This Saturday night the UFC invades the home of Strikeforce to bring you UFC 139 Henderson vs ‘Shogun’. Like I said last night the main event is one that should have happened years ago in Pride but I (and many other fans around the world) are excited its happening now. I think this fight card is one that I think Joe Silva got very right from the first fight of the night right to the main event its going to be an awesome night.
I just want to add that if the inaugral UFC on Fox card was to bring new fans in, this is the card that will get them to stick around. Well enough of my chit chat time to make some predictions.
Preliminary Card (One HD)
Michael McDonald vs Alex Soto
Soto makes his debut in Octagon and he couldn’t get a tougher assignment then the man known as ‘Mayday’. McDonald has the experience edge but I am sure that Soto will look to impress in his debut and stay undeafeted. I have been very impressed with McDonald last two fights I think that he is a star of the future so I think that he will win here. McDonald by unanimous decision.
Ryan Bader vs Jason Brilz
This is an important fight for both men, a loss here could mean the end of their tenure in the Octagon. Bader and Brilz are on a two fight skid and suffered embarrassing losses to veterans Tito Ortiz and Vladimir Matyushenko (no offense to these guys) so I feel these guys will leave it all in the cage. I have the alot of respect Brilz, the heart he showed against ‘Lil Nog’ was amazing but I just keep thinking Bader will get the victory here.
Main Card (Main Event)
Stephan Bonnar vs Kyle Kingsbury
This is going to be a wild fight, both men are absolute machines. We all know Bonnar as one of the men who turned around the UFC, when he steps inside in the cage he comes to fight. Kingsbury like Bonnar is a TUF veteran but didn’t get off to the best start losing all of his fight on the show and also to Tom Lawlor (who is also fighting at this event) at the TUF 8 finale but since then has been on a tear going 3-1. As much as I like both men Bonnar will be too strong here. Bonnar by split decision.
Martin Kampmann vs Rick Story
I am bit afraid for Kampmann here, he has gotten the raw end of the judges decisins in his last two fights so hopefully he won’t leave it in there hands. Even though he lost to Charlie Brenneman in his last outing, Story had really been coming into his own and was doing well moving up the Welterweight ladder. Story is an excellent fighter who has really improved his first fight at UFC 99 I just believe Kampmann will want get back on track and prove he is still a force in the division. Kampmann by submission.
Urijah Faber vs Brian Bowles
Do not blink when this fight comes on, Bowles and Faber will go at 100 miles an hour when they step in that cage. Both men have one thing on their minds and that is a re-match with Dominick Cruz so they will pull out every move in their arsenal to win. I like both fighters and I don’t really want to see either lose but I will go on the logic that Faber loses here he might not get another shot and loss here for Bowles isn’t the end of the road for him (sorry Brian). I am taking Faber by split decision.
Wanderlei Silva vs Cung Le
Is this Wanderlei’s last stand? As a long time fan I extremly hope not but the man that will be standing on the opposite side of the cage might have other ideas. That man is former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion and Shanshou expert Cung Le who I think has the stand up to trouble Anderson Silva. Its no secret that Wanderlei has taken so much punishment in his career and unfortunetly I think it will bring him undone here against Le. Le by KO
Dan Henderson vs Mauricio Rua
What a mouth-watering slugfest this is. A fight that was years in the making has finally arrived in 2011 and I am looking forward to this. Both men have KO power and iron chins so I think this might go to a decision. ‘Shogun’ will be keen to get back in the cage with Jon Jones especially after the way Jones dominated him, but Hendersons will to be a UFC Champion I think is what will get him over the line in this fight. Henderson by uanimous decision.
I hope all you fans enjoy this card I know that I will, I think that I have said a thousand times during the week, I also hope that your favourite win and I hope the come through injury free and now I will leave you day one of Dana Whites video blog.
Take Care
The Fight Writer