UFC 134: Predictions You Can Take to the Bank

The last time the UFC was in Brazil I had just turned seven years old.

For a country that many of the greatest fighters of all-time call home, I must say it has been far too long.

Luckily for the citizens of Rio de Janeiro, the promotion makes its return in less than a week. And lucky for you guys, I have the predictions that can win you some money.

Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov

This matchup should be exciting, as both guys are proven finishers and like to throw some leather.

Stanislav Nedkov is making his debut for the organization, and has a tough task ahead of him in Luiz Cane, who has been a knockout machine during his UFC wins.

As much as I like Nedkov, it seems like the UFC is throwing him to the wolves in his debut, so Cane is the pick by early knockout.

Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson

Another fight on the card that has insane fight-of-the-night potential, Ross Pearson’s return to action against Edson Barboza should be an entertaining stand-up war.

Both fighters are technical on the feet and both seem to lack finishing power, which is usually the recipe for a bonus check.

This fight is a toss up in my opinion, but since there are a lot of people on the Barboza hype train, I’m taking Pearson to win a close decision.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub

As far as former Pride superstars go, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira might have had the most success of anyone, post-UFC merger.

Nogueira has won a UFC title and defeated Randy Couture since entering the Octagon, but if he gets blasted by one of the pipe bombs that Brendan Schaub calls hands, it could be a career-ender.

Schuab has all the momentum going into this one, and it seems stupid to pick Nogueira after he’s been on the sidelines for 18 months.

And I’m not stupid. Schaub wins by knockout in the second. 

Shogun Rua vs. Forrest Griffin

In a rematch from a fight that went down way back at UFC 76, Shogun Rua needs to wipe his loss to Forrest Griffin from his resume.

Rua fans have cited everything from injuries to Octagon jitters to come up with a reason for why their boy lost, but I know the reason as well as anyone.

Griffin is a good fighter and a horrible matchup for Shogun. I’ve got Forrest taking the rematch and still getting no credit, since that’s what the man does. Griffin by decision.

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

I’m a sucker for the underdog, but there is no chance in hell I’m picking Yushin Okami in this one.

Silva wins this one quickly, the Brazilian fans go home happy, and hopefully Chael Sonnen makes it back to the USA in one piece. 

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