UFC 167 Predictions
The UFC is back, and back in a big way with UFC 167 marking the companies 20th anniversary.
For the 3 time in 2 weeks the UFC will be back on your TVs on Saturday night with the biggest fight of them all, an intrigueing welterweight match up between one of the most dominate champs in UFC history in George St. Pierre, and NCAA champion and hardest hitting man in The UFC Johnny Hendricks.
Kingdom MMA writer Jack Broadey (Twitter @j3cK_b) and Tommy Strong (Twitter @strong_tea) give you their predictions for the event which is sure to be a cracker!
George St. Pierre vs Johny Hendricks
Strong: Finally a fight for GSP that puts him in real danger of losing his title he's clung onto for so long. GSP will no doubt try and get the fight to the floor for as much as the fight as possible trying to avoid Hendricks punching power. Though can GSP get Hendricks to the ground?
The odds certainly favour GSP but Im backing Hendricks to land at some point in the fight to end GSP title rein and become the 'new welterweight' champion! .
Prediction: Johnny Hendricks - TKO RD 2
Broadey: I love this fight, Johny Hendricks is easily the biggest threat to GSP's title reign especially with St Pierre having spent so long sidelined in the last couple of years.
Hendricks matches up very well with GSP and I have liked his chances here for a long time. Hendricks has huge power in his left hand and very good wrestling that's well adapted to MMA. GSP is GSP though, you can never count him out. He will have the gas tank to go the championship rounds and if it goes that far he could well take over and win a decision.
That's not to say I don't see Hendricks winning a decision. He showed against Condit he can fight smart when it matters. Getting the round stealing takedowns etc. At this point if anyone is going to beat GSP it's Hendricks, perfect style to beat him, experienced with the youth factor still and maybe catching GSP in the twilight of his career.
Prediction: Johny Hendricks - TKO RD 3
Rashad Evans vs Chael Sonnen
Strong: Sonnen has everything to do here to beat Rashad. He's met his match in the wrestling department and won't be able to take him down at will and sit on him for 3 rounds. If thats the case Rashad is the much better striker who carries power , something Sonnen doesn't. Rashad will be to quick, too strong and athletic for Sonnen.
Prediction: Rashad Evans - Unanimous Decision
Broadey: It's been well documented how evenly matched these 2 guys are. I see Evans having the edge on the feet, he likes to use feints and pushes his jab out but Sonnen doesn't let you settle for a minute and is in your face pushing the pace constantly. Sonnen will look for the takedown and it will be interesting who has the edge here.
In a fight so close I'd be looking to take on the favourite and I think Sonnen offers enough value for a play here. Him pushing the pace will be key to him picking up a decision win.
Prediction: Chael Sonnen - Unanimous Decision
Rory MacDonald vs Robbie Lawler
Strong: A win for either men will put them in prime position to fight the winner of GSP vs Hendricks.
Robbie Lawler has looked a different fighter since dropping down to welterweight again. Knocking out Koscheck and Bobby Voelker in his last 2 fights he will be coming in with lots of confidence. MacDonald is a massive set up for him Though.
In my opinion MacDonald will win this fight then go on to win the welterweight title within a year and I predict him to hold onto it just like GSP has. Lawler does have a punchers chance and a very good one at that, though landing it before being taken down might be the obstacle.
Prediction: Rory MacDonald - Submission RD 2
Broadey: Lawler has a punchers chance but that's all I would give him here. If anyone but GSP was champ we would be talking about an impressive win for MacDonald being enough to earn a title shot. But where does his motivation lie?
If MacDonald wins he's clearly the number 1 contender but won't get a title shot. He needs to figure that out later and get the win 1st. If he remotely looks like getting in trouble on the feet he won't have any trouble taking Lawler down.
Prediction: Rory MacDonald - Unanimous Decision
Josh Koscheck vs Tyron Woodley
Strong: Tyron Woodley will be eager to get back to winning way after suffering a loss last time out to Jake Shields, a fight that what won't be remembered for anything other than a stinker of a fight!! I just hope this doesn't go the same way as it could be a fun fight.
Koscheck even at 35 will give anyone a fight. Though he is coming off a knockout loss to Robbie lLawler, many thought the fight before he was unlucky not to get the win over Johny Hendricks, losing via split decision.
I'm Struggling to pick a winner, though I'm going to predict we might be in a for a bore fest here! (flips the coin)
Prediction: Tyron Woodley - Unanimous Decision
Broadey: This is a hard fight to call, it's difficult to look good against Koscheck. He's looked really poor lately and I would question his motivation at this point. However Woodley has hardly been tearing up trees himself after a strangely tentative performance against Jake Shields.
I think Koscheck might be done, if his motivation isn't there I see him being clipped and stopped again. Woodley has to pull the trigger and go after him.
Prediction: Tyron Woodley - TKO RD 3
Tim Elliot vs Ali Bagautinov
Strong: Nothing like a good flyweight fight to kick off the main event!
Elliot is coming off a very good win over Louis Gaudinot and will be looking to put himself in title contention with a win over Bagautinov in what many believe is the weakest division within the UFC.
Elliot will have his work cut out though fighting the heavy handed Russian Bagautinov who is on a 9 fight winning streak, and has finished his last 3 opponents via knockout.
If Elliot employs the right game plan, I think the fight should go his way, though when you have genuine knock out power of Bagautinov you always have a chance.
Prediction: Tim Elliot - Unanimous Decision
Broadey: I feel this fight will mostly take place on the feet, and if it plays out that way Bagautinov should have the edge. His striking is on a different level and he should have the know how to stay off his back. Elliot is well rounded fighter and will have his moments but will be worn down late on.
Prediction: Ali Bagautinov - TKO RD 2
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