Once again, another UFC Pay-Per-View event is upon us. This saturday night UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn II will take place, and the fight card is looking like one of the best the UFC has had in quite a while. Only one fighter has had to pull out of the card so far, and all the PPV fights have been set for a while. Of course, the main event for UFC 63 should be an excellent fight and one that many MMA fans have been waiting to see for quite a while. We ran a poll last week and one who would win the Welterweight belt, and out of 100 votes the results were exactly 50-50.
Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn - Personally, I was very disappointed when I heard that Georges St. Pierre was withdrawing from his rematch with Matt Hughes; but when it was announced the BJ Penn would be taking his place, I knew MMA fans were still in for a good treat. We all know the history between Hughes and Penn and how Penn moved up in weight to defeat Matt Hughes at UFC 46. That loss is Matt Hughes only loss since March of 2001. The victory over Hughes instantly move BJ Penn into the spotlight as one of the greatest, well-rounded MMA fighters in the game.
We know that both fighters have changed in the 2 years since their first meeting and this fight should be very exciting. I wonder if the roles are reversed this time around, however, and if B.J. Penn is taking Matt Hughes too lightly. I don’t see how anyone could take Matt Hughes lightly, but it seems as if Penn’s arrogance and cockiness might be his undoing this time. I also mentioned before that if Penn does win this title fight, it puts the UFC Welterweight division in a weird position. You would have a Welterweight champion who won the belt after losing his previous fight to the man who would be the number one contender.
Anyways, I see this being an entertaining fight, but a fight that Matt Hughes will ultimately win. Winner: Matt Hughes
Mike Swick vs. David Loiseau - Mike Swick’s longest fight in the UFC last a full 2:19 and was his last fight against Joe Riggs at UFC 60. Mike “Quick” Swick seems to be groomed as the new UFC “pretty boy” and so far he has lived up to his billing. This fight against David Loiseau will surely be Swick’s toughest test yet and a good test of where he stands in the UFC Middleweight divison. David Loiseau’s last fight was against Rich Franklin at UFC 58 when Franklin completely dominated all five rounds of their title fight. Having ample time to recover from his injuries, the “Crow” will be looking to bounce back and reestablish himself as a contender for the Middleweight title.
This should be an interesting fight and I’m not really sure where the fight will take place. I would have to give the slight edge to Swick in punching and an edge to Loiseau on the ground with his vicious ground-and-pound. Both fighters are high energy fighters and should go right at each other from the bell. I think Loiseau will come in with and excellent gameplan and will have the edge mentally as he looks to “clean up” his reputation and image from his last fight. This one could go to a decision and I see Loiseau coming out on top. Winner: David Loiseau
Jason Lambert vs. Rashad Evans - Rashad Evans finally makes the jump from UFC Fight Night cards to PPV as he brings his undefeated 8-0 record to the plate against Jason Lambert. Lambert has been on quite a role recently winning his last 8 fights and has only lost 3 fights since 2002 against some good opponents: Chael Sonnen, Cabbage Correira, and Tim Sylvia. I sure hope that Lambert can keep this fight standing and knock Evans around with a few punches, but if Rashad can take Lambert down and use his wrestling skills I think we will be in for another decision victory for Evans. Winner: Rashad Evans
Joe Lauzon vs. Jens Pulver - The return of Jens Pulver to the UFC is one of the best moves the UFC made when they brought back the Lightweight division. Pulver is the only champion the UFC lightweight (known then as Bantamweight) division has ever had. Pulver won the belt at UFC 35 with a decision victory over B.J. Penn. Joe Lauzon is making his UFC debut and should be an easy opponent for Pulver. Looks like one quick warmup match, and then we will see Pulver fight the winner of the Sean Sherk vs. Kenny Florian fight for his belt again.Winner: Jens Pulver
Gabe Ruediger vs. Melvin Guillard - Melvin Guillard seems to be a person “pet project” of UFC matchmaker Joe Silva. Guillard has been a very inconsistent fighter, but he definitly is a great athlete and good entertainer. UFC fans will remember his brutal knockout of Rick Davis at UFC 60, and Melvin looks to do more of the same as he takes on UFC newcomer Gabe Ruediger. Ruediger is a submission specialist who, in my opinion, is an excellent addition to the UFC. Look for Ruediger to have a good showing in his debut and keep your eye on him in the future. Winner: Gabe Ruediger
Roger Huerta vs. Jason Dent - Roger Huerta is another one of Monte Cox’s fighter with an impressive record of 14-1-1. Huerta has a strong wrestling background and was originally scheduled to make his UFC debut at UFC 61 against Hermes Franca, but had to withdraw with a back injury. Jason Dent is also making his UFC debut and sports a less impressive record of 12-6. Dent actually just fought on September 2 in Hawaii on an ICON fight card where he won in the third round by submission. Look for Huerta to come out strong and rested and take care of Dent on the ground early.Winner: Roger Huerta
Mario Neto vs. Eddie Sanchez - Both fighters are making their UFC debut and I know nothing about either of them except that Mario Neto has a submission victory over Gary Goodridge that is officially listed as a victory by Submission (No Apparent Reason) - whatever that means. Winner: Eddie Sanchez
Danny Abbadi vs. Jorge Gurgel - Not really sure why this fight is taking place or why Danny Abbadi is even fighting in the UFC. Jorge Gurgel is looking for a victory after a tough decision loss to Mark Hominick at UFC Fight Night 5. I look for Gurgel to easily dominate the smaller and less experienced Abbadi. Winner: Jorge Gurgel
David Lee vs. Tyson Griffin - This fight is one that I would love to see on the PPV showing instead of the Jason Labert vs Rashad Evans fight; but I realize the UFC is a business and Evans will draw fans due to winning The Ultimate Fighter Season 2. Tyson Griffin had an undefeated record of 7-0 and is a fighter many MMA fans have had their eye on for a while. Griffin has victories over Duane Ludwig and Urijah Faber and could end up being an excellent lightweight fighter. David Lee has been tearing his way through the Cage Rage promotion and all five of his victories are by submission in the first round. If Griffin can stay standing and doesn’t get caught in a sumbission, look for Griffin to knock Lee out with his excellent standup. Winner: Tyson Griffin
Well, that wraps up my predictions. I’d love to hear what you all think of the fights, so leave your fight predictions in the comments. Which fight (other than the title fight) are you most looking forward to?
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Hughes
Swick
Lambert
Jens
Melvin all win!
man…I’m reallly torn on this one. It really all depends on which BJ Penn shows up to the fight that night. If it’s the over cocky, aloof, lacking cardio Penn we seen in the st. pierre fight he’ll lose…over-whelmingly, or if he brings the unstoppable and seemingly phycic like fighting intuition Penn then he’ll win late in the 2nd or third.
I like your predictions DrJ, im also very excited about this card!
I think it was a good move for them to put hughes with penn now, i dont really believe that stuff about the injury. I think people will want to see Hughes Penn 2, before GSP fights for the title. Plus hes a younger guy, im assuming dana told him to wait a few more months, it will be worth it, an hes a team player!
BJ is a dangerous fighter without a doubt, i think hes better suited to fight at 155 tho, hes a beast at 155. If he can connect a knee on hughes, he can take it, but bj will not win the grappling game this time.
“the best counter for a triangle is a punch in the face” hehe
Ive been a loiseau fan since the first time i saw him fight, i cant explain what happened when he faced franklin. I knew franklin would win, but it seems like daves head wasnt in the fight. He was like a different fighter, so its hard to predict what might happen this time! i hope loiseau wins, but swick has proven himself to be a real threat to anyone he faces. I hope loiseau doesnt lose this one… this one is hard to predict hehe im with you J man, loiseau
Rashaad is a tough dude, hes a pretty slick boxer too besides his wrestling skills, i think he gon take it.
Jens pulver will be the ufc lightweight champion very soon, id like to see penn drop down to 155 to challenge him too hehe
Im liking melvin guillard at this weight, hes sleek, hes strong and fairly well rounded.
Other than the title fight, im lookin at the swick-loiseau, i hope my boy loiseau lets his hands go, and feet.. and hopefully the bows
I picked Hughes to win, but I’m going to pull for Penn. As for Swick vs Loiseau, I also feel it will go to the judges, but Swick will score the victory.
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