Champion Georges St. Pierre vs. Challenger Jake Shields (for welterweight title)
Volkart- I want Jake Shields to sub GSP. I want Jake Shields to sub GSP. I want Jake Shields to sub GSP… That to me is the only way Jake wins. Probably won’t happen, but Caesar Gracie seems to have a way of keeping his champions as champions. Jake will need the grittiest performance of his career to take GSP down repeatedly over 5 rounds and work for subs the entire time. But I do not see a TKO from Shields as a true possibility and I don’t imagine the judges leaning Jake’s way if the fight ends up being a close 5 round back and forth. So submission it is, why not. Jake Shields via Sub, Rd 4.
Pearce- For the past couple of weeks I was sure I would pick Shields, he seems like the best fighter GSP has faced yet. But as I scrolled through each fighters records flashes of memories started popping in my mind. Shields being knocked down by Hendo, then controlling the rest of the fight for the win will always stand out as a great achievement for Shields-y no one can take that away. Then flashes of GSP, and the only images that popped in my mind were of GSP embarrassing just about everyone he has fought. I like the credit Shields has been getting it is good for him, and this should be an exciting fight, but the reality is George wins 9 out of 10 fights against anyone. St. Pierre Unanimous Decision
Champion Jose Aldo vs. Challenger Mark Hominick (for featherweight title)
Volkart - Hominick has a punchers chance, likely a better one than any of the recent title challengers. But he’s not going to beat Aldo. Jose Aldo via TKO, Rd 2.
Pearce- Jose Aldo is building a reputation and an image with his in cage performances, of intimidation through an aura of quiet confidence. The myth was cemented during the demolishing of Urijah Faber and carried on through Faber’s tweets of his purple, black, and blue swollen leg for weeks after their fight. Here is a question to put it in perspective, who wins in a fight Faber or Hominick? That’s up to you but it makes you think. Jose Aldo is Co-main heading the biggest card of the year, and those of you who don’t know you will know! Jose Aldo Rd 4 KO
Jason Brilz vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Volkart - Brilz isn’t a full time fighter, hasn’t really kept busy in an effort to capitalize on his near upset of Little Nog almost 11 months ago. Vlady is a beast, a favorite of mine. I think this will be a surprisingly competitive fight, I just hope they keep this on the feet for the sake of everyone in attendance. Vladimir Matyushenko via Decision.
Pearce- I like this fight, one thing both guys do is “bring it” which is probably why they were put on the main card in the first place. But the problem is neither bring name recognition, which is the reason you have to explain why this is a good fight. Brilz seems to surprise every fight and Matyushenko is more reliable than sunrise. It’s that reliability I am banking on. Vladimir Matyushenko Rd 2 TKO
Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida
Volkart - Randy’s on a 3 fight win streak, with wins over Brandon Vera (many deem a robbery), Mark Coleman (had nothing left as a fighter), and James Toney (hahahaha) as of recent. Randy has nothing to lose in this fight. Lyoto is on a 2 fight losing streak currently. Lyoto has everything to lose. Machida’s last 3 fights have been top ten guys. Randy’s last 3 were tomato cans. Break out the bagpipes, start the parade. Thanks for everything, Captain America. Lyoto Machida via brutal TKO, Rd 1.
Pearce- Have you ever watched two men play chess in front of 55,000 people with fist and feet instead of pawns and bishops? You can go ahead and count out Randy the man who has won more fights due to game planning than talent. I think Machida is going to need a submission to win, because he will be grappling with Randy a lot, but Couture is so old he has forgotten what submissions are. It breaks my heart this prediction, cause I love me some Lyoto. Randy will grind out a win. Randy Couture Split Decision
Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson
Volkart - I feel like Ben Henderson is a very special human being and I think he’s going to present a lot of problems for a more one dimensional Bocek. But, you can’t overlook the BJJ prowess of Bocek. I’m banking on Bocek having worked heavily on his wrestling and boxing for this fight. I think Henderson finally gets put to sleep in this fight. Mark Bocek via Sub, Rd 2.
Pearce- Damn it Benson! I really wanted to pick Ben for the win, mainly because I don’t like Bocek, dunno why. But Benson showed up at weigh-ins a half pound over weight, already looking skinnier than a worm and looking drawn out and tired, then he still had to go lose that ½ lbs. If Bocek loses this he should be embarrassed, all the chips are on his side of the table. Bocek rd 1 Submission
Prelims.....
Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald
Volkart - Toughest fight to pick for me… I’d pick Nick in a heartbeat, but I still don’t think the younger Nate has developed as a fighter enough to put up a smart fight against the relentless beast in the Waterboy. I want Diaz to win, but I think Rory’s clinch is too good and that Nate’s jiu-jitsu will be canceled out and made useless if Rory gets the better end of the takedowns. Diaz needs to keep this standing and use his range to win this fight. But I feel Rory will stop at nothing to get inside, lunchbox in hand, ready to go to work. Rory MacDonald via Decision.
Pearce- Yeah hell of a fight here. For one this fight features a Diaz from Stockton, Cali that is always a guaranteed fight. And his young opponent Rory is hungry and still young enough to feel invisible, it is reasonable to think Rory will be the next generation of superstars. Again one hell of a fight cannot wait for this one. Rory MacDonald rd 3 tko
Jake Ellenberger vs. Sean Pierson
Volkart - HUGE implications in this fight for both fighters. Ellenberger is fighting for a top-10 opponent in his next fight, Pierson is fighting for relevance (and to avoid being forgotten about) in the shark tank of the UFC welterweight division. Pierson has WAY more to lose and I think he’s going to fight that way. Plus he’s going to be much bigger come fight night, as some speculation is pointing out that he’ll walk into the cage at ~190 lbs. Wouldn’t be shocked if Ellenberger steamrolled him with his power and awesome wrestling, but a solid Pierson win would be a much better story. Sean Pierson via Decision.
Pearce- I got full confidence in Ellenberger here, his only UFC loss was to Carlos Condit in a controversial decision. Pierson’s only UFC win is against Matt Riddle who is not real good. Jake’s wins are against Bjj specialist Carlos Rocha, Muay Thai specialist John Howard, and all around specialist Mike Pyle. I expect Ellenberger to show Pierson what fighting a top ten guy is like. Jake Ellenberger Rd 1 KO
Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts
Volkart - Roberts is a much underrated welterweight with awesome grappling. Tough to pick the ‘away team’ in a fight that is considered a toss-up, but who knows how well the Canadians will respond to this crowd. Daniel Roberts has guaranteed not only a finish but that he’ll be collecting one of those likely hefty bonus checks as well. Sounds good to me. Daniel Roberts via Sub, Rd 3.
Pearce- Every time Robert’s fights he shows improvements in the weak areas of his game to keep up with the positives. Cesar Gracie fight camp is on a roll and will be in Roberts corner, I expect Roberts to put on an exciting fight with a good submission win. Daniel Roberts rd 1 Submission
Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia
Volkart -Didn’t see anything that really stood out from Charlie Valencia when he fought Miguel Torres, which is the only fight of his that I remember off hand. Menjivar has a better camp and will have the hometown advantage. No time to research further. Ivan Menjivar via Decision.
Pearce- I don’t have time to research every fighter either so this is my time saver half ass pick also. Charlie Valencia Decision
Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen
Volkart - Ryan Jensen is 2-5 in the UFC. He’s about to be 2-6. Jason MacDonald via Sub, Rd 3.
Pearce- It becomes easy to be a Jason MacDonald fan he has a ton of heart and you can tell he likes to fight. I do not know how much Ryan Jensen is involved with Greg Jackson who came out with Ryan during weigh ins, but that don’t matter to me much. Jason MacDonald Decision
John Makdessi vs. Kyle Watson
Volkart - I’ve never been that impressed with anyone coming out of the H.I.T. Squad, one camp that I feel like is out of touch with the evolution of MMA in general. One of Goldie’s “Classic Striker vs. Grappler matches”. I’ll go with the undefeated Tri-Star trained prospect. John Makdessi via TKO, Rd 1.
Pearce- In Makdessi’s last fight he brought Tae Kwon-do to the UFC pulling off spinning sidekicks, an axe kick, a hook kick, and even a jumping switch kick. Don’t expect any of that against the bigger wrestling based Watson. Kyle Watson Decision
Pablo Garza vs. Yves Jabouin
Volkart - Garza’s TKO in his last fight still makes me cringe. I think he’s hungrier, despite the huge hometown advantage Jabouin willl have. The Canadians might start off the card 0-1. Pablo Garza via TKO, Rd 2.
Pearce- Pablo Garza is a 6’1” 145 lbs. scarecrow, such long limbs can be a fault.
Yves Jabouin rd 1 submission
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