Cain Velasquez (12-1-0) vs. Junior “Cigano” dos Santos (16-2-0)
The main event pits two heavyweights who will get after it. Both fighters know each other well and this will be the rubber match. Dos Santos took the first match with a knockout that aired on FOX and a highly-motivated Velasquez won their UFC 155 rematch with a unanimous decision. Velasquez will look to defend his title (again) against Cigano by starting off with lots of jabs and uppercuts and move in for the takedown. Cigano will stand and bang and if Velasquez wants a ground war he’ll get it. My prediction: If Cigano takes one on the chin in the early going it’s over, but I don’t think he does. Cigano will hang in there and win via submission in the fourth round. Velasquez loses his belt (again) setting up fight No. 4 between the big bruisers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMCs4Yrxhgk
Daniel “DC” Cormier (12-0-0) vs. Roy “Big Country” Nelson (20-8-0)
Battle of the big dogs leading up to the main event. DC is a bit lighter and in better shape than Nelson. This will work to his advantage as the rounds go on. He is a wrestling beast but don’t let his UFC record fool you, he’s a serious bet to dominate. Big Country is every redneck’s hero with his beard and girth. He does have muscle hidden under his fat. He lost to Miocic back in June. He has a new contract with the UFC and perhaps he’ll be rejuvenated. This will come down to boxing vs. wrestling with Nelson coming out swinging for the fences. My prediction: Cormier withstands the early onslaught and by the third round will impose his will on Nelson. Cormier wins via decision. Nelson will be seen later that night chowing down at a Vegas-style buffet in Houston.
Sarah Kaufman (16-2-0) vs. Jessica “Evil” Eye (10-1-0)
Even though this will be a preliminary fight on FOX Sports 1 it’ll be worth watching for no other reason than two female fighters getting down. Kaufman has a lot of experience under her belt. She is the only Hardcore Championship Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Champion. Her background is in kickboxing and BJJ. She packs quite a punch. Evil Eye is more of an orthodox fighter and lacks ring presence. She only has a puncher’s chance in this one. Here’s how I see it going down: they’ll dance around the first round feeling each other out with a few punches thrown here and there but in the second it’ll get serious as Kaufman being the bigger, stronger fighter will become more aggressive and bring her BJJ skills. My prediction: Evil Eye will take some blows and will be taken down and tap out shortly after. Kaufman wins with Rogan asking her to rub his bald head for good luck.
Disagree with me? Let me know via twitter @BlitzWeekly and we’ll see who has better picks the night of the fights.
