UFC 80 Rapid Fire - Preliminary Predictions
Here are our PRELIMINARY predictions for UFC 80. We say preliminary because we will still be evaluating weights, conditioning, and many other factors to determine our final analysis in the next 2 weeks. These predictions are not based upon UFC Rapid Fire Odds.
#1 Matchup Prediction:
BJ ‘The Prodigy‘ Penn VS Joe ‘Daddy‘ Stevenson
BJ Penn has fought the ‘who’s who’ of the UFC including wins against Jens Pulver and Matt Hughes. Stevenson, on the other hand, has fought a few less prominent fighters with the exception of one Melvin Guillard. BJ Penn has the height and reach advantage, has better stand up game, and an excellent ground defense. He has awesome Jui-Jitsu skills and will impose his will on ‘Daddy’. BJ Penn by TKO.
#2 Matchup Prediction:
Gabriel ‘Napao‘ Gonzaga VS Fabricio ‘Vai Cavalo‘ Werdum
Here is a fight of the big men.. Gonzaga is 6′1″ and Werdum is 6′4″! Werdum WON the last fight in Brazil against Gonzaga nearly 2 years ago, but Gonzaga is a much different fighter today. He is hungry, especially after his loss to Couture. Look for a quick battle. Gonzaga quick by TKO.
#3 Matchup Prediction:
Jess ‘The Joker‘ Liauden VS Marcus ‘The Irish Hand Grenade‘ Davis
Marcus Davis has excellent hands and is getting much better on the ground while Jess has good stand up and ground game. Davis will keep the fight standing up as long as possible and try to win with the standup. However, I believe Jess will take him to the ground and win the fight. Liauden by decision.
More coming………
pjk (January 7, 2008 @ 5:15 pm)
I think that Marcus Davis is going to pound Jess Liauden and get a knockout. It may be a surprise, but he has some heavy hands and has been working overtime for this fight.
BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson will be a lot closer of a battle than you might think. Joe is tough on the ground and while BJ Penn may have good ground defense, I don’t think he has fought anyone with Joe’s level of ground game.
Gonzaga will whip Werdum’s ass, just like you said.
Out of those 3, that is my opinion. Take it to the bank
George (January 8, 2008 @ 11:40 am)
Jess Liauden will beat Marcus Davis. Not by a decision though.
Joe Stevenson is going to upset Penn. Hes tougher than people think.
Gonzaga is gonna beat Werdum for sure.
I think I have it 100% on the mark and that is how I am going to bet if the lines are favorable.
UFCMan (January 10, 2008 @ 6:21 am)
You all have it wrong!
Jess Liauden by decision, Joe Stevenson by TKO, Werdum by TKO!
hahahahaha just joking! I agree with pjk 100% except I don’t see a prediction on the Stevenson/Penn fight - so I’d say BJ Penn for the TKO on that one.
Hope your bets do as good as mine will
Frank (January 10, 2008 @ 3:11 pm)
Marcus Davis by TKO with his heavy hands. BJ Penn will not be upset, Stevenson is no match for him. Gonzaga is pissed at his last loss and will destroy Werdum.
Bet on it.