Two titles are on the line in one of the events as the year as both the welterweight and lightweight straps are up for grabs for two very credible contenders in Robbie Lawler and Gilbert Melendez.
Darragh “The Quizmaster” Murphy: 6-5
“Bourbon” Ben Kiely: 4-7
Johny Hendricks v Robbie Lawler
DM: We could do a lot worse than seeing Robbie Lawler clinch the title in the long-awaited rematch between these two warriors as that would leave the door wide open for the completion of an epic trilogy in 2015. As I, and I’m sure Ben, have found out over the last two events, picking with your heart is a no-go in the prediction game.
I would love Lawler to come out on top but I just don’t see it happening. Lawler has been in so many wars in his career that they have to start taking their toll on him and, it saddens me to say, I think Saturday is the night for it. I hope it’s a brawl like their March meeting was but I actually see “Ruthless” Robbie getting stopped here. Hendricks by TKO (Round 2).
BK: I made a mistake last time. I’m man enough to admit that. Picking Cub Swanson was a douche move. If you pick someone like Swanson when he’s up against someone of Edgar’s calibre and he wins you look like a genius, but unfortunately, the opposite was the case and I came across like a slack-jawed, knuckle-dragging, mouth-breather.
That is why I’m going for Johnny Hendricks for this one. He’s the obvious choice, right? He is a better wrestler, he won the first fight and, presumably this time around he doesn’t have a torn bicep. I look forward to seeing him take on Rory MacDonald in the near future. Hendricks by decision.
Anthony Pettis v Gilbert Melendez
DM: It’s too damn hard. I don’t wanna pick. Pettis is obviously the more technical and creative striker of the bunch but, at the end of the day, it’s a fight and Melendez is the guy you want standing beside you in a streetfight. But this lightweight title bout isn’t a streetfight. Take away the referee and my money s on Gil all day long. But we have to pick smartly here so I’ll be a coward and go for a Pettis victory. Pettis by decision.
BK: I’m going to risk looking like an idiot again by choosing Gilbert Melendez in this bout. Pettis is definitely the more talented fighter, there’s no question about that. Plus he’s beaten Benson Henderson twice, which is no mean feat. However, he’s been out for over a year and I’m fairly certain he’s currently being held together with elastic bands and and super glue. I expect Melendez to bully him, take him down and grind out the decision. So that means Petttis will almost certainly win by a spectacular TKO in the early rounds. Melendez by decision.
Travis Browne v Brendan Schaub
DM: I was initially leaning towards a Brendna Schaub upset here before I realised that the TUF vet hasn’t won a fight via KO since 2011, that’s nowhere near good enough for a heavyweight with title aspirations. It would suggest that Schaub doesn’t have the power in his hands to survive in the division whereas Travis Browne was knocking people out for fun before losing a decision to interim champion Fabricio Werdum. I reckon Schaub will have the chin to survive the three rounds but I don’t see him causing a second of trouble for “Hapa”. Browne by decision.
BK: Browne’s a contender, Schaub is nothing more than a gatekeeper. Still though, he was unlucky against Arlovski. I think he just about edged what was admittedly, a painfully dull fight. Browne’s far too talented and dangerous on the feet for Schaub to pose any major problems. If I were Schaub, I’d be doing everything in my power to avoid those nasty elbows. Browne by TKO (Round 2).
Todd Duffee v Anthony Hamilton
DM: If Todd Duffee can beat Parsonage Turner Syndrome, then he can certainly beat the distinctly average Anthony Hamilton. Duffee is the man who “officially” holds the record for fastest KO in the promotion’s history and I’m banking on him to leave Hamilton sleeping after about 40 seconds. Duffee by KO (Round 1).
BK: These damn heavyweight fights are too damn hard to predict. It’s the division that epitomises the “it only takes one punch to change a fight” adage. That being said, given all the information I have absorbed about these two warriors, I think Duffee will be the one who lands that one punch that ends this one. Duffee by KO (Round 1)
Tony Ferguson v Abel Trujillo
DM: Tony Ferguson has it all and I think we’ll see him compete for a title before he calls it a day. He’s still improving fight by fight and he’s not bad at any aspect of MMA. He can strike, wrestle, submit and flow seamlessly between all three. I see Ferguson winning by some weird submission we’ve never seen. Ferguson by submission (round 3).
BK: Trujillo may pack more power in his punches but Ferguson’s the better fighter. He should use his superior reach to keep his opponent at bay and take home the unanimous decision. All he has to do is make it through the first round and he should have this one in the bag. Ferguson by decision.
