UFC 117: Silva vs Sonnen Predictions
Posted on August 7, 2010, 05:55 AM by Anton GurevichAnderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will square off this Saturday at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California for the UFC Middleweight title, in a headliner of the stacked UFC 117 event. The picks for the event will be closed Today at 3PM E.T. If you are yet to submit your picks, please visit the "Events" section. For the full UFC 117 Weigh-ins gallery please visit CombatLifeStyle.com
Here's the predictions of LowKick.com staff about who will win this night on the UFC 117 Main Card:
UFC Middleweight Title Fight: Anderson Silva (26-4) vs Chael Sonnen (24-10-1)
Most popular prediction: Anderson Silva via Round 2 TKO
Daniel Cassidy: The talking is done. Now all that matters is what happens when the cage door closes. Sonnen fully believes in himself, and soon we will find out if he can actually deliver on his promises. Nobody can deny Silva is easily one of the best and most exciting on a good day, and will need to be his best to beat Sonnen. He will look to throw Silva to the mat at every opportunity and control him. While Silva could arguably end it by KO at anytime, i think Chael could just squeeze out a victory, especially with how he so efficiently shut down Nate, so I’m going with an upset: Sonnen R4 TKO (Ground and Pound)
Anton Gurevich: I was about to root for Chael Sonnen in this fight, but the Oregonian’s behavior on final days before the bout, filled me with a good amount of skepticism. I firmly believe that the key in this fight is Chael Sonnen and how he’s going to approach Anderson Silva. Mentally focused Sonnen in a “Beserk Mode” can cause a lot of troubles for “The Spider”, and maybe grind out a decision after 25 minutes of Ground-and-Pound. But Chael’s recent denial of what he said about Lance Armstrong, Tapes of Anderson Silva and the Press Conference staredown made me doubt his abilities. Anderson Silva via R1 Submission.
Matt Hughes (44-7) vs Ricardo Almedia (12-3):
Most popular prediction: Matt Hughes via Decision
Daniel Cassidy: Three years ago, and you would be crazy to pick against the UFC Hall Of Famer. But at 36, can he still run with the newer breed? Hughes striking has always been one of the weaker aspects of his game, and while Almedia has an excellent arsenal on the ground, he possesses a good enough level of stand up to give Hughes problems. Almedia is comfortable on his back as Hughes is on top, but Almedia has plenty of submissions. I see Hughes putting Almedia on his back a few times, but succumbing to a submission in the second or third. Almedia R3 Submission
Anton Gurevich: Many people for some unknown reason consider Matt Hughes much older than Ricardo Almeida, despite the insignificant three-year difference between the two. What will play the most important part in this fight is Matt Hughes’ experience and an incredible ability to force his own game on opponents. Ricardo Almeida has never faced someone of Matt Hughes’ caliber, as the victory over a UFC Hall of Famer will definitely award him an entrance ticket to the promotion’s Welterweight elite...but not at UFC 117. Matt Hughes will dominate the fight with takedowns and ground and pound all the way to victory. Hughes via Unanimous Decision.
Clay Guida (26-11) vs Rafael Dos Anjos (14-4):
Most popular prediction: Clay Guida via Decision
Daniel Cassidy: Ok, first of, this is possibly Fight of the Night right here. Guida always delivers. He's not the kind of guy who's going to wear UFC gold anytime soon but is a solid fan favorite with a well rounded skill set. While Dos Anjos is a superb grappler, his submission are near flawless, I see this being a fast paced, action packed war, with no fighter really able to get the better of the other. Both are evenly matched and will be a good showcased for the Lightweight division so I'm picking Guida by Decision.
Anton Gurevich: Clay Guida is always fun to watch, and I’m sure the fight against Rafael Dos Anjos will live-up to the expectations. Dos Anjos is a good well-rounded fighter, but I truly believe that Clay Guida’s will be able to keep out of submissions and grind out a decision. Rafael Dos Anjos coped well with the aggressive Terry Etim, but Clay Guida is second to none when it comes to testing the heart of his opponents. The Carpenter via Unanimous Decision.
Jon Fitch (22-3-1) vs Thiago Alves (16-6)
Most popular prediction: Jon Fitch via Decision
Daniel Cassidy: Given this is a comeback fight for Alves, with a title shot on the line, expect to see the best Jon Fitch and the best Thiago Alves. While Fitch’s wrestling is a notch above everybody in the division, except GSP, he is not really known for finishing fights. I expect Fitch to wear Alves down with takedowns and ground control, but Alves to put his heavy hands to good use and catch Fitch at some stage. If Alves lands one punch, it could be lights out. Alves R2 TKO.
Anton Gurevich: The match-up between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves is a dream of any hopeless statistics lover (Yeah, that’s me). Fitch’s last TKO victory was against no other than Thiago Alves, more than four years ago. If Thiago Alves succeeds in his mission to keep the fight on the feet, Jon Fitch will go to sleep sooner than expected. Fitch has nothing to offer Thiago Alves in terms of stand-up, and the fight against Mike Pierce at UFC 107 is a clear indicator of his lacking striking abilities. Ring rust? I don’t believe it will be an issue. The question is if Thiago Alves learned something from the fight against GSP, and if he did it will be a R1 KO for “The Pitbull”.
Roy Nelson (15-4) vs Junior Dos Santos (11-1)
Most popular prediction: Junior Dos Santos via Round 1 TKO
Daniel Cassidy: Another fight on a fantastic card which promises to deliver. Despite appearances, both fighters are fairly evenly matched. Both are known for having One Punch Knockout power, and both are believed to have great ground skills. Both are confident in their hands, and I don’t see this one going to the mat. I see both keeping it standing, delivering heavy shots until one of their chins give out, and given Dos Santos has never been KO'd, I think Nelson's will go first. Dos Santos R2 KO
Anton Gurevich: Big Country Roy Nelson is a serious fighter, but I personally don’t see his striking anywhere in the region of Junior Dos Santos. Junior Dos Santos is at least as good as Andrei Arlovski (at his prime) when it comes to stand-up technique, and that’s exactly why Roy Nelson will lose this fight. Big Country proved that he should not be underestimated, but JDS is a much stiffer competition that Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve, young guns who lacked the experience against Big Country. Roy Nelson’s only hope is to bring the fight to the ground and capitalize on his incredible grappling skills. Somehow I don’t see it happen. JDS via R1 KO.
Comments
id agree with most of what you guys said, except that neither of you are picking fitch?!?! id agree hes not the most exciting, but unless your gsp and you can out wrestle fitch, you dont beat fitch!
...and big countrys mullet could be the difference in this fight, jds has never faced some1 with that caliber mullet before
Just like when Faber commentated for Miguel Torres Vs. Chase Beebe. "He's probly underestimating the power of the mullet. He's got the dirty mustache and the mean mullet."
I disagree for not picking Fitch with Alves having problems making weight, i am assuming the cut was really hard for him, and he will not be fighting at his best. I think Fitch will wear him out. for a Decision
look at the acne on chaels back............juice anyone??
I was just thinking of that, that could explain his behaviour...
exactly hes to old to be breaking out like a 13 year old boy and everyone knows if you cycle off a month or so before your testing you can easily pass
dude i have my back the same , and i dont juice myself , its sometimes that breakouts leave marks , i havent got breakouts for years but my back looks like it , its just the type of skin i guess
beside he talks trash , but hes not being aggressive or looks like hes angry at all
There is no way Sonnen wins this fight. I dont see it based on the marquart fight actually. Its not mma math but lets look at how Marquart's incautious stand up, wrong gameplan or how he underestimated Sonnen wresltling power made him loose the fight.Not taking away Sonnen's undenyable talent to pressure guys but do you really see Silva making the same mistake?
Silva will be extremelly careful, is so fast that i can see Sonnen eating the ground by trying to jump on SIlva's legs, and the work with Munoz will pay off.
The dan henderson's fight is old now and i believe Silva has improved his takedown defense a lot.
Plus, Sonnen has a ridiculous amount of looses by submission in his record and if he gets SIlva on his back....Good luck. I hope he improved in that area.
This is just my honest opinion. I am one of these guys who complained about SIlva's samba dancing perf in abu dhabi and would like to see him challenged but i dont see him loose tonite.
And i might add that Silva is extra motivated since a long time. No more bored spider toying with the insects in his web. He has a legacy to regain in devastating fashion.
If Sonnen wins, he beat a great Silva and congrats to him!
Opposite of tight is LOOSE opposite of win is LOSE
LOSE more than once you have LOSSES
You guys are killing me with that.
I hate when ppl dislike a fighter just because of on fight, ppl are hating on fedor just because he got caught in a triangle, big woop he's still the best, and so what if Silva danced around like an idiot. it wasn't all that bad Maia should be scolded at for letting him do that. Just like Chael said, if he does that to him , he's gonna go straight to his face and bring the fight to him. If anything it just shows Silva can toy with his opponents and still win, Who else can do that?
Sorry man, English is only my second language and i write fast.
Agreed
When Chael Sonnen throws some punches and tries to take down Silva. Silva will just evade it and punch or kick him while he's attempting those.
You're not alone. I agree with you 100%
I agree only way Anderson can win is wia submition oter way 5 rounds on the ground ground and pound Sonnen winn
Good card i think JDS and Nelson shuld of been the main event. JDS is the best figter in whole card
no he isnt
he's outstanding but he isnt the best. theres a lot of talent that card.
How can you say that? Anderson is probably the p4p best , I just dont see the logic in your statement other than your a bigger fan of JDS.
I think Anderson Silva is going to prove a point that he can finish any opponent if he wants to and he will do that to Sonnen. I think the fight will end in RD 2 or 3 via TKO.
JDS looks hungry and will take out Nelson with his reach. Plus, if Nelso tries to do some ground game on JDS, I think he will get submitted.
Dan Dan Dan! Sonnen round 4 ground and pound??? You are going to cause a riot! I guess it's possible having watched other Sonnen fights but everytime I have went against Silva I have always ate my words.
Man! JDS looks like a monster compared to Nelson. I am hoping for Nelson but it does not look like a good matchup for him at all.
Silva: round 1 KO. He'll really go for it when he's 100% fresh. He's so fast, so accurate.
Fitch: Wins by decision. Consider what's been going on behind the scenes. Alves didnt show up to the open workout because he was in the gym running on a treadmill while wearing a snow suit. The guy still didnt make weight. He came to the weighins looking like an AIDS patient. He obviously went through hell trying to get himself down to somewhere close to 170. This is going to be a major factor especially when combined with ringrust. If Alves had made weight with no problems, I would go with him via KO.
DOs Santos: Hard not to bet on this guy - he might yet turn out to be the best HW in the UFC. But I also wouldnt be too shocked if Mr. Potato Head somehow takes it. Its hard not to underestimate Nelson...
It's amazing how much bigger JDS looks when he's 23 lbs. lighter than Nelson. Going with the underdogs. 2 of them anyway. Sonnen by round 3 tko. Nelson round 1 tko. Come one boys. Make me money. haha
Come on boys. I mean. you know
I guess fat is after all heavier than muscle.
I don't think Chael is stupid or delirious. I doubt he shoots for a takedown he is going to look to clinch. And i doubt he waits very long for that to happen. I'm not trying to compare either Chael or Anderson to these guys, but when i saw this fight I thought, wow, perfect thing to do to someone like Anderson Silva. The way he takes the center of the octagon so fast and corners him into the fence.
Shane Roller vs Anthony Njokuani
http://tkohub.com/anthony-njokuani-vs-shane-roller-video-–-wec-48/
Thats why i'd predict Anderson Silva for a 1st round submission or Chael by decision or late round stoppage because i know Chael is going to grab a hold of him quickly and they will still be dry. The submission would probably come on the takedown attempt not after anderson is already on his back because to be honest from what ive seen anderson does not attack from his back he just tries to hold position and stall and use a body triangle so the fight can be stood back up.
Nelson by TKO.
Almeida by Sub.
Guida by Dec. (split)
Fitch by Dec.
I think if Sonnen can survive the first 2 rounds, he wins by decision, but it won't happen, because Silva will submit him in the 2nd.