Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin
Zeidler: Gotta go with Silva here. Irvin should be stronger than Silva, but it shouldn't matter. The Spider is better on the ground, standing up, and in my estimation, he's already won the mental battle.
Arnold: Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the world. Irvin could get in a lucky punch like he did against Houston Alexander, but I don't see that happening. SILVA
McKinnell: For me this is kind of a "no brainer," I'm picking Anderson Silva everytime. If "The Sandman" James Irvin is going to pull it off, it's gonna be a one shot type of ending. We will see if James really can take,"30 to get my 10[strikes]" against Anderson--I have a feeling this one is ending early.
Kutler: Irvin will put up a decent shot, he has the opportunity to knock just about anyone out. Silva will be too quick, and far more advanced in the stand up game for him though.
Brandon Vera vs. Reese Andy
Zeidler: Vera was a talented HW, but he just wasn't big enough. He should look like Bisping does at 185 -- faster, stronger, better. Expect an early finish here.
Arnold: Vera is too well rounded for Andy. Andy is obviously going to try to take the fight to the ground, but Vera is still a boss on the ground. VERA
McKinnell: The truth's debut at 205 should be pretty stock. Andy is a tough IFL vet but he doesn't have near the skills to take out a guy like Brandon Vera, plain and simple.
Kutler: Vera will outclass Andy on the feet, and stuff almost all of his early take down attempts.
Hermes Franca vs. Frankie Edgar
Zeidler: I'm pals with Frankie, so I'm a little bit biased, but I think that Franca's layoff has been too long for him to look sharp.
Arnold: Franca is returning from his steroid suspension, so he has something to prove. I'm sure he trained like a madman for this fight and he's really good on the ground. FRANCA
McKinnell: I am a little biased, I love Hermes Franca. I think he really is championship material. With an opponent like Frankie Edgar waiting in the wings, we really are going to see if Hermes is ready for another shot at the big time. This is going to be fight of the night, hands down. Look for Hermes to put on a striking display against the New Jersey wrestler, in Frankie Edgar.
Kutler: Edgar will win this fight via a decision. Franca will win the stand-up war, but Edgar's pace is too much, and he will overpower Franca, keeping him on the mat.
Cain Velasquez vs. Jake O'Brien
Zeidler: Cain is the future of this division. No question. Don't need to say anything else.
Arnold: Lately everyone has been hopping on the "Cain-train"...and I'm one of those people. 3 fights, 3 knockouts. I'd like to see another one. VELASQUEZ
McKinnell: Cain Velasquez is a monster. I've said it before and I'll say it again, this guys is going to be champion in the next 4 years. He has it all and he's only getting better--when this kid's striking gets to a "B" level, everyone who stands in his way is going to get crushed. He has the potential to be one of the first "super athletes" in the Heavyweight division. I feel sorry for Jake O'Brien.
Kutler: Cain Velasquez will be the more active fighter, should be able to squeak out a decision or a TKO.
Anthony Johnson vs. Kevin Burns
Zeidler: Johnson is one of the more explosive fighters I've ever seen. He needs to finish early or else Burns could take it, but I'm confident that this won't leave round 1.
Arnold: This one is tough since we don't know too much about these guys..especially Kevin Burns. But I'm going to give this one to Burns. His triangle choke on the Black Belt BJJ expert Roan Carneiro (in a fight that he took on short notice) was daamn impressive. BURNS
McKinnell: Anthony Johnson is quick and explosive, and Burns should be another nice test for the young up and comer. With that said, Johnson is KO'ing this guy in the first round.
Kutler: If "Rumble" lives up to the hype, he'll be able to take out Burns with relative ease. His striking will be the difference.
Jesse Taylor vs. CB Dollaway
Zeidler: Dollaway has consistently underperformed in the UFC, but I don't think Taylor has the skills to beat CB. This is the coming out party.
Arnold: I was talking to CB's manager about an interview like a month before the fight. He said I'd have to wait until after the fight. First of all, what good is a post-fight interview unless there is some controversy? Second of all, it's a month before the fight. Can CB not take 15 minutes out of his schedule now? I doubt he's training 24 hours a day. I actually think he's cool...but...TAYLOR
McKinnell: It's not that I want Taylor to win per se, I just want Dolloway to lose. I don't like his smirk...I know, it might not be "fair", but come on. Seriously?! Maybe I'm just bitter that I picked him from the start (like everyone else..) to win the Ultimate Fighter and he choked...yeah that's it.
Kutler: CB is the better wrestler/striker in my opinion, no matter where it goes, CB should be able to be in control.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia
Zeidler: Sylvia is very awkward to fight and should be in good shape, but Fedor is Fedor. The Russian destroyed Nogueira, who handily beat Sylvia. I usually steer clear of MMAth, but in this case, the logic seems to make sense.
Arnold: FEDOR via rape, pillage and plunder. (see thread: "Why Fedor Won't Lose...Ever")
McKinnell: My heart wants to go with Timmeh on this one, but I can't pick against "The Last Emperor". Fedor is the greatest fighter on the planet, when he is actually fighting people. A win over Tim Sylvia would make a huge impact on his already stellar career. And with two more shows coming up this year and a Heavyweight stable that includes names like, Arlovski, Barnett, Rothwell, and Rizzo--it would seem that the Russian will have no lack of quality opponents. I do want to say this though--the people who are thinking Tim Sylvia is a can, or he is going to get "throttled","owned", or "KTFO" are going to be sadly mistaken. I truly believe this could be one of the best heavyweight fights in the history of MMA, and I'm warning you, don't be surprised if "The Maine-iac" actually pulls off the upset. I won't be.
Kutler: Sylvia's strikes from a distance, and likes to paw his jab, if he was more of a power puncher, I'd give him a better chance. But if Randy could take Sylvia down and control him, you have to think Fedor can do the same.
Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo
Zeidler: I'm a huge Barnett fan. Rizzo has seen his day come and go. Should be an easy one for JB.
Arnold: I can't wait for this fight. Barnett coming off 2 Sengoku wins, Rizzo coming off 2 Art of War wins. Both coming off wins over Jeff Monson. I'm a big Josh Barnett fan though (that isn't a good reason to pick him for a fight, but it's cool). BARNETT
McKinnell: Even with The Rock's little ressuregence these past couple of years, I still don't think he is going to be able to beat Barnett in this rematch. Barnett is one of the best Heavyweight fighters in the world and he will show that with a win over Rizzo on Saturday night.
Kutler: Rizzo won't be creating a repeat of his oldschool highlight knockout over Barnett. Josh will absolutely dominate him, winning by submission or TKO.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell
Zeidler: Even with the layoff, AA is still one of the top ten strikers in the game.
Arnold: Simple. I have been more impressed with Rothwell as of late than I have with Arlovski. ROTHWELL
McKinnell: This was the hardest pick in my opinion. To be honest I have no idea who is going to take this fight but I'm thinking AA has the advantage in almost every facet. The biggest advantage the Belarussian will have, will be his experience. Andrei Arlovski has been on the main event many times, and Rothwell may very well be a bit intimidated by, "The Pitbull". Either way, this could be an epic fight, I fully expect Big Ben to stand with Andrei, it's just a matter of Andrei wanting to give the fans a show or not.
Kutler: This is Rothwell's biggest test yet, Arlovski has been in there with some of the best in the world, and is looking to prove the UFC management wrong. Arlovski wins by KO in impressive fashion.
Matt Lindland vs. Fabio Negao
Zeidler: Lindland, via wrestling and experience.
Arnold: Lindland is a monster and I love him...but I'm calling the upset. NEGAO
McKinnell: How could I pick against "The Law" when the dude seriously is THE LAW now! One of the hardest workers in MMA, Matt Lindland will win easily over Negao on Saturday. Hopefully, very soon, we will see him in there with some top ten competition.
Kutler: Lindland will do what he does best, take the fighter to the ground, and control top position. Decision or TKO.
Renato Sobral vs. Mike Whitehead
Zeidler: I really like Babalu here. He's become somewhat of a journeyman, but he's still dangerous and supremely talented.
Arnold: Again, this isn't a good reason to pick a fighter...but Sobral became one of my favorite fighters when he put David Heath to sleep. I enjoy how sudden and surprising knockout can be, but as we know I LOVE submissions. Sobral brought the brutality of a knockout into a submission when he refused to let Heath go. Sobral is badass as hell. SOBRAL
McKinnell: Once again, I'm biased. I love Renato "Babalu" Sobral. The dude is mean as hell, and I like it. I was at the David Heath fight, and I applauded him. Heath disrespected him at the weigh in's and Sobral made him pay. Not unlike the disrespect of coming into the cage with a Gracie in the past 30 years--that, "you come in here and I'm going to hurt you" is what got me hooked on MMA. So yay, Babalu, and I hope you win--because being mean in MMA is cool.
Kutler: Babalu needs a win, and he's going to be one pissed off dude. Will be a back and forth fight, but Babalu should be able to win, either by decision or submission.
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