Originally Posted by
raghead
So who do you guys have in these upcoming cards?
Hendo v. Franklin
Tough one to call. I hope Franklin wins, but this is a really close fight. Franklin has better stand up(yeah I said it), but Hendo has more power. Hendo has better wrestling, but Franklin has underrated submission skills. I'm gonna say if it stays standing, either Franklin gets caught and (T)KO'd or wins via UD.
Shogun v. Coleman
Another tough one. Same as the first time, on paper Shogun should destroy Coleman. But who knows how his knee is after the surgery and how cage rust is going to affect him.
Fedor v. Arlovski
Arlovski's boxing is the only thing he has going for him in this fight. If he can keep Fedor away with a strong jab, manage to avoid the takedowns and utilize good head movement, he MIGHT cut Fedor and get it stopped or possibly get a decision nod. The more likely result, Fedor mixes up the stand up with some kicks, gets inside and knocks him the fuck out. That or he takes him down, pounds him out or submits him. Arlovski winning isn't impossible, but it's extremely unlikely.
Machida v. Silva
Machida all the way. Silva has extremely overrated stand up. He's a brawler with a decent chin and good power. Styles make fights, and Silva's style is tailor made for Machida to dominate. Silva is gonna try and push the pace, stay in Machida's face and knock him out. He won't be able to touch Machida, and Machida will pick him apart.
Penn v. GSP
I'm favoring Penn in this one. Penn has great boxing, GSP can't stand with him period. If you want to argue that GSP's stand up is a lot better, he hasn't proved himself against a striker. He's outstruck wrestlers, and proved he has a suspect chin against Serra. Penn has a granite chin and isn't going to get KO'd. GSP has also proved to have problems finishing fights with striking against Jon Fitch. You can credit some of that to Fitch for having a good chin, but no one has a good enough chin to get the shit beat out of them by someone with good KO power and stay standing. GSP does not have knock out power. In BJJ, Penn obviously has an advantage. GSP has good enough BJJ to keep him at bay for a while, but if Penn ends up on top it's going to be a short fight. The thing that is going to make or break this fight for GSP is his wrestling. If he can take Penn down, control him on the ground, avoid submission and utilize some GNP, he has a shot. He may even get a ref stoppage if he can put Penn in a position where he can't escape and can pound on him long enough. And if the fight drags on, Penn's cardio is going be a huge factor. Yes he's training hard, but GSP's pure size and strength can train the best of em. I'm a huge fan of both fighters, but I simply think Penn has more ways to win.