UFC 93 isn’t necessarily a throwaway show, but it’s not one of the UFC’s better cards. There are a few intriguing matches and though there’s not one single match that is must see, the top two matches aren’t push overs. Our own Alan and Duan will be there live as the show is in Dublin, Ireland.

The entire fight card is at UFC’s website.

The main event is a match that’s probably three or four years too late, but it’s still an intriguing match-up. You have Rich Franklin who was dominant at middleweight for the UFC at the same time that Dan Henderson was dominant in Pride’s similar weight class (though called welterweight). Also, Shogun Rua faces Mark Coleman in a rematch of a fight in which Rua’s elbow was dislocated as he tried to stop a takedown. Big D posted about the crazy scene after their first fight.

The FGB squad has predictions on the top two matches. Stevie J from Angry Marks is also back to give us his thoughts.

Shogun Rua vs. Mark Coleman

Big D: Rua by 1st round TKO
Stevie J: Rua by 1st round TKO
Alan: Rua by 1st round TKO
Duan: Rua by 1st round submission
Cactus Jim: Rua by 2nd round TKO
GG: Rua by 2nd round TKO

Big D says, “I think Shogun is going to come in here healthy and with something to prove. I think Coleman also has something to prove. Shogun is younger, stronger, and Coleman, while he indeed WAS great ten years ago (maybe even six years ago) has taken too much punishment and is way past his prime. Shogun’s got this.”

Stevie J says, “That’s not out of any lack of respect for Mark Coleman, especially considering he hung with Fedor longer than Tim Sylvia did, but there’s simply too big of an age and speed difference for Coleman to overcome here. This is Rua’s rehab fight after his devastating loss to Forrest Griffin, and his first step back up the ladder to potentially challenging for LHW whether it’s Evans or Jackson that holds the belt when he gets that shot.”

Alan says, “Coleman is just too far gone and I’d say Rua will be riled up to both avenge his loss in 2006 and to get his UFC career on track.”

Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson

Big D: Franklin by decision
Stevie J: Franklin by split decision
Alan: Franklin by decision
Duan: Franklin by decision
Cactus Jim: Henderson by 3rd round TKO
GG: Franklin by decision

Cactus Jim says, “Dan’s chin is granite and Rich’s ground game is good, but not great. I think going into the later rounds that Dan puts him on his ass and pounds him out”

Duan says, “Dan has a tendency to trade with guys as long as he is not being completely overwhelmed in the stand up. I think this fight will be no different. Dan will be willing to stand with Franklin, and while i expect he will be competitive, ultimately Rich should come out the winner of a boxing match. He’s just the more versatile striker of the two, and should take a close decision.”

GG says, “I feel the same way as Duan. I think Franklin will do just enough on the feet by being the more accurate striker to eek out a win. Henderson may get some of the stronger strikes in, but I think Franklin will be the better technical striker and win on points.

We all have Rua beating Coleman and most of us have Franklin beating Henderson, but Cactus Jim thinks that Henderson takes it.

Photo by Wikipedia and shared via the public domain

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