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UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
“The Assassin” Houston Alexander (8-3-0) vs. Eric “Red” Schafer (9-3-2)
This is going to be a make or break fight for Houston Alexander, who lost two UFC fights in a row to Thiago Silva and James Irvin. Prior to the two losses, Houston Alexander was on an eight fight win streak with victories over Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara. The loss to James Irvin at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 13 was a historical one in the UFC because it was one of the quickest fights in UFC history, with the fight lasting eight seconds. Houston Alexander is a ferocious striker who will be looking to use those skills to attain victory, with five victories coming by knockout. Eric Schafer has had an up and down run in the UFC with a victory over Rob McDonald and losses to Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar. Eric Schafer got an invite to make his UFC return after defeating Ryan Antle and William Hill in the Gladiators Fighting Series promotion. In his fifteen professional fights thus far in his career, Eric Schafer has yet to have a fight go past the second round. Unlike Houston Alexander, Eric Schafer will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with six career victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: Houston Alexander
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Ed “Short Fuse” Herman (14-6-0) vs. Alan “The Talent” Belcher (12-5-0)
After losing to Kendall Grove in the UFC Ultimate Fighter 3 Finals, Ed Herman turned things around and was starting to become a contender in the UFC Middleweight Division, with victories over Joe Doerkson, Chris Price and Scott Smith, but a loss to Damien Maia at UFC 83 halted everything. With the wide open UFC Middleweight Division right now, Ed Herman could get a win and instantly put himself back into title contention. Ed Herman will be looking to put his opponent on the ground for the fight, with nine of fourteen career victories coming by submission. If Alan Belcher is ever going to be taken seriously as a contender in the UFC Middleweight Division, he needs to pull out a victory over Ed Herman to give himself a winning record in UFC competition. Alan Belcher has had an interesting run in the UFC, having victories over Jorge Santiago, Sean Salmon and Kalib Starnes while suffering losses to Yushin Okami, Kendall Grove and Jason Day. Unlike Ed Herman, Alan Belcher will be looking to utilizing his striking abilities to gain victory, with seven of twelve victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Ed Herman
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (23-9-0) vs. Mac Dazing (18-4-1)
Clay Guida has been a mere moment or two away from being a top contender in the UFC Lightweight Division, but several close losses to Roger Huerta, Din Thomas and Tyson Griffin kept him out of title contention. There has been big victories for Clay Guida in the UFC as well, with wins over Justin James, Marcus Aurelio and Samy Schiavo. Besides UFC opponents, Clay Guida has also fought the likes of Bart Palaszewski, Josh Thompson, Gilbert Melendez and Yusuke Endo. Clay Guida will be looking to put this fight on the ground, with twelve of twenty three victories coming by submission. Mac Danzig burst onto the UFC scene as the winner of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 6, then pulling off two victories in the UFC over Tommy Speer and Mark Bocek. Prior to entering the UFC, Mac Danzig fought in promotions like PRIDE, King Of The Cage, Gladiator Challenge and Extreme Challenge. At one point early in his career, Mac Danzig was on a twelve fight winning streak that lasted a little over two years. Mac Danzig does have the skills to match those of Clay Guida’s, with ten victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Clay Guida
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Nate Diaz (9-2-0) vs. Josh “The Dentist” Neer (24-6-1)
Ever since winning the UFC Ultimate Fighter 5, Nate Diaz has turned himself into a force in the UFC Lightweight Division with victories over Manny Gamburyan, Junior Assuncao, Kurt Pellegrino and Alvin Robinson. Prior to entering the UFC, Nate Diaz has fought in World Extreme Cagefighting, Pancrase, Strikeforce and Warriors Cup, with a loss to Hermes Franca in the WEC. A victory by Nate Diaz over Josh Neer could put him behind Kenny Florian and Joe Stevenson as a top contender to the UFC Lightweight Title held by BJ Penn. Nate Diaz will be looking to put this fight on the ground to utilize submissions, with seven victories coming by submission. Josh Neer is a vastly experienced who has fought top MMA fighters like Spencer Fisher, Kyle Jensen, Derrick Noble, Drew Fickett, Forrest Petz, Nick Thompson, Melvin Guillard, Joe Stevenson, Josh Burkman, Nick Diaz and Din Thomas. At one point in his career, Josh Neer was becoming a top contender in the UFC Lightweight Division, but losses to Nick Diaz and Josh Burkman knocked him out of the UFC. Josh Neer is a fighter who is comfortable with the fight on the ground and on the feet, with twenty career victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Nate Diaz
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
