ProMMAnow.com UFC on FX 8 staff picks

[ads1]The ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) staff weighs in with their thoughts and predictions for UFC on FX 8, headlined with a middleweight bout between former UFC light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce middleweight champ Luke Rockhold in his UFC debut.

Vitor Belfort (22-10) vs. Luke Rockhold (10-1)

UFC ODDS: Belfort +105 vs. Rockhold -125

DENNY HODGE: Vitor Belfort will have his hands full with the athleticism of Luke Rockhold. Belfort is always dangerous early, and can land with a swarm of strikes that can end fights quickly, but Rockhold will use his length and footwork to avoid dangerous early exchanges. As the bout wears on look for Rockhold to mix up his strikes and pick apart Belfort from multiple angles as he moves around the cage. Belfort will fade late while Rockhold just gets stronger on his way to his first UFC win. Rockhold by unanimous decision.

JAY CEE: Vitor Belfort looked good in his last fight against Bisping and really seems to be in good shape. Vitor has knockout power in both his hands and feet, but I feel Rockhold will be able to avoid Belfort’s power strikes in this fight. Both guys are well rounded and dangerous on the ground, so I can see this being quite a back and forth scrap. If the fight goes into the later rounds we may see Vitor fade, if this happens then it could provide an opportunity for Rockhold to finish. PICK: Rockhold wins via TKO (or Submission).

CHAD BUSH: Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold should be a fun match to watch. While Rockhold has a third as many fights under his belt, he has plenty more wins by percentage. All those knockouts by Belfort can’t be ignored either though. I believe these two wdsill take this match to the mat and will ultimately come down to a decision for Belfort.

KELVIN HUNT: Belfort could very well knock Rockhold out in the first round…that’s when he’s most dangerous…Rockhold is tough…the long layoff concerns me a bit…but the guys from AKA are typically in shape…so I think Rockhold wins a unanimous decision or finishes Belfort late as he begins to fade as usual.

BRIAN FURBY: Rockhold is a solid fighter, but he’s not on Belfort’s level. He knows this and he’s trying to distract Belfort with all of the pre-fight trash talk that includes dancing around just screaming that Belfort used to take steroids. Belfort is easily in the best shape he’s been in over the last five years. This is a major step up in competition for Rockhold and it won’t go well for him. Belfort by TKO in Round 2.

JACK BRATCHER: Rockhold’s ground game and conditioning will carry him through this fight. Belfort has the power advantage in the striking, but being this is a five-round fight, he’s going to fade. Rockhold with either win a unanimous decision or finish Belfort after round two. Make no mistake though Rockhold will win this fight DECISIVELY.

Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (17-3, 1 NC) vs. Chris Camozzi (19-5)

UFC ODDS: Jacare -550 vs. Camozzi +400

DENNY HODGE: There is no secret that “Jacare” is as dangerous as they come on the ground. Camozzi will want nothing to do with that battle, but the problem with that is, Souza has improved drastically on his feet. Camozzi will need a perfect night to win this bout. Look for “Jacare” to out land Camozzi while the fight is on the feet and then take Camozzi to the mat and finish this one quick. Souza by submission.

JAY CEE: This fight is a good test to see if Chris Camozzi is truly ready for the top end of the division. Camozzi is a good all-rounder with the ability to finish fights anywhere, but Jacare’s superior grappling skills could be the deciding factor here. Not to mention the fact that he is transitioning over from Strikeforce and will have a point to prove. With a home soil advantage and a dangerous skill set on the ground I have to go with Jacare to win this by submission. PICK: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza wins via Submission.

CHAD BUSH: Ronaldo Souza and Chris Camozzi will be a rough match. Souza will look to take the game to the ground as quick as possible while Camozzi will no doubt look to keep things standing. Camozzi will want to draw this out and try for a decision, but I believe Souza will ultimately overcome and take Camozzi out in the second round with a submission.

KELVIN HUNT: Souza is the best fighter Camozzi has faced….and it’s on short notice=not a good chance of winning for Camozzi. If Camozzi can make it an ugly fight and use his clinch game, he may be able to pull off a split decision win or something…other than that….Souza will be too much.

BRIAN FURBY: Camozzi is a gamer, but he’s way out of his league stepping up to face Souza. I think a quick flurry by Jacare stuns Camozzi and opens up a hole for a quick submission. Jacare by sub in Round 1.

JACK BRATCHER: Camozzi gets the biggest opportunity of his career fighting No. 8 ranked middleweight Jacare. Despite the fact it’s Jacare’s UFC debut, he will be in his home country and has been enough big fights he should be fine. Jacare is better than most and he should have little trouble dispatching Camozzi via submission in round one or two.

Rafael Dos Anjos (18-6) vs. Evan Dunham (14-3)

ODDS: Dos Anjos -200 vs. Dunham +170

DENNY HODGE: This is a big fight for both guys trying to break into the top 10, and both fighters have been on hot streaks coming in. Dos Anjos has found his power in recent bouts, showing improved stand up, but would rather battle Dunham on the floor. Dunham will not be afraid of tangling with Dos Anjos on the mat by any means, but will probably choose to test the stand up in this bout. Look for Dunham to land the cleaner strikes, while Dos Anjos angles for counter striking opportunities. In the end Dunham will outscore Dos Anjos on the cards. Dunham by decision.

JAY CEE: Rafael Dos Anjos will enter this fight full of confidence after three straight victories over very tough opponents, including Kamal Shalorus, Anthony Njokuani and Mark Bocek. Another big win definitely throws him into the mix, so he is unlikely to make many mistakes. Rafael tends to win fights by either submission or decision, but Evan Dunham has never lost via Submission, so it will be interesting to see what game plan Dos Anjos implements in this matchup. Dunham can finish fights anywhere, but has gone the distance in his last two fights. I think these guys will battle for three rounds with the better conditioned fighter coming out on top. PICK: Rafael Dos Anjos wins via Decision.

CHAD BUSH: Anyone expecting anything other than a long haul match between Dos Anjos and Dunham will likely be disappointed. These two will slug it out like Tyson and Holyfield; hopefully with less bodily injury. Both have decent ground game but I do not think either one will be able to land a successful pin or lock of any kind in the end. The decision will be split but ultimately fall in Dos Anjos’ favor.

KELVIN HUNT: Could be fight of the night…Dos Anjos looked like a killer in his last fight against the always tough Bocek. Dunham is always tough…and I think his pressure style could give Dos Anjos some problems…his BJJ is good enough to avoid submissions on the ground also…I think Dunham takes this one…but wouldn’t be surprised to see Dos Anjos continue his upward trajectory in the division.

BRIAN FURBY: Dos Anjos vs. Dunham is a very evenly matched fight. I don’t see either one having an easy time finishing the other and I think we’ll see a solid well-rounded fight for three rounds. Definite FON candidate here. Dunham by split decision.

JACK BRATCHER: I like this match-up a lot. Dos Anjos is currently ranked No. 10 among UFC lightweights. A win here for Dunham should break into the top 10, taking Dos Anjos’ spot. This one is almost a toss up for me. I like Dos Anjos home court advantage for the decision.

Rafael Natal (15-4-1) vs. Joao Zeferino (13-4)

UFC ODDS: Natal -320 vs. Zeferino +260

DENNY HODGE: It will be interesting to see which Rafael Natal shows up to introduce Joao Zeferino into the UFC. Both guys have good ground games and can win by submission, while Zeferino is more aggressive on the feet than Natal. Look for Zeferino to land as he moves into range, and for both guys to neutralize each other on the ground when it goes there. In the end Zeferino will do enough to earn the decision nod, while notching his first UFC win.

JAY CEE: Experience within the UFC octagon could be the deciding factor within this fight, because on paper Zeferino is a tough dude. “The Brazilian Samurai” is currently on a seven fight winning streak and has been defeating solid fighters on the regional circuit in Brazil. Natal has been fighting higher level opponents within the UFC, but has struggled to build any real momentum. I have a feeling we could see an upset here. Both men have good enough skills to cancel each other out on the ground, so the advantage could be obtained on the feet. I see this fight going the distance with Zeferino taking the decision. PICK: Joao Zeferino wins via Decision.

CHAD BUSH: Natal and Zeferino have yet to lose a match via submission as of yet. I believe this is the time. With both men entering the fight with four losses and a better than 50% submission win rate I would be surprised to see anything but a top level ground and pound game presented for fight fans. I think the game will be Zeferino’s and will come in the third round. Anything sooner would be a surprise.

KELVIN HUNT: Natal via UD….(why is this fight on the main card)…ugh…

BRIAN FURBY: I don’t know anything about Zeferino other than what I can find on the databases. This is his first UFC fight while it’s Natal’s 7th. Won’t be a long night for Zeferino. Natal by TKO in Round 1.

JACK BRATCHER: I’m with Kelvin. Not sure why this fight is on the main card. Seems preposterous. Zeferino is on a helluva win streak right now as he makes his debut in the big show. I‘ll take a chance on Zeferino by decision.
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