UFC on FOX 2: 7 Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

Photo courtesy of fighters.com

Rashad Evans takes on Phil Davis in the main event at UFC on FOX 2, Saturday night in Chicago, Illinois.

This is the first event to be on FOX as part of the new long-term agreement between FOX and the UFC. The UFC event that was televised on FOX last November was a trial run and not part of the contract between the two companies.

Aside from the main event, the two other fights to be shown live on FOX are Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping and Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman.

The nature of MMA makes it difficult for most to handicap an event accurately. However, you can rest assured because I've compiled a list of seven predictions that you can take to the bank.

7. Joey Beltran Will Suffer His First KO Loss and Be Cut from the UFC

Joey Beltan (Photo courtesy of UFC.com)

There is something intimidating about predicting a fighter nicknamed "The Mexicutioner" will be knocked out and cut from the UFC on the same night, but the writing is in the sand.

Joey Beltran is 3-3 in the UFC and has lost two straight. Four of his last five fights have gone the distance, and he doesn't necessarily put on the same display of power that Dana White had hoped for when he was brought into the promotion.

Beltran's opponent, Lavar Johnson, is making his UFC debut. Johnson is approaching his mid 30s and will no doubt be looking to use his seven-inch reach advantage to keep his spacing from Beltran and deliver a well-timed KO punch.

6. Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller Will Not Go to the Judges

Shane Roller (Photo courtesy of gatewaymma.com)

Michael Johnson and Shane Roller have combined for 30 professional fights. In those 30 fights, only four have gone to decision.

Nine of Roller's 15 fights have not gone out of the first round. He is currently 1-3 in the UFC and on a two-fight slide, with losses to Melvin Guillard and T.J. Grant.

Johnson has had the same number of fights that failed to make it past the first round and holds a 1-2 record inside the Octagon.

This may be a career-deciding fight for both men, and both will be amped to put on a show. There is no chance this one goes to the judges.

5. Submission of the Night Will Come from Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

Photo courtesy of graciemag.com

Demian Maia and Chris Weidman have never been submitted in their professional careers.

Maia has had 18 professional fights, and Weidman has had seven.

Maia excels in BJJ, whereas Weidman is well-rounded in both wrestling and BJJ. Weidman has been thrust into the spotlight against Maia and is looking to take the next step in is UFC career.

There is a good chance this fight will be on the ground from the beginning. Will Maia take Weidman too lightly and make a mistake? Or, will Weidman make an inexperienced mistake that leads to a loss?

Either way, this fight ends with one of them losing for the first time by submission.

4. Michael Bisping Will Be Put to Sleep

Photo courtesy of mmamania.com

I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about the way Michael Bisping wins fights that makes me believe he will always be the underdog no matter how good his record is.

Look for Chael Sonnen to overpower Bisping to the ground. Sonnen will then use his much more advanced wrestling skills to get Bisping in a choke and, eventually, put him to sleep.

Bisping is too proud and has too big of an ego to tap to anybody.

3. Chael Sonnen Will Get Fox Fined by the FCC

Photo courtesy of mmamania.com

After Chael Sonnen puts Michael Bisping to sleep, he will then grab the mic from Joe Rogan before Joe can finish his intro.

What will ensue will either be a series of "not-safe-for-network-TV" words, a tirade against Brazilian fighters or something that will result in FOX being fined by the FCC.

2. The Aggressive Rashad Evans Will Shine

Photo courtesy of fiveouncesofpain.com

Rashad Evans does not fear the striking of Phil Davis. Why should he? Davis hasn't knocked anybody out in the UFC.

When Evans doesn't fear his opponent's striking, he gets loose and unleashes the power he is capable of displaying.

Look for Evans to be aggressive against Davis while maintaining his composure against the takedown attempts. 

We should see the offensive Rashad Evans that we enjoyed between the years 2006 and 2008 in which he won four fights by knockout.

1. FOX Will Blow Away Network Competition with UFC Programming

Image courtesy of widelantern.com

Okay, let's be fair here. While FOX is broadcasting a UFC event, here are what the other networks are showing:

ABC: Wipeout (Repeat)

CBS: Rules of Engagement (Repeat)

NBC: Harry's Law (Repeat)

If the UFC loses the ratings battle Saturday night, it's time to close up shop.

 

 

 

You can follow Joe Chacon on Twitter @JoeChacon