We’re just a little over a day away from seeing the UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga. The flyweight title will be on the line as Demetrious Johnson and John Moraga duke it out in the main event, while Rory McDonald and Jake Ellenberger fight for a potential number one welterweight contender spot in the co-main event.
Knockout artist Robbie Lawler and tough-as-nails Bobby Voelker will also fight each other on the main card, as will female bantamweights Liz Carmouche and Jessica Andrade, who makes her UFC debut. The prelims also look to be fireworks, with fighters like Jorge Masvidal, Melvin Guillard, Mac Danzig, Yves Edwards set to throw down on Saturday night.
Like all UFC events, Fight of the night, Submission of the night and Knockout of the night bonuses are up for grabs, and competition for them is set to be fierce. Predictions for potential bonus winners at this UFC on Fox are difficult to make, as this is truly one of those cards where most fighters will put it all on the line.
Nonetheless, here are some predictions of who will win the bonuses this weekend.
Fight of the Night
Liz Carmouche vs. Jessica Andrade
This is certainly a bold prediction for fight of the night. Very, very bold. However, as shown in her UFC debut against Ronda Rousey, Carmouche is a fighter who goes in the Octagon to give it all she’s got. She will also be looking to get a UFC win after losing against the Women’s Bantamweight champ, and will likely look for the finish on Saturday night.
Andrade, on the other hand, will look to make her UFC debut a successful one as she aims to prove that she belongs in the division’s top ten. Despite her young age, the 21-year-old Brazilian has technical grappling, slick submissions, powerful striking and an ability to take punishment. Only one of her 11 fights has gone the distance, which will be another contributing factor to this fight being an entertaining one.
This fight has been one of the least talked about on the main card, but fans may end up being surprised.
Submission of the Night
Mac Danzig
The Ultimate Fighter 6 winner takes on Melvin Guillard in what may be a do or die contest between the two lightweights. Guillard’s hands are powerful, quick and scary, but his submission defence has always been his Achilles heel.
That plays right into the hands of Danzig, who has a strong – and potentially underrated – submission game. Should Danzig manage to avoid the fists of Guillard and take the fight to the ground, he will likely be able to get the submission and a nice bonus as a result.
Other potential contenders for submission of the night are Ed Herman, Mike Chiesa and Jessica Andrade.
Knockout of the Night
Robbie Lawler
Another bold choice mainly due to the fact that Voelker has not lost via TKO in five years, and has only lost via knockout twice in his 33-fight career. Then again, it can be argued he has not fought someone with striking as crisp and as powerful as Lawler.
Lawler stunned fans by finishing Josh Koscheck with punches (one of only two fighters to do so) in his return to the UFC back in February. If the fight stays on the feet, Lawler could overwhelm Voelker with some of his solid strikes en route to his second successive knockout of the night award.
Other potential contenders for knockout of the night are Jorge Masvidal, Jake Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald, Melvin Guillard and Yves Edwards.
