UFC on Fox 3: 5 Bold Predictions for May 5

UFC on Fox 3 is stacked up to be an exciting event which will determine the title shot standings for several of the rising stars in mixed martial arts today.

The outcome of this event will most likely rank Diaz or Miller as next in line for a title shot after Henderson and Edgar duke it out one more time for the lightweight championship belt.

May 5 may also solidify Josh Koscheck's second chance at welterweight gold or give Johny Hendricks his first shot at the title once Condit and St. Pierre unify the welterweight belt at an unknown time.

I'm also looking forward to watching Rousimar Palahares try to enforce his brutal submission game on the Muay Thai talents of Alan Belcher. The winner of this fight could find themselves fighting for the number-one contender's spot if they can bring home a W after this event.

It is without a doubt the purpose of this card to bring mainstream attention and glory to the next possible champions for the lightweight, welterweight and middleweight division. Here are my predictions about which fighters will be garnering all that fame.

Diaz over Miller

Jim Miller is a brutal slugger with devastating knees who can win the fight by using his wrestling to gain top control over Nate to grind out a victory. History has shown that to be a winning recipe against Nate Diaz, but this time history proves nothing. I think Nate's superior boxing and long range will keep Miller's brawling at bay.

Both fighters are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts and have won the majority of their fights by submission. If Diaz keeps Miller back with his long-range striking, he may force Miller to take a shot which would leave him open to a guillotine from Diaz whose skinnier arms could sink under the shorter Miller's neck. Even if Miller used his wrestling to get Diaz down, he would still eventually end up in Nate's guard where Nate's long legs could catch Miller with triangle chokes.

Nate Diaz via Decision

Hendricks over Koscheck

Hendricks is on a roll, and though he won't roll through Koscheck, I think he has what it takes to win the fight.

Both fighters are explosive wrestlers and NCAA champions. Although I feel Koscheck has the sharper stand-up at this point in his career, I think the wear and tear on his body over the years will be the biggest factor in this fight.

Josh Koscheck has nine more fights and six more years on Hendricks, and though Koscheck is still a dangerous fighter, I don't think has the same explosiveness he possessed in the past. I think Hendricks will be able to get his shots off first and walk away with the W.

Hendricks via Decision

Palahares over Belcher

A woodcutter has fifteen minutes to chop down a tree in the woods. Only he's not in the woods, he is in a cage, and the tree is actually just a tree stump, and this stump likes to to slam you on your head and rip the ligaments in your knee by hooking your heel.

Though Belcher has almost as many submission wins as he does knockouts, I can't see him submitting Palahares. Three five-minute rounds will give Palahares too much time for him to learn the timing of one of Belcher's gut wrenching leg kicks and allow Palahares to shoot for a take-down. Even if Belcher avoids the take-down with a sprawl, he'll play right into Palahares' game by creating the space he needs to go inverted and wrap his legs around Belcher's knee for the submission.

Palahares via Submission

Barry over Johnson

I think Barry chops the legs of his taller opponent to bring him down to size.

As long as Johnson doesn't get ahold of Barry and use his knees or his uppercuts to get under Barry's defense, Barry's speed will be the factor in him winning this fight.

Johnson towers over Barry and will have a definitive reach advantage, but Barry should be able to work his shins on the inside of Johnson's thighs. Leg kicks will take the spring out of Johnson's step—taking the power away from Johnson's heavy hands. 

This fight was tailor-made for the fans who like watching two heavyweights try to aim their fists at the other one's head. Only Barry has more tools at this time to win the fight.

Barry by T.K.O

Ferguson over Johnson

Ferguson takes this fight by utilizing his long arms and heavy hands over Johnson.

Ferguson took out a veteran in Yves Edwards in his last fight, putting him on a three-fight winning streak in the UFC.

Though the fight is evenly matched, I think Ferguson will be more aggressive and can take the fight wherever he needs to. Ferguson has proven that his punches can break jaws and turn the lights out on almost anyone, and I think he'll have the mental edge on "the Menace" Johnson.

Ferguson Via T.K.O