108 and 109 are in the books and 110 marks the beginning of what is widely considered to be the start of a run of very big cards. 110 doesn't have any title fights, but the matches appeal much more than the past couple of shows. UFC President, Dana White, stated in the presser, that the winner of Nogueira vs Velasquez, will get the very first shot at Brock Lesnar. Wanderlei vs Bisping will go a long ways towards determining the middleweight contendership and several other fighters have their UFC future on the line.

Of course, there is also the fact that this is the promotion's first foray Down Under to Australia. Will this be another step towards globalization and perhaps a return to the Japanese market? Or will it be a one off with the UFC looking to greener pastures in Brazil or the Philippines?

For my fight-by-fight preview and amazing predictions, make the jump!

Cain Velasquez (7-0) vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (32-5-1)

This is truly a meeting of the future vs the past...and maybe the present. Cain is a machine. The conditioned, hard working, never break down, new generation of MMA fighters. He is a perfect example of what the next gen MMA fighter will look like, using the best training techniques and coming from a spectacular NCAA wrestling background, to develop quickly into one of the top heavyweight contenders. While Cain has shown that he still has some glaring holes in his game, it is his willingness to fix those holes and develop as a fighter, that sets him apart from much of the old guard.

Nogueira has been through the wars, establishing his place in MMA history as a warrior who took beatings only to pull out the win. This is like a snapshot of his life, as he was run over by a truck as a child and not expected to make it very long. Instead, he rose to become a star in Japan for Pride and has transferred that popularity to the UFC, where he has a growing following. Not to mention that he is a hero in his home land of Brazil. It hasn't all been storybook, however, as many thought he was done and were calling for his retirement, especially after a loss to Frank Mir. Not so fast! An impressive performance in a victory over Randy Couture, quickly erased those thoughts and has him back in contention for the heavyweight belt.

I fully expect Cain to one day wear a belt around his waist, either at heavyweight or at a class to be added between heavyweight and light heavyweight. That time is down the road. This is still Nogueira's time and I think the experience factor will play big in what should be a war, where both guys have shown the ability to take big punishment and still be victorious. Nogueira by unanimous decision and a shot at the UFC title.

Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) vs Michael Bisping (18-2)

What started out as a love fest, with Bisping eschewing his respect for Wandy, has quickly degenerated into a grudge match, with Wanderlei expressing the disdain for Bisping, that most fans share. This will only further endear Wandy with the fans and continue his popularity and legend, especially if he backs it up in the Octagon. Bisping has been a "victim" of the UFC hype machine, as he was thrust into the spotlight as their poster boy for British expansion and hyped as a contender a little prematurely. In reality, Bisping has a bright future and very well rounded skill set. With further development, we may see him fighting for the title before very long. 

Wandy is making the move down to middleweight, which should be a better fit for him than fighting much bigger guys at light heavyweight. At this point in his career, I'm not sure how much Wanderlei wants the title as opposed to just slugging it out and entertaining the fans. At his best, Silva is a devastating striker who could bring a very lucrative match with former teammate, Anderson Silva. On the other, he is a wild slugger who often leaves himself open to devastating shots.

i think this fight will come down to striking power, an area where Silva has a big advantage over Bisping. With the pre-fight trash talk escalating, I expect it to fuel Wandy and make him come out looking to finish the fight quickly and convincingly. The winner here will be right in the middleweight title picture and I think that will be Silva. Wanderlei by KO round 1.

Joe Stevenson (31-10) VS George Sotiropoulos (11-2)

This is a defining fight for both guys. Stevenson is still young, despite a very lengthy record, and is still a top lightweight fighter, even with a couple of recent setbacks. Will Joe ever wear the lightweight belt? Probably not, but he is tough, active and competitive against just about any opponent. Will Joe get back into title contention with a win or two?

George is a former middleweight, who has shown tremendous potential at 155 pounds, mowing through his opponents. I have been calling for him to face a step up in competition and this is it. A win here and George will be facing a long line of very stiff opposition as he tries to make an impact on the division. 

This should be a tough battle, with both guys bringing a lot of tools to the fight, but I think George's tools are a little sharper and more dangerous. Sotiropoulos by a tough, grinding decision.

Ryan Bader (10-0) vs Kieth Jardine (15-6-1)

Yet another bout which involves each guys place in the UFC. Ryan Bader is the former Ultimate Fighter winner, undefeated and bringing dominant wrestling and striking power. This is a major step up for Bader, which could propel him into talk for a title shot or at least to fight the top guys in the division. The question is, if he is ready for that? There is no doubt that Bader has some of the best wrestling in the light heavyweights, but is his striking well rounded enough to face the top fighters?

Jardine is the perennial bridesmaid. He is always in the title picture, but has yet to reach the pinnacle of the light heavyweights. Kieth relies heavily on his leg kicks, but throwing those leaves a fighter vulnerable to take downs, which is exactly what Bader will be looking for. While dangerous on his feet and on the ground, I'm not sure that Jardine has enough to prevent a mauling here.

I'm not sure he is a contender yet, but I don't think Jardine will be able to overcome Bader's strengths. Bader by taking Jardine down and holding him there for three rounds to win a decision.

Mirko "CroCop" Filipovic (25-7-2) vs Ben Rothwell (30-7)

Just when you thought there couldn't be any more meaningful fights on the card! Is this the end of CroCop? Or will Rothwell get his walking papers? It seems like we always hear from Mirko about how he is changing his training camp or making this adjustment or that adjustment, but recently the result has always been the same and not what CroCop was looking for. The fans, myself included, want nothing more than to see the Pride era CroCop back and making a run at the title. I'm just not sure that fighter still exists.

Rothwell is still trying to show that he belongs in the big time. The former IFL champ stumbled in his UFC debut, getting dominated by Cain Velasquez. Rothwell will have a vast size advantage and is much better on the ground than CroCop, but has shown a lot of weaknesses in his game.

Everyone seems to want the CroCop of old to re-emerge, but I just have no confidence that will happen. More likely, is a retirement announcement, as I think Rothwell punishes CC on the ground. Rothwell by referee stoppage round 3.

Goran Reljic (8-0) vs C.B. Dollaway (9-2)

Reljic is a rising star and Dollaway has yet to live up to the potential he showed pre-UFC. C.B. has excellent wrestling and ground and pound, but has shown himself vulnerable to submissions. Reljic has some slick submission skills. This may be Dollaway's exit from the UFC, as he has not proven to be very popular and has not been impressive inside the Octagon.

Reljic by armbar round 1.

Stephan Bonnar (11-6) vs Krystof Soszynski (18-9-1)

Yes, another fight with big implications for the fighters. Has Bonnar's goodwill from the UFC run out with a loss here? Is Krystof showing what he was before the UFC, an average fighter? I think Krystof is good, but will never be a contender in the UFC. On the other hand, I don't think Bonnar will either. I do think that Bonnar is better at every aspect of the fight, than Krystof, but it may come down to who wants it more.

I'm going with Bonnar by TKO round 2.

Chris Lytle (27-17-5) vs Brian Foster (13-4)

"Lights Out" Lytle is tougher than his record would have you believe. He is dangerous and can end the fight with a single shot. Brian Foster surprised many by sending Brock Larson out of teh UFC in dominating fashion. This could be a very exciting fight, with the two battling it out all over the Octagon.

I'm going with Foster by a brutally fought decision.

James Te Huna (11-4) vs Igor Pokrajac (21-6)

Both guys have lost to anyone you may have heard of and a few others as well. te Huna will be looking for a KO, while Pokrajec is more likely to search out a submission ending.

I'm taking Pokrajac by experience with him winning by guillotine in round 2.

Elvis Sinosic (8-11-2) vs Chris Haseman (20-16)

So this is a fight purely for the Australian fans. Even then, it is somewhat of a stretch for these guys to be on a UFC card. 

What could be more appropriate than a draw?

UFC 110 airs this Saturday on PPV, check your listings for time and prices.

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Comments (1)

supermatt13 says: 2010-Feb-18 20:54     nice predications  Reply     0     0     Report