By Lance LeVan
(#1) Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks (15-2-0) vs. (#3) “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (22-9-0)
This is a welterweight (170 lbs.) title fight for the vacant spot left by GSP retiring. This is going to be a brawl. Both of these fighters are known for their punching power and neither one of them is scared to take a punch. Both fighters are former wrestlers, so it is possible to see some good take-downs. In the end, someone is going to get KTFO.
My prediction: Hendricks gets the TKO in the second round.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaOee6Yh8fg
(#2) Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit (29-7-0) vs. (#10) Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley (12-2-0)
This is going to be a very evenly matched fight (at least on paper). Both of these guys come to battle each and every time they step in the ring. These two like fighting on the ground and have numerous submissions between them. Condit has experience in his favor. He’s been fighting at the upper echelon of MMA for several years. Woodley is an up-and-coming fighter who is just coming into his own and he is very hungry. This will be a very technical fight, right from the start.
My prediction: Condit wins via majority decision.
(#15) Diego “The Dream” Sanchez (26-6-0) vs. Miles “Fury” Jury (13-0-0)
As much as I love to root for the underdog, I’m not sure about this battle. Everyone knows Sanchez’s resume. He’s a brawler when he needs to be and still has laser-focused striking when he needs it too. He is a finisher and he does not know the word “quit.” Jury is fairly new to the UFC (only four fights in the octagon) and he is still finding his place in the UFC world. To his credit, he IS 4-0 in the UFC, which is nothing to sneeze at. Come the end of the day, I am not sure he can compete with all of Diego’s experience.
My prediction: Sanchez wins via TKO in the second round.
Disagree with me? Let me know via twitter @BlitzWeekly and we’ll see who has better picks the night of the fights.