UFC’s year end show looks very strong on paper. But unlike their last show, the main event isn’t what is going to sell the show. In fact, even with weeks and weeks of hype, in my opinion, Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira isn’t all that strong. Neither is Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans. The strongest match they have is the third meeting between Wanderlei Silva and Rampage Jackson. But if you watched the hype special this week, the best match they have is most definitely placed third on the card.

If the three matches deliver, we could see another great show. But Griffin vs. Evans could become a wrestling match and that doesn’t necessarily bode well for a five round title fight. And other than catching Brock Lesnar in a knee bar, we’re not even sure if Frank Mir is as good as he used to be. But I have a feeling Rampage and Silva will deliver again.

The FGB squad has predictions on the top three matches. As has been the case for the last several shows, Stevie J from Angry Marks is also going to give his thoughts. Also, Peachmachine and Ed in San Antonio who host Drunkcast are gracing us with their presence.

Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva

Big D: Silva by 2nd round TKO
Stevie J: Silva
Peachmachine: Silva
Ed in San Antonio: Silva by 2nd round TKO
Cactus Jim: Jackson by decision
GG: Jackson by decision

Big D says, “It has been four years since Silva and Rampage have clashed and the bad blood is likely still there. This fight will be more of a mental challenge for Rampage than a physical one. He hasn’t exactly been himself since July and Silva has two NASTY wins over him. Sorry but I predict that The Axe Murderer will chop him down in Round 2. KO.”

Cactus Jim says, “I think that Jackson, the better wrestler will be able to utilize the cage to his advantage more than Wanderlei and that could be the difference in what I predict will be a very even fight. All that said, if Jackson shows up the least bit tentative, I think Wanderlei chews him up and spits him out. This will be a very telling fight for Jackson.”

Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans

Big D: Evans
Stevie J: Griffin by decision
Peachmachine: Evans by 2nd round TKO
Ed in San Antonio: Griffin by 5th round submission
Cactus Jim: Griffin by decision
GG: Griffin by decision

Peachmachine says, “Rashad is a better wrestler, hits harder, and is coming off his biggest win. Other than reach, I don’t think Forrest has much on him.”

Stevie J says, “Forrest Griffin is the consummate underdog in every big fight he’s in, which is partly due to the fact Griffin acts like a class clown even as the LHW champion. It largely disguises just how skilled he is as a fighter, and both his striking and takedowns have drastically improved since he first debuted. On the other hand Griffin’s biggest strength may simply be his ability to take a punch and keep on coming, as Rampage hit him with everything but the kitchen sink and left his face a mess even as he lasted all the way to a still hotly debated decision victory. Griffin has to deal with the fact Rashad Evans has improved even faster than he did though, and is definitely the superior wrestler. Odds are he’ll try to stand and bang with Griffin since he does have KO power, and I don’t expect Griffin to go out like he did against Keith Jardine, so in the end he’ll end up a swollen mess like he did against Jackson but should once again get a decision victory and probably a less controversial one than he did against Jackson.”

Frank Mir vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

Big D: Nogueira by 3rd round submission
Stevie J: Nogueira by 2nd round TKO
Peachmachine: Nogueira by decision
Ed in San Antonio: Nogueira by 2nd round submission
Cactus Jim: Nogueira by 3rd round TKO
GG: Nogueira by 2nd round TKO

GG says, “Really, neither man has been impressive recently. But you just have to figure that Nogueira is a better big fight fighter. Mir says that he’s training harder than ever and it’s a great story, but I’m not so sure his hard training is as hard as everyone else’s hard training. I think Nog will outlast him for two rounds, Mir will tire, and Nog will take him out at the end of the second.”

We should be back here on Saturday for play by play of the show.

Photo of Wanderlei Silva by LeeBrimelow and shared via creative commons

Photo of Rashad Evans shared by Wikipedia through creative commons

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