Month: December 2013

UFC 168 Preview and Picks

UFC Closes Out 2013 With 2 Title Bouts

UFC 168 comes our way from Las Vegas this Saturday and what a card it is to bring 2013 to an end. Two title fights and two rematches highlight at card full of potential fireworks.

UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2
Date: December 28, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Pay-per-view, Fox Sports 1
Main Card (PPV)
Chris Weidman (10-0-0): +135
Anderson Silva (33-5-0): -165
UFC Odds From Bovada

This has all the makings of Fight of the Year with Anderson Silva trying to avenge his only loss in his last 17 tries inside the Octagon. Both fighters are extremely well rounded, both have an abundance of confidence and both will be out to prove that they are without a doubt the top Middleweight on the planet.

For those of you that thought the first fight between the tow was a fluke. Consider that Weidman is a former Division 1 All-American wrestler, Ring of Combat Middleweight champ, he won the U.S. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion as a purple belt and he has enviable striking chops to go along with his grappling – he is used to competing at the highest level and dominating.

What more need to be said about Anderson Silva? He is the best striker MMA has ever seen. His mix of speed, power, footwork, accuracy, technique, and creativity is legendary as is his ability to hurt you with both legs and both hands anytime anywhere. What is often lost is Anderson’s ability to get it done on the mat as well – remember what he did to Chael Sonnen? What may make Silva more dangerous this time around is the realization that he may have finally learned his lesson about clowning around – he shouldn’t take anything for granted against Weidman like has had done in so many fights before.

The one hole in Anderson’s Silva’s game may cost him in this fight – I can’t see him getting caught again in a standup war. But I can see Weidman hitting a few takedowns and controlling Silva from the top. Anderson has traditionally had all sorts of troubles with wrestlers and Saturday night will likely be no different.

Pick: Chris Weidman +135

Ronda Rousey (7-0-0): -900
Miesha Tate (13-4-0): +600

Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate get to finally put all the talk behind them and fight. This one, on paper is one of the easier fights to call in some time. Tate got this fight when Cat Zigano who beat Tate was injured, opening the door. Rousey has already faced Tate and beat her by armbar in the first round – just like every one of Rousey’s victims to date.

Rousey is too strong, too athletic and her 4th level black belt judo is just too much to handle. Meisha Tate may hang around but she will be beaten the whole way along. I like Rousey by armbar (what else?) in the second round.

Pick: Ronda Rousey -900 – It’s not a big payday but it is a payday nonetheless

Josh Barnett (33-6-0): -200
Travis Browne (15-1-1): +160

An up and coming star in the Heavyweight division Travis Browne will try to take the next step in his career Saturday when he takes on the experienced and very dangerous Josh Barnett – the winner will likely get a title shot in the near future. Both men love to stand and bang and neither is afraid to take a shot.

Barnett is better on the ground – Browne may be better in the standup and I think that’s where this fight stays. Barnett needs to close the gap, get in tight and take this fight to the ground but Browne’s Muay Thai background and his ability to keep opponents on the outside with kicks will serve him well here.

In an entertaining bout, I like the underdog to prevail. Browne would be undefeated if not for a torn knee ligament against Antonio Silva and he already beat Alistair Overeem – he takes an enormous step toward a Title shot with a win Saturday.

Pick: Travis Browne +160
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Jim Miller (22-4-0): -365
Fabricio Camoes (14-7-1): +290

Fabricio Camoes climbs into the octagon with Jim Miller on Saturday night sporting a 1-2-1 record in his second stint in the UFC. Camoes is best described at a “C+” fighter while Miller, although he has had some blemishes the last year is still in the “B+/A-“ zone.

Jim Miller has a ton to prove and should outclass Camoes in this one in relatively easy fashion.

Pick: Jim Miller -365

Dustin Poirier (14-3-0): -220
Diego Brandao (18-8-0): +180

Featherweights kick off the PPV portion of UFC 168 when Dustin Poirier takes on Diego Brandao. Brandao will try to extend his win streak to four while Poirier will be looking to throw his hat right back in the mix of the Featherweight division.

Both men will come to put on a show – both are exciting as they come and both will be motivated for a big showing here. The difference to me is cardio and how Brandao will be able to keep Poirier’s pace. I see Poirier doing damage early and significantly slowing Brandao down.

From there Poirier picks Brandao apart.

Pick: Dustin Poirier -220

Preliminary Card (FS1, 8 PM ET/5 PM PT)

Uriah Hall (7-4-0): -300 vs. Chris Leben (22-10-0): +240
Pick: Chris Leben +240

Gleison Tibau (28-9-0): -150 vs. Michael Johnson (13-8-0): +120
Pick: Gleison Tibau -150

Manny Gamburyan (13-7-0): +195 vs. Dennis Siver (21-9-0): -245
Pick: Dennis Siver -245

John Howard (21-8-0): +110 vs. Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1): -140
Pick: John Howard +110

Preliminary Card (Facebook, 7 PM ET/4 PM PT)

Bobby Voelker (24-10-0): -170 vs. William Macario (6-1-0): +140
Pick: Bobby Voelker -170

Robbie Peralta (16-4-0): -185 vs. Estevan Payan (14-4-0): +155
Pick: Robbie Peralta -185

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