UFC 105 predictions

You've got 3 great fights at UFC 105, live on Spike TV: Brandon Vera vs Randy Couture, Dan Hardy vs Mike Swick and Denis Kang vs Michael Bisping. These are all tough fights to call. I'm not really comfortable picking any of these fighters to win because it's so close. I've seen some oddsmakers reflect the fact that these are some pickem' battles.

For Couture/Vera, I'll go with Couture not because of the sentimental value and fact that he's a legend, great ambassador for the game and just been an MMA icon, but he's once again improving and adapting his game. I've seen and heard some interviews and it looks like he's going back to square one and what has made him successful in his career--wrestling. It's a good idea because Vera is a great striker, and as great a job as Couture did in his last bout against Nogueira, he was cracked a couple times as the Brazilian tagged him in rounds 1 and 3. Couture showed some tremendous heart in recovering from near consciousness separating shots from Nogueira, but "The Natural" of course can't rely on being able to take said punches and fighting back to recovery. He himself has admitted because he just fights for the sheer joy of competing and fighting in the Octagon, he has perhaps not had the razor sharp killer edge he may have possessed in the past as he is just having so much fun out there. Couture has recognized this and looks like he will make necessarily adjustments. Vera is a very dangerous opponent, a methodical and highly technical striker who possesses precision and power. He will bring his best as he takes on an idol of his in Couture, but I just feel that Couture's execution in this bout and ability to turn it into a wrestling bout will possibly give him an edge in this one. Couture by decision, 2 rounds to 1.

Dan Hardy versus Mike Swick is a great bout. Both fighters love to strike and that makes for a great fight for the fans. Hardy has looked great and has been getting better as he's been working with famed boxing trainer Freddy Roach. I just feel Swick's size and strength, fact that he has fought bigger guys at 185, and just reach and advantage and fast hands will help him win this bout. It's tough to call and both fighters have the potential to tag the other and make it a quick night. I'll go with a first round TKO win for Swick--both fighters are so explosive that I can see it ending in the first 5 minutes.

Denis Kang versus Michael Bisping is a very close fight. I imagine it'll be a close fight on the scorecards too. Bisping is very determined to erase the memory of his loss to Dan Henderson--a vicious KO at UFC 100, a pay per view that attracted perhaps the most eyeballs ever in the organization's history. Bisping is a proud fighter and is not use to losing and never being taking out via knockout. He will be at his best, but I just feel Kang is a very well rounded fighter and will also be able to decide if he wants to take the fight to the mat or not. He has quite a quick shot and good takedowns. Bisping has a good takedown defense, but I have just been quite impressed with Kang's takedowns and ability to do quite well on the feet, and handle himself on the ground. Despite a guillotine choke loss to Alan Belcher in Kang's second to last performance in the UFC, I still feel Kang is a terrific Jiu-Jitsu practioner for MMA, and does just fine in capitalizing on opportunities on the feet. This is going to be a war as both fighters are very determined and bring it every time out there. Bisping has the whole nation on his shoulders in Manchester, and Kang is out to make a name for himself in England and North America by defeating the very well-known Bisping. I'll go with Kang via decision, a very close one--29-28 on all 3 judges' scorecards.

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