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Previewing the UFC 85 televised card

 

 

UFC Heavyweight Division Fight

Fabricio “Vai Cavalo” Werdum (10-3-1) vs. Brandon “The Truth” Vera (8-1-0)

 

A few months back, the UFC actually named Fabricio Werdum the number one contender to the UFC Heavyweight Title held by the estranged Randy Couture. Fabricio Werdum is a well traveled heavyweight fighter who has already fought in the PRIDE organization. In fact, Fabricio Werdum has even defeated former UFC Heavyweight Title top contender Gabriel Gonzaga, once in the UFC and once in the Jungle Fight promotion. Fabricio Werdum is a fighter known for his submission ability and is ever improving in the striking aspect of MMA, and he has never been knocked out or submitted in his career thus far. Brandon Vera was on tap to become a challenger for the UFC Heavyweight Title, at the time held by Tim Sylvia, but a contractual issue with his former management group knocked him out of contention. Prior to suffering his first loss to Tim Sylvia at UFC 77, Brandon Vera was an undefeated fighter with eight straight wins. Also, Brandon Vera defeated the current top contender to the UFC Interim Heavyweight Title, Frank Mir, at UFC 65. Brandon Vera is a fighter known for his striking and knockout ability, with six career victories coming by knockout.

 

My Prediction: Brandon Vera

 

UFC Middleweight Division Fight

Nate “The Great” Marquardt (29-7-1) vs. Thales Leitas (12-1-0)

 

Nate Marquardt is one or two victories away from getting his rematch with current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, whom he lost to at UFC 73. Nate Marquardt is a seven time King Of Pancrase and was the first ever middleweight King Of Pancrase in MMA history. In a UFC historical note, Nate Marquardt was the winner of the first ever UFC Ultimate Fight Night event, defeating Ivan Salaverry by decision. Nate Marquardt is a fighter known for both his striking and ground game, but seems more comfortable using his striking abilities. Thales Leitas is a fighter who has so far gone unnoticed in the UFC, winning three of four UFC fights since making his UFC debut in November 2006. Thales Leitas holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus has won the Copa do Brasil championship in 2002 and 2003. Thales Leitas is primarily a submission fighter who is known for his conditioning, so taking the fight to the ground will be his best chance to get victory.

 

My Prediction: Nate Marquardt

 

UFC Welterweight Division Fight

“The Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis (14-3-0) vs. Mike “Quick” Swick (11-2-0)

 

In a crowded UFC Welterweight Division, the winner of this Marcus Davis/Mike Swick fight could put himself in contention for the UFC Welterweight Title. Marcus Swick is quickly becoming noticed by the UFC as “Mr. Bonus” for having the most exciting fights on the cards and earning post fight bonuses from the UFC. Marcus Davis is currently on an eleven fight win streak, last losing a fight in 2005 to Melvin Guillard at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale. Marcus Davis is becoming known more and more for his striking ability, but has actually won more career fights by submission. Mike Swick was one fight away from possibly earning a UFC Middleweight Title fight, before losing to Yushin Okami at UFC 69. Twice before in his career, Mike Swick has gone on a five fight win streak, with five career victories coming by knockout. In his first two UFC victories, the total fight time was a mere forty two seconds, but it was be his hand speed that could gain him victory.

 

My Prediction: Marcus Davis

 

UFC Middleweight Division Fight

Michael “The Count” Bisping (15-1-0) vs. Jason “Dooms” Day (17-5-0)

 

With the current lack of contenders for UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, a victory by Michael Bisping could put him in the top contenders plateau. Prior to suffering his first career loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 78, Michael Bisping dominated the UFC and United Kingdom MMA scenes by going undefeated in fourteen straight fights. Michael Bisping put himself in the UFC by winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 3, before winning four straight UFC fights. Michael Bisping is primarily a striker who has won ten career fights by knockout, but his conditioning may be a factor as he lost fought a little over a month ago in April 2008. Jason Day is a fighter who has yet to make a name for himself in the UFC, despite defeating former UFC Middleweight Title top contender David Louiseau and current WEC Lightweight Title top contender Marcus Hicks. Jason Day has already fought in top notch MMA organizations like King Of The Cage, Rumble In The Cage and TKO. Jason Day is a fighter who is comfortable keeping the fight on the feet or down on the ground, with eight career victories by knockout and another eight by submission.

 

My Prediction: Michael Bisping

 

UFC Welterweight Division Fight

Matt Hughes (42-6-0) vs. Thiago “Pit Bull” Alves (14-3-0)

 

On the UFC All Access special on Spike TV, Matt Hughes stated that he wants another fight with current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, that road begins at UFC 85 when he takes on Thiago Alves. Matt Hughes has easily been the most dominant welterweight fighter and UFC Welterweight Champion in UFC history. In his MMA career, Matt Hughes has gone on win streaks of eighteen fights, thirteen fights and six fights. Matt Hughes took the ground and pound style invented by Mark Coleman and took it to whole new levels during his time in the UFC. Oddly enough, the last fighter defeated by Thiago Alves, Karo Parisyan, was originally scheduled to face Matt Hughes at UFC 56 until and injury put him on the sidelines. Thiago Alves said that he has disliked Matt Hughes ever since Matt Hughes made a slighted comment about him during a training session. Thiago Alves returned from a drug test failure and suspension by the California State Athletic Commission to go on a three fight win streak in the UFC. Previously, Thiago Alves fought and lost to current UFC Welterweight Title top contender Jon Fitch at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5. Thiago Alves is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who has won nine career victories by knockout, with four victories coming by decision.

 

My Prediction: Thiago Alves