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Kevin “The Fire†Burns (7-3-0) vs. TJ Grant (14-3-0)
Kevin Burns started off his UFC run in impressive fashion with victories over Roan Carneiro and Anthony Johnson, then suffering defeats to Anthony Johnson and Chris Lytle in his next two fights. Kevin Burns is also a veteran of the Victory Fighting Championships, where he defeated Matt Delanoit and Bobby Voelker, while suffering a defeat to Jason High. Kevin Burns is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his victories coming by knockout and submission. TJ Grant started off his run in the UFC with a victory over Ryo Chonnan, while then suffering a defeat to Dong Hyun Kim in his next UFC appearance. Before entering the UFC earlier this year, TJ Grant had already defeated UFC veterans Chad Reiner and Forrest Petz in non-UFC competition. TJ Grant is also a veteran of the King Of The Cage promotion, where he defeated Nicholas Portieous, Elmer Waterhen, Kevin Manderson and Stephane Lamarche, while suffering a lone defeat to Gary Wright. TJ Grant will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with twelve previous victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: TJ Grant
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
DaMarques Johnson (9-7-0) vs. Edgar Garcia (7-1-0)
DaMarques Johnson made it to the finals of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9, but lost to James Wilks in the finals of the reality show. DaMarques Johnson is a veteran of the Ultimate Combat Experience promotion, where he defeated Tim Panter, Harold Lucambio, Hank Weiss and William Layton, while suffering defeats to Justin Wright (twice) and Court McGee. DaMarques Johnson is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with eight victories coming by knockout and submission. Edgar Garcia made his UFC debut at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, where he lost to Brad Blackburn by split decision. Edgar Garcia also made a lone appearance in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, where he defeated Hiromitsu Miura. Until he suffered the loss to Edgar Garcia at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale, Edgar Garcia was on a seven fight undefeated streak that lasted nearly two years. Edgar Garcia will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with five victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: DaMarques Johnson
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Rousimar “Toquinho†Palhares (9-2-0) vs. Lucio “Spartan†Linhares (13-4-0)
Rousimar Palhares has had a successful run thus far in the UFC, defeating Ivan Salaverry and Jeremy Horn, while suffering a lone defeat to Dan Henderson. Rousimar Palhares was also a veteran of the Fury FC promotion, where he defeated Flavio Luiz Moura, Fabio Nascimento and Daniel Acacio. It has been nearly a year since Rousimar Palhares lasted competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Rousimar Palhares will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six previous victories coming by way of submission. Lucio Linhares will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a longtime veteran of the M-1 Challenge promotion. While in M-1 Challenge, Lucio Linhares defeated Moyses Gabin, Karl Amoussou, Kamil Uygun and Valdir Araujo, while suffering defeats to Hyun Gyu Lim and Mikhail Zayats. Before making his upcoming UFC debut this coming Saturday Night, Rousimar Palhares had already fought UFC veterans Tomasz Drwal and Sean Salmon in MMA competition. Lucio Linhares will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six prior victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Rousimar Palhares
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Johny Hendricks (6-0-0) vs. Ricardo “Golden Boy†Funch (7-0-0)
Johny Hendricks made his UFC debut at UFC 101, defeating UFC Ultimate Fighter 7 winner Amir Sadollah by knockout. Johny Hendricks has also spent time in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, defeating both Alex Serdyukov and Justin Haskins. Johny Hendricks will be riding a six fight undefeated streak into this fight, which had lasted over two years. Johny Hendricks will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout. Ricardo Funch will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a longtime veteran of the World Fighting League. While in the World Fighting League, Ricardo Funch defeated Calvin Bates, Justin Gould, Chandler Holderness and Woody Weatherby. It has been well over a year since Ricardo Funch last competed in an MMA fight, so conditioning could become a factor. Ricardo Lunch will be entering the fight on a seven fight undefeated streak, which has currently lasted over three years. Ricardo Funch will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Johny Hendricks
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
“Handsome†Matt Wiman (10-5-0) vs. “Sugar†Shane Nelson (12-4-0)
Matt Wiman has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Brian Geraghty, Michihiro Omigawa, Justin Buchholz and Thiago Tavares, while suffering defeats to Spencer Fisher, Jim Miller and Sam Stout. Matt Wiman is also a veteran of the Extreme Fighting League promotion, where he defeated Joe Garza, Greg Bossler, Vern Johns, David Franks and Thomas Grissom. Prior to entering the UFC in 2006, Matt Wiman fought UFC veteran Roger Huerta at a Freestyle Fighting Championship event in 2005. Matt Wiman is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with seven victories coming by knockout and submission. Shane Nelson has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating George Roop and Aaron Rley, while suffering a lone defeat to Aaron Riley. Shane Nelson is a longtime veteran of the Rumble On The Rock promotion, where he defeated Duke Sarigosa, Isaac Kuikahi, Tyler Kahihikolo, Aleka Rincon and Mike Cuban, while suffering defeats to Harris Sarmiento and Robert Villapondo. Shane Nelson is a fighter known for taking fights the distance, with seven victories coming by way of decision.
My Prediction: Matt Wiman
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Alan “The Talent†Belcher (14-6-0) vs. Wilson Gouveia (12-6-0)
Alan Belcher is a longtime veteran of the UFC, where he has defeated Jorge Santiago, Sean Salmon, Kalib Starnes, Ed Herman and Denis Kang, while suffering defeats to Yushin Okami, Kendall Grove, Jason Day and Yoshihiro Akiyama. Prior to coming to the UFC in late 2006, Alan Belcher fought UFC veteran Marvin Eastman at a World Extreme Fighting event in 2005. Alan Belcher is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with twelve victories coming by knockout and submission. Wilson Gouveia is also a longtime veteran of UFC competition, where he defeated Wes Combs, Seth Petruzelli, Carmelo Marrera, Jason Lambert, Ryan Jensen and Jason MacDonald, while suffering defeats to Keith Jardine, Goran Reljic and Nate Marquardt. Prior to entering the UFC in 2006, Wilson Gouveia had fought UFC veterans Jon Fitch and Rory Singer in non-UFC competition. Wilson Gouveia will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with seven previous victories coming by submission.
My Prediction: Alan Belcher
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez, right here on PWInsiderXtra on Saturday December 12th at 10pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
