UFC on FOX 4: Rua vs. Vera, Machida vs. Bader LowKick.com Staff Predictions

Anton Gurevich:

Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera

This one is a closer fight than most people think. Brandon Vera is a strong striker, and would love to trade punches with Rua. Yet, I believe that the Brazilian’s KO record is a clear indication of what to expect tonight in Los Angeles, California. Rua KO’d Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, Mark Coleman and Forrest Griffin in the UFC, while Vera’s latest KO/TKO victory was back at UFC 96, via leg kicks against Mike Patt. I think Shogun’s power will be simply too much for Brandon Vera. My pick is Rua via KO/TKO in Round 2.

Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader

“Darth” Bader proved a lot against Rampage Jackson. Obviously, Lyoto Machida is a clear favorite here, but I wouldn’t underestimate Bader’s KO power, and superior wrestling skills. Machida’s style is a nightmare for Ryan Bader, who could struggle in finding the right riddum against “The Dragon”. Bader will try to push Machida to the fence, where he could follow-up with a double-leg takedown. Machida’s takedown defense is legendary, so I find it hard to believe that Ryan Bader will be able to ragdoll him, like he did to Jackson in Japan. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida via Decision.

Mike Drahota:

Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera

This fight presents an interesting Muay Thai war, at least on paper. Is Brandon Vera truly anywhere near the fighter we saw all the way back in 2006? He hasn't done anything to show that is the case. Rua appears to be more proficient in simply all aspects of MMA. I wish there was some more suspense to this, but in my eyes, it's an open-and-shut case. I'll go with Shogun via first-round TKO.

Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader

This one on the other hand, could be a closer fight. Bader has made some adjustments since suffering his first two losses. His wrestling is strong as always, but Machida of course comes prepared to stop takedowns. “The Dragon's” striking is elusive; I don't think Bader has been presented with anyone so dynamic save for Jon Jones. We all saw what happened there. While Machida may be a step below Jones, I see him utilizing his angles to perplex Bader. I say Machida wins a clear-cut unanimous decision victory here.

Bryan Fontez:

Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera

If there's one thing that I hate, it's people with big mouth's. My favorite fighters have always been those who choose to say very little and let their actions speak volumes, ie Fedor, Machida, GSP, etc. However Brandon Vera is not one of those people. Choosing to spew words of self-proclamation just like Jon Jones and many before him, the one time prospect with a lot of potential who claimed he would obtain both titles simultaneously at both Heavy and Light-heavyweight, never obtained anything but a depressing career of minor ups and major downs. I don't buy that he just hasn't taken things seriously, we've heard it all before and he's been crying wolf his entire career. This is a mis-match of epic proportions between one of the best fighters in the world and someone who doesn't even deserve what he's been given. As long as Rua shows up in decent shape, I see no chance in hell Vera can win this fight. Nor should he. And if he does, then at least he can fight Jon Jones and it can be a battle of the conceited big mouths. I predict Shogun will deservingly knock Vera's block off via TKO in the 2nd Round.
 
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader

I believe this fight could be much closer than most people are predicting.  Ryan Bader is an underrated fighter whom I truly believe is one of the top five Light-heavyweights in the world. He's only ever lost to Jon Jones and made an easy mistake against a seasoned veteran with a tight guillotine in Tito Ortiz. But based on the recent title implications by Dana White and how much he happens to be studying/analyzing Machida, I think we'll be seeing a very hungry, well trained and smartly strategized Ryan Bader. The only question is... Can he actually figure out Machida's game of feints, fakes, speed, counters and unorthodox strikes? Possibly. But something tells me Machida will simply be too quick, too smart and too much for Bader to handle. After training this entire camp with Roger Gracie I really wanna say Machida by Submission. But I think he'll choose to stay off the ground and stick with his bread and butter, being his elusive stand up game and point-karate tactics. Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision.

Daniel Cassidy:

Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera

If Shogun was in his best form, he'd walk through Vera. No doubt. However, unfortunately this is the Shogun of 2012, injury ravaged and battle worn. A lot of questions will surround what type of Shogun will come into the cage. Should Shogun bring his PRIDE self back against "The Truth", it will be violent and could end up looking like a rematch of Vera vs (Thiago) Silva all over again. As a Shogun fan it pains me to say this, but I cant see Shogun being 100 percent this weekend, like in the majority of his UFC bouts. Even if he is at 50 percent, I still see him making a statement against Vera. My prediction is Mauricio Shogun Rua via Decision.

Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader

In a fantastic clash of styles, wrestler Ryan Bader takes on former Champ and elusive striker Lyoto Machida. What excites me most about this fight is the way it is almost a throwback to the old days of the UFC, when no one was well rounded and it was style vs style. Despite an unblemished start to his UFC career, Machida has 2 losses now, to Jon Jones and Rampage Jackson. In those bouts, he showed a few weak spots that Bader could look to exploit, but I cant help feel that coming off the loss to Jones Machida will fight with something to prove. My Prediction is Lyoto Machida via 3rd round Knockout.