It is that time again, time for another edition of The Roaring Predictions and man am I excited about the UFC’s last card for the year.
Not only is it headlined by the two best heavyweights in the world, facing off in a highly anticipated rematch, it has guaranteed barn burner of a co-main event and is packed out with a bunch of championship effecting middleweight fights.
To round it all out we have fan favourite, Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben making his return.
But who will end the night with their hand raised and bring in 2013 in the best way possible? Find out here on the Roaring Predictions:
Junior Dos Santos (15-1) (c) v Cain Velasquez (10-1)
This one is so tight it isn’t even funny. These two are clearly the two best heavyweights in the world and could both reign at the top of the division for a long time. That said, both are very different fighters with different skills sets.
Velasquez has the most explosive wrestling of anyone in the division and while Dos Santos has got past the likes of Frank Mir, Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson, the Mexican’s speed makes him a much more dangerous proposition.
As noted by his one sided battering of ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, Cain is purely devastating when he is on top on the ground, so Dos Santos will have to do all he can to avoid being taken down.
On the other hand no one can match Dos Santos on his feet. Velasquez is no slouch standing up, he has good technique and the ability to knock guys out, but no one can match the crispness and power of the Brazilian. Dos Santos has been able to dominate the Octagon in his previous bouts to help keep the fight upright which could be a very helpful tactic in this bout.
If Velasquez cannot cope with the sustained barrage of punches he will surely cop as he tries to exert his will, he will be in for a painful night.
Prediction: Dos Santos by TKO in round three
Jim Miller (21-4) v Joe Louzon (22-7)
These two are such a fun match-up, not only do they both have great all-round skills but they can both transfer between all the facets of the game seamlessly. I see this one moving quickly from some back and forth striking to the ground where both will fight for submissions.
Louzon is the more aggressive of the two and probably a slightly better stand-up fighter however I’d give Miller the strength advantage in the match-up.
I think Louzon will have to take some big risks if he wants to take this one out whereas Miller can focus more on controlling the fight and grinding Louzon down.
Prediction: Miller by decision
Tim Boetsch (16-4) v Constantinos Philippou (11-2)
This one is going to be ugly folks, Philippou is talented and is coming off a four-fight win streak but he is the kind of guy who needs room to fight, which exactly what he won’t be getting by Boetsch.
Boetsch won’t get much love for it but his best bet will be to lay all over Philippou against the cage and beat him up from the clinch and on the ground.
Boetsch is a criminally underrated fighter who is coming off dual wins over Hector Lombard and Yushin Okami and should be right up there with Chris Weidman in line for a shot at the middleweight title.
Prediction: Boetsch TKO in round 2
Yushin Okami (27-7) v Alan Belcher (18-6)
These two pose a very intriguing riddle, I think it is fair to say that Belcher is a middleweight on the rise whereas Okami is probably on his way down the 185 pound rankings. Belcher is a tough cookie and hasn’t put a foot wrong since losing to Yoshihiro Akiyama way back at UFC 100.
Okami has always struck me as a guy who is either unwilling or unable to really seize on a moment of weakness from his opponent.
However I’m still giving Okami the nod here because I can’t see Belcher matching Okami’s strength and skill in the clinch and on the ground.
Prediction: Okami by decision
Chris Leben vs. Derek Brunson
Leben is a fan favourite and for good reason, his ability to survive the most ferocious brawls and keep coming forward is freaky, however his career has too often been punctuated by controversy and suspension for drug-related indiscretions.
The UFC is easing him back into the octagon here after a year on the sidelines and while Brunson could beat Leben in a pure wrestling match, The Crippler will have him out cold long before he can get any kind of ground dominance established.
Prediction: Leben by TKO in round 1
UFC 155 Preliminary Card fights start at 12pm EST with main card kicking off at 2pm.
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