Welcome to another Kingdom MMA fighter vs writer challenge.
For this feature we challenge some of the biggest names from the world of MMA to give us their picks and fight outcomes for specific MMA events. Then they will be challenged by one of our writers, who will make their own predictions. Previously we have challenged the likes of Dustin Poirier, Luke Barnatt, Jim Alers, Mike Wilkinson, Phil Harris, Cathal Pendred and Michael Wootten.
This weeks opponent is UFC lightweight Nick Hein (11-2-1 NC). Hein was recently part of the UFC's announcement in Stockholm, where they announced they would be returning to Berlin in June. Hein has gone 1-1 in his UFC career so far and will be sure to be part of the Berlin event in the summer. Before then though comes what could be his toughest test to date... The challenge of Fighter vs Writer, is Hein as good at his predictions as he is in the Octagon.
The Scoring
If you predict the correct winner of the fight you will get one point and if you predict the correct method of victory you will get an extra point. However, if the fight ends in a stoppage and you predict the round as well the method you could earn a third bonus point. If the fight goes the distance you can only earn a maximum of two points.
The Predictions
Anderson Silva vs Nick Diaz
Heather: I see this fight being fairly one sided. I think Anderson Silva must have been very happy when the UFC offered him this fight to return to the cage. Nick Diaz is by no means an easy fight, but for Silva I just can't see him losing the fight. The only way Diaz wins is if he can test the chin of Silva which looked a little suspect in the second Weidman fight. I think Silva will control the fight but can't see him finishing Diaz. Diaz is durable and will keep on pushing forward all night, but will lose a decision.
The main question for me is can Silva return and look anything like the old Spider we knew and loved.
Prediction: Silva via Decision
Hein: I believe it is going to be really close and it will be a frustrating fight for Silva. I do not believe Silva can finish Diaz, I believe he can knock him down several times though. Diaz has proven in many of his fights he gets knocked down but gets straight back up and goes further. You have seen in the past that when Silva is not able to finish somebody he gets frustrated, like the Demien Maia fight. I can see this fight going like that. I think Silva has the advantage but never the less I do not think it will be a pretty fight.
Prediction: Silva via Decision
Kelvin Gastelum vs Tyron Woodley
Heather: This is a great fight, both men are exciting fighters to watch and are certainly in the mix at the top of the Welterweight division. Gastelum has looked very impressive after winning TUF and rumours have been speculating that a win could get him a title shot. I think Woodley derails those hopes on Saturday night and will do it in impressive style like he did against Kim last time out.
Prediction: Woodley via TKO Round 2
Hein: I think Gastelum wins this, he has good momentum right now but Tyron Woodley is a beast with knock out power. However I think Gastelum stays on his run and takes him down in the second to win by submission.
Prediction: Gastelum via Submission Round 2
Joe Lauzon vs Al Iaquinta
Heather: I am really looking forward to this fight, Iaquinta is starting to prove that he is a guy to watch out for and we all know Lauzon delivers entertainment whether he wins or loses. Iaquinta's finish of Ross Pearson was brilliant and we also know he has a great ground game too, though he has been caught out before... and against a guy like Lauzon he needs to make sure he doesn't make any mistakes if the fight hits the mat. I think Iaquinta will do just enough to get the decision in an entertaining back and forth fight.
Prediction: Iaquinta via Decision
Hein: Lauzon via Decision
Thales Leites vs Tim Boetsch
Heather: This is a tough fight to pick, Leites has won four in a row and Boetsch has been very inconsistent recently however he did knock out Tavares last time out. I think Leites will grind out a win in a very technical fight which will be fought mostly on the canvas.
Prediction: Leites via Decision
Hein: This is a good fight and tough to choose but I'm going to say Thales Leites.
Prediction: Leites via TKO Round 2
Jordan Mein vs Thiago Alves
Heather: I have been going back and forth as to who I think will win this fight. Both men are very good fighters but Alves has been out for so long, only having one fight since March 2012 I am still not sure if he can return to the fighter he was before. I'm going to have to side with Mein in this fight. He has shown that he can hurt anyone and I see him putting Alves away quite early in this fight.
Prediction: Mein via TKO Round 1
Hein: Mein via TKO Round 2
So that's our predictions for the fights, we will be live tweeting on Saturday night as always and we will keep you all informed as to how the challenge is going with latest scores throughout the main card.
Thanks again to Nick for providing us with his picks for this weekends fights and it just leaves me to say.... May the best man win!!
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