Luis Cane vs. James Irvin
Sam Cupitt: Haven’t seen Cane before but on paper he seems like a clone of Thiago Silva. James Irvin can hurt you if he hits you but if you take him down and you know some submissions, he won’t last long. I think Irvin will connect a couple of times, then Cane will realise that he wants no part of the exchanges and will take Irvin down and submit him quickly. Cane via Submission in the 1st round.
Paul Cupitt: I haven’t seen Cane so I’m picking the more experienced Irvin to knock him out in the 1st round. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cane does win by knockout because he appears to have power with 6 of his 7 wins coming by knockout (the other by submission). If Cane is a world class fighter he should beat Irvin, however a loss is hardly the end of his career. Irvin is more experienced and thats the only reason I’m picking him. Irvin via KO in Round 1.
Manny Gamburyan vs. Nate Mohr
Sam Cupitt: Gamburyan has been promised by Joe Silva that if his fight is exciting it will be televised. He must already be pretty filthy that he’s been put on the undercard behind Eddie Sanchez and an unknown heavyweight, so I’m expecting Manny to go mental and take Mohr down and pound him out pretty quickly. Gamburyan via TKO in round 1.
Paul Cupitt: Gamburyan should be too slick for Mohr on the ground and he’ll tap Mohr with a rear naked choke in short time. Gamburyan via submission in Round 1.
Dean Lister vs. Jordan Radev
Sam Cupitt: If Radev takes Lister down he will get submitted. If he tries to stand up with Lister he will get taken down and then submitted. Lister via submission in round 1.
Paul Cupitt: Lister should control the ground fighting but I think Radev will have the know-how to avoid submissions but not to come close to winning. Lister via unanimous decision.
Roan Carneiro vs. Tony DeSouza
Sam Cupitt: Both have great jiu jitsu which will cancel out. That should mean whoever is superior in the other aspects should walk away with this. I feel Carneiro has the superior MMA skill set but not the power to stop DeSouza. Carneiro via Unanimous Decision.
Paul Cupitt: DeSouza by decision with him controlling the fight from top position for the better part of the three rounds. DeSouza via unanimous decision.
Mark Bocek vs. Doug Evans
Sam Cupitt: Bocek has submissions, Evans has the wrestling and better striking. This points to Evans being able to dictate the proceedings. Evans via unanimous decision.
Paul Cupitt: Bocek is the better grappler and will catch Evans with something at some stage, probably later in the fight when he tires. Bocek by arm bar in the 2nd round. Bocek via submission in Round 2.
