This Saturday night the UFC makes its way the Mandalay Bay Events center in the Fight Capital of the world Las Vegas, Nevada to present to you UFC 143 Diaz vs Condit. Originally meant to be Condit vs St-Pierre, after defeating B.J Penn back at UFC 137 Diaz called out St-pierre saying that he didn’t think he was hurt at all. St-Pierre took offence to this and told Dana White that Diaz was disrespectful and wanted to give Diaz the beating of his life. After hearing this White was happy to give St-Pierre what he wanted thus leaving Condit out of the biggest fight of career. Although things have a way of working out, St-Pierre injured his ACL and was forced out of his clash with Diaz and Condit got his recall to the main event.
While a few fighters have been forced off the card with injuries I am still sure that this will be an exciting card and this is no knock on GSP but I can tell that Condit and Diaz will be an all action thriller. Ok enough of the small talk time to get on to the predictions.
Ed Herman vs Clifford Starkes
After returning from a knee injury people wondered if Ed Herman would be the same, and going by his last two wins he seem to make significant improvements. Herman has always been a game fighter but there were times he didn’t fight with his head it seems times have changed. This will be a good test to see where Starkes is at. He took a unanimous decision against Dustin Jacoby in his UFC debut, a fight he took on two weeks notice so it will be good to see how he goes with a full training camp. While both men’s Primary base is wrestling, I give the edge in Jiu Jitsu to Herman. Both men also have KO and TKO’s on their record but I think that with his experience and how much he has improved since his comeback from injury Herman will win. Herman by submission.
Renan Barão vs Scott Jorgenson
This fight has all the makings to be an instant classic. Both men are just tough scrappers who can win a fight standing or on the ground.Its going to be hard for to pick a winner here. While Barao has the advantage of being the training partner of Jose Aldo and better to train with to become a future Champion. Jorgensen has the advantage of being in a title fight and that experince will help him second to none, and I’m sure that he is keen to get back in the cage with Dominick Cruz. I am a bit worried for Jorgensen because I heard that he is looking past Barao and that can be very dangerous, although he is experienced enough to know what to do when he gets into trouble and I also think that his wrestling will be the key factor. Jorgensen by unanimous decision.
Josh Koscheck vs Mike Pierce
Koscheck better be careful in this fight becuse I don’t think Pierce is going to be the push over he thinks he is going to be. We have senn Koscheck go into cruise control when he thinks has the fight under control (Paulo Thiago anyone) and if that happens Pierce will make him pay. Pierce can not do what he did in the Fitch fight and let Koscheck control the first two rounds and try and win the fight in the third, I do think he is a very capable fighter and he has the tools to beat Koscheck and hopefully with the wig he wore at the weigh ins he is inside Koschecks head. As much as Koscheck is the favourite to win this I think Pierce can cause the upset. Pierce by split decision.
Roy Nelson vs Fabricio Werdum
Who better to welcome Werdum back to the cage then the mullet-sporting ‘Big Country’. We all know that Werdum is a very good fighter but if he tries to pull the same crap he pulled with Overeem Nelson can (and will) make him pay. He has to remember to be to be alert at all times otherwise Nelson will put him to sleep. I know that Nelson has a good ground game but he just has to weary here, Werdum has made some very tough fighters tap and he has the potential to do the same here. I see this being a back and forth match but Nelson will be victories. Nelson by KO
Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit
This fight will bring out the best in both men. One has great boxing and Jiu Jitsu and the other’s kickboxing is awesome and while Condit is a purple belt he does have a number of submission victories and is no slouch in that area. I don’t think this will go to the ground too much and will mainly be a stand up war. Both men have a never say die attitude and its very hard for me to pick a winner. While I really want Condit to win I really can’t go past Diaz. Diaz by unanimous decision.
Ok guys that is all from me I hope that you enjoy the fights and that your favourite fighter comes through with the win and also unscathed and until next time take care.
The Fight Writer