UFC 115:Race Against Father Time- Predictions

As a Canadian, I am very excited to see the fallout from UFC 115 as it is only the forth UFC event ever held in our country and the first since Alberta sanctioned MMA.

But this is not the only reason why this event is significant.  Three legends of the sport face their most intimidating opponent.

Father time.

He is a harsh master and in the end, he is an opponent no fighter can beat, not forever.

The only question is "When?"

For at least one fighter, that "when" will be Saturday.

The fighter that is in the least danger is Franklin.  He has lost 2 of his last three, and 3 of his last 6. Another loss might see him become irrelevant, and be released to be the next fighter to have Strikeforce try and sign.

Cro Cop is next as he has lost 3 of his last 5 UFC fights, and all of his intimidating aura as MMA's most dangerous striker.  With all the questions surrounding his spiralling dedication to the sport we might see him lose his hold on any of his remaining fans and, therefore, the UFC's ability to market him.  

The Iceman has had his notice for a long time now, and it is only by the remaining loyalty that Dana White has to him, as a legend and a major reason for the UFC's success, that he is being given this chance.

Even Ben Rothwell might find his job in the UFC in jeopardy if he fails to give a good showing (0-2 will not go well no matter what his record is outside the UFC).

So will it be a passing of the torch, or will it the legends of the sport make us remember why we love them once more?

On to the predictions;

Rory MacDonald (-140) vs. Carlos Condit (+110)

As the hometown addition to the card, Rory looks to be able to control this from the beginning.  Condit is quite tall for his division and has trouble defending some takedowns.  McDonald should be able to control the fight from there, and look for the submission (as 6 of his 10 wins have come from subs).  Condit is a savy fighter though and has more than enough ability on the ground to take the fight if McDonald takes too many chances.

Pick-McDonald

Ben Rothwell (-150) vs. Gilbert Yvel (+120)

Here are two more fighters whose career might be finished with a loss.  The UFC doesn't like to lose marketable fighters, and with Yvel's recent decline it would appear that he may the sacrificial lamb to allow Rothwell to have some success in the octagon.  Yvel simply doesn't have the strength and stamina that he once did. Although any fighter with his experience could be dangerous, Yvel seems to be on a one way road out of the UFC after this one.

Pick-Rothwell

Paulo Thiago (-225) vs. Martin Kampmann (+175)

One more tough fight for Thiago, and a winnable fight for both of them.  Kampmann will have to find a way to get inside and inflict damage there. Thiago has faced some fantastic competition in his career, and his ground game may be the deciding factor in this one, but Thiago has proven that his hands can be devastating as well (remember Koscheck?).  Either way, the winner might be a fight away from a title shot.

Pick-Thiago

Patrick Barry (-160) vs. Mirko Cro Cop Filipovc (+140)

The greatest and most feared striker in MMA history against his biggest fan.  If we think back to GSP vs Hughes 1, we know that this idol worship can be a major issue.  The Cro Cop that we have seen since the Gonzaga KO is simply not the same fighter that garnered those accolades, so hero worship might be his only chance in this one.  Barry has the ability to punch in bunches, but only if he can get past the thought of fighting his idol.  Unless CroCop has had a revolutionary turnaround in motivation for the sport then I just don't see him having the heart to get out of the striking war that Barry can bring to him with a win.

Pick-As much as it saddens me, I have to go with Barry.

Rich Franklin (-145) vs. Chuck Liddell (+125)

This is a much harder fight for Liddell than Ortiz was but one that he could win if John Hackleman is right about Liddell. 

He claims that this is not the same ol Iceman.

He claims that he is in the best shape of his life. (And Liddell has been showing off his new ripped body to anyone who will look)

He claims that his game has evolved.

Liddell better hope that Hackleman is right, because if he isn't he may be in trouble.  He has become a very one dimensional fighter and that simply won't work against a well rounded fighter who game plans like Franklin.  He has stopped using his legs, he has stopped using the cage, and he has stopped stalking his prey like a caged animal.  He just gives the same old "one-two/repeat" just waiting to hit his opponent on the button.  Liddell has made excuses for each of his losses of late and I just don't see him feeling the need to change his game up so much as tighten it up. Franklin will expose that one dimensional approach with powerful leg kicks and a great strategy. 

Who knows, power is the last thing to leave great punchers, so he always has a chance.

Pick-Franklin (Sorry Iceman!)

I see UFC 115 as the last hurrah for two of the greatest strikers ever to fight in MMA. 

Lets hope that I am wrong, but I think we should prepare ourselves for this to be our last time enjoying their presence in the ring.

So until then I will hold off saying goodbye to them,

But I won't hold my breath.

See you on the mats.