Main Event
Welterweight Championship
Georges St. Pierre vs Carlos Condit
22-2 Record 28-5
31 Age 28
170 Weight 169
5'10 Height 6'2
76" Reach 76"
-335 Odds +270
Common Opponents:
Dan Hardy
St. Pierre won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 111 3/27/10
Condit won by TKO 1st Round at UFC 120 10/16/10
Jake Shields
St. Pierre won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 129 4/30/11
Condit lost by Unanimous Decision at ROTR 9 4/21/06
Frank Trigg
St. Pierre won by Submission 1st Round at UFC 54 8/20/05
Condit won by Submission 1st Round at ROTR 9 4/21/06
Dan Hardy
St. Pierre won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 111 3/27/10
Condit won by TKO 1st Round at UFC 120 10/16/10
Jake Shields
St. Pierre won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 129 4/30/11
Condit lost by Unanimous Decision at ROTR 9 4/21/06
Frank Trigg
St. Pierre won by Submission 1st Round at UFC 54 8/20/05
Condit won by Submission 1st Round at ROTR 9 4/21/06
How They Got Here: Georges St. Pierre is returning to action from a knee injury for the first time since his April, 2011 win over Jake Shields at UFC 129, the win was his 6th title defense in a row and 9th fight total. Carlos Condit was originally scheduled to replace Nick Diaz at UFC 137 to face St. Pierre but the knee injury to the champion forced the fight to be canceled. Condit would eventually take on GSP's original opponent Diaz at UFC 143 earlier this year and won by Unanimous Decision to become the UFC Interim Welterweight Champion. The win extended Condit's winning streak to 5 in a row and 13 of his past 14 bouts.
What To Expect: What we apparently shouldn't expect is St. Pierre's knee to be an issue. Condit would be ready to test that claim as he could very well has a similar game plan he had to defeated Diaz. That game plan would be alot of movement keeping himself on the outside and using leg kicks. Allowing room for GSP to set up a takedown could be risky though no matter how confident Condit is off his back.
My Prediction: Going out on a limb here but Condit by Decision
Johny Hendricks vs Martin Kampmann
13-1 Record 20-5
29 Age 30
171 Weight 171
5'9 Height 6'0
69" Reach 72"
-150 Odds +125
Common Opponents:Rick Story
Hendricks lost by Unanimous Decision at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale 12/4/10
Kampmann won by Split Decision at UFC 139 11/19/11
How They Got Here: Hendricks has been a roll as of late as he backed up his stunning KO over Jon Fitch with a win over Fitch's teammate Josh Koscheck at UFC On Fox 3 that extended his win streak to 4 fights. Kampmann has put together back to back fights that both could be considered "Come Back Of The Year" worthy performances. Kampmann was able to submit Thiago Alves in the final minute of their UFC On FX 2 bout while he was able to escape the powerful Jake Ellenberger winning by TKO at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale.
What To Expect: A Fight Of The Night candidate this one could turn into a slug fest. Hendricks the slugger and Kampmann the more technical of the 2, who has the advantage on the feet is hard to call but we have seen Kampmann hurt and Hendricks definitely has the power to test that chin. On the ground Hendricks is a world class wrestler but Kampmann in his defense has very good submissions.
My Prediction: Hendricks by TKO 2nd Round
Francis Carmont vs Tom Lawlor
19-7 Record 8-4
31 Age 30
186 Weight 186
6'3 Height 6'0
78" Reach 74"
-260 Odds +220
Common Opponents: noneHow They Got Here: Carmont is currently on a 8 fight winning streak which includes his first 3 UFC fights. His last 2 fights he won by Submission with the most recent being over Karlos Vemola at UFC On Fuel TV 4. Lawlor is coming off an impressive win over Jason MacDonald at UFC On Fuel 3 in which won him Knock Out Of The Night.
What To Expect: Lawlor could find himself in a bind as although he has a solid wrestling base, it is Carmont who has shown to have a tricky ground game always threatening with submissions. On the feet Carmont should have the clear advantage.
My Prediction: Carmont by Decision
Nick Ring vs Costa Philippou
13-1 Record 11-2
33 Age 32
185 Weight 186
6'0 Height 5'11
74" Reach 73"
+190 Odds -235
Common Opponents: Riki Fukuda
Ring won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 127 2/27/11
Philippou won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 148 7/7/12
Court McGee
Ring won by Unanimous Decision at UFC 149 7/21/12
Philippou won by Unanimous Decision at UFC On FX 3/13/12
How They Got Here: Ring got back to winning after losing his first career fight when he defeated Court McGee by Unanimous Decision at UFC 149. The streaking Philippou is currently riding a 4 fight winning streak after having lost his first UFC fight, he most recent win came over Riki Fukuda at UFC 148.
What To Expect: Can Ring avoid Philippou's powerful striking is the main question heading into this fight. It is highly likely though that Ring will elect to stand with Phillipou even if he possibly has the edge on the ground.
My Prediction: Phillipou by Decision
Mark Hominick vs Pablo Garza
20-11 Record 11-3
30 Age 29
145.5 Weight 145
5'8 Height 6'1
68.5" Reach 73"
-320 Odds +255
Common Opponents: noneHow They Got Here: Both could be fighting for their jobs with Hominick on a 3 fight skid while Garza has dropped his last 2. Hominick's last lose was a Split Decision to Eddie Yagin at UFC 145 while Garza also lost a decision, his to Dennis Bermudez at UFC On Fox 3.
What To Expect: Although Garza has a significant height and reach advantage it possible could only play in his favor on the ground with triangles off his back. Look for Hominick to get inside and control the fight with his footwork and standup game.
My Prediction: Hominick by Decision
Prelims
Patrick Cote vs Alessio Sakara
My Prediction: Cote by TKO 1st Round
Cyrille Diabate vs Chad Griggs
My Prediction: Griggs by TKO 1st Round
Mark Bocek vs Rafael Dos Anjos
My Prediction: Bocek by Decision
Sam Stout vs John Makdessi
My Prediction: Stout by Decision
Antonio Carvalho vs Rodrigo Damm
My Prediction: Carvalho by Decision
Matthew Riddle vs John Maguire
My Prediction: Riddle by Decision
Ivan Menjivar vs Azamat Gashimov
My Prediction: Menjivar by TKO 2nd Round
Steven Siler vs Darren Elkins
My Prediction: Elkins by Decision
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(images courtesy of UFC.com)
