UFC on Fox 2 Predictions: Former Wrestler Rashad Evans Will Grind out a Win

Do not underestimate former Michigan State wrestler, former UFC champion and current UFC on Fox 2 main-event participant, Rashad Evans.

He may not be coming into this match with a ton of hype, and he may not be the type of fighter many casual fans want to see—and believe me many fans tuning in tonight will be casual fans—but he's got what it takes to beat Phil Davis.

All in all, I don't see this being a huge heavy-hitting bout, but more of the ground-and-pound battle of attrition that you could expect from two former Big Ten wrestlers.

It's an interesting choice for the main event to be frank, as one would expect that the general population would much rather see punches flying and men being thrown around the ring, rather than extremely technical and skillful wrestling and submission techniques.

Die hard fans of the sport know exactly how great this fight will be, but I have to wonder how the FOX viewers will take to a long drawn-out fight.

Perhaps that's what the UFC is hoping for, especially after the first UFC on FOX event that literally went by in a heartbeat, with Junior dos Santos knocking out Cain Velasquez quick in the first round.

One thing is for certain though, this fight will go to the ground, and I don't expect it to end in a flurry of punches early in the first round.

Both fighters are highly skilled grapplers, but I expect Evans will come out on top over Davis.

Evans has more experience and, according to Nick Meyer of the Detroit Free Press, he is in top-notch condition:

"

Evans in particular worked himself into one of the most complete fighters and best athletes to ever grace the Octagon, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound (on weigh-in day after his cut, anyway) dead ringer for a pro linebacker who boasts a similar level of speed, precision and physicality.

"

Not only is he looking good and in shape, but he has a ton of experience under his belt, and that's something I believe will play a huge role.

Evans comes into this fight with a 21-1-1 record, compared to the impressive but smaller 9-0 record from Davis. Evans also held the title belt back in 2008, and he has impressive wins over such big names like Chuck Liddell, Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz.

In a fight that I expect to go long and to be grueling, I have to give the tip of the gap to the former champion and more experienced fighter.

I expect Rashad Evans will grind out a win at UFC on FOX 2.