UFC 117: Silva Vs. Sonnen Predictions By Me And My Fish?

With the high success of Paul the octopus picking winners at the recent World Cup, I began to look at my pet fish through cash filled goggles! All he does is stuff his face and poop anyway so it might be time he pays back his loving owner some of that money he so graciously spent on his tank. 

With the coming of UFC 117 Silva V Sonnen. I decided that the time was right to ask my fish friend on who would win each fight. I will back all the fighters he picked to win in an accumulator which will be written up at the bottom of this article.

The process was simple I approached the tank with two pieces of paper with both fighters name written. If the fish swam and stayed looking at one piece of paper for longer than three seconds that was his pick. I will, for arguments sake make my own predictions even though you probably don't care for them and just want to see what the fish says.

Anderson Silva V Chael Sonnen Middleweight Championship

Anderson Silva is the P4P king and on the top of many peoples list as one of the greatest. A muay thai striker will accurate hands and deadly power, the P4P king has been criticized in the past for his lazy approach towards ending fights

If anybody is gonna perk up Silva's interest, it's motor mouth Chael Sonnen. Anderson may not be too bothered by the talk but losing to a fighter he perceives not worthy may leave a sour taste in Andersons mouth. Chael has two weapons, his heart and his takedowns. He holds notable wins against Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami. 

A lot of trash talk has hyped this fight to more than what it should be. Sonnen may not be as stupid as people think, if he loses credibly or even shocks the world, his name could be featured on a lot more headlining events. Unfortunately for Sonnen I don’t see him winning this fight. Anderson Silva will not knock this guy out but what he will do is use his under rated ground game. Sonnen famously put it “ A black belt under the Nogueira brothers is like a toy in your McDonalds Happy Meal” well those words are going to come back and haunt him as Silva triangles Sonnen in the first round. 

My Prediction: Silva via first round submission

Fish's Pick: Sonnen. Damn fish!

Jon Fitch V Thiago Alves

Jon Fitch a wear you down type fighter who smothers the opponent with top control and clinch takedowns, Fitch is a top welterweight contender and ties with Royce Gracie for the most consecutive wins in the UFC. His notable wins include Thiago Alves, Deigo Sanchez and Paulo Thiago.

Thiago Alves is a dynamic and exciting Muay Thai fighter. Built like a pit bull, hence the nickname, Thiago Alves has an arsenal of offence on the stand up game. Alves holds notable wins over Matt Hughes, Karo Parisyan and current contender Josh Koscheck.

The UFC solely put this fight on to eliminate a contender to GSP. Whomever wins is right up their for a title shot but the loser will most likely not get a rematch for a long time. With that added pressure will Alves be a bit more gun shy for the bout? I think he might be and I believe Fitch may control the bout with takedowns and smothering top control. Although Fitch doesn’t punish guys much, he does force them to carry his weight and empties their gas tanks. Expect no different at UFC 117 when Alves is controlled for 15 minutes with a few minor scares for Fitchalong the way.

My Prediction: Jon Fitch by decision 

Fish's Prediction: Thiago Alves. Man, that fish is down the toilet tomorrow.

Clay Guida V Rafael Dos Anjos

Clay Guida is a fighter I rate highly. He sets an electrifying pace that not many can handle and keeps it throughout the three rounds. 

Dos Anjos is a top grappler and has improved since his first two UFC fights which ended in defeat. The UFC brass definitely rate the kid highly as they held on to him and Dos Anjos repaid the faith with winning three fights in a row.  Clay Guida found himself in the receiving end of two defeats in a row but bounced back against Shannon Gugerty at UFC on Verus 1. 

I see Guida winning the fight by decision with a relentless pace and stifling top control. Guida has been in the wars and still comes out wanting more. That heart and determination will see him eek out the win after a back and forth war.

My Prediction: Clay Guida by decision

Fish's Prediction: Dos Anjos. Hmmm this is starting to take a weird pattern.

Matt Hughes V Ricardo Almeida

With the war of words between Sonnen and Silva taking the front stage of this event you would be forgiven for over looking another grudge match at UFC 117. Almeida called out Matt Hughes after Matt's destruction of Renzo Gracie.

Matt Hughes has nothing left to prove in the sport. With wins over BJ Penn and George St Pierre, two top P4P fighters one would wonder why Hughes doesn’t just retire. The creepy nature of age is beginning to tell on the hall of famer and the Serra and Gracie fights he became slower and more robotic than ever.

With Hughes noticeable slowing down and Almeida in the prime condition. I can only see a victory for Ricardo. He has found a good weight class at Welterweight and has the submission skills to give Hughes fits. I predict a 2nd round submission after a round of testing each other in the stand up.

My Prediction: Ricardo Alemida via second round submission

My Fish's Prediction: Hughes. Dollar symbols slowly vanishing.

Dos Santos V Roy Nelson

Junior Dos Santos is a scary dude. With all his fights in the UFC so far ending before it could reaches the judges and notable wins including Micro Crop Cop and Fedor conqueror Fabricio Werdum, the sky is the limit for the Brazilian finisher.

Roy Nelson winner of the 10 UFC Ultimate fighter, has been on a bit of a roll as of late knocking out Stephan Struve and Brendan Schaub. A black belt under Renzo Gracie, Nelson has under rated grappling skills and a deceiving agility.

I think Dos Santos will add to his tally in the UFC with a TKO win late in the second. Expect Dos Santos to stuff the takedowns early on and start finding his strikes in the second. A trademark upper cut will knock Nelson to the floor.

My prediction: Dos Santos via second round TKO.

Fish's Prediction: Nelson. Oh come on! Stupid fish went against me every fight!!

Accumulator with Bookies:

Fish's Pick:

Sonnen 3/1

Alves 5/6

Dos Anjos Evens

Hughes 5/4

Nelson 5/2

Total Stake: 5 Euro

Winnings if succeeds: 577.50 Euro

My Picks

Silva 1/5

Fitch 5/6

Clay Guida 8/11

Almedia 4/7

Dos Santos 1/4

Total Stake: 5 Euro

Winnings if succeeds: 37.32 Euro