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Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade†Davis (17-6-0) vs. Nate Diaz (12-5-0)
Marcus Davis has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Forrest Petz, Shonie Carter, Pete Spratt, Jason Tan, Paul Taylor, Jess Liaudin, Paul Kelly, Chris Lytle and Jonathan Goulet, while suffering defeats to Melvin Guillard, Mike Swick, Dan Hardy and Ben Saunders. Marcus Davis has fought the majority of his UFC fights overseas, with seven of his twelve UFC fights happening overseas. Marcus Davis was a contestant on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 2, which was won by both Rashad Evans and Joe Stevenson. Marcus Davis also competed in the Combat Zone promotion, defeating Shawn Gay, Renat Myzabekov, Andy Normington and Craig Gunder. Prior to entering the UFC the first time in late 2005, Marcus Davis had fought UFC veteran Thiago Alves at a Hardcore Fighting Championships event. Marcus Davis has had an interesting streak develop during his current UFC run, having fought in eleven straight UFC pay-per-view event. Marcus Davis, despite the nickname, has achieved more victories in his MMA career by submission, with eight total. Nate Diaz has had a successful run in his UFC career, defeating Manny Gamburyan, Cleuder Assuncao, Alvin Robinson, Kurt Pellegrino, Josh Neer, Melvin Guillard and Rory Markham, while suffering defeats to Clay Guida, Joe Stevenson and Gray Maynard. Nate Diaz entered the UFC after winning the UFC Ultimate Fighter 5, where he defeated Manny Gamburyan in the finals. Nate Diaz also competed in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion, defeating Alex Garcia, Gilbert Rael and Joe Hurley, while suffering a lone defeat to Hermes Franca. Nate Diaz is the brother of Strikeforce veteran Nick Diaz, who is the current Strikeforce Welterweight Champion. Nate Diaz began his UFC run in the UFC Lightweight Division, but has since moved into the UFC Welterweight Division, which is a division he is currently undefeated in. Like his brother Nick Diaz, Nate Diaz has also fought in the Strikeforce promotion, defeating Tony Juarez. Nate Diaz will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with eight victories coming by way of submission.
My Prediction: Nate Diaz
UFC Lightweight Division Fight
Kenny “Ken-Flo†Florian (13-4-0) vs. Gray “The Bully†Maynard (9-0-0)
According to UFC President Dana White, the winner of the Kenny Florian/Gray Maynard fight will be the top contender to the UFC Lightweight Title. Kenny Florian has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Kit Cope, Sam Stout, Alex Karalexis, Dokojonosuke Mishima, Alvin Robinson, Din Thomas, Joe Lauzon, Roger Huerta, Joe Stevenson, Clay Guida and Takanori Gomi, while suffering defeats to Diego Sanchez, Sean Sherk and BJ Penn. Kenny Florian was a contestant on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 1, which was won by both Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin. Kenny Florian has twice challenged for the UFC Lightweight Title, suffering defeats to both Sean Sherk and BJ Penn in those opportunities. Kenny Florian also competed in the Mass Destruction promotion, defeating Jason Giroux and Bobby McAndrews. Kenny Florian will be entering the fight riding a two fight winning streak, which has lasted over eight months. Kenny Florian will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with nine victories coming by way of submission. Gray Maynard is currently undefeated in UFC competition, with victories over Joe Veres, Dennis Siver, Frankie Edgar, Rich Clementi, Jim Miller, Roger Huerta and Nate Diaz. Gray Maynard started off his UFC run in auspicious fashion, fighting Robert Emerson to a no contest after Gray Maynard slammed his opponent to the ground and both fighters were knocked out. Gray Maynard was a contestant on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 5, which was eventually won by Nate Diaz. In an interesting career note for Gray Maynard, only one of his nine professional MMA victories came by another fashion other than a decision. Gray Maynard will be entering the fight riding a nine fight undefeated streak, which has lasted over four years. Gray Maynard is a fighter known for taking fights the distance, with seven victories coming by decision.
My Prediction: Kenny Florian
UFC Middleweight Division Fight
Damian Maia (12-2-0) vs. Mario Miranda (10-1-0)
Damian Maia has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Ryan Jensen, Ed Herman, Jason MacDonald, Nate Quarry, Chael Sonnen and Dan Miller, while suffering defeats to Nate Marquardt and Anderson Silva. Damian Maia recently challenged for the UFC Middleweight Title, suffering a defeat to current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112. Damian Maia was originally set to face Alan Belcher at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 22, but an injury suffered by Alan Belcher ended that fight and Damian Maia was moved to this card. Damian Maia, early in his MMA career, won the Super Challenge 1 Tournament by defeating Vitelmo Kubis Bandeira, Gustavo Machado and Fabio Nascimento. Damian Maia started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with an eleven fight undefeated streak that had lasted nearly eight years. Prior to entering the UFC in late 2007, Damian Maia had defeated UFC veteran Ryan Stout at a Gracie Fighting Championships event. Damian Maia will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with eight victories coming by way of submission. Mario Miranda has had an interesting run in the UFC, defeating David Louiseau and suffering a defeat to Gerald Harris. Prior to entering the UFC in early 2010, Mario Miranda had fought UFC veterans Joe Vedepo and Rick Story. Mario Miranda also competed in the Alliance Fights promotion, defeating both Chad Vance and Lorenzo Hood. It has been just over two months since Mario Miranda last competed in a professional MMA fight, so conditioning could play a factor in the fight. Mario Miranda started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with a nine fight undefeated streak that had lasted over three years. Mario Miranda will be looking to use his striking skills to win the fight, with five victories coming by knockout.
My Prediction: Damian Maia
UFC Heavyweight Division Fight
Randy “The Natural†Couture (18-10-0) vs. James Toney (0-0-0)
Randy Couture has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Tony Halme, Steven Graham, Vitor Belfort, Maurice Smith, Kevin Randleman, Pedro Rizzo, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Mike Van Arsdale, Tim Sylvia, Gabriel Gonzaga, Brandon Vera and Mark Coleman, while suffering defeats to Josh Barnett, Ricco Rodriquez, Vitor Belfort, Chuck Liddell, Brock Lesnar and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Randy Couture is also a former two time UFC Heavyweight Champion and former two time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Randy Couture also competed in the Rings promotion, defeating Jeremy Horn, Ryushi Yanagisawa and Tsuyoshi Kosaka, while suffering defeats to Mikhail Illoukhine and Valentijn Overeem. Randy Couture will be entering the fight with a huge MMA experience advantage over James Toney, having fought in twenty eight professional MMA fights. Randy Couture is also the oldest fighter currently on the UFC roster, competing at UFC 118 at an age of forty seven. Randy Couture will be looking to use his boxing skills to win the fight, with seven victories coming by knockout. James Toney will not only be making his UFC debut in this fight, but his professional MMA debut as well. James Toney is a former two time boxing heavyweight champion who has amassed a professional boxing record of 72-6-3. James Toney will enter the fight with a huge MMA experience disadvantage, as his opponent has a twenty eight fight edge on him entering the fight. James Toney will be entering the fight using his striking skills to win the fight, relying on his experience as a professional boxer.
My Prediction: Randy Couture
UFC Lightweight Title Fight
Frankie “The Answer†Edgar (12-1-0) (Champion) vs. BJ “The Prodigy†Penn (15-6-1)
Frankie Edgar is the current UFC Lightweight Champion, having defeated BJ Penn at UFC 112 to become the champion. Frankie Edgar has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Tyson Griffin, Mark Bocek, Spencer Fisher, Hermes Franca, Sean Sherk, Matt Veach and BJ Penn, while suffering a lone defeat to Gray Maynard. Frankie Edgar also competed in the Reality Fighting promotion, defeating Deividas Taurosevicius and Jim Miller. Frankie Edgar started off his MMA career in impressive fashion, with an eight fight undefeated streak that had lasted over two years. Frankie Edgar had also competed in the Ring Of Combat promotion, defeating both Mark Getto and Steve Macabe. Frankie Edgar was a feature on an episode of MTV True Life, focusing on his life as a professional MMA fighter. Frankie Edgar will be entering the fight riding a four fight winning streak, which has lasted over two years. Frankie Edgar will be looking to put the fight on the ground, with three victories coming by way of submission. BJ Penn has had a successful run in the UFC, defeating Joey Gilbert, Din Thomas, Caol Uno, Paul Creighton, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes, Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, while suffering defeats to Jens Pulver, Georges St. Pierre, Matt Hughes and Frankie Edgar. BJ Penn is a former UFC Lightweight Champion, who defeated Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 to win the championship. BJ Penn also competed in the K-1 MMA promotion, defeating Duane Ludwig and Renzo Gracie, while suffering a defeat to Lyoto Machida. BJ Penn has been on an interesting streak in the UFC, as he has either defended or challenged for a UFC title in his last six UFC pay-per-view appearances. BJ Penn was also a coach on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 5 opposite of Jens Pulver, the contest was won by Nate Diaz. BJ Penn is a fighter who is comfortable wherever the fight ends up, with twelve victories coming by knockout and submission.
My Prediction: BJ Penn
(Note: I will be providing live coverage of UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn II on PWInsiderXtra.com on Saturday September 28th at 9pm EST.)
You can contact David Tees at bigtees360@yahoo.com
