UFC on Versus 4: Marquardt vs. Story, Early Predictions for Every Fight

In a month packed with cards in MMA, UFC on Versus 4 is able to put together a great card to broadcast live on television.

The card features the first bout at welterweight for former top middleweight contender, Nate Marquardt, who will be stepping in to face Rick Story. Story is taking the bout on short notice and is facing Marquardt just a month after he was able to take a decision victory from Thiago Alves.

The card also features two heavyweight bouts, Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft.

On top of the two heavyweight bouts, the card also features another welterweight showdown between Martin Kampmann, and John Howard.

Here are my predictions for UFC on Versus 4.

Undercard

Tyson Griffin vs. Manvel Gamburyan

Prediction: Manvel Gamburyan

Joe Stevenson vs. Javier Vazquez

Prediction: Joe Stevenson

Joe Lauzon vs. Curt Warburton

Prediction: Joe Lauzon

Matt Brown vs. Rich Attonito

Prediction: Rich Attonito

Charlie Brenneman vs. TJ Grant

Prediction: TJ Grant

Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira

Prediction: Charles Oliveira

Ricardo Lamas vs. Matt Grice

Prediction: Matt Grice

Michael Johnson vs. Edward Faaloloto

Prediction: Michael Johnson

Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft

Heavyweight Bout

Matt Mitrione (4-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC)

Three wins by knockout, one win by decision

No losses

Christian Morecraft (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC)

Four wins by submission, three by knockout

One loss by knockout

Breakdown: I want to see how long this fight goes, both fighters definitely have the chops to give each other a good fight standing. I think if Morecraft wants, he could take this fight to the ground or just choke out Mitrione standing. In all honesty, I think if this fight goes two rounds, whoever is the better one in shape, wins this fight.

Prediction: Mitrione by second-round knockout

Martin Kampmann vs. John Howard

Welterweight bout

Martin Kampmann (17-5 MMA, 9-4 UFC)

Seven wins by knockout, six by submission, three by decision, one by disqualification

Three losses by knockout, two by decision

John Howard (14-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC)

Six wins by submission, four by knockout, four by decision

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

Breakdown: This is tough as both Howard and Kampmann are facing the possibility of being cut. Both fighters are currently on two-fight losing streaks. Howard is going to have to stand with Kampmann seeing as Kampmann has never been submitted before. Howard is no joke standing though with four wins by knockout, but even then Kampmann is very deadly.

Prediction: Kampmann by second-round TKO

Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry

Heavyweight bout

Cheick Kongo (15-6-2 MMA, 8-4 UFC)

Nine wins by knockout, three by submission, three by decision

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

Pat Barry (6-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Five wins by knockout, one by decision

Two losses by submission

Breakdown: I'm really excited for this one and it should be a nice striking war to entertain the fans on an already good card. You have two guys with kickboxing skills, but obviously Barry holds that advantage. I think Kongo's five inch height advantage and seven and a half inch reach advantage will play a role in him winning against Barry.

Prediction: Kongo by unanimous decision

Nate Marquardt vs. Rick Story

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Nate Marquardt (L) knocks out UFC fighter Demian Maia (R) during their Middleweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Gett

Welterweight bout

Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 10-4 UFC)

15 wins by submission, eight by decision, eight by knockout

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

Rick Story (13-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC)

Eight wins by decision, three by knockout, two by submission

Three losses by decision

Breakdown: Nate Marquardt is making his debut at welterweight against a very game Rick Story. Story is coming off of a huge win less then a month ago against top welterweight, Thiago Alves. I think Marquardt makes a good drop in weight, comes in and picks apart Story standing and even if the fight does go to the ground, I can see Marquardt edging out a decision victory.

Prediction: Marquardt by unanimous decision