UFC 105: Lightning Round

Been a while since I've thrown around predictions, but I'm only going with three most prominent main card fights. I didn't watch Ultimate Fighter Season 9, nor have I ever seen Pearson or Wilks in action, so I'm passing.

Bisping vs Kang - Bisping is looking for a win after being on the receiving end of a likely candidate for knockout of the year, courtesy of Dan Henderson, at UFC 100. Kang is trying to do something he's had trouble with his whole career, string together a series of wins. Bisping is still not in the top mix at 185 lbs, but I still him as the favorite here. I see this being a standup battle that Bisping will control all the way to a unanimous decision win. Kang could make things interesting by trying to put Bisping on his back, where he seemingly never ends up. As long as Bisping avoids dangerous spots on the ground he should be alright.

Swick vs Hardy - Dan Hardy is a guy who has impressed me in both his Octagon fights. He seems to place himself as brawler, but he seems more like a slick counter-striker to me. And I honestly think people are sleeping on him in this fight. Swick has earned the right to be the favorite here, but who of signifigance has he ever beaten? This is his first real test at welterweight and he shouldn't make the mistakes Marcus Davis did if he wants to win. I'm picking Hardy in this one by split decision. Whoever wins should enjoy the moment while they can, before the realization that they have to train to be taken down and worked over for twenty five minutes by GSP in several months.

Vera vs Couture - Eventually Couture is going to lose his tenacious fighting spirit, but he's got a good chance of keeping it going in the main event. Vera dominated in his last fight, albeit in a methodical and lackluster way that won him no fans. He also has a history of cracking under pressure against tougher fighters. Both guys have very good clinches, so look for those exchanges. I would say Couture definitely has the wrestling edge, and even though Vera isn't helpless on the ground, he should have problems with Couture being able to control him. The striking favors Vera, but he might need to be a little looser with his hands than in his last fight to score points and damage, though once again he might worry about getting taken down. While Vera is a young, solid test at his new weight of 205, I still think Randy takes it, by unanimous decision.