Alright fight fans! I’m back! So far my overall record for picking MMA winners is (8-2) beat that! Anyways, here we go again, the UFC is back on PPV and they have one of the most anticipated matchups between 2 undefeated Light Heavy Weight fighters, as well as a personal grudge match between a UFC legend and a UFC giant slayer.  So, enough playing grab ass, let’s do this.

• Champ Rashad Evans 13-0-1[draw] vs. Lyoto Machida 14-0

Let’s get it on you crazy bastards! This is the by far the most exciting fight on the UFC 98 card. It’s the best for a couple reasons, firstly it pits 2 undefeated fighters against each other for a title, if my memory serves me correctly, it’s the first time in UFC history this has happened. Secondly their is a clear split down the line as to who people think wins this fight. On one side you have the Machida lovers, who think he is gods gift to MMA, on the other, you have Rashad Evans Fan boys who say he’s finally hit his stride and is at the top of his game.  This is a very tough fight to call, and should be interesting, Machida has gotten A LOT of shit regarding his fighting style being boring, however in his last fight he knocked the shit out of Thiago Silva.  Evans is coming off beating the former champ Forrest Griffin, by 3^rd round TKO.  Evans has gotten his own rash of shit as well, being known as a boring fighter, or a “Lay and Pray” style fighter. Not until he literally knocked Chuck Liddell’s head off its body like one of those rock em’ sock’m robots. Evans who has nearly had half his fights end in decision, has KO’d or TKO’d his last 2 opponents, what that means? Who the hell knows? I think Machida has the edge standing as he is way more elusive than Evans. If the fight goes to the ground, I think Evans has the advantage in that he is a wrestler, and I feel he can probably control Machida if it goes there.  This is a tough one to call as I do not like either fighter very much.  There is also a rumor going around that the winner of this fight will be paired against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as the 2 coach’s of next season The Ultimate Fighter. I HOPE Evans wins this fight, because a Rampage VS Evans match up next would be fantastic. However my money is going to be on Machida.

Winner: Machida by KO in the 3^rd.

• Matt Hughes 42-7 vs. Matt Serra 9-5

On Paper, Hughes vs. Serra is boring as all hell, Hughes coming of surgery, and 2 consecutive losses, his last fight a little under a year ago, so a HUGE layoff, however, Serra last fought even longer ago.  This fight was supposed to take place after these 2 old timers were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. However because of a back injury to Serra the fight was postponed, over a year later, these 2 are finally touching gloves.  This fight has been called a “win or go home” matchup.  Both fighters are not getting any younger, and most agree that both fighters probably should retire. Hughes is a UFC legend, he’s beaten the best out there, and in his prime, was unbeatable.  Matt Serra was never a top 10 Welter Weight fighter, became famous when he slayed his version of Goliath, Georges St. Pierre. Serra beating GSP is widely regarded as the biggest upset in MMA history, Serra who was basically on his last leg in the UFC won his season of The Ultimate Fighter, and gained a title shot against then Champ GSP, and amazingly won.  GSP would go on to destroy Serra in his next fight, dismantling Serra piece by piece.  This fight doesn’t have the same excitement it would have a year ago, neither one of these guys will ever be champ again, and I doubt either of them will fight for the Welter Weight title again.  I think Hughes has a better chance if he wrestles Serra to the ground and tries to pound him out, Serra has a solid Jiu Jitsu game and he striking is crisp.  Hughes has taken some shots as of late, and I think his chin isn’t near as strong as it used to be. Serra is a much smaller fighter and should be fighting at Light Weight so he needs to make sure he doesn’t get overpowered in this matchup. Another hard one to pick, but I’m going to take Matt Hughes.

Winner: Matt Hughes by Unanimous Decision.

• Xavier Foupa-Pokam 20-10 vs. Drew McFedries 7-5

Xavier has the coolest nickname of any fighter ever, Xavier “Professor X” Foupa-Pokam, is new to the UFC, he actually just fought on the last PPV, a month ago, quick turn around, He is a solid fighter, who’s striking is solid and spot on. The Majority of Prof X’s wins come via Ko/Tko, so we know he can throw the leather, however McFedries can as well.  McFedries has some heavy hands 4 of his 7 wins have come by way of KO/Tko.  McFedries should have been cut from the UFC after his last fight with Thales Leitis. McFedries is coming off back to back losses, and if he losses this fight, I have no doubt he will get the Axe, so he certainly has some incentive for winning.  Prof X, is coming off his first loss is in over 2 years, he was beaten by Unanimous decision by Overseas star Dennis Kang.  I think McFedries has an advantage in that his back is against the wall in this fight, he needs to win, and win impressively otherwise he’s going to end up in some second rate organization fighting Kimbo Slice, with that being said, I am picking Xavier in this one, but either way it should be exciting.

Winner: Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO in the 2^nd.

• Dan Miller 11-1 Vs. Chael Sonnen 21-10

Another interesting matchup on this card, Miller who is on the cusp of being a  contender in the Middle Weight Division,  is about one  or two impressive wins away, and Chael Sonnen is the perfect match-up for him to prove just that.  Miller is amazing on the ground with 7 of his 11 wins coming by way of submission.  Sonnen, who is a WEC carry-over, is a crafty fighter.  Sonnen is a guy who wins by point scoring, 11 of his 21 wins are by decision, and so he is not a guy who “finishes fights”. However don’t discount Chael; he is a very good fighter.  He is a Forrest Griffin type fighter, who can strike, but doesn’t have much power behind his strikes. He is decent on the ground, thus making him a well rounded fighter; he comes into each fight with a great game plan.  That being said, Chael is coming off a disappointing loss to upcoming superstar Demian Maia. I see Sonnen making up for the loss to Maia here, I see this going the 3 full rounds, with Sonnen taking it.

Winner: Chael Sonnen by Split Decision

• Frank Edgar 9-1 Vs Sean Sherk 33-3-1

Frankie Edgar is one of the most interesting fighters in the UFC Light Weight Division right now. He is 9-1, with his only loss coming by way of decision.  He has destroyed some pretty good guys in the division but has yet to really be matched up with some top level talent, enter Sean Sherk. Former Light Weight champion, Sean “the muscle shark” Sherk, is Edgars first REAL test to date. If he wins, you can bet he will be well on his way to a title shot. Edgar has the potential to be great; it’s hard to tell what he is best at, because his wins split 2 by KO 2 by Sub, and 5 by decision.  Needless to say, with 6 of his fights going the distance, he has the cardio.  Sean Sherk is looking for a title shot again, and he’s taking names on his way. After suffering an ass beating courtesy of BJ Penn, Sean has had his eyes on that Light Weight title match.  Sherk is a HUGE light weight fighter, however, so is Edgar, I think both men will know the ground is off limits.  Sherk seems to have the edge on his feet, just from pure experience and being around longer. I think both men have the chance to KO each other, we don’t know much about Edgars chin yet, so it will be interesting… This fight has the chance to be fight of the night, I think Edgar needs a couple more warm up fight before he is a real contender at light weight, but this fight will go a long way to perfecting his skill.

Winner: Sean Sherk by TKO in the 2^nd.