UFC 175 Predictions
The latest installment of the UFC will take place this weekend on the 5th July 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
At UFC 175 there will be not one but two UFC titles on the line. Current middleweight champ Chris Weidman will face Lyoto Machida, and Womens Bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey will defend her title against Alexis Davis.
There have been numerous changes to there card over the past few weeks due to injury’s and failed drugs tests. Despite that UFC 175 still looks like it should be a great event. Here are my predictions for the main card at UFC 175;
Bantamweight: Marcus Brimage (6-2), Russell Doane (13-3)
This will be Brimages debut in the Bantamweight division, after his lose to Conor McGregor back in April 2013. He fights out of American Top Team, has solid wrestling skills, and he should be a powerhouse in this weight class.
Doane who was born in Hawaii boasts an impressive 13-3 record, and possesses well rounded MMA skills. An aggressive fighter, he beat Leandro Issa in his UFC debut in by triangle and will look to score another victory against Brimage.
Brimage should be able to use his superior wrestling skills to neutralise Doane and grind out the victory.
Prediction: Brimage via decision
Middleweight: Uriah Hall (8-4) vs. Thiago Santos (9-2)
Hall was incredibly impressive during his time on TUF, but failed at the last hurdle losing to Kelvin Gastelum in the final.
In his subsequent fights he lost to John Howard via decision, and beat Chris Leben via TKO.
Santos has also had mixed performances in the UFC losing to Cezar Ferriera via choke and beating Ronny Markes via TKO.
Both fighters will look to impress in this contest, but I think Hall will be able to use his superior movement and striking ablities to beat Santos.
Prediction: Hall via TKO
Heavyweight: Stefan Struve (25-6), Matt Mitrione (7-3)
Struve has consistently used his height and reach to great advantage both on the ground and standing.
Holding wins over the likes of Pat Berry and Stipe Miocic he will be looking to keep Mitrione at distance and pick him apart.
Mitrione has had mixed success in his recent fights in the UFC with a loss to Brendan Schaub via submission, and a KO victory over Shawn Jordan.
Mitrione is an athletic fighter, his best chance will be if he can close the distance on Struve and land some power shots.
Prediction: Struve via TKO
Women’s bantamweight: Ronda Rousey (9-0), Alexis Davis (16-5)
With every fight Rousey seems to be improving her skills. Her perfect 9-0 record is testament to her dominance in the Bantamweight division.
Davis is an excellent grappler and holds a Black Belt in BJJ, but she will have to be on top form to beat Rousey.
Prediction: Rousey via Submission
Middleweight: Chris Weidman (11-0), Lyoto Machida (21-4)
This is one of the most interesting fights in recent UFC history, and could easily go either way.
Weidman has great grappling skills, his striking skills are ever improving and he does boost two wins over Anderson Silva.
However, for a long time Machida was unbeatable. He is an incredibly good defensive fighter, in both the striking and grappling departments.
That being said he is excellent at figuring out an opponent, and capitalising on their weakness.
I think this fight could go one of two ways. Either Weidman does enough each round to grind out the victory, or Machida will exploit an opening and get the TKO win.
Prediction: Machida TKO
If you can’t wait until the 5th July for UFC 175 here are the Countdown shows for Weidman vs Machida and Rousey vs Davis:
Countdown to UFC 175: Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida
Countdown to UFC 175: Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis
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