UFC 102 Picks

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UFC 102 is tonight so let’s go right to my picks:

Chris Tuchscherer (17 – 1) vs Gabriel Gonzaga (10-4) Gonzaga has fought the better quality of fighters, but Tuchscherer is no slouch. If he can get through the first round and make use of his All-American wrestling skills, he should be able to take the win. My pick: Tuchscherer by decision.

Krzysztof Soszynski (18-8-1) vs Brandon Vera (10-3) Vera is favored because Soszynski seems made to order. Vera is bigger, and more skilled.  Still, I’ve never been a Brandon Vera fan. I’m pulling for the upset in this one however… My pick: Vera by decision.

Demian Maia (10 – 0) vs Nate Marquardt (28 – 8 – 2) This could be the best fight of the night. I like both of these fighters. It’s hard to go against an undefeated talent like Maia, but… My pick: Marquardt in a close decision.

Jake Rosholt (5 – 1) vs Chris Leben (18 – 6) I’m not a huge fan of Leben, but even I can’t deny he is one tough fighter. If Rosholt sticks to wrestling, he could have a very good shot at an upset. My guess is Leben won’t let him. If Rosholt tries to slug it out with Leben, game over. My pick: Leben by decision.

Thiago Silva (13 – 1) vs Keith Jardine (14 – 6) Keith Jardine goes into every round looking for the knockout.  Silva won’t want to trade with Jardine.   Jardine shouldn’t want to take it to the ground with Silva. This could make for a very tactical fight… it could also end up a snooze fest if Silva refuses to stand and trade in order to set up a takedown. My pick: Jardine by decision.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1) vs Randy Couture (16 – 9)  I like both of these fighters.  Couture is older and has had less fights. Both are coming off of losses [Nog was KO’d by Frank Mir and Couture was KO’d by Brock Lesnar]. Both need the win in order to remain at the top of the MMA food chain. My pick: Couture by KO. [And the fact that Couture is co-starring in “The Expendables” had very little to do with my decision. ; ) ]