UFC 90 Preview

Josh Burkman Vs. Pete Sell

Pete Sell is always a tough opponent, but he is on a 3-fight losing streak and in need of a win badly. Will that make him go for broke or come out cautious? Burkman who is on a 2 fight losing streak and lost 3 out of his last 4 bouts is also in need of a win. This fight could be a winners stays in the UFC type bout. While I believe they are evenly matched on their feet, Burkman probably has better wrestling and can control the ground. His conditioning is going to be better than Drago as well. I believe Burkman will weather an early storm and come up with a TKO victory late in the 2nd round.

Hermes Franca Vs. Marcus Aurelio
Former training partners both coming off losses. Franca had some ring rust in his last fight after the year suspension. Aurelio is coming off a decision loss to top contender Tyson Griffin. Look for some sparks to fly early but Aurelio to control the bout to a decision victory.

Dan Miller Vs. Matt Horwich
A battle that could have been a title fight in the IFL, Horwich the former 185lbs champ out of Matt Lindland’s Team Quest, and Dan Miller from the east coast. Matt holds the edge in experience, and has a huge upside with his open minded approach to improving as a fighter and student of life. Dan is very under rated and is finally getting the stage to display his skills. This is a hard one to pick. Matt holds the advantage in experience and his conditioning is out of this world. His striking has improved and his wrestling and ground are solid. Miller hasn’t really been tested, but has some solid submission skills of his own. Look for Horwich to keep the fight in the clinch and work for takedowns against the fence in classic Team Quest fashion and control the fight for a decision win.

Spencer Fisher Vs. Shannon Gugerty
Fisher is one of the most exciting and complete fighters in the 155lbs division. He is taking on submission fighter Shannon Gugerty. Shannon should have a good showing and come out to fight with nothing to lose in a battle with Fisher. Fisher will be too much and take a late TKO victory

Thales Leites Vs. Drew McFedries
McFedries has been up and down in the UFC. Leites on the other hand has been on a roll lately with four wins in his last five bouts. Look for him to out work McFedries and score a decision win or maybe a late submission.

Sean Sherk Vs. Tyson Griffin
The two best pure wrestlers in the lightweight division lock horns in this bout. The winner will be the one who makes less mistakes. Sherk didn’t do himself any favors by abandoning his wrestling roots to show off his hands against BJ Penn. Look for the always in shape muscle shark to return to what he knows best in this bout. Griffin will look to keep the fight standing and will bring sold knees and fast strikes from long range and in the clinch. Sherk’s takedowns may be too much as he will control the fight and top position earning a workman like decision win.

Fabricio Werdum Vs. Junior Dos Santos
Werdum, who is a BJJ world champ, and now with the help of the world renowned Chute Boxe Academy, has a showcase fight on his hands with Junior. Fabricio should be in line for a title shot after the four man UFC tournament plays out. At 31 years old he is coming into his prime and should be a force in the UFC Heavyweight division for the years to come. Look for Werdum to exchange and gain top position before earning a TKO victory.

Rich Clementi Vs. Gray Maynard
This match features two exciting lightweights that are both often overlooked. Clementi is on a 6-fight win steak and has been very busy this year. Maynard is still unbeaten and is coming out of Xtreme Couture’s camp as an underrated contender in the lightweight division. Don’t expect Maynard to let Clementi rest in this fight as he will be in better condition and the stronger fighter. He should out work Clementi on his way to a decision win.

Josh Koscheck Vs. Thiago Alves
Koscheck comes in as a late replacement for Diego Sanchez, which actually makes a more compelling matchup. Alves, who has had weight issues in the past, should be the bigger of the two fighters at 170lbs. Rumor is he walks around at 210lbs and cuts to 170lbs. All that weight should make Koscheck the better conditioned of the two fighters. If Alves can keep the fight on his feet, he could give Koscheck fits with his superior arsenal of strikes. Kos will look to exchange and get it to the ground to work ground and pound. The control factor will go to Koscheck, but Alves is always one big shot away from putting his opponent to sleep. Look for Alves to continue his push to the title with a KO of Kos in the 2nd

Anderson Silva Vs. Patrick Cote
The only way Anderson Silva loses this fight is if the curse of being featured on All Access with Rachelle Leah comes to fruition. Silva is just too good and has all but cleaned out the 185lbs division with his surgical striking and masterful all around game. Silva by KO/TKO in the first round.