What To Look For: UFC88

So I decided to start a new reacquiring column that is part prediction column, part interesting facts about things involved with the event in question.  I hope you enjoy and let me know if you would like for me to add or change up anything on here.  My first installment will be UFC 88: Breakthrough.  Here goes

Preliminary Card

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Thiago Tavares--This match-up is a very interesting bout between two guys who the UFC had high hopes for, but haven't yet panned out.  Both fighters need a win which could lead to a possible fight of the night candidate.  I'll go will Thiago Tavares by RNC in the second

Tim Boetsch vs. James Lee--Of all the early fights this is the one I'm least interested to see, however James Lee has had some solid showings outside the UFC.  He was a title holder in KOTC and in his first UFC fight he pulled a back muscle living him unable to be effective.  For this reason I give him the edge over Boetsch who was dominated by Matt Hamill in his last fight.  James Lee by decision.  

Matt Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim--This going to be a very tough fight for Matt Brown.  Although he looked good against Matt Arroyo in his debut, Dong Hyun Kim is a powerful striker.  Most of Kim's wins are by TKO or KO.  Brown may also be a solid striker, but has shown some good take down skill and solid GnP.  All that said if I were to put money on this, I'd put it on Kim.  Dong Hymn Kim via TKO in the first.

Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan--Talk about a toss up.  Carneiro is coming off a disapointing submission lose to Ken Burns and is looking to come to this fight strong. Chonan as well looked horrid against Karo Parisyan. This fight is a rematch that goes back to 2005 when Ryo won by a cut that Roan had.  If Ryo comes in and does what many believe he is still capable of then it could be a long night for Roan.  If we see the Ryo that fought against Karo then Roan will get an easy submission win.  Its close but I'll take Ryo "Piranha" Chonan by TKO in the third.    

Jason Day vs. Jason Lambert--This fight is Jason Lambert first fight at 185 and if his cut isn't to tough then good night Jason Day.  Lambert is a serious addition to the 185 division that is thin in legit contenders.  Lambert bring his GnP style of fighting or as he calls it "ear holing" in and should get a early TKO victory in this one.  Seriously people watch for Jason Lambert at 185  

Main Card

Martin Kampmann vs. Nate Marquardt--This is a match-up that I've been wanting to see for quite sometime.  Kampmann is a great kickboxer with very underestimated submission skills against the 7x King of Pancrease Champion Nate Marquardt.  Marquardt recently had a foul filled lost and is hoping to get back to his winning ways with a win.  Kampmann has had an injury filled run as of late and needs this win to even be considered a top contender at 185. 

Marquardt should grind out a win in this one, but it will be close.  Marquardt via split dec.

Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares--For Henderson fans this is a scary match-up and one he could easily lose.  Palhares is a masterful BJJ practitioner and will be looking to take this to the ground early and often.  Henderson has a huge advantage in the striking department and should look to keep the fight standing.  If he doesn't he will be having to defend on the ground which is something Henderson is not used to. 

My honest opinion is that Dan Henderson should win this fight 65 to 70% of the time, but he still shouldn't look past Palhares.  Henderson wins by TKO in the first.   

Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida--This fight is another fight that is scary for fans of Karo Parisyan.  Karo has, at times, looked past opponents and this could be one of those times.  Yoshiyuki Yoshida is a solid fighter who hasn't had a loss since 2005 with all of the nine in a row being stoppages.  The outcome of the fight depends on which Karo shows up, but that being said Yoshida is a very good fighter. 

I may be surprising people here and giving the nod to Yoshida.  Yoshiyuki Yoshida by decision. 

Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill--I'm very torn on this fight because I really love to watch both of these men fight.  This maybe a tough step up in competition for Matt Hamill, but this is no easy task for Franklin.  If Franklin can stop Hamill in the take down department then Franklin's overwhelming striking advantage will give him the win.  However I believe that there is almost no one that Matt Hamill can't take down. 

For me this is a canidate for Fight of the Night and off of experience alone I'll give it to Franklin, but don't be suprised if it went the other way.  Rich Franklin by decision.   

Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell--I think that this fight will surprise everyone.  We are going to see if Chuck has lost a step or not, because I think that Rashad is going to have a very good game plan for him.  The common denominator in this fight is Keith Jardine, and if you think that Jardine is telling Rashad every detail he can then your very much mistaking.  

In most MMA sites people are questioning Chucks chin as well as his power.  However on the other side of the coin most sites are questioning whether Rashad even belongs in the cage with Chuck. 

Rashad's advantages are his good head movement, wrestling skills, and the fact that he has one of the best MMA minds in his corner in Greg Jackson.  Chuck's advantages are that he will not have the same big game jitter as Rashad, great takedown defense, and great one punch power. 

Personally I don't want Chuck to win, mainly because I'm a Machida fan and think he is more deserving of a title shot then Chuck.  However in the business since which is what the UFC is first, a Forrest-Chuck fight is a bigger fight.  I still believe that Chuck has one more run in him, but this is going to be very close.  Chuck wins not by TKO but goes the distance.  Chuck Liddell by decision.