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Ben “Killa B†Saunders (8-2-2) vs. Dennis “Superman†Hallman (42-13-2)
Ben Saunders has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Daniel Barrera, Ryan Thomas, Brandon Wolff and Marcus Davis, while suffering defeats to Mike Swick and Jon Fitch. Ben Saunders also competed in the Absolute Fighting Championships, defeating Reggie Pena and Rick Delvecchio, while fighting Crafton Wallace and Diego Lionel Vitosky to draws. Ben Saunders started off his MMA career in auspicious fashion, with his first two fights ending in a draw. Ben Saunders was a cast member on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 6, which was eventually won by Mac Danzig. Ben Saunders will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout. Dennis Hallman has had an unsuccessful run in the UFC, defeating Matt Hughes, while suffering defeats to Jens Pulver, Frank Trigg, Jorge Rivera and John Howard. Dennis Hallman also competed in the International Fight League, defeating Delson Heleno and Jeff Quinlan, while suffering a defeat to Ryan McGivern. Despite competing on and off in the UFC for nearly a decade, this fight against Ben Saunders will mark the first time Dennis Hallman has had two straight fights in the UFC. It has been over eight months since Dennis Hallman last competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can be a factor in the fight. Dennis Hallman will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with thirty three wins coming by submission.
My Prediction: Dennis Hallman
UFC Heavyweight Division Fight
Stefan “Skyscraper†Struve (19-4-0) vs. Christian Morecraft (6-0-0)
Stefan Struve has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Dennis Stojic, Paul Buentello and Chase Gormley, while suffering defeats to Junior Dos Santos and Roy Nelson. Prior to entering the UFC in February 2009, Stefan Struve had already defeated UFC veterans Mario Neto and Colin Robinson. Despite competing in twenty three professional MMA fights, only one has gone to a decision for Stefan Struve, which speaks to the fighters finishing abilities. Stefan Struve is one of the taller fighters in the UFC, standing at a height of six feet and eleven inches tall. Stefan Struve will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with fourteen victories coming by way of submission. Christian Morecraft will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Cage Fighting Xtreme promotion. While in Cage Fighting Xtreme, Christian Morecraft defeated Josh Diekmann, Jason Dolloff and Lee Beane. Christian Morecraft also competed in the Reality Fighting promotion, defeating Eric Foley and John Curtis. Christian Morecraft will be entering the fight riding a six fight undefeated streak, which has currently lasted over two years. Christian Morecraft is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: Stefan Struve
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Charlie “The Spaniard†Brenneman (12-1-0) vs. Johny Hendricks (8-0-0)
Charlie Brenneman is currently undefeated in UFC competition, with a victory over Jason High at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 21. Charlie Brenneman also fought in the Valley Fight League promotion, defeating Mitch Whitesel, Phillip Wyman and George Sheppard. Prior to entering the UFC in March 2010, Charlie Brenneman had fought UFC veteran John Howard at a Ring Of Combat event. Charlie Brenneman will be entering this fight riding a seven fight winning streak, which has lasted well over a year. Charlie Brenneman will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with five victories coming by knockout. Johny Hendricks is also undefeated in UFC competition, with victories over Amir Sadollah, Ricardo Funch and TJ Grant. Johny Hendricks also competed in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, defeating Justin Haskins and Alex Serdyukov. This fight against Johny Hendricks will mark the one year anniversary of Johny Hendricks UFC debut, which was at UFC 101. Johny Hendricks will be entering the fight riding an eight fight undefeated streak, which has lasted nearly three years. Johny Hendricks will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with four victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Johny Hendricks
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
Tim “The Barbarian†Boetsch (11-3-0) vs. Todd “Bulldog†Brown (11-1-0)
Tim Boetsch had an interesting first run in the UFC, defeating David Heath and Michael Patt, while suffering defeats to Matt Hamill and Jason Brilz. Tim Boetsch also fought in the Extreme Challenge promotion, defeating Hazem Ibrahim, Oleg Savitsky and Brendan Barrett. It has been over a year since Tim Boetsch last competed in the UFC, which was a loss to Jason Brilz at UFC 96. Tim Boetsch will be entering the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly a year. Tim Boetsch is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with all of his victories coming by knockout and submission. Todd Brown will be making his UFC debut in this fight, but he is a veteran of the Michiana Fight League promotion. While in the Michiana Fight League, Todd Brown defeated Mike McKenzie, Ron Fields and Robert Turner. Todd Brown will be entering the fight riding a seven fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly three years. It has been over nine months since Todd Brown last competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can become a factor in the fight. Todd Brown will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with six victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Tim Boetsch
UFC Light Heavyweight Division Fight
“Mr. Wonderful†Phil Davis (6-0-0) vs. Rodney “Sho Nuff Da Master†Wallace (9-2-0)
Phil Davis is currently undefeated in UFC competition, with victories over Brian Stann and Alexander Gustafsson. Phil Davis has also fought once in the Palace Fighting Championships, defeating Josh Green by TKO in the opening round. Phil Davis will be entering the fight riding a six fight undefeated streak, which has lasted well over a full year. Phil Davis enters the fight as a late replacement for Stanislav Nedkov, who suffered an injury during his training camp. Phil Davis is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with four victories coming by knockout and submission. Rodney Wallace is currently winless in UFC competition, having suffered defeats to Brian Stann and Jared Hamman. Rodney Wallace did win a one night tournament in the Vendetta Fighting Championships promotion, defeating Gregory Millard, Aaron Stark and Antwain Britt. Rodney Wallace started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a nine fight undefeated streak that had lasted well over a year. It has been nearly a year since Rodney Wallace last won an MMA fight, which was over Antwain Britt at a Vendetta Fighting Championships event. Rodney Wallace will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with two victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Phil Davis
UFC Welterweight Division Fight
Dustin “McLovin†Hazelett (12-5-0) vs. Rick “Horror†Story (10-3-0)
Dustin Hazelett has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Diego Saraiva, Steven Lynch, Jonathan Goulet, Josh Burkman and Tamdan McCrory, while suffering defeats to Tony DeSouza, Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley. Dustin Hazelett is also a veteran of the Extreme Challenge promotion, defeating Mike Cardosa, Victor Moreno and Chad Reiner. Dustin Hazelett once took a whole year off from MMA competition after suffering a serious knee injury. This fight will mark the first time in seven months that Dustin Hazelett has competed in an MMA fight, so cage rust can be a factor in the fight. Dustin Hazelett will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission. Rick Story has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Brian Foster, Jesse Lennox and Nick Osipczak, while suffering a lone defeat to John Hathaway. Rick Story also fought in the Elite Warriors Championship promotion, defeating Jake Paul, James Dodge, Ryan Healy and Brandon Melendez. Prior to entering the UFC in June 2009, Rick Story had fought UFC veteran Jake Ellenberger at a Sport Fight event. Rick Story will be entering the fight riding a three fight winning streak, which has lasted nearly a whole year. Rick Story will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with three victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Dustin Hazelett
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen right here on PWInsiderXtra on Saturday Night August 7th at 10pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
