I bet there are a few people that read my blog and think at this point the only thing I make posts about is UFC and MMA events, even though that is not the case and I write about plenty of things (none of which are useful) if you were looking for constant MMA News and information you can check out our MMA site. On this very special day I have decided to post my UFC 98 Predictions based soley on the fact that even with UFC 97 less than a week away I can’t stop thinking about the upcoming UFC 98 which features Lyoto Machida vs Rashad Evans. Another fight I am looking forward to that is on this card is the long awaited “I hate you!” match between Matt Serra and Matt Hughes, any MMA fan knows these two hate each other. As most of you know I will have Live UFC 98 Results posted here and on Extreme John.com, leave a comment and tell us your picks for each fight and let’s see who has the most correct predictions.
Rashad Evans (13-0-1) vs Lyoto Machida (14-0-0)
I am beyond excited to see this fight happen, I was more pissed off than you can imagine when for an instance the UFC looked to give Rampage Jackson the title shot against Rashad Evans. Lyoto Machida has not only managed to stay undefeated, he as always managed to be the least hit fighter in UFC history while doing it. Lyoto Machida is more than a solid fight pick for the title fight against Rashad Evans, he may just very well be the guy to take that very title that Rashad Evans has. Rashad is no dirt nugget, he has knocked out and beat the crap out of some of the biggest names in the sport and in devastating fashion. I am picking Lyoto Machida to win this fight, unless Rashad Evans can get at him and actually hit him early I am confident that Lyoto will break begin to take Rashad apart round by round until he ends it. Lyoto Machida is my pick.
Loading ...Matt Hughes (42-6-0) vs Matt Serra (9-5-0)
This is one of those rare fights that we will get to see where the UFC puts two guys against each other for no good reason except for the fact that the two fighters generated enough hate to spark a nice rivalry amongst each other during the Ultimate Fighter. The fans seemed to enjoy the tough talk between Serra and Hughes and now we will be treated to a match that means nothing, it could very well be Matt Hughes last fight and unless Serra destroys Hughes he might be lucky to be on some future UFC Preliminary Cards. Matt Serra has the power to end this fight with one shot in the same fashion he did against George St. Pierre, the only difference is I doubt Matt Hughes will stand very long with Serra. Serra has a solid ground game, I mean after all Serra is a Gracie Jui Jitsu Black Belt. My initial opinion is that Hughes will win this fight and most likely in somewhat easy fashion, however being from NY I go with my heart and hope to see Serra win. Serra is my pick. Laugh all you want, just don’t forget I picked him to beat St. Pierre outright the first time and he did just that.
Brock Larsen (22-5-0) vs Chris Wilson (14-5-0) – This should be a pretty good fight, I am taking Brock Larsen in this one.
Yushin Okami (22-4-0) vs Dan Miller (11-1-0) – As much as I would love to see Dan Miller win this fight I think Yushin Okami will just be too much for him. Yushin Okami is my prediction.
Frank Edgar (9-1-0) vs Sean Sherk (32-3-1) – This fight unnerves me. I like Frankie Edgar and I have always liked Sean Sherk, steroids or not. Frankie Edgar can fight people, don’t be fooled by his size. I am split down the middle on my personal views of this fight and who I would really like to see win, which actually has me making my pick based on who I think will actually win vs who I would like to see win. Sean Sherk’s strength and size will be too much for Edgar to handle, Sherk is my pick.
UFC 98 Preliminary Card Predictions:
Drew McFedries (7-5-0) vs James Irvin (13-5-0) – I am almost positive this fight will end up being shown on the PPV showing, this should be another short fight with someone having their clock cleaned (getting KO’d). Both are big time swingers and with every swing comes a potential home run punch. Going with James Irvin on this one.
Andre Gusmao (5-1-0) vs Houston Alexander (8-3-0) – Alexander Houston by KO, he needs the big win in order to avoid becoming the two hit wonder. Houston is my pick.
Don’t forget to comment and leave your UFC 98 Predictions, unless your a little chick chick chicken.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t care who wins, all I ask is that it’s more exciting than UFC 97.
@Mike Yeah I think the days of Anderson Silva headlining a card might be shared by a bigger headliner in the future. Anderson “The Sleeper” Silva is hardly doing anything to finish his opponents or put on a solid show in his last two outings. The UFC needs to find someone aggressive for him to fight, there lay back guys aren’t going to help provide anything entertaining.
MIke, you are right. UFC 97 was terrible. Well, I think Liddell always puts on a good show whether he wins or gets clobbered. But John was right in his other post. The Silva main event was one of the worst I have ever seen. I’m looking forward to seeing the Hughes vs. Serra match. I think Hughes will easily win, but maybe Serra will make it interesting!
@CC I agree I can always watch Chuck fight all though I don’t think we should watch him get hit with many more devastating knockouts, so sadly I think it’s probably best for Chuck Liddell to exit stage left. There are plenty of things he can do and still be a major value to the UFC and the sport. As for the Silva main event….. I listen to my kids argue and it’s a better show than what he has put on in his last two fights.
I hope Hughes is dumb enough to try and stand with Serra, I have seen Hughes make that mistake before with other strikers, however he was able to avoid being knocked out brutally. Serra has excellent hands and if given the opp I think he will have no problem knocking out Hughes if he catches him. THATS A BIG IF. Hughes has not had a fight in a while, where Serra does (when St. Pierre beat him down) the ring rust might play a part in this fight. On the flip side Hughes is a very intelligent fighter, that plays a huge part in this fight because Serra has often displayed immaturity in spots he really needed to make intelligent decisions in the past. Serra is my pick mainly because I honestly can’t stand Matt Hughes, he’s that typical “Jock” asshole.
You have make some great picks. I can”t wait to see Machida show case his talent against Rashad. It should be a great fight. I hope Serra drops Hughes like a bad habit. Hughes was the best in his time but i think his time is over. The only pick i have different is the Irvin vs. Mcfederies. I love Irvin but i’m going with Mcfederies
Have any of you tried the demo for the upcoming UFC video game? It’s available for download now on Xbox, probably on PS3 as well. I tried it out last night, and it is smooooth. I can’t wait for the full game to come out.
@James I hope your right I would not mind seeing Hughes leave with his head down for a moment. Reality check.
@Sean No I haven’t yet however I have seen the commercials and a few previews and it looks insane.
I just rewatched some videos from 98 with Evans Vs Lyoto i found it impossible to pick a winner before the fight, but those punches from Machida were just so on the button. Hughes and Serra was back and forth all the way, i was rooting for Serra though, was annoying to see the win slipping away as the rounds went on!
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