UFC 128 predictions
by Tim Groves on March 19, 2011

Hot off the heels of my 4-0 mark for Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson predictions, I figured I'd use my psychic prowess to tell everyone the winners of UFC 128 before the fights even happen.

Read below and leave your predictions in the comments section, then you can either laugh at my stupidity tomorrow or bask in my mixed martial arts knowledge. 

Nick Catone vs. Constantinos Philippou

Nick Catone has never really seemed like an UFC caliber fighter, while Constantinos Philippou didn't really either during his one fight on the Ultimate Fighter. Philippou got caught in a submission on the show after beating Joe Henle for the first round and a half of their bout. 

It's always tough predicting these undercard bouts with guys you have never seen, but I'm taking the upset here. Philippou via decision.

Erik Koch vs. Raphael Assuncao

If Koch keeps it standing, he wins this bout. If Assuncao can get top control on the ground, he wins this fight. Koch looked very impressive in his knockout win over Francisco Rivera, where he used his reach to control distance and set-up the fight winning head kick. He's young, athletic and well rounded. Koch via TKO.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland

The fact that this fight isn't planned on being shown on Facebook, Spike or the pay-per-view is a travesty. Benavidez is arguably the second best bantamweight in the world and the UFC fans need to see him in action. His training with Team Alpha Male have made him a force in all aspects of the game, especially his famous guillotine chokes.

Loveland has shown an ability to get submitted in this past, so this is a relatively easy pick. Benavidez via submission.

Kurt Pellegrino vs. Gleison Tibau

What would normally be a very competitive and interesting Jiu-Jitsu bout, may be a little less so due to Pellegrino's injury. Pellegrino is coming back from a very serious knee injury that he just sustained last July. Doctors recommended that he wait on his return but Pellegrino wouldn't listen.

Given Tibau's size and Pellegrino's knee injury, it remains to be seen how it will hold up as he gets thrown around. Tibau via decision.

Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle

Almeida is one of the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in all of mixed martial arts and should have a big advantage if the fight hits the mat. Pyle will be able to hold his own, as evident by his modified crucifix he landed on John Hathaway during their bout at UFC 120

While Pyle doesn't have the Jiu-Jitsu advantage, he should be better everywhere else. I think he dictates where the fight takes place and earns the victory. Pyle via decision.

Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani

Two gifted strikers. Two below average wrestlers. One stand-up showdown.

Barboza and Njokuani should be content to stand and trade with each other until someone falls. Barboza is undefeated in MMA and had a stellar muay thai background, while Njokuani has been rocked and TKO'ed before during MMA competition. Barboza should soften him up with his brutal leg kicks and get the TKO shortly after. Barboza via TKO.

Luiz Cane vs. Eliot Marshall

Luiz Cane looked stellar against his UFC competition until he ran headlong into two straight excellent, southpaw strikers. Prior to that his striking had carried him, as he had battered...

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 |  (6) Comments
HOW WILL THE THIAGO ALVES VS. MARTIN KAMPMANN FIGHT END AT UFC ON FX 2?
Alves def. Kampmann via TKO/KO
Alves def. Kampmann via submission
Alves def. Kampmann via decision
Kampmann def. Alves via TKO/KO
Kampmann def. Alves via submission
Kampmann def. Alves via decision
TAKE ANOTHER POLL!