UFC 140: Jones vs. Machida LowKick.com Staff Predictions

UFC Light Heavyweight Title: Jon Jones (Champion) vs. Lyoto Machida
Top Prediction: Bones via TKO in Round 3

Trent Reinsmith: Current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has emerged as MMA’s wunderkind since breaking into the promotion in 2008. Some expect former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida to give Jones his first true test inside the Octagon. Machida’s karate based / counter-striking style is a bit different than what Jones has faced to date. The concern is that Machida’s ability to keep things at a distance will frustrate Jones, causing him to leave himself open as he becomes more aggressive. While this is a legitimate concern, if Jones does catch Machida he could be in big trouble and that’s the way I see this one going. Machida will keep things at a distance, but by the third round Jones will close that distance and end it. Jones by third round TKO.

Anton Gurevich: Jon Jones’ incredible reach and size advantage will be a huge factor in this match-up. I always said that Machida is the most intriguing match-up for Jones; His movement and unorthodox striking angles are something “Bones” is yet to encounter inside the Octagon. Still, the Champ already proved he has the necessary mental balance and versatility to make sure he keeps that belt around his waist for a very long time. Jones via Decision.

Frank Mir vs. Big Nog
Top Prediction: Mir via TKO in 3rd

Trent Reinsmith: There will be no excuses when this rematch takes place. The first time these two met, back in 2008, Mir emerged with a second round TKO victory. There have been rumblings that Nogueira suffered from a Staph infection going into that fight, but now both fighters are (allegedly) healthy. Mir has not been overwhelming in his last two fights, but he seems to be coming into this one with a chip on his shoulder. On the other hand Nogueira’s confidence couldn’t be any higher as he is coming to this fight after a big knockout victory over Brendan Schaub at UFC 134. My take is that Mir comes in with a purpose and ends this one. Mir by second round TKO.

Anton Gurevich: I was always impressed with Frank Mir’s fighting style and his approach for Mixed Martial Arts. Nogueira improved a lot since their previous encounter at UFC 92, but I still believe that Mir has a clear edge in striking and a good clinch game that will put the Brazilian legend in a lot of trouble. I expect Frank Mir to push Nogueira to the fence, where he can pick his punches and do some dirty boxing damage. Mir via Decision.

Tito Ortiz vs. Little Nog
Top Prediction: People's Champ, Decision

Trent Reinsmith: Ortiz is experiencing quite the career resurgence in 2011. Heading into UFC 132 many believed he was walking to toward the UFC gallows, but he delivered a dominating performance submitting Ryan Bader and earning Submission of the Night honors. Ortiz then followed that up by taking a fight with Rashad Evans on short notice. Ortiz did lose that fight, but no one questioned the effort he gave inside the Octagon that night in Philadelphia. For his part Nogueira is on a two fight losing streak, dropping decisions to Ryan Bader and Phil Davis, before undergoing shoulder surgery. This fight is probably more important career wise to Nogueira as Tito has said he plans on only fighting twice more before retirement. As important as the scrap is to him, I just don’t see Nogueira getting past Ortiz on Saturday night as a healthy and motivated “People’s Champion” looks to close out his career on a high note. Ortiz by decision.

Anton Gurevich: Little Nog failed to impress against Phil Davis, despite fighting an opponent with a significantly inferior striking skills. Tito Ortiz is much bigger than Nogueira, which is in my opinion a significant advantage if this fight goes to the ground. I believe that Ortiz will go toe-to-toe with Nog in stand-up, before trying to finish this fight via ground-and-pound. I’ll go with the People’s Champ here – TKO in Round 3.

Claude Patrick vs. Brian Ebersole
Top Prediction: Ebersole via Decision

Trent Reinsmith: Claude Patrick has been on a nice run since making his MMA debut back in 2002.  He fought twice that year, going 1-1. His next fight was in 2005 and since then he has gone 13-0, including 3-0 in the UFC. For Brian Ebersole, well, he’s been in the fight game since 2000, racking up a record of 48-14-1-1 with two of those wins being in the UFC. In the end, I think experience and guile will rule the day and Ebersole will extend his UFC winning streak while ending Patrick’s. Ebersole by decision.

Anton Gurevich: I have to go with the upset here. Brian Ebersole is a fantastic fighter with rich MMA experience, but Claude Patrick could well be of the most underrated fighters in the UFC. “The Prince” is a well-rounded competitor, currently enjoying an impressive winning streak of 13 fights, 3 of them in the UFC. “The Prince” will enjoy the home crowd support, something that will definitely give him the mental edge in this encounter. CP via TKO in Round 3

Mark Hominick vs. The Korean Zombiee
Top Prediction: Hominick via KO/TKO in Round 3

Trent Reinsmith: If you had to pick a fight that was an odds on favorite to garner Fight of the Night honors, you could do worse than choosing this one.  Look for this one to stay standing and hope that it goes the distance as both of these fighters have shown an affinity for delivering entertaining battles.  Hominick is the better striker of the two, but “The Korean Zombie” has shown that he is not afraid to stand and deliver as well.  In the end, the striking ability of Hominick will carry the day. Hominick by decision.

Anton Gurevich: Hominick is a home crowd favorite, who will be looking to solidify his place as one of the top Featherweights on the planet. However, Sung Jung has plans of his own; I expect KZ to take this fight to the ground as quickly as possible, looking to execute his high level ground game to submit Hominick. “The Machine” already proved he’s no joke on the ground, but I believe that the Korean’s unorthodox BJJ techniques will be too much for the former UFC Featherweight title challenger. My pick is Chan Sung Jung via Submission in Round 3.