UFC 161: HENDERSON VS. EVANS PREDICTIONS

#6 Dan Henderson (13-7) vs. #8 Rashad Evans (12-3)

Pick: Rashad Evans – This fight is a real pick em. Could go either way. Henderson is more likely in finishing the fight between the two, but I like Evans. He’s younger, beat a lot of top guys at light heavyweight. Henderson is much older and his biggest win lately was a close split decision win over Shogun. The only thing that worries me about Evans is whether he’s regained his motivation.

#8 Roy Nelson (6-3) vs. #14 Stipe Miocic (3-1)

Pick: Stipe Miocic – My upset special of the night. People forget how average Roy Nelson is. He got destroyed by Fabricio Werdum and couldn’t do anything to Frank Mir. Plus Roy is fighting on short notice and I just watched the weigh ins and Roy clocked in at 260 lbs. That’s the heaviest he’s weighed in at in awhile. Plus Miocic is one of the top young, up and coming heavyweights in the world.

#20 Ryan Jimmo (1-1) vs. #29 Igor Pokrajac (4-5)

Pick: Ryan Jimmo – Jimmo is 17-2. That’s unheard of in the shallow division of light heavyweight. I think Jimmo could be a future title contender. Pokrajac will be a good test, but someone Jimmo will beat.

#6 Alexis Davis (0-0) vs. #7 Rosi Sexton (0-0)

Pick: Alexis Davis – It sucks for some female fighters that the UFC only has one women’s weight class. Sexton could beat a lot of top female fighters bigger than her, but Davis is elite at 135 lbs.

#16 Shawn Jordan (3-2) vs. #20 Pat Barry (5-5)

Pick: Pat Barry – Pat Barry is just starting to come into his own and lost a few fights he had no business losing. Jordan is average and is a good building block for Barry.

#10 Jake Shields (6-2) vs. #11 Tyron Woodley (9-1)

Pick: Tyron Woodley – I like Jake Shields as a fighter and think he’s very under rated, but he’s getting older and has a lot of fights under his belt. Woodley has enough quality wins over guys like Tarec Saffiedine and Jordan Mein for me to believe he’s experienced enough now to beat Shields.

#29 Sam Stout (8-7) vs. James Krause (0-0, #41 LW Prospect)

Pick: Sam Stout – Tough fight to pick, but I’m going with the veteran Stout. Even in the past 2 years, Stout has beat way better fighters than Krause.

#28 Sean Pierson (3-2) vs. Kenny Robertson (1-2)

Pick: Sean Pierson – Sean Pierson has only lost to top welterweights. Robertson has shown a knack for coming up short on the big show.

#18 Roland Delorme (2-0) vs. #20 Edwin Figueroa (2-2)

Pick: Roland Delorme – Roland Delorme’s grappling will be the difference in this fight.

John Maguire (0-0, Unranked UFC WW) vs. Mitch Clarke (0-2)

Pick: John Maguire – Cutting weight to 155 lbs will serve John Maguire well. Mitch Clarke isn’t good enough to be in the UFC.

#22 Yves Jabouin (3-1) vs. #33 Dustin Pague (1-3)

Pick: Yves Jabouin – Yves Jabouin is going to put on a clinic here. He’s better everywhere than Dustin Pague.