Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller Pick Tops Predictions for 'UFC on FX 1' Card

We’re now only a day away from the UFC’s first major live event on the FX network. In the main event, two top lightweight stars meet for the first time, as Melvin Guillard takes on Jim Miller. The co-main event will also be an interesting matchup, as veterans Duane Ludwig and Josh Neer are set to clash.

As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring UFC on FX 1.

Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft

As much as I love him as a class act and all-around good guy and as much as I respect his skills as a kickboxer, I have to admit that Pat Barry has been more hit-and-miss in his career when compared to Christian Morecraft.

Morecraft may not really be good at any one thing, and I may not get that feeling of “one day he could be a big star” about him, but he’s 7-2 to Barry’s 6-4.

My heart says that Barry is able to catch Morecraft and put him away in the first, but my head says that Morecraft grinds Barry out and wins by unanimous decision. I’ll side with my heart for once and say that Barry is able to drop and stop Morecraft, winning by TKO in Round 1.

Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian

I think this is the fight where Mike Easton puts his division on notice. I know I’m going out on a limb here, but something about Easton makes me think that he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with very soon.

Easton wins by KO in Round 1.

Duane Ludwig vs. Josh Neer

When you have two veterans that have many long years in the sport and over 30 professional fights on their record, choosing which one beats the other can get pretty difficult. Ultimately, it comes done to “what have you done for me lately?”

Neer is on a five-fight win streak, Ludwig is 2-2 in his last four. Then again, all four of Ludwig’s fights were in the UFC, while four of Neer’s five recent wins were outside the Octagon.

With those factors in mind, my official prediction is that Neer wins by split decision.

Melvin Guillard vs. Jim Miller

It all depends on what happens in the first round. Stylistically, Melvin Guillard is a bad matchup for Jim Miller if the fight is only one round long.

Guillard has a habit of coming in guns-blazing. It’s why he’s been able to get some really amazing finishes onto his highlight reel, but it’s also the reason he lost his last fight.

That said, Jim Miller is a bad stylistic matchup for Guillard if the fight goes into the second and third rounds. As much as I like Guillard, I think Jim Miller has the tenacity and the willpower to take the brunt of Melvin’s onslaughts in Round 1 and then would assert himself in the next two rounds.

Jim Miller wins by unanimous decision.

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.