Ultimate Fight Night 15: Preview and Predictions

As we all try and close our jaws after UFC 88, we move on to another intriguing card at Ultimate Fight Night 15. This is headlined by Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer and co-main event Clay Guida vs. Mac Danzig (I can't wait for that one!).

As we wind down September and get ready for a couple busy months for the UFC, let's take a look at this fight card and break down the winners and losers.

Houston Alexander (8-3) vs. Eric Schafer (9-3-2)

Houston Alexander needs this win badly. For as fast as he came into the UFC, (KO wins over Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara), he has fallen just as quickly. (TKO stoppage by Thiago Silva and a quick KO from James Irvin.)

Schafer comes back to the UFC after winning two fights outside of the octagon, but losing his last two with the UFC. I see this fight staying on its feet and most of the time that favors Alexander.

Six of Schafer's nine wins have come by submission, so if he can get Houston to the mat, he could be in a world of hurt. I don't see that happening though, and Alexander will get back on the winning streak with a KO in the second round.

Houston Alexander wins via second round KO.

Ed Herman (14-6) vs. Alan Belcher (12-5)

This is one of those fights that can go either way. Both Belcher and Herman have looked terrific in wins and have looked horrible in losses. Consistency is going to be key for both of these fighters to be able to make the leap in the middleweight division.

Belcher is coming off a TKO loss to Jason Day and is always looking to keep this fight standing, where he can use his very good stand up game. The thing that seems to be Belcher's weakness is his ground game, and the fact that he has a hard time dealing with aggressive fighters who like to bring the fight to him. 

Ed Herman has a great ground game, nine of his 14 wins have come by submission, but he is also coming off a loss to up and comer phenom Demian Maia. I think that this fight goes to a decision, and I see Ed Herman utilizing a decent top game to grind out a victory.

Ed Herman wins via decision.

Clay Guida (23-9) vs. Mac Danzig (18-4-1)

I can't express how jacked up I am to see this fight. Both fighters are relentless in how they bring the fight in the octagon. I have not seen many holes in either fighter, which makes this fight a toss up in my book.

Danzig has looked unstoppable as he blew through The Ultimate Fighter, winning a contract with the UFC and then submitting tough Mark Bocek this April. His last loss, coming at the hands of Hayato "Mach" Sakurai is over a year ago.

10 of his 18 wins have come by submission, but he has shown a very above-average stand-up game. Clay Guida, on the other hand, has flirted with becoming a top contender in the lightweight division, but then losing a close decision to Tyson Griffin (I had Guida winning that fight) and letting Roger Huerta come back and choke him out.

If Guida wants to get to a title shot down the road, he has to start stringing some wins together, and this would be an excellent place to start.

Guida is overwhelming in his attack, and I see this fight also going to a decision, but Guida pulling it out by pressuring Danzig and getting the take downs in the latter rounds.

Clay Guida wins via decision

Main Event: Nate Diaz (9-2) vs. Josh Neer (24-6-1)

This should prove to be another exciting fight between two young UFC warriors. Neer is coming off a good win against Din Thomas in his comeback to the UFC. Josh took some time off away from the UFC before that win, with his last fight, ironically, coming against Nate's brother Nick back in August of 2006. 

Josh has a ton of MMA experience in and outside of the UFC, beating good fighters like Derrick Noble, Melvin Guillard, and even against former lightweight title challenger Joe Stevenson.

Nate Diaz has been on a tear as of late, winning his last four fights, all coming within the UFC. Diaz has been outspoken about wanting to get some stiffer competition, and with a win against a formidable Josh Neer, I have to believe he will get what he wants.

Nate Diaz's all-around game I feel is just too much for Neer. Diaz is a ground wizard with seven of his nine wins coming from submission and half of Neer's defeats have come by the same. Diaz will submit Neer in the third round after a very exciting fight.

Nate Diaz wins via submission in the third round.

This card has shaped up to be a very exciting and interesting Ultimate Fight Night. I can't wait for next Wednesday.