Finally the card of the year so far is upon us. UFC 187 is set to go this weekend and what an event is promises to be. It is absolutely stacked with great match ups and even greater fighters from the main event to the preliminaries, i cannot wait.
My predictions for the main card:
Anthony Johnson vs Daniel Cormier
I'm sure you are all aware of the circumstances surrounding this fight and what it originally was billed to be but now we have a suitable replacement and the show goes on.A lot of people are viewing this as a close fight but personally i do not think it will be close at all. I can see DC being caught during the mid rounds with a big shot from Johnson. DC against jones was very subdued and the reach of jones and his takedown defence neutralised DC and i think Johnsons reach and take down defence will do the same. Both men have power but i think AJ has the edge and his finish of gustafsson was a message to every one in the division.
Prediction: Anthony Johnson win via Round 4 TKO.
Chris Wiedman vs Vitor Belfort
This could be a terrific fight if Vitor has maintained the level he has shown in his previous fights but if the loss of TRT has effected him then I cannot see him being able to get past the middleweight champion. Weidman has no weaknesses that we have witnessed so far. He has excellent wrestling and he has very underrated striking coupled with some serious power in both hands. Vitor has the experience and he also has high level striking but against a young and well rounded fighter like Weidman that will not be enough. I think Weidman will out strike him and then take him down and ground and pound his way to victory.
Prediction: Weidman win via TKO round 3
Donald Cerrone vs John Makdessi
Cerrone for me will always be a fan favourite and a enjoyable fighter to watch but in terms of ability I would rank him one level below the elite guys in the division. He was initally set to face khabib and that would have been a fight where I think the difference between elite and great would have been showcased but his opponent on saturday night should be easy money for him. I think cerrone beats him in all departments and will eventually get his arm around makdessis throat and choke him out for the win.
Prediction: Cerrone win via Submission round 2
Travis Browne vs Andrei Arlovski
Arlovski has been on a good run of late and he is coming off a big won over silva so he cannot be underestimated. Browne we know has the ground game and striking to hurt anyone in the division. He has climbed the ranks and now is one of the best guys at heavyweight but i think arlovski will give him a tough fight. I still have browne winning this but Arlovski could spring a few surprised.
Prediction: Browne win via TKO Round 2
Joseph Benavidez vs John Moraga
Benavidez is one of my favourite fighters at the moment, The guy just brings pure entertainment when he fights. He is strong,fast and has solid wrestling and striking abilities. He has beaten some of the best guys in the division and he pushed Mighty mouse to the limit in there first fight. Moraga is also a top fighter in the division, he has high level wrestling and he has been in with some big names including the champion. As good as Moraga is, I just think Benavidez is the second best guy in the division after mighty mouse. This will probably go all 3 and benavidez will get the decision win.
Prediction: Benavidez win via Unanimous decision.
Thoughts on the card and the match ups???????????
UFC 187 Predictions!!
posted on 19/5/15
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posted on 19/5/15
I only watch Ronda Rousey
posted on 19/5/15
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posted on 21/5/15
Hard to argue with most of your predictions to be honest, though you've not gone for any straight 'knockout' wins...though I guess we don't see so many of them....but I kind of have a feeling that one of the top two bouts may produce a dramatic KO.
posted on 21/5/15
Agree pretty much with the predictions/winners, but as Phil says there is a very good chance of a proper clean KO in either of the main events because of the power they all possess.
I kinda want Belfort to do Weidman, just so he can take the belt to Brazil and get juiced out of his mind and only ever defend it whilst raging his nuts off.
No but seriously, after the career that he's had...I'd be happy with Belfort having a last pop as champion.
I think Browne will brutalise AA if he decides to just open up...AA hasn't looked any good for a while now.
I Cowboy. Give him a shot if he wins this and RDA is fit.
posted on 21/5/15
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posted on 23/5/15
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posted on 25/5/15
In the future never predict Antony Johnson to do anything in the 4th! I tried not laugh too hard when his corner team said "Dont worry you still have 3 rounds!" The guy looked like he was gonna burst into tears. He started well but Cormier has a chin on him, always a problem with the big big guys is getting gassed out.
Great predictions on the rest and i must admit i liked the side of Wiedman who turned up and just destroyed the best in division in a couple minutes. I always saw him as a wrestler with a few tricks but very impressed with him last night, certainly seems to be growing into the champions role.
Love the Cowboy!
And what happened to Browne?? Didnt see that coming but Arlovskis striking was good all night, thought he might pull it out of the bag with the big counter he landed but his legs had already gone to jelly by that point.
Special shout out to Jon Jones - you stupid !!
posted on 25/5/15
Was a great card, best for a long time.
I like DC but it is a pity he won. That embarrassing walk across the octagon calling out Jones a paper champ and he knows it
Arlovski was the shock, didn't see that coming at all.
posted on 28/5/15
I'm not a fan of DC, I find his style pretty boring, but he showed Rumble up to be pretty one dimensional - from the first takedown it was pretty clear that he had the beating of him, and he finished it off nicely. I think it's a bit unfair to criticise him in the sense that's a bonafide champion, he beat the only other contender for the belt. Who know if or when Jones will be back, and what kind of condition he'll be in.
Arlovski was superb. Browne has a hell of a chin to take as many shots as he did and keep going, but Arlovski looked in his prime.