UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida Preview

The UFC returns to action this Saturday night after nearly a full month layoff with UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida.

UFC 98 marks the first of six UFC events to be held over the next three months, and will feature the light heavyweight title fight between current champion Rashad Evans and challenger Lyoto Machida.

Main Card

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida - Rashad Evans will make his first UFC light heavyweight title defense against a fighter that few in the 205 lb. division want to face, Lyoto Machida.

Both Evans and Machida bring and undefeated record into this fight and this title fight is about as close a matchup and you can find. Evans, a strong wrestler, has shown explosive quickness with his striking in recent fights and good knockout power.

Machida’s trademark is his elusiveness and excellent defensive footwork. Machida, more than any other fighter, is an excellent tactician and picks his attack points with precision.

I anticipate that Evans will look to pressure Machida from the start and look to get into close striking range. Letting Machida run free is a recipe for a loss, and Evans will need to work angles against Machida and hope to get him up against the cage or bring him down to the mat.

Machida is extremely tough to track down and catch cleanly, but of all Machida’s past opponents, I think Evans has the speed and quickness to pull it off.

Winner: Rashad Evans

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra 

Matt Serra vs. Matt Hughes is a fight that, despite the UFC’s best efforts, just doesn’t seem to intrigue most MMA fans. I think as a whole, we’ve had enough of these “bad blood” hyped matches, as the Shamrock vs. Ortiz trilogy left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

Both Serra and Hughes are clearly in the last days of their respective MMA careers and both probably need a victory in this fight more for “legacy” than anything else.

Matt Serra is always dangerous on the feet because he is a fighter who truly lets his hands go without caution, but also possesses good boxing defense. Serra specializes in jiu-jitsu, but once again we most likely won’t see him try to win this fight on the ground.

Matt Hughes’ reputation and place in MMA history is already solidified. Winning a fight against Serra probably won’t do much for Matt Hughes other then hopefully (stress hopefully) get Serra to shut his mouth for a while. Hughes strength is clearly his wrestling with his weakness being the striking game.

I anticipate a timid, methodical, slow start from both fighters and more of a chess match than any real action. I think Hughes takes this fight to the ground and really just concentrates on controlling position to out-point Serra on the scorecards.

Winner: Matt Hughes

Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam 

Xavier “Professor X” Foupa-Pokam makes his UFC debut in what should be a solid, exciting matchup with Drew McFedries. Foupa-Pokam has spent the majority of his career back and forth between Cage Rage events and Pakration style tournaments.

If you haven’t seen Professor X fight yet, you are in for a treat as he brings a very unique, athletic style to the cage. There is no question what Drew McFedries brings to the cage as his power and striking game is well known.

McFedries is coming off two straight losses in the UFC and can’t afford to drop a third as he will most likely be on the chopping block with a loss. Foupa-Pokam is just too fast and quick on his feet for McFedries, and has more than enough skill on the ground to submit McFedries should he get in trouble on the feet.

Winner: Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen 

MMA HQ readers know I’m a big fan of both Dan and Jim Miller, but I think Miller’s undefeated run through the UFC ends in this match against Sonnen.

Dan Miller specializes in his ground game and submission skills, but Chael Sonnen’s wrestling and ground control will be too much for Miller to handle. Sonnen should be able to keep the fight on the feet as long as he wants, and will be able to handle positions on the ground well enough to earn the decision victory.

Winner: Chael Sonnen

Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar 

Sean Sherk and Frank Edgar should be on an excellent, fast paced fight this Saturday night. While in the past Sherk has been considered a more boring fighter for his wrestling control, his most recent fight with Tyson Griffin showed that Sherk can bring an exciting style to the Octagon.

Sherk battled Tyson Griffin on the feet for a full three rounds at UFC 90 en route to winning a unanimous decision.

Frank Edgar, like Griffin and Sherk, has a strong background in wrestling which means we could see another Sherk vs. Griffin style slugfest in this fight. Just like in the Griffin fight, I think Sherk has too much skill and experience for Edgar and should come away with the decision victory.

Winner: Sean Sherk

Undercard

Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson - Winner: Brock Larson
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague - Winner: Pat Barry
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley - Winner: Phillipe Nover
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao - Winner: Andre Gusmao
Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff - Winner: Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop - Winner: George Roop