UFC 130 FIGHT CARD- 5 Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

Predicting what could possibly happen at a UFC event is a slippery undertaking as there are so many different things that can make or shape the story that is the UFC these days.

Whether it be injury replacements, or main event fighters who don't care UFC 130 is on tap and you can be sure people will be tuning in.

Here are "5 Predictions You Can Take To The Bank" for UFC 130 coming up on May 28.

5. Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve Will Fail to Make the Next Step

The Skyscraper is struggling to stay relevant in a heavyweight division that is under more scrutiny by the day.

With Struve not really in the top five picture in the UFC, and with many not sure he would even have qualified in the Strikeforce tournament, he needs to dispose of up and comer Travis Browne quickly to make a statement to the critics in the division.

I believe that Struve will defeat Browne with a well-rounded arsenal and reach, but he will win by decision, and in the mean time not dazzling the way he needs to, to make the next step. 

4. Thiago Alves Will Put His Making 170 Issues to Bed for Good

Thiago Alves has one under his belt on his come back to contender status in the 170-pound division. He defeated Jon Howard in convincing fashion last December, and he is set to take on Rick "The Horror" Story at UFC 130.

I look to Alves to make weight again, and beat Story with a quicker and stronger all-around Muay Thai and wrestling attack. It appears clear to me that Alves learned an extremely valuable lesson in his loss to GSP, and has improved his willingness to use his own wrestling to open up his striking and win.

This one could be a Fight Of The Night candidate. 

3. This Fight Will Lose Pay-Per-Views Due to the Loss of Edgar vs. Maynard III

There have been many recent fight card losses in the UFC and that is something that goes in bits and spurts in this business and has to be realized as part of the challenge in holding big events.

It is usually one of the two men in the fight that sometimes pull out, yet in this instance, both champion and challenger came up hurt due to injury sustained during hard training.

This one might be an easy one, but some people were saying that Edgar vs. Maynard III would not draw many, but when all is said and done after UFC 130, it will show in the numbers that this fight was needed to excite the card.

Of course, Rampage hasn't helped either.

2. Rampage Will Lose to Hamill Via Disinterest

I don't think the guy is lying, it has been tough for him to get jacked up about fighting hero Matt Hamill at the end of the month. He has been to the top of the sport and fought the who's who and he was already sour that this fight was not going to be top billing on the card.

Rampage is certainly a tougher, more accomplished fighter than Hamill but he is not younger and he is not hungrier and that will be the difference in the end.

Hamill wants a name to build his name on. Rampage wants the same, advantage in motivation Hamill.

1. Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson Will Deliver a Great Fight for the Main Event

When the final bell rings on UFC 130 Frank Mir vs. Roy Nelson will be the fight that the people will be talking about. I just have a feeling that both these men know they don't have many chances left and will go for broke to make a statement in this bout.

Nelson almost always delivers straight ahead action, and I feel that Mir, has learned from his snoozer performances of the past.

I think there will be some good exchanges of power on the feet and on the ground in this clash of big talented fighters Mir may have just a little too much for Big Country on the feet, and he will open him up for many options to win the fight.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Correspondent for Bleacher Report. (Also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net.) 

 Catch me on Twitter at wakafighter