For each of the big show cards we like to get the opinions of a few of the PRO MMA (promma.info) staff writers to share who they think will win and why.
UFC 98: EVANS vs. MACHIDA takes place this Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card will be a UFC Light Heavyweight Title Fight between “Sugar” Rashad Evans and Lyoto “The Dragon ” Machida.
Check out our picks and let us know what you think. Do you agree or disagree and why? Is one of the guys just completely off his rocker or is someone right on target? Feel free to share your picks as well. If you use our knowledge to win some money, we do accept tips.
UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Rashad Evans (No. 1 LHW, No. 6 PFP) vs. Lyoto Machida (No. 4 LHW)
Dusty – Machida. I think Rashad will get him down, but Machida is just so smart of a fighter I think he will submit Rashad.
Jeff – Rashad Evans wins. Im pulling for the underdog on this one. As I’ve said many times before, I didn’t like Evans style in the beginning. But, with every fight, Evans improves and evolves with the sport. He is at the top of his game and trains with the best. When everyone picked Forrest to beat him, I picked him to win, and we saw what happened there. I think it will go to a decision, but wouldn’t be surprised if Evans gets a TKO in this one. I honestly think Rampage is the true number one contender and poses the only threat to Rashad at this point.
Jack – As much as I like Evans and as great as he is, Machida is on a different level. He’s a urine drinking Samurai for goodness sakes! Machida out-points Rashad for a five round decision.
Matt Hughes (No. 10 WW) vs. Matt Serra
Dusty – Hughes. He is just too strong for Serra. Hughes is taking this fight seriously and Serra can’t surprise him like he did GSP the first time they fought. I think Hughes by Ground and Pound.
Jeff – First off, let me go on record as saying, this fight means absolutely nothing whatsoever to the MMA landscape. With that said, as much as I honestly don’t care for either one of these fighters, I would like to see Serra submit Matt Hughes, but I am picking Hughes to win this one. His wrestling and GNP is just too much for Serra and I see Hughes getting the win.
Jack – I am also picking Hughes. Serra has shown me nothing in years that would indicate he could defeat Matt Hughes. He has a puncher’s chance but that is about it.
Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
Dusty – Miller. Sonnen has been submitted three out of four of his UFC fights and Miller has won three out of his last four fights by submission.
Jeff – This one is tough to call. Both come from very good wrestling backgrounds, but Sonnen has faced much stiffer competition. Miller has finished most of his fights by decision, and Sonnen has most of his losses coming by way of submission. With that said, I’m going with Sonnen on this one, by decision.
Jack – Dan Miller by submission for what Dusty said.
Sean Sherk (No. 6 LW) vs. Frankie Edgar
Dusty – Sherk. Edgar lost to Gray Maynard and Sherk is as good of a wrestler and will control Edgar and ground and pound his way to a decision, but it will be close.
Jeff – This fight has the potential to be fight of the night. I am picking Sherk to win this, probably by TKO in the 3rd round. He has a lot more experience and his only losses came at the hands of Matt Hughes, GSP, and BJ Penn.
Jack – Sean Sherk will win this fight. His boxing is outstanding and has improved greatly. Sherk by TKO round two.
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
Dusty – Nover. The pressure is sort of off now and he will show the skills that Dana White was so high on. Bradley hasn’t looked good in his last two fights at all.
Jeff – I’m going with Nover here. Bradley has been TKO’d in his two fights for the UFC and is on his way out.
Jack – Although Bradley’s two UFC losses were to very tough guys, I think it’s Nover’s time to shine. It could be close though. Nover by decision.
Chris Wilson vs. Brock Larson
Dusty – Larson. Wilson just went through a very scary experience in Brazil. I think it will hurt his focus and Larson has only lost twice to top ten fighters Fitch and Condit. Wilson to me just doesn’t have enough to beat Larson.
Jeff – I have to go with Larson in this one. He has fought a lot tougher opponents and has only lost twice. He has 17 submissions to his credit, and is a monster of a wrestler.
Jack – Larson has a lot of momentum coming into this fight and will be too much for Wilson.
Patrick Barry vs. Tim Hague
Dusty – Barry. I feel very bad for Tim Hague’s legs because they are going to be throbbing. Barry has thunderous leg kicks which he will use to soften Hague up then drop a hook in for a KO.
Jeff – Although Hague has the size advantage, I’m going with Barry in this one. No matter who wins in this one, it should end via knockout.
Jack – This is going to be a real test for Pat Barry. Hague is the Canadian KOTC Heavyweight Champion and has a ton more MMA experience than Barry. That said, if Hague stands and trades with Barry without using other skills it could be a short night. Tough one to call but I’m going with Barry.
Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Dusty – Pokam. This is a little hard to pick because both like to strike and could KO the other. I’m going with Pokam because I think he is the more technical striker and he recently did an interview with PRO MMA.
Jeff – “Professor X” wins this one by KO. His first fight for the UFC was a bad outing, but I look for him to come out strong, and quickly overwhelm McFedries.
Jack – Gotta give the love to “Professor X.” However, this is going to be a tough fight. McFedries has that smart Miletich game on his side that can really negate a striker’s weapons. I’m going with the Professor though because I want him to win and I know he can do it. Check out his recent interview with us HERE.
Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff
Dusty – Yoshida. I think he will get Wolff down and submit him just like he did War Machine. Wolff is very tough and will put up a good fight though.
Jeff – Yoshida wins this one.
Jack – Both guys are coming off a loss but I just feel Yoshida is the more talented fighter and will finish Wolff with a second round (T)KO.
David Kaplan vs. George Roop
Dusty – Roop. His reach will be a bit much for Kaplan and he should be able to frustrate him with his jab. I think Kaplan will shoot and maybe get caught in a guillotine.
Jeff – Although neither has looked overly impressive, Roop wins via submission.
Jack – Hmmm…a fight you really have wonder if either of these guys belong in the UFC yet. However, I’m going with Roop because he has a lot more experience inside the cage and has not lost to Junie Browning.
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Dusty – Gusmao. In his last fight he was surprised by Jon Jones and it cost him a decision. Soszynski is looking for nothing more than a Kimura which will be a challenge, but Gusmao will defend and I think end up KO’ing him.
Jeff – Gusmao brings in a good record, but “K-Sos” has the experience, by far in this one. Soszynski wins by decision.
Jack – Soszynski is on a great run and has been in the cage with some of the best in the game. His experience, confidence, and momentum will carry him through with a first round victory.
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