LowKick.com Staff Predictions Special: UFC 139, M-1 Global, Bellator 58

UFC 139: Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua
LIVE on PPV, Saturday @9PM EST

Anton Gurevich: At the age of 40, Dan Henderson managed not only to stay relevant, but in my opinion, to become one of the top Pound-for-Pound fighters on the planet. Henderson's MMA intelligence is second to none, and plays a major role every time he competes inside the cage or ring. I expect Hendo to play it smart by avoiding Rua's striking and utilizing his superior wrestling skills. It's swim or sink in the UFC, and Hendo would definitely do everything in his power to make sure he swims to the UFC Light Heavyweight title shot. The H-Bomb is still there to make Rua pay for his mistakes, but wrestling will be the key in this one. Hendo via Unanimous Decision.

Joey Santosus: In what could very well be a title eliminator (especially if poor Rashad can't stay healthy), two iron-chinned veterans will battle it out in hopes of making a statement in San Jose. Though it's a match-up that many of us would have preferred to see years ago, both of these fighters still posses the same nasty knockout power that paved their way to legend status. Given room to work, Shogun's dynamic striking and speed advantage will likely give him an edge early on, but with the constant threat of a counter H-Bomb on his side, I expect Hendo to make use of his Greco-Roman background. Look for Henderson to drag the fight into deep waters, grinding and outworking the Brazilian en-route to a late stoppage or decision. Dan Henderson via 4th Rnd TKO.

Trent Reinsmith: Both Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua enter this fight coming off knockout wins, Henderson over Fedor and Rua over Forrest Griffin. With both fighters having a nice run of KO victories coming into this fight many are expecting this one to end abruptly. I wouldn’t bet the farm on that, in fact I see Henderson taking this one to the ground via his wrestling skills and grinding out the win. Henderson by unanimous decision.

Ryan Ventura: Dan Henderson has shown in the past that no chin is safe against his ‘H-Bomb’. Not only that even as an old man in the game he still has world class wrestling skills in Mixed Martial Arts. If Shogun wants to win this fight he has to use his speed and angles to avoid being popped by a big Hendo punch. He needs to work the legs of Hendo with low kicks to kill his mobility, but if he can’t do that Henderson has too many weapons in his arsenal to use against Mauricio Rua. Better clinch game, better ground game, and destructive power to me makes Hendo the favorite in this one. Dan Henderson 1^st round TKO.

M-1 Global "Battle of Legends": Fedor Emelianenko vs. Jeff Monson
LIVE on PPV, Sunday @7:30AM EST

Anton Gurevich: It's always hard to pick against someone like Fedor, but this time, I really feel like "The Last Emperor" is finally going to get that "W". Fedor looked focused and motivated during his training camp here in the Netherlands. He's ready. I want to believe he's ready. This is a must win situation for Emelianenko, who wants to prove his worth against the home crowd in Moscow, Russia. Fedor is much faster than Monson, and has a good-enough Sambo to prevent surprises on the ground. Emelianenko will come out guns blazing, and finish this encounter via TKO in Round 1.

Joey Santosus: Once considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko has experienced a fall from grace of sorts in his last three outings, dropping consecutive bouts against Dan Henderson, Antonio Silva, and Fabricio Werdum. Set to square off with "The Snowman" Jeff Monson in his homeland of Russia, Fedor will look to get back in the win column and head into the new year on a high note. Though Monson is not to be overlooked, the veteran lacks the knockout power of Henderson, the size advantage of "Bigfoot," and the element of surprise that aided Werdum in his submission win over Emelianenko. With that said, I expect Fedor to keep this fight upright and swing for the fences. How long Monson survives is up for debate, but I give him ten-minutes, max. Fedor Emelianenko via 2nd Rnd TKO.

Trent Reinsmith: If this fight had been suggested just a few years ago, it would have been laughed off However Fedor’s star has fallen over his last three fights, suffering two knockouts and one submission loss.  Monson’s goal will be to take this fight to the ground, while Fedor will look to keep it standing. That plan is probably Monson’s only chance at a victory. However, Fedor is no slouch on the ground, having 16 submission wins of his own, so he should be able to negate the submission attempts of Monson.  Look for Fedor to end this one via TKO in the first round.

Ryan Ventura: We already know Fedor is fresh off his three straight loses and he’ll be looking to return to his winning ways against ‘The Snowman’ Jeff Monson. Fedor will want to keep this fight on the feet and use his boxing. He doesn’t want to have a big guy like Jeff Monson on top of him, especially with his grappling credentials. I’m not exactly sure of the kind of shape Fedor is in as of this moment, but you’ll know for sure he’ll want to show and prove to his countrymen in Moscow that he still got it. If Fedor can’t keep it on the feet and it goes to the ground I give the advantage to Monson, but if it stays standing he’s going to add another head to the gigantic list of victories he’s collected over the years. Fedor Emelianenko 2^nd round TKO.

Bellator 58: Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler (Lightweight Title fight)
LIVE on MTV2 @9PM Pacific / 8PM Central

Anton Gurevich: I think Mixed Martial Arts fans around the world are up for surprise in this one. Michael Chandler is a serious opponent, even for a Top 5 Lightweight in Eddie Alvarez. The challenger has great wrestling skills, and a fantastic submission game that poses a real threat to Alvarez if the fight goes to the ground, and believe me, there's a good chance that this one goes to the mat. It's really interesting to see how motivated is Alvarez, because if he's underestimating Chandler, someone's impressive 7-fight winning streak is going to come to an end. I'll go for the upset here. Michael Chandler via Decision.

Joey Santosus: On Saturday night, the ever-growing big fish in a little pond, Eddie Alvarez, defends his Lightweight strap against Season 4 Tournament winner, Michael Chandler. Chandler, an undefeated prospect out of Xtreme Couture, has shown promise in his short professional career, utilizing his solid wrestling base and respectable power to pick up eight straight victories. However, while that may have been enough to earn him the title shot, the disparity in talent between Chandler's previous opponents (only three of which have winning records), and the fighter he'll step into the cage with this weekend, is much too enormous. Look for Alvarez to put on a boxing clinic standing before a desperate takedown attempt leaves Chandler's neck exposed. Eddie Alvarez via 2nd Submission.

Trent Reinsmith: Eddie Alvarez is on a seven fight winning streak since his last loss on December 31, 2008. His opponent, Michael Chandler is on an eight fight winning streak of his own.  Chandler, an accomplished wrestler, earned his shot at Alvarez by defeating Patricky Freire at Bellator 44. Freire was the best fighter that Chandler has faced in his career and Alvarez is definitely a step up for Chandler.  When all is said and done: Alvarez by unanimous decision.

Ryan Ventura: Eddie Alvarez is one of the best fighters in the world not fighting under the ZUFFA banner. He is in my opinion one of the best boxers in MMA and also has a very respectable ground game to compliment his boxing abilities. His resume speaks for itself and Michael Chandler will have his hands full. If Chandler can’t take Eddie to the ground, Eddie will just box him all day long till eventually the fight will be stopped. Eddie Alvarez 2^nd round TKO.