Hey guys here are my predictions for 159. Could be a solid card! What say you?
1) Jim Miller vs Pat Healy - My pick for fight of the night. Miller (22-4) and Healy (29-16) are experienced, tenacious warriors who have outstruck and submitted world-class fighters. Despite the nickname "Bam Bam," Healy has won 15 of his fights by submission, including a rear naked choke victory over Carlos Condit in 2006. The 29-year-old has won six consecutive bouts since his loss to Josh Thomson in his Strikeforce debut three years ago and he'll be looking to make a big impression in the UFC. Miller has all the tools to hand him another debut defeat, but it won't be easy. This should be a good scrap. MILLER UD
2) Phil Davis vs Vinny Maghalaes - If this hits the mat, buckle in for a battle for the ages. While Davis (10-1) has an NCAA Division 1 championship to his name, he can't match his opponent's credentials. Magalhaes (10-5) won the ADCC championship in 2011, making him one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners on the planet. There's no love lost between the two 28-year-olds; Magalhaes goaded "Mr Wonderful" into the bout and has maintained a strong verbal jab leading into UFC 159. Despite the Brazilian's credentials, I think Davis is the more well-rounded grappler and will take this one on points. DAVIS UD
3) Roy Nelson vs Cheick Kongo - Cheick Kongo (18-7) is one of the most imposing figures in MMA. A martial artist since the age of 5, the 37-year-old Frenchman is now 6'4" and built like a Roman god. But fan favourite Nelson (18-7) is a bonafide knockout artist who's built like a brick shithouse. While Kongo has the more technical striking, "Big Country" packs serious heat in his right hand. It would be an interesting match-up on the ground, pitting Kongo's power and control against Nelson's black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, the odds are this fight ends standing. Nelson has called for a title shot with a win on Saturday night, and while that might be out of reach, another knockout victory certainly isn't. NELSON KO 2
4) Michael Bisping vs Alan Belcher - Bisping (23-5) and Belcher (18-7) have been exchanging hostilities for several years now. "The Count," a well-versed trash talker, has consistenly taken the honours over his younger counterpart. But Belcher is an equally well-versed martial artist and all the talk in the world won't win Bisping the fight. The Arkansas native holds black belts in judo, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Duke Roufus kickboxing and Hayastan grappling. He was on a four-fight winning streak before his loss to Yushin Okami and he'll be desperate to make amends against the Brit. Bisping, 1-2 in his last three, has more experience in the cage and combines a well-rounded skllset with elite cardio and constant movement. Belcher has more tools to finish the fight, but I think Bisping will do what he does best and outwork "The Talent." BISPING UD
5) Jon Jones (c) vs Chael Sonnen (LHW title) - It's been called one of the biggest mismatches in UFC title history, and on paper, it's probably up there. But as we know, Sonnen (27-12) can force even the most dominant fighters into survival mode. He won six of eight rounds against pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva, but controlling "Bones" on the ground will be a whole different ball game. Jones (17-1) is distinctly bigger than Sonnen or Silva and has nasty, unpredictable grappling. If Sonnen can time a double leg and transition straight into an arm triangle, he certainly has the strength to test the 25-year-old's resolve. But short of a lightning fast sub or a disqualification, I don't see "The America Gangster" bringing home the gold. And I don't mean to disrespect Sonnen - Jones is just that dangerous. This is another great opportunity to see one of the sport's most dynamic fighters in action. JONES TKO 2
Knockout of the Night: Roy Nelson
Submission of the Night: Cody McKenzie
Fight of the Night: Jim Miller vs Pat Healy
1) Jim Miller vs Pat Healy - My pick for fight of the night. Miller (22-4) and Healy (29-16) are experienced, tenacious warriors who have outstruck and submitted world-class fighters. Despite the nickname "Bam Bam," Healy has won 15 of his fights by submission, including a rear naked choke victory over Carlos Condit in 2006. The 29-year-old has won six consecutive bouts since his loss to Josh Thomson in his Strikeforce debut three years ago and he'll be looking to make a big impression in the UFC. Miller has all the tools to hand him another debut defeat, but it won't be easy. This should be a good scrap. MILLER UD
2) Phil Davis vs Vinny Maghalaes - If this hits the mat, buckle in for a battle for the ages. While Davis (10-1) has an NCAA Division 1 championship to his name, he can't match his opponent's credentials. Magalhaes (10-5) won the ADCC championship in 2011, making him one of the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners on the planet. There's no love lost between the two 28-year-olds; Magalhaes goaded "Mr Wonderful" into the bout and has maintained a strong verbal jab leading into UFC 159. Despite the Brazilian's credentials, I think Davis is the more well-rounded grappler and will take this one on points. DAVIS UD
3) Roy Nelson vs Cheick Kongo - Cheick Kongo (18-7) is one of the most imposing figures in MMA. A martial artist since the age of 5, the 37-year-old Frenchman is now 6'4" and built like a Roman god. But fan favourite Nelson (18-7) is a bonafide knockout artist who's built like a brick shithouse. While Kongo has the more technical striking, "Big Country" packs serious heat in his right hand. It would be an interesting match-up on the ground, pitting Kongo's power and control against Nelson's black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, the odds are this fight ends standing. Nelson has called for a title shot with a win on Saturday night, and while that might be out of reach, another knockout victory certainly isn't. NELSON KO 2
4) Michael Bisping vs Alan Belcher - Bisping (23-5) and Belcher (18-7) have been exchanging hostilities for several years now. "The Count," a well-versed trash talker, has consistenly taken the honours over his younger counterpart. But Belcher is an equally well-versed martial artist and all the talk in the world won't win Bisping the fight. The Arkansas native holds black belts in judo, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Duke Roufus kickboxing and Hayastan grappling. He was on a four-fight winning streak before his loss to Yushin Okami and he'll be desperate to make amends against the Brit. Bisping, 1-2 in his last three, has more experience in the cage and combines a well-rounded skllset with elite cardio and constant movement. Belcher has more tools to finish the fight, but I think Bisping will do what he does best and outwork "The Talent." BISPING UD
5) Jon Jones (c) vs Chael Sonnen (LHW title) - It's been called one of the biggest mismatches in UFC title history, and on paper, it's probably up there. But as we know, Sonnen (27-12) can force even the most dominant fighters into survival mode. He won six of eight rounds against pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva, but controlling "Bones" on the ground will be a whole different ball game. Jones (17-1) is distinctly bigger than Sonnen or Silva and has nasty, unpredictable grappling. If Sonnen can time a double leg and transition straight into an arm triangle, he certainly has the strength to test the 25-year-old's resolve. But short of a lightning fast sub or a disqualification, I don't see "The America Gangster" bringing home the gold. And I don't mean to disrespect Sonnen - Jones is just that dangerous. This is another great opportunity to see one of the sport's most dynamic fighters in action. JONES TKO 2
Knockout of the Night: Roy Nelson
Submission of the Night: Cody McKenzie
Fight of the Night: Jim Miller vs Pat Healy
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