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The full fight card for tomorrow is as follows, here are my quick picks for the victors for UFC 104.
Light-Heavyweight Championship
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua
Machida is a defensive counter puncher that can eat up hyper-aggressive fighters + Rua (Aggressive fighter) = Machida stoppage Rd 3.
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
Velasquez will face his biggest challenge yet from Rothwell who has as many losses as Velasquez has fights (6). Having said that Velasquez has a wrestling base that Rothwell will have trouble stopping. Velasquez via decision.
Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
This is a tough fight to call, both fighters are coming off losses and could potentially have their UFC futures on the line so it should be a spirited fight. I think Tibau will squeek out the decision.
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Joe Stevenson has superior wrestling and ground skills and I just don't think that Fisher will be able to let his hands go enough to keep this fight standing. Stevenson via ground and pound or submission stoppage rd 3.
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Johnson has the tools to be a legit contender in this division and with his hard-hitting style could be a fan favorite for years to come. Yoshida has the submission skills but not the wrestling to deal with Johnson and Johnson should out with the KO rd 2.
Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer
Bader hits harder and is a better wrestler than Schafer so he should be able to grind out a ground and pound or stand up victory over the well-traveled Schafer who just doesn't seem to have the tools to get over the top in the big fight.
Antoni Hardonk vs. Pat Berry
This one could be a barn-burner of a fight between two stand up fighters. Hardonk is bigger but slower, and Berry's superior foot and hand speed should be the difference in this fight - but don't blink, this one should be over in round 1. Berry KO rd 1.
Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
I don't know that I see this fight being a particularly exciting one. Neither fighter is a fan-favorite and I think that trend continues with a lackadaisical fight where neither fighter will impress. Okami should overcome with a decision victory.
Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
My head says go with Kimmons, but considering the incredible personal loss that Rivera suffered I feel his training will be at an all-time high and help him get over the hump one more time. Rivera decision.
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan
This fight smells a lot like loser goes home - and truth be told I don't feel that either fighter is at a UFC level right now. My prediction. Hassan loses by submission and gets his contract cut. Then Kingsbury loses his next fight and gets his contract cut too.
Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley
Gormley's long layoff could hurt him in this fight and had he been more active of late I might have picked him to win here. As it is I will take Struve who's cardio will outlast Gormley who will start strong, but fade in the middle round and get overcome in the third.
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