One of my great loves, Mixed-Martial Arts, namely UFC has another of its numbered monthly pay per views (PPV), UFC 108 – Evans vs Silva which is sure to have an explosive main event featuring two fighters with real knock out pedigree as well as under cards with some rather promising young fighters.
It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen Rashad Evans fight, his last fight coming way back in May 2009 from a devastating loss to an undefeated Lyoto Machida which resulted in Evans’ first defeat, a dropping of the title belt and by a knockout, so it will certainly be exciting to see him back in the ring. Thiago Silva hasn’t been out of the ring as long, defeating Keith Jardine via a punches knockout back in August at UFC 102, one fight on from his first defeat back in January 2009, also to Lyoto Machida. Both of these fighters have the vast majority of their victories by way of Knockout so other than a potential points decision it’s difficult to see this going any other way than a KO.

The card itself isn’t the strongest after becoming victim to an alarming number of drop-outs due to injury with Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin and Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort two of the fights originally penciled in to take part.

Ones to look out for at this PPV are Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley, a real hard puncher from the UK who will be looking to continue on from his devastating introduction to the UFC and Junior Dos Santos, a young Brazilian fighter who has been mentored by both Antonio Noguiera and Anderson Silva in the past.

The card and my predictions as they stand:

UFC 108 Card:

Main Event:

Rashad Evans vs Thiago Silva

Heavyweight/Welterweight:

Junior dos Santos vs. Gilbert Yvel
Martin Kampmann vs. Jacob Volkmann
Dustin Hazelett vs. Paul Daley (catchweight)

Lightweight:

Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout
Jim Miller vs. Duane Ludwig
Cole Miller vs. Dan Lauzon

My predictions for the fights tomorrow night are the ones made in bold.

I fancy Thiago Silva to win even though I feel Rashad has a little something more to prove, this fight will be expected to end in a punch knockout, if it goes to the ground I can see Thiago winning via Triangle due to a possible over zealous Evans ground game. I pick Silva to win via decision.

The Junior Dos Santos result isn’t an easy one to predict, Gilbert Yvel may not be the most popular man in the Octagon but he is very experienced. I will take Dos Santos to take this with a TKO in the 2nd round, I think his work ethic and power may present too much of an issue in this fight.

I fully expect the Martin Kampmann fight to end in a decision with the Dane taking the decision. He’ll be hungry to avenge to defeat to Paul Daley back in September and the last time Volkmann fought I was unimpressed. Of course, it’s possible he’ll be a completely different fighter in his second fight in the UFC.

Dustin Hazelett is no mug and he’ll be expecting a game plan from Paul Daley, a fast paced tempo and punching power, if Daley lands one of his wicked hooks then he will win this fight. Hazelett has to try and take this to the floor, if he doesn’t he will get knocked out with a big left.

I really can’t see past Joe Lauzon and his really solid submission game for this fight and can see him completely controlling the fight before winning via a Rear Naked Choke.

Duane Ludwig may have the better big fight experience having fought many well known fighters such as BJ Penn, Tyson Griffin and even Paul Daley who is appearing on this card, but all those fights have resulted in defeat for the strong American and as a result I have to go with Jim Miller to take this one.

I have taken Dan Lauzon for a surprise victory over Cole Miller to complete a family Lauzon double win tonight. Dan Lauzon sports a very balanced striking and grappling game and has the potential to get a real result here via a decision.