UFC 114 Breakdown & Predictions
UFC 114 Breakdown by Adrian Wilkins
Predictions by Adrian Wilkins & Randy Jackson
It’s getting close to that magical weekend of May 29th and if you’re an MMA fan you HAVE to be stoked about what’s coming up! After all the hype and build-up we finally get to see “Sugar” Rashad Evans go up against heated rival Quinton “Rampage” Jackson! As a fan of MMA, I am totally stoked about this fight, even if the entire card is not as stacked as this fight is, but let’s take a look at the main card:
Efrain Escudero 13-1 vs. Dan Lauzon 12-3 at 155:
Info: Efrain Escudero is coming back into the Octagon for the first time since January 11th where he lost in the third round to Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz. The wrestler is facing against a man that is coming off a loss as well in Dan Lauzon. He lost his fight via arm lock submission to Cole Miller on what has been referred to as the injury card of UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva on January 2, 2010. Some would say that this is a must win fight for both fighters as an unimpressive loss could result in being cut by the UFC. Although both of these cage veterans are wily on the ground, I do think that Dan Lauzon is going to want to represent Massachusetts well, and pull off a submission in the middle of the 2nd round. This is going to be an entertaining fight as it’s actually going to be on SpikeTV before the PPV.
Adrian’s Verdict: Dan Lauzon by submission Round 2
Randy’s Prediction: Efrain Escudero 1st round submission
Amir Sadollah 4-1 vs. Dong Hyun Kim 12-0-1 (1NC) at 170
Info: Amir Sadollah is one of those guys you really can’t sleep on. He hasn’t really fought much since winning his fight against CB Dollaway via arm lock at The Ultimate Fighter: Rampage vs. Forrest Finale back in 2008. He has scored a couple of hard fought decisions against high level fighters such as Phil Baroni and Brad Blackburn. He goes up against a man that hasn’t really suffered the taste of defeat in his career in Dong Hyun Kim. Kim has not been in the Octagon since July 11th at UFC 100. Both of these guys are well rounded and have a lot of heart so believe me when I say this fight is going to go to the judges.
Adrian’s Verdict: Dong Hyun Kim by split decision
Randy’s Prediction: Amir Sadollah by decision
Diego Sanchez 23-3 vs. John Hathaway 13-0
Info: Diego Sanchez wants to get back on the winning side of things and the “YES” man would like nothing more than to win this fight against John Hathaway (who is undefeated might I add). There were rumors at one time that Sanchez was thinking of possibly going back up to welterweight, but many think that he would probably be the first or second challenger for Frankie Edgar if Edgar gets past BJ Penn again. But Sanchez is going to have hands full against the British born John Hathaway who is trying to make a case to fight for a championship himself. Now here’s the fun part…Both are men that don’t know when to give up and both have hearts the size of the moon, but at the same time we both know that Diego Sanchez isn’t afraid to swing for the fences and John Hathaway is just as willing to do the same thing.
Adrian’s Verdict: Diego Sanchez by TKO in the 3rd.
Randy’s Prediction: Diego Sanchez TKO 2nd
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira 18-3 vs. Jason Brilz at 205
Info: Rogerio is a strong fighter that is working on separating himself from the shadow of his twin brother, “Big Nog”. I do believe that he’s being groomed to be a future contender to the Light Heavyweight championship in a division that’s getting more and more stacked as each show goes by. Now don’t expect Jason Brilz to just lay down and take the “L”. He’s a wrestling and submission specialist that wants to make a statement in the Light Heavyweight division and a good showing or even a win against a Nogueira could land him in a great position for a future shot, but “Lil Nog” may prove to be too much for the fighter who last stopped a fighter back in 2008.
Adrian’s Verdict: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by TKO in the 3rd.
Randy’s Prediction: Nogueira TKO 1st
Todd Duffee 6-0 vs. Mike Russow 12-1 at Hvyw
Info: A lot of people will be watching this fight to see if Todd Duffee can recreate the magic he had back at UFC 102 with his record breaking seven second KO of Tim Hague. Todd Duffee doesn’t think this fight is going to happen like that and expects it to be a long and sloppy fight. I agree with him on that. It’s going to be sloppy because heavyweights are notorious for not being up on their cardio. Not all the time, but if this fight goes three rounds it’s going to be sloppy.
Adrian’s Verdict: Mike Russow by submission 2nd Round.
Randy’s Prediction: Todd Duffee TKO 2nd
Co-Main Event: Michael Bisping 19-3 vs. Dan Miller 11-3 at 185
Info: Michael Bisping is looking to get back on the winning trail since losing to Wanderlei Silva back at UFC 110. A lot of people are hoping that he doesn’t win against the Dan Miller whose last two fights were losses to men that have recently challenged Anderson Silva in Demien Maia and his next challenger in Chael Sonnen. This man is going to be a tough challenge for Bisping as Miller is well versed in BJJ, Muay Thai and wrestling. But one thing we have learned about Bisping is that he can adapt to any situation. This is going to be a great Co-Main Event…
Adrian’s Verdict: Michael Bisping unanimous decision
Randy’s Prediction: Michael Bisping unanimous decision
Main Event: Rashad Evans vs “Rampage” Jackson at 205 lbs.
Info: Two coaches from TUF: Heavyweights, two former Light Heavyweight Champion, pure disdain for each other…This is going to make for a blockbuster fight! Rampage has said that he never trained as hard for an opponent as he has right now and that has made him angry. Rashad has been sparring with the likes of Keith Jardine, Shane Carwin and has Greg Jackson in his corner. Dana White has announced that the winner of this fight is the first challenger to Shogun Rua’s title. That makes this fight much more explosive as both men want the gold again! This fight may not be “scientific”, but it’s going to be great and may be the fight of the year and I can’t wait for it!!!
Adrian’s Verdict: Who cares?!? The fans are the winners!!! But really…Rashad Evans by split decision with “Rampage” saying for Evans to win the belt and they go at it again for the gold!
Randy’s Prediction: Rashad Evans TKO 3rd
