BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions for “UFC 85: Bedlam”
Matt Hughes vs. Thiago Alves
Luke Thomas: Matt Hughes isn’t Karo Parisyan. His takedown arsenal is significantly more varied with his freestyle background: single legs, double legs, ankle picks, high crotch lifts. Throw in a few takedowns from double underhooks and Alves will go to the mat. I think as long as this fight stays standing Alves is going to tax him, but between Hughes takedowns and good submissions and Alves inability to make weight/self-doubt/frustration, Hughes should win here. Hughes by decision.
Michael Bisping vs. Jason Day
Luke Thomas: Sorry, not sold on Jason Day. Alan Belcher reminds me more of the new Joe Riggs than the next big thing. I’ve seen Day’s fights and I’m continually unimpressed. I don’t think he’s any sort of pushover, but I don’t think he’s got enough to beat Bisping. Bisping by TKO, round 2.
Kid Nate Bisping by KO in 2 Brent Brookhouse Michael Bisping by TKO round 2 Michael Rome Bisping via TKO, round 3Nick Thomas: I picked Day at UFC 83 and the Canuck pulled it off in spades. Day is solid in striking and grappling and I think he can overcome the stronger Bisping on the ground. Upset #1: Day by submission.
Marcus Davis vs. Mike Swick
Luke Thomas: This is an extremely difficult fight to call, but I’m going to go with Davis. I just don’t think the explosive Mike Swick of old is around right now. He trains hard and is talented, but there’s no spark. By contrast, Davis is on a roll, getting technically better everyday and likely coming in with a great gameplan to overcome Swick’s explosive athleticism and reach. My guess is over time Davis has the power to hurt Swick on the feet. Watch out for the Swick-otine, though. Davis by decision.
Nate Marquardt vs. Thales Leites
Luke Thomas: Leites has great BJJ (from Nova Uniao) and is tough as nails. But Marquardt is an exceptional grappler with better athleticism and lots of toughness. If Kampmann can keep the fight standing and pick Leites apart, Marquardt should probably be able to do as well. Marquardt, by decision.
Kid Nate Marquardt by (you guessed it) decision Brent Brookhouse Michael Rome Marquardt via decision Nick Thomas Marquardt by decisionFabricio Werdum vs. Brandon Vera
Luke Thomas: Werdum is obviously far better on the ground, but as we know a) Vera's got a really underrated BJJ game (a game which should at least be defensively strong) and b) very good wrestling. Arlovski proved that if you can defend the takedown, Werdum's stand-up isn't enough to carry the day, particularly against a Thai boxing fighter like Vera. I don't think Vera will finish him, though, as Werdum is extremely durable. Vera by decision.
Kid Nate Vera by KO in 1 Brent Brookhouse Vera by decision Michael Rome Vera via KO, round 2 Nick Thomas Werdum by TKOUNDERCARD
Jorge Rivera vs. Martin Kampmann
Luke Thomas: Rivera is extremely game and Kampmann’s layoff makes me nervous. That being said, Rivera’s got chin problems and Kampmann is significantly more well-rounded. He’s also the better pure striker, which doesn’t leave Rivera with a great deal of offensive weapons. Kampmann, by TKO, round 3.
Matt Wiman vs. Thiago Tavares
Luke Thomas: Tavares dropped a close decision loss to Tyson Griffin and didn’t look that good against Michihiro Omigawa – a guy Wiman blasted. That being said, Tavares has gameness and superb technical skill on the ground. Beyond that, he’s aggressive and while not the wrestler Wiman is, is capable of really pressing Wiman into making some sort of a positional error. Tavares, by submission, round 2.
Kid Nate Tavares by submission 3rd round Brent Brookhouse Tavares by submission round 1 Michael Rome Tavares via submission, round 1 Nick Thomas Tavares by decisionRoan Carneiro vs. Kevin Burns
Luke Thomas: Burns is going to sleep. Jucao by Anaconda choke.
Kid Nate Brent Brookhouse Carneiro by first round submission Michael Rome Carneiro via submission, round 2 Nick Thomas Picking Carneiro by submissionLuiz Cane vs. Jason Lambert
Luke Thomas: This has been the hardest fight on the card for me to forecast. Cane’s southpaw power gives me serious concern for Lambert’s chances. But Lambert’s wrestling is also plenty to overpower and control Cane. I’ll give the polished ground and pound attacker here the nod, but I don’t do it with enormous confidence. Lambert, via TKO, round 2.
Kid Nate Lambert by TKO in 1 Brent Brookhouse I'm taking Cane by TKO in the second Michael Rome Lambert via decision Nick Thomas Lambert by TKOPaul Taylor vs. Jess Liaudin
Luke Thomas: Liaudin got starched by Davis in their last UFC outings, but Liaudin is actually a very good grappler. I realize Taylor defeated Liaudin their first time out, but international training on the part of Liaudin has improved his MMA game enormously. He’ll never be a UFC champ, but I think he’s got enough to get the win. Liaudin, by submission, round 2.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Eddie Sanchez
Luke Thomas: This is mixed martial arts, so one never really knows how fights can go with certainty, but how many times does Hardonk have to lose in the same way before we realize he’s not prepared for MMA at this level? I don’t think Eddie Sanchez is anything to write home about (and looked terrible at the weigh-ins), but Hardonk was taken down and controlled by Justin McCully. Sanchez should be able to establish takedown control and top control to ride out a decision. Sanchez by decision.
Kid Nate Hardonk by TKO Brent Brookhouse Hardonk by decision Michael Rome Hardonk via TKO, round 2 Nick Thomas Hardonk by TKO