The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale: Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

To kick off a highly anticipated month of MMA, we have The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.

The Finale will have Anthony Pettis making his first appearance inside the Octagon and putting his title shot in jeopardy against Clay Guida. Guida will look to take away and put on yet another "Fight of the Year" performance on the TUF Finale card.

Then of course you have the final showdown of the two finalists from this season of TUF. Tony Ferguson will look to end the night of the wrestling Ramsey Nijem. Ferguson and Nijem were both the favorites of the coaches by the time the tournament kicked up at the end of the season.

You can follow Sal on Twitter: @SalDeRoseMMA

Chris Cope vs. Chuck O'Neil

Welterweight Bout

Chuck "Cold Steel" O'Neil (8-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Five wins by submission, two by knockout, one by decision

Two losses by submission, one by decision

Chris Cope (4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Two wins by knockout, two by decision

One loss by knockout

Breakdown: Chuck's best chance would be to win this on the ground and submit Cope. Bad news for Chuck, Chris has some solid takedown defense. If the Chuck who won two fights shows up, he will definitely outstrike Cope. But, if the "Cold Steel" from his two losses shows up, it could be a difficult night for Chuck.

Prediction: O'Neil by unanimous decision

Ed Herman vs. Tim Credeur

Middleweight bout

Tim Credeur (12-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC)

Eight wins by submission, four by knockout

One loss by decision, one by submission, one by knockout

Ed Herman (19-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC)

Twelve wins by submission, five by knockout, two by decision

Four losses by submission, two by decision, one by knockout

Breakdown: On one side you have Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt, Tim Credeur. On the other side you have wrestler Ed Herman. So this one will be a ground battle, and I don't see either one submitting. This one will definitely go the full distance. Both fighters losses have been to very good competition.

Prediction: Credeur by unanimous decision

Kyle Kingsbury vs. Fabio Maldonado

Light Heavyweight bout

Kyle Kingsbury (10-2 [one no contest] MMA, 3-1 UFC)

Four wins by knockout, four by decision, two by submission

One loss by knockout, one by decision

Fabio Maldonado (18-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Twelve wins by knockout, three by submission, three by decision

Two losses by submission, one by decision

Breakdown: Maldonado has that pedigree in boxing that makes me think this fight will be a standup fight. But, Kingsbury has a wrestling background so he could take the fight to the ground and grind him out for a decision. 

Prediction: Kingsbury by unanimous decision 

Tony Ferguson vs. Ramsey Nijem

Welterweight Bout

TUF 13 Finals- Main Event

Ramsey Nijem (4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Two wins by submission, one by knockout, one by decision

One loss by submission

Tony Ferguson (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Six wins by knockout, three by submission, one by decision

One loss by decision, one by submission

Breakdown: OK, so this is basically just off of what I saw on TUF this season, so I'll try my best. Nijem is a very good and adept wrestler and can submit you. On the ground he is very dangerous. Ferguson has some good boxing skills and wants the fight to keep standing. Unfortunately for Ferguson Nijem will probably take him down and control the fight from there.

Prediction: Nijem by unanimous decision

Anthony Pettis vs. Clay Guida

Lightweight bout

Anthony Pettis (13-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC)

Six wins by submission, five by knockout, two by decision

One loss by decision

Clay Guida (28-11 MMA, 8-5 UFC)

Fifteen wins by submission, eight by decision, five by knockout

Seven losses by submission, four by decision

Breakdown: This is a very tough fight to pick. Pettis is a very good striker, but Guida has a very strong chin. If Pettis finishes this fight, it's going to be by submission as you can see by Guida's seven submission losses. This is most likely going to be a stand-up war with both fighters having somewhat equal ground games. Guida's a good test for Pettis to see what he is truly made of.

Prediction: Pettis by unanimous decision