Although in the distant future at two months away, UFC 92 holds a special place in my heart, as it will be my first MMA event attended.
My 21st birthday is in just less than a month, the day before Thanksgiving and when my parents asked me what I would like to do, UFC 92 was my first choice.
Luckily for me they were willing and I purchased two tickets to UFC 92 today and will be making the five-hour drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas on December 27th for the event.
It is only fitting that I mark the occasion and try to vent some of my overflowing anticipation by previewing and predicting the outcomes of the three marquee fights that will anchor UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008.
In the third main event, my personal favorite as a Rampage Jackson fan, is the third meeting of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Wanderlei Silva.
These two light heavyweights met twice before in the PRIDE organization with Wanderlei taking both fights via knockouts by knees.
While Rampage has gone 3-1 in the UFC and won the Light Heavyweight championship, Wanderlei has gone 1-1 losing to Chuck Liddell on last New Year’s card and knocking out Keith Jardine at UFC 84.
- B/R Ticket Guide
I expect Rampage to take this fight probably by way of being a Rampage fan, however, I don’t expect Rampage, who I still personally consider the top light heavyweight in the world to drop such a crucial fight.
Rampage will be focused to prove that he can finally conquer Wanderlei and is recovered from his breakdown following losing the title to Forrest Griffin and the legal problems that ensued.
The more restrictive kneeing rules of UFC with respect to PRIDE will work in Rampages favor and I see his two years of youth and athleticism advantage to be too much for Wanderlei to overcome in this fight and Rampage will be able to place himself right back into title contention.
In the next headliner, UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera will take on his fellow Ultimate Fighter coach Frank Mir.
I expect Minotauro to overwhelm Mir in this bout by way of his superior striking and undeniable toughness. While Mir is a skilled submission artist, I feel that his days as a UFC Champion have passed.
Minotauro should retain his interim belt and set himself up for a future unification bout with the winner of the Randy Couture—Brock Lesnar fight at UFC 91.
In the main event of the evening, Forrest Griffin puts his UFC Light Heavyweight Title on the line against fellow The Ultimate Fighter alum
“Sugar” Rashad Evans.
While I have great expectations for Rashad Evans, I feel Forrest Griffin has the experience and skill to retain his title against Evans.
Griffin defeated Rampage Jackson to win his belt, who I feel is in a way a more talented and skilled Rashad Evans.
I do not want that to be construed as a comparison based on the fact that both are African-American, I simply feel that they are similar based on their striking power, wrestling prowess and athleticism.
I feel that if Griffin has the ability to pull out a decision against someone of Rampage Jackson’s ability, he will not lose to Rashad Evans unless Evans catches him with a shot similar to the one he dropped Chuck Liddell with.
All in all given only the three headline matches, I feel that UFC 92 has the ability to live up to its label as “The Ultimate.”
I look forward to hearing others predictions for this event and am anxiously anticipating December 27th.
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2 months ago
Great job Michael!!..although we are respectfully in disagreement..(I'm picking Mir and Wandy and Rashad Rashad is the best of the 205 pounders in my humble opinion..(besides machida) but no one will ever know cause they are all ducking him..quack quack quack..lol...happy b-day buddy../enjoy yourself..
stokey..
2 months ago
DONT LIKE MIR???..WELL ..IM GUESSING THAT TITANIUM TIM (ARMBAR) ..AND (ANKLE LOCK BROCK) MAY DISAGREE WITH YOU..HAHA
delete
from 2 months ago
Those are great nicknames man! Did you come up with those yourself or did you steal them from somewhere...Mir is likeable, in my opinion, but also looks like a dope on TUF. It takes all kinds though...
from 14 days ago
The Silvia Arm bar was pre motorbike accident, he was much better then, Mind you tim was never any good, and if he fought Nog , Nog would destroy him, oh thats right he did!... lol...
Tim should go to K-1, as he has zero ground game....lol. and that ankle lock on Lesnar was lucky, due to Lesnars inexperience.. and the ref broke the fight up prematurely (watch the video) if the ref left it, Mir would have been ktfo, Mir was getting pounded up until that point. look for a post fight pic of his face lol lol, so without the lucky ankle lock, Mir would likley not even be in the UFC anymore.... Mir is gonna get choked out...
from 14 days ago
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2 months ago
Wow, you're going to UFC 92? Lets see, how do I say this diplomatically ... I hate you. Hahah just kidding, great job on the article. I like your Nog pick, but I think Wanderlei just has Quinton's number. I'm sure it'll be a barn burner though, just like the first two. as for Forrest and Rashad ... I just don't know. I could see either fighter taking a decision. There are just too many variables to think about in this one for me to make a surefire prediction this early. But I liked your analysis and could definitely see Forrest taking a decision.
Nice job! And have a beer for me!
2 months ago
You lucky son of a...happy birthday man! That is quite a birthday present. Any chance your parents are looking to adopt a guy who has already gotten two college degrees?
As for your picks: It is hard to say which Rampage and Wanderlei will show up. I dont think their fights in Pride will have any bearing on this fight, which is a good thing for Jackson. He is a much better fighter since then. Although with his recent escapades who know where his head is at. I hope he comes in at 100% though. I actually think his friendship with Bisping has had a stabilizing affect on him.
I also think Wanderlei, has deteriorated just a bit, which should be enough. Silva is still a beast and looked vicious against Jardine. I wouldn't be surprised to see either fighter win which makes for an intriguing fight. The longer the fight goes the better for Rampage. Silva will be swinging for the fences. Rampage by decision or Silva by T(KO). I will be more definitive closer to the fight card!
As for Nog vs. Mir thats easy...Nog wins and probably goes on to beat Randy or Brock.
As for Forrest vs Rashad. Another hard fight to call. Forrest is a warrior and I love his tenacity. Rashad though keeps on winning and who knows what can happen with his increasingly lethal striking game. Forrest will be more elusive and less predictive then Liddell was. I am leaning toward Forrest in a decision but Rashad can definitely T(KO) him.
Congrats on getting to go to this event. We all expect a full report on here afterward!
2 months ago
In case I forget later, Happy Birthday--this is your big one, Buddy, so you deserve a big treat. I hope it is a great show so it will be an unforgetable once in a lifetime experience. I think Rampage, Nog and Rashad will win by a magic nipple rub.
Five stars and I just love your enthusiastic breakdown of the event. Great job!
about 1 month ago
I agree wtih it all except Rampage and Silva. I think Silvas going to win.
I agree, Nog will just own him. He has better stricking and if he does end up on the ground, he has better jujitsu.
main event, im going for Forrest. Has the experience, the skills, and the heart to win this. I agree, if he can be Rampage he can beat Evans. I mean Evans can TKO him, if he hits him. I just think Forrest is to good and he's going to win by decision.
16 days ago
Rashad is gonna win no doubt about it. He's faster, stronger, and a top notch wrestler. If anybody thinks Griffin's height is gonna be to much for Evans, think again. You might wanna watch the TUF 2 finale when Rashad fought in HW. His opponent was Brad Imes who was 5-0 in his career, 6'7 260 pounds. He rocked Evans a couple of times in that fight didnt stop him tho. So Evans chin is pretty good. I just honestly dont see what Forrest is better at than Rashad!
http://www.iwebie.com/ufc-92-card
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