Hello and welcome back for another set of fight predictions with TheOzzymandias! It has been a while since I have done a post and I am truly sorry for that, but let's get on with the picks! We have a great fight night on Saturday, and I can't wait to see the action. theozzymandias.com

Jose Aldo vs Frankie Edgar

Oh boy what a fight we got here. It is hard enough picking Frankie Edgar fights let alone when he goes down to a new weight class for the first time, and fights Aldo, a champ so dominant Anderson Silva said he would retire if he was a Middleweight.

But either way the pick must be made, and as much as I would love to see Frankie pull off the big win (I believe he never lost to Bendo), I just can't see Aldo being defeated for years to come.

Edgar does present a challenge that Aldo has yet to face. He is somewhat of a mix between Hominick and Mendes in that he can move around very well and land plenty of strikes, and he has a great wrestling base that I expect to see on full display. We will see how the move down to featherweight affects his speed and strength, as even Aldo will not know entirely what to expect.

Aldo is so explosive and can end fights at almost any second, and I see this being the difference in this fight. The leg kicks he throws are some of the best in the whole sport, and would do much to damage Edgar's non-st0p footwork.

Jose Aldo via TKO rd 3

Rashad Evans vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

I see Evans taking this fight with relative ease. He has tremendous level changing skills when it comes to using his wrestling in the realm of MMA, and very powerful strikes to go along with it. Rashad is the more well-rounded fighter and I see him pushing the pace from the start of the fight to the finish. Lil Nog is no pushover, if he lands one of those accurate bombs of his Rashad could easily be put away, but I just think Rashad is in the true elite of the light heavyweight division. I think he will use his explosive striking and wrestling to keep Nogueira guessing as to whats coming next.

Rashad Evans via Unanimous Decision

Alistair Overeem vs Antonio Silva

Very excited for this fight, and even more excited to finally see Overeem back in the octagon. A fight with title implications for Overeem, and I don't see him disappointing in this fight, as I'm sure he is aching to get back in there and add another highlight reel KO to his resume. Silva does present the challenge of being a big strong guy with massive fists that could put Overeem to sleep if they connect, but the way he was destroyed by Cain Velasquez was so brutal that I will never forget it. If Overeem can keep his range and land some bombs he should win this fight quite impressively. Silva never wins the big fight (aside from Fedor in his career fading losing streak) and I don't see that changing here.

Alistair Overeem via KO rd 1

Jon Fitch vs Demian Maia

Such an intriguing fight, and such a hard fight to pick. On one hand Jon Fitch has started a career rejuvenation and has actually been entertaining since his loss to Hendricks. And on the other Maia has had somewhat of a career rejuvenation of himself, since moving down to Welterweight he is 2-0 and is starting to focus more on his jiu-jitsu which can give a lot of welterweights problems if he can get the fight to floor. And fortunately for him that is where Fitch excels as well, and I expect to see a wonderful ground battle in this fight. If not, I believe Maia has improved his striking much more than Fitch has and will have an advantage on the feet. This is a tough Fight for both but I believe Maia has a slight advantage. Another fight with possible title shot possibilities as well.

Demian Maia via Submission rd 2

Ian McCall vs Joseph Benavidez

Another very interesting fight and probably with major title implications for the Flyweight division based on the shallowness of the division. Both fighters have had extremely close decisions with the champ Demetrious Johnson, and it should be an evenly fought battle. However, I always thought Benavidez was going to be the Flyweight champ when he had the chance, and as much as I like McCall I just don't see him getting past the speed and power combo of Benavidez. McCall does have very good technical boxing, and I would not be mad or surprised to see him score a win.

Joseph Benavidez via Decision (a close one)

So there are my picks for Saturday's fight night, leave me some comments and let me know what you think of my predictions, and leave me some of your own!

theozzymandias.com