Undefeated: The Bulldozer Predicts UFC 97

Here we are again for the third round of predictions by the Bulldozer.  UFC 96, 5-0 sweep.  Fight night 18, 4-0, still undefeated.  Shane Carwin over Gonzaga, no problem.  Kampmann vs. Condit, okay I admit I got a bit nervous, but Kampmann squeaked one out.

UFC 97 may be the most difficult set to date.  Okay, Anderson Silva over Thales Leites won't be the most difficult pick, but there are some really tough battles that are sure to send the blood rushing to my head. 

Now let's get down to business.

Steve Cantwell vs. Luis Cane

Steve Cantwell is coming off a win where he snapped his opponents arm.  Luis Cane isn't going to let that happen.  He has a solid ground game but he won't be interested in laying down for Cantwell.  He's riding on two straight TKOs, make that three.

Luis Cane wins via TKO in Round One

Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk

Am I excited for this one!  Two 6'4" fighters with viscous leg kicks come face to face.  Cheick Kongo is coming off two jawbreaking wins against weaker opponents.  Hardonk has won three straight by TKO.  Hardonk has legs that resemble tree trunks, while Kongo walks into the cage with a body of steel. 

You can count on Cheick Kongo to get some solid shots on Hardonk but he has never been knocked out before, despite taking some gargantuan hits in the past.  I don't expect Kongo to be the first.  If this goes the full length I think Kongo will win.  Instead, I'm going to pick the upset and go with Antoni Hardonk.

Antoni Hardonk wins via TKO in Round Two

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann

Brian Stann loves to come out swinging but one potential weakness that glares at me is that he leaves himself open to get hit.  Soszynski, who has trained with Dan Henderson and Bas Rutten, likes to slug it out, but he's also very good on the ground. 

This fight can go two ways.  Either this turns into a battle of fists and both fighters take massive blows to the head or Soszynski takes it to the ground and locks in a submission.  Soszynski wins in either scenerio.

Krzysztof Soszynski wins via TKO in Round Two

Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua

I'm assuming that Rua comes into this fight in better shape than his Coleman fight.  If he doesn't he might as well stay home. Rua does not matchup well with Liddell.  He's got good knees and has good Jiu Jitsu but Liddell isn't going to let himself get taken out so that Rua can utilize his BJJ. 

On the other hand, Liddell is going to rock Rua with too many right hooks and he'll eventually take his opponent out.  Liddell makes a mini-comeback in 2009.

Chuck Liddell via TKO in Round Three

Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites

I really hate to discount a man from a fight but I just cannot see Leites pulling this one off.  His only chance is to get Silva on the ground and submit him, but Silva knows better than to let that happen.  I think Silva will coast through this fight and keep the streak of knockouts going.

Anderson Silva via TKO in Round One

Until next time, enjoy the fights and look out for oncoming bulldozers...V'roooom!

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