“Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge.”
Or so Lao Tzu said. But trying to predict the future is fun, and I'm going to jump right it in and give my predictions for UFC 89:
1) Brandon Vera Will Dominate The Dean of Mean and Clean Jeans Keith Jardine
Brandon Vera finds himself in quite a pickle after three straight disappointing performance in the octagon. There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind that Brandon’s back is up against the wall and this match will dictate his future with the UFC. Call me crazy, but I actually believe “The Truth” is going to deliver next Saturday night.
Make no mistake, Keith Jardine is a game opponent and trains with a phenomenal camp headed by Greg Jackson. However, I’m going with my gut here and calling the match for Brandon by first-round TKO. This is not a popular view but I think the prospect of being dumped by the UFC is enough to motivate Brandon to live up to his potential – and of course, that recent incident at Lloyd Irvin’s house might give him additional cause to get off his butt and make something big happen in his career before it’s too late.
2) Michael Bisping Will Outpoint Chris Leben, Fans Will Boo
Leben will want to test Bisping’s chin as soon as possible in, but I do not think Bisping will be eager to trade with the Crippler, who has very heavy hands (take a drink!) and an iron chin. Thankfully, Bisping looks a heck of a lot faster and energetic as a middleweight than he did against the bigger guys in the stacked light heavyweight division
I expect Bisping to use leg kicks to keep Leben back while peppering him with jabs and combos, and to set up a few takedowns. The result should be a decision victory for Bisping, and the crowd will hate what will a lackluster fight.
(Note; If the UFC announces that Bisping is one of the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter: US vs. UK BEFORE the match with Leben, than I reverse my position and guarantee a victory for Leben by jinx.)
3) Shane Carwin Will Win Knockout/Murder of the Night
Shane Carwin is one of my favorite up-and-coming heavyweights in MMA, and if you saw his stunning knockout of Christian Wellisch at UFC 84, you know why opponent Neil Wain is probably in for a hurting on Saturday night. Wain is making his UFC debut and thus he’s something of an unknown quantity - but Carwin has 6 inches and 23 pounds on the less-experienced Wain.
Immediately after the fight, and before Wain wakes up, Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg will get pumped about the potential for Carwin to face Brock Lesnar at some point in 2009.
Here's a GIF of the Carwin knockout:
4) Marcus Davis and Paul Kelly Will Win Fight of the Night
Okay, this isn’t rocket science. These guys are going to stand up and bang, and that will get the fans howling. This match could easily go either way, but I think Marcus Davis is likely to win a decision victory.
5) Luis Cane Will Upset Sokoudjou
Not many people know Cane, but the guy is an absolute beast and Sokoudjou is being favored in this fight mostly because fans know him better. Yes, he finished Arona and Little Nog, but he was an unknown entity back in his Pride days. This may be a good match for Soko to prove his worth, but I think Cane will overwhelm him.
and finally...
My Predictions for Remaining Fights
Lytle > Taylor
Gono > Hardy
Bielkheden > Liaudin
Etim > Stout
Baron > Miller
Schiavo > Eklund
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