UFC on FOX 2: Final Main Card Predictions

With three high-profile fights instead of just one, the UFC’s second foray onto network television is shaping up to be much more successful than its first.

While none of the fights has the intrigue of a heavyweight title fight, dual No. 1 contender fights and a matchup between two middleweights attempting to break into the title scene is more than enough to make up for the lack of title bouts.

Rashad Evans, Phil Davis, Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping have all done an excellent job of providing some hype for the upcoming bouts, and with the high stakes involved for both fights, this card is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in UFC history.

Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

It’s not uncommon for the UFC to give fans an old-school wrestler vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt matchup, but these two are so good at what they do that it stands out as one of the most interesting clashes of styles possible.

Weidman has been touted as the future of the middleweight division ever since he made his debut early last year, and his tremendous wrestling ability has a lot to do with that.

Still relatively inexperienced, Weidman is taking a big risk competing against a serious title contender in Maia on just 11 days' notice, but he is always in shape and wrestling has proved to be the skill that translates into success for fighters coming in on short notice.

While Anderson Silva destroyed Maia in his one and only UFC title fight, he is still one of the most feared and respected competitors in the middleweight division, especially when the fight hits the mat.

With some of the best offensive jiu jitsu in the sport, Maia poses a real threat to Weidman in the area that both men feel most comfortable, which could cause this fight to end up primarily on the feet due to the respect they will both have for the other’s ground game.

In the end, Maia’s stand up has improved enough that Weidman will be forced to shoot in, and at some point Maia will lock in some sort of submission off his back and secure the victory.

Demian Maia by Second-Round Submission

Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping

Fans have been forced into choosing sides between two of the most hated individuals in the sport, but even with both fighters' lack of fan support, this fight is the most anticipated on the card.

This fight is going to come down to one thing, and that is Bisping’s ability to keep the fight on the feet or work from his back.

Sonnen has possibly the best takedowns in MMA, and he is able to get the fight to the mat any time he wants, and once he gets there his relentless pressure makes him extremely dangerous.

The knock on Sonnen in the past has been his inability to finish fights, but he seems to have fixed that problem, judging by his second-round submission win over Brian Stann at UFC 136.

Bisping is an experienced fighter who has shut down wrestlers in the past, but none of those fighters had the hellacious grappling that Sonnen brings to the table.

While it is unlikely Bisping will be able to keep the fight standing for the duration of the bout, he has shown the ability to scramble back to his feet on numerous occasions.

As much as fans would like to see a competitive fight, it is going to be tough for Bisping to keep Sonnen off him, and Sonnen will use his wrestling and ground and pound to smother Bisping and earn a unanimous decision win.

Chael Sonnen by Unanimous Decision

Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis

With a fight with Jon “Bones” Jones and a UFC light heavyweight title shot hanging in the balance, it’s easy to see why Rashad Evans and Phil Davis were chosen to headline such a huge event.

While Evans has an ongoing rivalry with Jones since early last year, he’s made time to throw some of his verbal pipe bombs at Phil Davis in recent weeks, and Davis has held his own against one of the sport's best talkers.

As far as the actual fight is concerned, this is a battle of two extremely good wrestlers and, as we’ve seen many times, these fights can easily end up on the feet as the fighters' wrestling skills cancel each other out.

Davis has the better wrestling credentials as a whole, and he may be able to get Evans to the mat and frustrate him like we’ve never seen before, but after watching Davis have a difficult time taking down Antonio Rogerio Nogueira it seems unlikely.

I see no reason as to why Evans would avoid a stand-up battle with “Mr. Wonderful,” and I have a feeling that this is exactly what will happen, as Evans can use his more developed striking to overwhelm Davis.

Eventually Evans is going to land one of his heavy hands on Davis’ chin, and when that happens the finish will be elementary, giving Evans some serious momentum going into his grudge match with Jones.

Rashad Evans by Third-Round TKO