MMA: 5 Bold Predictions for the Month of December

The month of December is jam-packed with MMA events all over the world. The UFC itself will be putting on four shows this month, showing the high volume of events the month promises.

Many high-profile names, from Benson Henderson to Junior dos Santos, are set to throw down with opponents. Belts will be defended, prospects will be challenged and fans will be entertained.

Here are five bold predictions for the month of December.

Nate Diaz Wins Lightweight Title

Ask most people who they think will win the lightweight title fight between Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz, and I guarantee most people will agree Henderson will win.

While that is a good, safe decision, Diaz has all the tools to outwork and take the strap off the champion at UFC on Fox in Seattle. 

Diaz's cardio and boxing skills are a lot to handle for any fighter. He will be giving up a lot of size to "Bendo." However, he can make that up by threatening him with submissions while planted on his back.

Don't be surprised if we have a new champion at 155.

Motivated B.J. Penn Knocks off Young Gun Rory MacDonald

It seems like nobody is giving B.J. Penn a chance in his upcoming fight with Rory MacDonald. Seriously, nobody.

Penn is a former champion with loads of experience. This fight seems to have lit a fire under Penn, which means he could be more dangerous than ever.

MacDonald is a big, rugged fighter who is a future champion in the making. He has said some things that have Penn extremely motivated.

That could spell a recipe for disaster.

Jamie Varner Finishes Melvin Guillard

The Ultimate Fighter finale plays host to an amazing lightweight matchup of two longtime veterans of the sport. Of course, I am talking about Melvin Guillard and Jamie Varner.

Both Guillard and Varner have similar games. Offensive wrestling and good boxing skills are the two attributes both men boast in their arsenals. 

Guillard may have the power advantage, but Varner is the smarter fighter. That fight contrast could lead to a number of finishes in this fight, but there is a good chance Varner walks away with a win and possibly a finish.

Winner of Eddie Wineland-Brad Pickett Earns 135-lb. Title Shot

It's a shame nobody is talking about an amazing bantamweight matchup at UFC 155 between Eddie Wineland and Brad Pickett. It promises to be a spectacular fight.

Whoever should walk out of this fight the victor should challenge Renan Barao for the interim title. There are few contenders in the division, so this could easily be a title-eliminator matchup.

I for one would love to see Wineland-Barao, but a rematch with Pickett wouldn't be bad either.

Andrei Arlovski Beats Mike Hayes in Russia, Gets One Final UFC Run

Andrei Arlovski has recently put together a career resurgence. Perhaps his next win will be his ticket back to the UFC.

The former UFC Heavyweight Champion faces highly touted heavyweight Mike Hayes in Russia this month. Should Arlovski win in convincing fashion, he should be re-signed.

Since his brutal exit from Strikeforce at the hands of Sergei Kharitonov, Arlovski has gone 3-0 (1 NC). All three wins over Ray Lopez, Travis Fulton and Devin Cole have come via knockout, which proves Arlovski can still dish out pain.

The no contest was highly controversial, as soccer kicks are legal in One FC where he fought, but his soccer kick of Tim Sylvia was deemed illegal.

Either way, one more win and Arlovski is UFC-bound.