UFC 159 Predictions

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UFC 159 takes place tonight.

Starting at 8pm EST we have the UFC Prelims on FX.  This portion of the card includes:

  • Erik Perez vs. Johnny Bedford
  • Gian Villante vs. Ovince St. Preux
  • Sara McMann vs. Shiela Gaff
  • Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

Then at 10pm EST we move over to pay-per-view for the main event fights.

  • Jim Miller vs. Pat Healy
  • Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
  • Roy Nelson vs. Cheick Kongo
  • Michael Bisping vs. Alan Belcher
  • Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen

While I’ll be watching the prelims, my interest is in the main event.  So, let’s take a look at my predictions:

  • Jim Miller vs. Pat Healy
    Thoughts:     I give the edge to Miller in both striking and grappling.
    Prediction: Miller with a decision win.
  • Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
    Thoughts:     Davis is the better striker.  If it goes to the mat it will be Davis’ wrestling vs Magalhaes bjj.
    Prediction: Davis with a decision win.
  • Roy Nelson vs. Cheick Kongo
    Thoughts:     Anything can happen when heavyweights bang.  Nelson has a better chin and one punch KO power.  You do the math.
    Prediction: Nelson wins via KO.
  • Michael Bisping vs. Alan Belcher
  • Thoughts: This fight has generated the most trash talk and should be a very interesting and competitive fight.  I give the edge to Bisping’s grappling, and he may need to rely on that.  Belcher has KO power and Bisping may discover that if they stay standing.
    Prediction: Bisping wins via decision.
  • Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen
  • Thoughts: If Sonnen wins it will be the greatest upset in MMA history.  After tonight Matt Sierra will still hold that record.
    Prediction: Jones wins via stoppage.