UFC 123: A Palace of Predictions

This Saturday night, The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons, will play host to UFC 123: Rampage vs. Machida.  This promises to be yet another solid card that the UFC produces in 2010.  With the year coming to a close, the UFC hopes to finish out strong and give fans much hope for an even brighter 2011.  Not to mention that the expansion of the WEC is already the talk of the MMA world.  

On this night, some of the UFC's greats will be on display.  Also though, several newcomers will be on the main card leaving a good mix of talent throughout the night.  Legends and Hall-of-Famers like B.J. Penn and Matt Hughes will square off for a rubber match.  This could even be their best and most interesting of the three.  While that is just the co-main event.  In the main event, two former Light Heavyweight Champions look to avenge recent losses.  Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida meet for the first time in their careers.

In the newcomers department, Gerald Harris looks to continue his 2010 dominance against Brazil's Maiquel Falcao. Tim Boetsch and Phil Davis each put winning-streaks on the line in their bout.  

A night of this caliber could only be described justly in a "Palace of Predictions."  Here are some of my thoughts on what will happen this Saturday night.  

George Sotiropoulos Vs. Joe Lauzon

This Lightweight bout is likely to be a war and a fight of strategy.  Submission specialist Joe Lauzon looks to make quick work out of his Australian opponent George Sotiropoulos.  Don't forget though that Sotiropoulos boasts a ground prowess as well and is undefeated in his UFC career.  This will be an interesting matchup on many fronts.  

While both men are known for submissions, they also were guided through seasons of TUF to hone their cage skills.  This fight could even snag Fight of the Night Honors if they really give the fans what they want.  

This bout opens up the night and could be the starting point of another great night for the UFC in 2010.  Joe Lauzon's experience gives him the initial edge.  Yet, the improbability and uniqueness of George Sotiropoulos may leave Lauzon guessing.

George Sotiropoulos pulls this one out via a very close split decision.  He will use this win to finish off a strong 2010 and it could play as his launching pad for the future.  

Phil Davis Vs. Tim Boetsch

Phil Davis appears to be "the next big thing" in the UFC's 205-pound Light Heavyweight Division.  He's hoping to make Tim Boetsch just another victim on his trail to the top.  Davis, a former D-1 wrestler at Penn State University, is undefeated in his young MMA career.

Tim Boetsch, who also went to school in the state of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, returns to the UFC with a lot to prove.  His wrestling is solid but not on the same level as Davis'.  Having been cut and then re-signed by the UFC Boetsch feels the need to re-instill the company's confidence in him. 

Boetsch and Davis will likely be heading in different directions after this fight is over.  This is expected to be a ground battle for the most part but Davis has the edge in other areas as he's a more well-rounded fighter.  

After this fight, Davis could and should catapult himself into a considerable fighter in the UFC.  Phil Davis via unanimous decision in another dominant performance.  

Gerald Harris Vs. Maiquel Falcao

Gerald Harris is in a similar position as the aforementioned Phil Davis.  He's a strong fighter and an amazing physical specimen who loves to knock the opponent out.  Though his opponent Maiquel Falcao is a different breed of fighter that will present a big challenge for him. 

Falcao hails out of Chute Boxe and is well on his way to becoming a major competitor in the UFC.  He's an electric fighter and his fast-paced style will greatly rival the "slams" of Harris. 

This will definitely be the most exciting fight of the evening.  Both competitors' styles will clash in what hopes to gain Fight of the Night Honors.  The fans have heard a good deal about Falcao, but now get to see him firsthand in the Octagon.  

Harris will SLAM! his way to victory via his overpowering of Falcao.  Harris via 2nd Round KO.  

Matt Hughes Vs. BJ Penn

It will happen again.  For their third time in their illustrious careers BJ Penn and Matt Hughes will meet in the Octagon.  This time though, their rubber match will be for ultimate bragging rights and will serve as the final chapter of their rivalry.  

Penn is among the best fighters in the world and despite consecutive losses to Frankie Edgar, this move up in weight shows his dedication.  His desire to remain relevant in the MMA scene by moving up in weight tells us that Penn wishes to continue fighting. Who knows, maybe he will stay at 170 for a bit?  Then again, with the new WEC being introduced in 2011, challenges await Penn in the future in the smaller weight classes.

Matt Hughes is one of the best fighters of all-time and is known as "The Gracie Killer."  His dominance over Gracie Jiu Jitsu is something that can't be ignored.  At one point, Hughes was virtually unbeatable.  He struggled for some time after his reign at Welterweight but now appears to be rejuvenated and ready for another match with B.J. Penn.

B.J. Penn will get himself back on track and win a close, possibly controversial, split decision over Matt Hughes.  

Quinton Jackson Vs. Lyoto Machida

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida celebrates his victory over UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (not pictured) in their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, Cali

Lyoto Machida looks to avenge a loss against Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.  In fact, it was nearly consecutive losses to Rua as their first bout was a very controversial decision victory for Machida.  Now though, Machida is refocused and ready to take down Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.  

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's career is on a much different path than Machida's.  Currently, "Rampage" too is coming off an even worse defeat at the hands of new #1 contender Rashad Evans.  After these two men coached TUF 10 their rivalry became heated and was in dire need of a solution.  This came ever so obviously as the MMA world saw an unprepared, terrible Jackson get dominated by Evans back in May. Jackson later admitted his poor preparation for this fight and that he knew he had lost before he even entered the Octagon that night.

Machida and Jackson is a fight that many have wanted to see.  This should be a stand-up bout where Machida will need to take advantage of his unorthodox style.  Jackson generally hasn't been good against styles that are unfamiliar to him.  If this is again the case, Machida could finish this one quickly on Saturday.

This fight, in my opinion, is only being talked about because of the big names.  All in all, this truly isn't a great main event and will need to really deliver to prove many fans wrong.

Machida via 2nd Rd. TKO.