UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez

[RobbyRoy]

Hopefully there's no injuries in the next 6 days...

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - I've been going both ways on this one. I know a lot of people are expecting Nog to get outwrestled but pull out the sub, but I'm backing Velasquez to avoid the subs and get a decision. I'm kind of hoping for a stand up battle though.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - Can't go against Wanderlei here. I hope he provides some fireworks but Bisping is no mug. His stupid gameplan made him look like one against Henderson, but I think he'll be ready here. Still, Wanderlei TKO Round 2.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - I really hope I get this wrong but Stevenson is a huge test for George. They both looked awesome in their last fights but I'm going Stevenson decision.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Big step up for Bader but he should be too much for Jardine. His wrestling should overwhelm Jardine and he has huge power in his hands, and we all know about Jardine's chin. TKO Rd 2.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - Imagine this fight 5 years ago. Rothwell probably wouldn't still be fighting if he had faced prime Cro Cop. But he's in with a real chance here. Well maybe not real, but if Cro Cop is as slow and gun-shy as his last fight, he could get a decision. Holding out hope for Cro Cop LHK Round 1.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - Haha dunno about this one. Hopefully we get a nice ground battle.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Toss up but I think Bonnar has slight advantages everywhere. If I'm wrong, it's probably the end of his UFC career.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lyttle vs Brian Foster - Lyttle caus I love him.
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Dollaway will avoid the stand up you'd think but Reljic is dangerous on the ground. Dollaway has a habit of getting caught too so he'll have to be careful. Intriguing battle against two talented youngsters.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - I saw Te-Huna a few years ago against Lombard in Geelong but he didn't show much before he hurt his shoulder. Big chance for him here though.

This should be a pretty decent event and I hope all those going have a great time.

 

[Ross]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - hope I'm wrong and there is a good chance Nog can pull out the sub, but if Cain feels like he's being outworked on the ground he can stop taking Nog down and fight on the feet, where it's going to be pretty even, Cain controls where this fight takes place though and that might be enough to swing it his way if it goes the distance
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - again tough to call, if Wand can get his aggression back he could swarm all over Bisping for a highlight reel finish, if he's tentative like he was against Franklin he'll probably be outpointed, one to thing to look out for is Bisping going for the takedown as he could damage Wand with his ground and pound, I'm probably going with Wand out of loyalty here
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - massive step up for Sots, the other four UFC fights he's won his opponent has been cut after the fight, Stevenson will probably outmuscle him on the ground and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets the TKO stoppage
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Bader's the favourite here but Jardine badly needs this win, he's got pretty good takedown defense so I'm going with the Dean by decision by outpointing Bader on the feet
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - another loyalty pick, Rothwell is much larger than him and if he gets Cro Cop down he's probably not getting back up that round, Cro Cop's finally realised he can't hang with the best if his training partners are his barber and his drinking buddy though, he moved to Holland to train with some of the best K-1 strikers for this fight so I'll give yet him another chance

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - also no idea, guessing Elvis by sub, Haseman apparently despises him though
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Soszynski wouldn't have lost to Coleman, that's enough for me to tip him here
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lyttle vs Brian Foster - Lytle by decision
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - great to see Reljic back after nearly two years on the shelf, hopefully he caps it off by subbing CB quickly
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - going with the UFC vet, and besides Te-Huna is a Kiwi

 

[Arecsa]

We're so close now. Cant wait to get over to Sydney for this.

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - Massive step up in competition for Cain. Big Nog is back and is too experienced for Cain, he'll choke him out in round 2.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - Really looking forward to this. Wandy needs this win. FOTN.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Can't see Joe losing this, too good for George.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Big fan of Bader, great wrestler with heavy hands. Should get the win here, wont gas himself out like he did in his last fight.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - Starts off the old Pride like card, hope he can turn back the clock and give us a massive KO. Left leg cemetary head kick, round 1.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - Elvis has evolved more than Chris, should avenge his loss.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Don't rate either of these guys at all, should be a close fight though. Bonnar wont be going anywhere though if he loses his 3rd fight in a row, has a job for life in the UFC along with Forrest.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Foster - I like Lytle here, FOTN specialist, if Wandy/Bisping doesn't get it this one fight will.
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Watch for the patented Dollaway fake tap. Goran via sub though.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - No idea here. I'll go with Te-Huna.

 

[Vendrell]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - Nogueira to rock Velasquez with his superior boxing like he did to Randy. Only difference is Velasquez doesn't have Randy's experience and won't be able to escape. As soon as Brown Pride falls to the mat, Minotauro will end it with an anaconda choke.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - I love Wanderlei but he's past it. Sure, he could catch Bisping with a big KO but Bisping's smarter than that after the Hendo fight and won't let it happen. Wanderlei is 1-5 from his last 6 fights!!! And that only win was against Jardine. If his name wasn't Wanderlei Silva he'd have been cut by the ufc already. I've got Bisping ending it in round 2 with a TKO.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Everyone knows this is a massive test for George but I think it's his time to step up. The only worry is if Joe Daddy hits him with a few big shots and slows him down because we haven't seen George's chin tested yet. I think George has the superior conditioning and is so active and aggressive on the ground that he'll pull out a sub.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Bader by boring lay-n-pray. Would be cool if Techno Viking got the KO though.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovicvs Ben Rothwell - Oh dear, this is the one fight I'm struggling to pick. Rothwell to take Cro Cop down and get a TKO.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - The King of Rock & Rumble by submission which will kick start his ufc rebirth like a phoenix rising from the ashes!
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Come on Bonnar! If he can't win this, he may as well neck himself. I like Krzysztof but Bonnar needs this badly.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Foster - Fan favourite Chris Lytle by decision.
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Reljic is back! Reljic by KO
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - Pokrajac is one of Cro Cop's boys but I'm going with Te-Huna by KO.

 

[RobbyRoy]

George's chin was tested in his TUF loss. It was a massive shot from a massive bloke though.

 

[Magnum]

Exactly, and Joe Daddy has nowhere near the power of Tommy Speer.

as for me:

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - very tough to pick here. It really comes down to whether Nog has it or he doesn't. This fight we'll find out. If Nog is still close to his best form, I'd pick him in an instant, so its with hesitation I do here as I think he is slowing down. By how much I'm not sure. Either Valasquez gets a 'wrestlers' decision win, or Nog takes it by sub or TKO. 50/50 here, wouldn't be suprised if Cain does enough to take 2 rounds and then defends and stalls out the last round. But a loyalty pick is Nog Sub, round 1!
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - Cannot pick against Wand. Yes as mentioned Wand has gone 1-3 in his UFC return, but look at the comp - a close decision loss to Chuck in his return to the cage, Jardine, Rampage, and then a razor close loss to Rich. Before that was absolutely prime Cro Cop and Hando... Wand also is hindered by the watered down rules in the UFC so he probably needs more time than most to adjust. He might not have anything of what he was during 02-05, but what he has left is enough to KO Bisping. As long as he isn't outpointed all day, I expect him to take this by TKO or KO. He also needs to have a decent cut to 185 as it's his first time at that weight.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Just too big of a step up for George. George is awesome on the ground, but unless he gets it they, he's gonna lose a D. I'd also watch for Joes guillotine if he gets lazy or in desparation goes for a TD.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Bader's got this, unless Jardine somehow gets a hard shot in or Bader screws up royally on the ground.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - Plase CC, dominate Rothwell. I just can't see you like this from how good you were in Pride.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - Going for the King here. Haseman is more past his prime, and Elvis is still training hard at SPMA and is always dangrous off his back. PLus he's fought tough comp in every one of his UFC fights - Horn, Tito, Tanner, Babalu, Forrest, Bisping, Sakara...all good guys. I don't expect a great fight, but I gotta go for the King. Elvis by Triangle, round 1.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - I think Bonnar. Better standing and easily good enough on the ground to handle Krzysztof
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Foster - Lytle by D
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Reljic by TKO or Sub. Good to see him back.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - Pokrajac, more well rounded and will get the takedown from some ground work. Survived 3 rounds with the janitor and showed a bit, so he'll get the W here, by D.

 

[Deej]

I'll be betting on this card, first time I've done that, just to add a bit of spice to my experience at acer.

I'm going to take:

Cain
Wand
Joe daddy
Dean of mean
Cro cop
Elvis
Bonner
Lights out Lytle (by ko)
Reljic
and Te Huna via home crowd roaring

If bispings odds blow out due to support for wand then i may back bisping at value, as this is wand's first go at 185 we dont know how he'll cope with the cut, also power-wise, although you'd think speed should improve??.

Should be f-ing magnificent afternoon up there i am pumped.

 

[Arecsa]

I see Nog is the underdog vs Cain. I'm all over it. Minotauro will be covering my flights and ticket. Go Nog!

 

[billyboutsis]

heading off on friday...cant wait

 

[_GJ_]

I leave for Sydney tomorrow morning. I am psyched about this. I have scored aewsome seats and an invite to the Bisping post fight drinks. I am estatic if it is true.

People who think Wand will TKO the Count are delusional. The Count is a machine. The ironic thing is that he was actually winning the second round against Henderson before he got caught - he want make the same mistake of straying onto his opponents power hand.

Wand will be dangerous for about the first 30 seconds - if the fight goes any longer than that then the Count will knock the Axe Murderer out.

 

[Rack Watts]

The main thing that worries me about the Sotirop v Joe Dad fight is the fact that Stephenson trains at Greg Jacksons Submission Fighting, and with him there is Kyle Noke who has previously beaten George before, quite a signifigant advantage you would think.

Anyhow, my votes

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez UD
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs. Michael Bisping KO (Bisping is scared)
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader KO
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipović vs. The Hippo. (Obv)

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs. Chris Haseman SUB
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski UD
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs. Brian Foster TKO
Middleweight Bout: C.B. Dollaway vs. Goran Reljic SUB
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs. Igor Pokrajac UD

 

[RobbyRoy]

People who think Wand will TKO the Count are delusional. The Count is a machine. The ironic thing is that he was actually winning the second round against Henderson before he got caught - he want make the same mistake of straying onto his opponents power hand.

Wand will be dangerous for about the first 30 seconds - if the fight goes any longer than that then the Count will knock the Axe Murderer out.

I'm starting to feel the same way. We briefly saw the real Axe Murderer against Jardine but I think he's nearly done. Bisping is in his prime and ready to go. Can't wait to see what happens.

 

[stuart27]

I'm so god damn excited, huge weekend ahead. Mate's bucks party on the Saturday, leading into 7am flight to Sydney, then UFC 110

My musings

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez Decision
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs. Michael Bisping TKO
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos Decision
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs. Ryan Bader KO
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipović vs. Ben Rothwell KO

Preliminary Card

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs. Chris Haseman Submission
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Krzysztof Soszynski Decision
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs. Brian Foster Decision
Middleweight Bout: C.B. Dollaway vs. Goran Reljic TKO
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs. Igor Pokrajac Decision

Going to be so awesome, cannot wait. Hurry up Sunday.

 

[Forrest Gimp]

I hate seeing Cro-cop fight these days. He's lost the "eye of the tiger" so to speak. It looked like he just gave up on the sport at the end of his last fight. Dos Santos is an awesome young talent, but prime cro-cop would have destroyed him. It's just kind of sad to see...

 

[Vendrell]

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - very tough to pick here. It really comes down to whether Nog has it or he doesn't. This fight we'll find out. If Nog is still close to his best form, I'd pick him in an instant, so its with hesitation I do here as I think he is slowing down. By how much I'm not sure. Either Valasquez gets a 'wrestlers' decision win, or Nog takes it by sub or TKO. 50/50 here, wouldn't be suprised if Cain does enough to take 2 rounds and then defends and stalls out the last round. But a loyalty pick is Nog Sub, round 1!

This should give you more confidence. Speed and agility FTW!

[youtube]KuADkcp7QMQ[/youtube]

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - TKO Nog's getting on now, think the young pup might just have too much for him.

Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - TKO same tale as the first fight, Bisping was super impressive vs Kang and Wandi has looked on the way out for a while though. Hope I'm wrong as the ax murderer is a favorite from way back.

Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Sub. Too much of a step up from what Sotiropoulos has faced before.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - KO. Jardine's style might throw Bader at first,, but I think Bader is gonna do big things in this division and this shouldn't be too much of a stepping stone.

Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - KO. Rothwell looked absolute s**t the last time we saw him.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - Sub. Sinosic to turn back the clock and win by Gogoplata.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Decision. Tough as nails but Bonnar looks to be on the way out and Soszynski has looked better in each fight.

Welterweight Bout: Chris Lyttle vs Brian Foster - Decision

Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Decision

Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - Decision

 

[_GJ_]

I'm starting to feel the same way. We briefly saw the real Axe Murderer against Jardine but I think he's nearly done. Bisping is in his prime and ready to go. Can't wait to see what happens.

Yeah, it was a tad disconcerting when Jardine was having a fit in the middle of the octogon.

The thing about Bisping is that from all reports he has a vast frame. A mate of mine claims to have seen Bisping in the flesh about 1 month out from UFC 83 - he is apparently a huge guy who would not look out of place playing No.8 in a Union side.

I just hope the Count chooses Song 2 as his entrance music again.

 

[Strike Swiftly]

I posted this in the other thread

Live press conference about to start

http://storefront.contentdirect.tv/p...6-199616012fac

 

[gytre]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - Really hard one to pick. The up-and-comer versus the veteran. I'm going to go with experience, though. Big Nog by sub.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - I just haven't seen enough from Wanderlei in the UFC to suggest that he's going to win this. He just seems like a fighter in decline, whereas I think following the Henderson loss Bisping is only going to get better. Bisping by decision.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Like everyone else here I'll be madly supporting Sots. But as suggested, Stevenson is a high quality opponent who will probably spoil the party. He wins by sub.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Bader by TKO. He's only going to get better and will be too good for Jardine, as crafty as he is.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - Rothwell by TKO. I just haven't seen enough quality from Cro-Cop in the UFC to suggest a change of fortune.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - I don't know Haseman at all, but hopefully Sinosic. By sub.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Bonnar has to show something again. He looked so talented when he first came into the UFC. He needs to find that again. I'm sure it's there somewhere.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lyttle vs Brian Foster - Lyttle knocks Foster out. You can bet it'll be entertaining, as Lyttle fights always are.
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - I don't remember Reljic very well, but I'm going to go with my heart because I can't stand Dollaway.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - No eye deer.

 

[SBI]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - I reckon Cain is the real deal. Understand Nog is a real step up from Rothwell and Kongo, but Velasquez was very impressive against them and I don't think Nog is anywhere near the fighter he once was. TKO win.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - Really important match for both men, but I think Bisping is pretty quality despite how stupidly he fought Henderson. Wanderlei probably needs to finish it otherwise he'll go down by decision.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - Huge step up for Sotiropoulos here and probably too big a step up. Let's face it, if this card wasn't in Australia I don't think he'd get the fight. I hope he proves me wrong, but I think Joe Daddy is going to be too much.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - Much like George this is a huge leap up the card for Bader, and Jardine has everything to fight for. He's sort of teetering on the edge and is such a difficult fighter to predict, but I think he'll win here.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - Who ****ing knows with Cro Cop? He was awful against JDS, but hopefully that was a blip on the radar. As many have said, in his prime he'd be way too much for Rothwell but if he loses here he should seriously consider giving it away.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - Bye bye Bonnar.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lyttle vs Brian Foster
Middleweight Bout: C.B Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - Absolute despise Dolloway and hope he gets ****ed up. Huge break between fights for Reljic; first since May 08.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - Admittedly never seen Te-Huna, but I'll go with the Croat.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - I think Cain has a the size and wrestling to control Nog... He'll want to avoid submissions, but I don't think he'll want to stand and bang, as Nog's superior boxing skills are the thing that he has most in his favour.

Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - Bisping needs this win. He looked strong against Kang, and Wanderlei is getting older. Wouldn't surprise to see The Axe Murderer with a brutal knockout though.

Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - It's unreasonable to predict a win from Sots, but I like the aggressive BJJ style he's shown in his previous UFC fights. Still, Stevenson's BJJ is as about as strong, and Sots probably can't even get him to the ground. Either a knockout or decision for Joe Daddy, probably.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - I'm going with the young kid. Bader is a monster in terms of size, and Jardine has looked pretty crap lately. I think Bader can take him down and GnP him for the win, or at the very least get the decision.

Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - The PRIDE Cro Cop doesn't exist anymore. I'd be as happy to see him return to something like that form, but I think Rothwell is going to give him the business.

 

[neddy36]

The thing about Bisping is that from all reports he has a vast frame. A mate of mine claims to have seen Bisping in the flesh about 1 month out from UFC 83 - he is apparently a huge guy who would not look out of place playing No.8 in a Union side.

I saw Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 108 and barely could recognise the dude. He was at least 205 pounds. The way these guys cut weight is phenomenal.

Ok my picks:

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - I would really love to see Big Nog win here and I will be cheering for him at the arena but I just think Velasquez's takedowns, GnP and conditioning will be too much for him. I would love to see "Brown Pride" subbed.
Middleweight Bout: Wanderlei Silva vs Michael Bisping - I, like most on here would love to see Wandy KTFO Bisping but I can picture Bisping weathering the early storm and grinding out a decision.
Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - I see this going similar to the TUF2 finale with Stevenson/Cummo, there will be some quality sub attempts but I think Daddy will muscle his way out of them and get the decision.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Keith Jardine vs Ryan Bader - No doubt Bader tries to take Techno Viking to the ground and enforce some ground and pound. Conquering the 205 gatekeeper should see Bader get a legitimate opponent for his next fight. Bader by TKO.
Heavyweight Bout: Mirko Filipovic vs Ben Rothwell - I think some people are under-estimating how well Cro Cop went against a fighter (JDS) that has never been to the 2nd round in any of his fights and has walked through the likes of Werdum, Struve and Yvel. I hope he captures some past glory and gets a spectacular KO on his resume.

Undercard

Light Heavyweight Bout: Elvis Sinosic vs Chris Haseman - Elvis has to avoid the chin to the eyesocket this time. Grinds out a gassed decision.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar vs Krzysztof Soszynski - from what I read, Bonnar has had his best lead up to a fight in a while. I am going with my heart here and hope Stephan comes through with the win. Bonnar by TKO.
Welterweight Bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Foster - Lytle in a barnburner hopefully. Lytle by TKO.
Middleweight Bout: Clarence Dollaway vs Goran Reljic - I certainly hope Clarence Dollaway gets KO'd by Reljic but he is like a cat with nine lives, he may find a way to survive once again. Let's hope not.
Light Heavyweight Bout: James Te-Huna vs Igor Pokrajac - going home ground advantage here, as he is a Kiwi fighting in Sydney

 

[RobbyRoy]

The thing about Bisping is that from all reports he has a vast frame. A mate of mine claims to have seen Bisping in the flesh about 1 month out from UFC 83 - he is apparently a huge guy who would not look out of place playing No.8 in a Union side.

Yeah he's a big fella. He's gotta be 6'1+ and when not leading into a fight, he can carry a fair bit of weight.

Main Card

Heavyweight Bout: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Cain Velasquez - I think Cain has a the size and wrestling to control Nog... He'll want to avoid submissions, but I don't think he'll want to stand and bang, as Nog's superior boxing skills are the thing that he has most in his favour.

Lightweight Bout: Joe Stevenson vs George Sotiropoulos - It's unreasonable to predict a win from Sots, but I like the aggressive BJJ style he's shown in his previous UFC fights. Still, Stevenson's BJJ is as about as strong, and Sots probably can't even get him to the ground. Either a knockout or decision for Joe Daddy, probably.

The word out of AKA is that Velasquez is an animal on the feet. We've yet to see it obviously, and he might not want to test it against such an experienced fighter, but I believe it.

Sots will not submit Stevenson. I think Stevenson can win any number of ways but George's best chance is to stay active and try and win a decision.

Damn I wish I was going to this. I can't even watch the Countdown show tonight because I don't have One HD. Anyone know when it'll be on foxtel?

 

[SBI]

I saw Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 108 and barely could recognise the dude. He was at least 205 pounds. The way these guys cut weight is phenomenal.

Johnson always looks massive against his opponents, and it is no surprise he's prone to missing weight. Huge dude.

 

[Ross]

The injury curse has struck this card at the last minute. Elvis has hurt his shoulder and his fight with Haseman is off completely while Rothwell has pulled out with illness against Cro Cop, he's being replaced by Aussie Anthony Perosh.