I like aggression.  Taylor by decision.

Mike Rome: Dollaway's stock has dropped a lot since the last episode of TUF, but he is still very good.  I suspect this will be an example of a match between two wrestlers that ends up being decided standing.  I think CB has the better standup, so I'm going with him.  CB via decision.

Nick Thomas: Going by the fights on the show, you have to agree that Taylor has been the more impressive fighter. Taylor by lay n' pray and hammer fists.

Mike Fagan: Similar to the O'Brien/Velasquez fight. Even with the holes he has, I see Dollaway as a more promising prospect. Taylor doesn't have the dynamic submission game that gave C.B. problems with Sadollah. Dollaway by decision.

Chris Nelson: Both TUF'sters will be too eager to redeem themselves in the fans' (and the brass') eyes to rely on their wrestling and risk a positional boo-fest. Taylor's had plenty of time to focus and train with Team Quest since getting the boot, while Dollaway's had two more fights. Put it on my headstone: I'm picking the guy who peed on himself. Taylor via TKO, round 3.

Preliminary Bouts:

Rory Markham vs. Brodie Farber

Luke Thomas: Markham’s too well-rounded, too experienced and possesses too much firepower for Farber. Markham by TKO, round 2.

Kid Nate: Markham by decision.

Brent Brookhouse: Markham by TKO round 1.

Mike Rome: Markham via KO, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Markham by IFL experience.

Mike Fagan: Markham just has too much experience against better competition. Rory Markham by TKO, round 1.

Chris Nelson: Markham via TKO, round 1.

Nate Loughran vs. Johnny Rees

Luke Thomas: As Nick points out, Rees is managed by Ken Pavia. Hence, Loughran by TKO, round 1.

Kid Nate: Loughran by TKO in 2.

Brent Brookhouse: Loughran by decision.

Mike Rome: Loughran via TKO, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Rees is managed by Ken Pavia and Ken says Rees is legit. We'll see. Rees by submission.

Chris Nelson: Loughran via Submission, round 1.

Brad Blackburn vs. James Giboo

Luke Thomas: Blackburn had a rough patch midway through his career, but has since come out on the other side while racking up some very respectable wins and becoming a more technical fighter. Blackburn via TKO, round 1.

Kid Nate: Blackburn by TKO in 2.

Brent Brookhouse: Blackburn by TKO round 2.

Mike Rome: Giboo via submission, round 1.

Nick Thomas: Giboo is the favorite but Blackburn holds a recent victory over Jay Hieron. That's enough for me. Upset #1 - Blackburn by TKO.

Chris Nelson: Blackburn via TKO, round 2.

Dale Hartt vs. Shannon Gugerty

Luke Thomas: Gugerty is actually really underrated here. Hartt is super aggressive, but sometimes that gets in the way of keeping up the technical aspects of the fight. Gugerty by submission, round 2.

Kid Nate: Hartt by TKO in 1.

Brent Brookhouse: Hartt by TKO round 1.

Mike Rome: Hartt via TKO, round 2.

Nick Thomas: Hartt is the favorite but Gugerty has more experience and a win over Cub Swanson. Picking the upset here.  Upset #2 - Gugerty by TKO.

Chris Nelson: Gugerty via Submission, round 1.

Tim Credeur vs. Cale Yarbrough

Luke Thomas: Yarbrough is the better wrestler, so for Credeur to win by submission the BJJ black belt will likely have to take it there. But even if he doesn’t, it’s not like Yarbrough’s hands are that great. Credeur by decision.

Kid Nate: Credeur by submission in 1.

Nick Thomas: Easy one. Credeur by submission.

Mike Fagan: Hard to pick a guy with zero pro fights against someone like Credeur. Tim Credeur by submission, round 2.

Chris Nelson: Credeur via Submission, round 2.