Below you’ll find our predictions for this Friday night’s ‘UFC On FX 2’ event from Sydney, Australia.
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Main Card:
Thiago Alves vs. Martin Kampmann
This headliner serves up two of the best strikers the welterweight division has to offer. For my money Alves is the more dangerous and dynamic of the two on the feet, and should land the more punishing blows. That’s assuming he turns up 100% though as he’s appeared to lack the killer instinct of late.
Kampmann will make it competitive in the stand-up though, and the key for him will be to mix things up as he holds an ace up his sleeve in that he is very good on the ground too, and he’ll pose a threat from submissions.
Having said that, while Alves has had real problems with wrestlers, he’s actually got very good submission defense and I think he’ll be able to work his way back to his feet if he is taken down by the Danish fighter. If so I believe he can gradually wear Kampmann down with his strikes and finish him late in the fight.
Thiago Alves to win by TKO in Rd3.
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Joseph Benavidez vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani
Benavidez has always been a fighter who’s looked like a perfect fit for the flyweight division, and he’ll get a chance to prove it against Yashuhiro Urushitani tomorrow night.
Urushitani is a very good striker who can pick his opponents apart on the feet, although he’s by no means has devastating power. Benavidez is the better all-round fighter though and I can see him using his superior grappling skills to take Urushitani down and work him over before forcing the tap via submission.
Joseph Benavidez to win by submission in Rd2.
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Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall
The second flyweight semi-final sees another former 135lb No.1 contender ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson drop down to a weight class that he’s far better suited to in order to take on the man currently ranked at No.1 in the flyweight class, ‘Uncle Creepy’.
McCall is a fun fighter to watch with his all-action dynamic striking and improved ground work. Johnson has the tools to frustrate him though, with a terrific gas-tank, a developing striking game, and most importantly excellent wrestling which he’s already used to good effect against high level opposition at bantamweight despite being undersized for the division. I see Johnson controlling the action on the mat for large periods of the fight to book his place in the flyweight final.
Demetrious Johnson to win by decision.
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Court McGee vs. Costa Philippou
This should be a reasonably close fight between two up and coming contenders in the UFC’s middleweight division.
I favor McGee though who doesn’t really excel in any one area, but has no glaring weaknesses, is very durable and has good conditioning. Philippou shows promise, but he’s more inconsistent with his performances and I see him getting outworked over three rounds here.
Court McGee to win by decision.
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Prelims:
James Te Huna vs. Aaron Rosa
Anthony Perosh vs. Nick Penner
Cole Miller vs. Steven Siler
Kyle Noke vs. Andrew Craig
T.J. Waldburger vs. Jake Hecht
Mackens Semerzier vs. Daniel Pineda
Oli Thompson vs. Shawn Jordan
