UFC 131: Dos Santos vs Carwin Preview

UFC is set to make it's second trip to my backyard Vancouver, British Columbia as UFC 131 will air from Rogers Arena.  Yet another injury has affected a main event as Brock Lesnar is once again battling diverticulitis.  Shane Carwin has now taken his place in the main event to take on Junior Dos Santos and the fight still holds it's #1 contender status for Cain Velasquez's Heavyweight title.  Carwin was already booked on the card to take on Jon Olav Einemo you almost have to think they booked Carwin for this event just as a backup plan in case of someone pulling out.  It seems the general feeling among fans is we are getting a better fight anyway and I would have to agree.  The co-main event features a potential #1 contender bout between Kenny Florian (who is making he debut in his 4th weight class) and Diego Nunes.  Also featured on the card is an important fight in the middleweight division as former title contender Demian Maia takes on Mark Munoz.

Main Event
Junior Dos Santos vs Shane Carwin
Carwin steps in for Lesnar to challenge Dos Santos, he hasn't fought since his title fight against Lesnar which he lost by submission.  Dos Santos enters this fight winner of 7 in a row most recently he defeated Roy Nelson.  Carwin like Dos Santos has not fought in almost a year and during that time off he had surgery on his neck and also has trimmed down from him usual 265 pounds.  Dos Santos was a coach on The Ultimate Fighter season 13 during his time off.


My Prediction Dos Santos TKO 2nd Round


Kenny Florian vs Diego Nunes
Florian is making his Featherweight debut after dropping his last bout at Lightweight against Gray Maynard.  Nunes has won 3 in a row his most recent victory coming by way of a split decision over Mike Brown.  One of my top 5 fights of the month in this feature.  With a win Florian was getting an unofficial title shot but now with  Chad Mendes fighting instead of waiting for Jose Aldo to return from injury a win for Nunes could very well award him a title shot as well.


My Prediction Florian Submission 2nd Round-  I think Florian just has too many ways to win this fight having the advantage in pretty much every aspect.


Jon Olav Einemo vs Dave Herman- With Lesnar pulling out of the main event Einemo will now face Herman instead of Carwin (Herman was originally facing Joey Beltran).  Einemo who has been inactive in MMA competition since 2006 is a 2003 ADCC champion and the only man to beat Roger Gracie in the ADCC competition.  Herman, like Einemo is making his UFC debut and has won his last 2 fights.  Although training with Golden Glory I still think Einemo will have trouble with Herman standing up and the decorated Jiu Jitsu fighter will definitely want to get this fight to the mat.


My Prediction Herman TKO 2nd Round- Different opponent for Einemo  but he still will have the same problems with the stand up of Herman's.


Demian Maia vs Mark Munoz
Top 10 ranked middleweight Demian Maia looks to hold that position and build off the 2 win streak he currently is on.  Munoz looking to enter those rankings has won 2 in a row him self.  Maia has defeated wrestlers Dan Miller, Chael Sonnen and Ed Herman in the past but you can't say those guys have the same power as Munoz has.  Even as a wrestler I think Munoz will look to keep this fight standing and try and KO Maia, whereas Maia will definitely want to get this down on the mat and look to get a submission.


My Prediction Maia Submission 2nd Round- I think Maia will be able to get that submission while avoiding Munoz's power and wrestling.


Donald Cerrone vs Vagner Rocha
Cerrone is making his 2nd UFC appearance after submitting Paul Taylor and has won 3 in a row overall.  Rocha a late replacement for Mac Danzig is making his UFC debut and won his last outing by submission.


My Prediction Cerrone Decision- Not much to say with this one it's Cerrone's fight to lose but I think Rocha will be game.


Sam Stout vs Yves Edwards
Edwards who is on a sort of resurgence of late winning 3 in a row including his last 2 in the UFC.  Stout always in an entertaining fight however has had an up and down career, but recently won his last fight.  This is my Fight Of The Night prediction that could be a pretty entertaining stand up battle with Stout and his kickboxing and Edwards with his Muay Thai.  If this fight does go the mat however Edwards should have the advantage with his "Thugjitsu"

My Prediction Stout Decision


Jesse Bongfeldt vs Chris Weidman
My Prediction Weidman Decision


Mike Massenzio vs Krzysztof Soszynski
My Prediction Soszynski Submission 2nd Round


James Head vs Nick Ring
My Prediction Ring Decision


Dustin Poirer vs Jason Young
My Prediction Poirer Decision


Joey Beltran vs Aaron Rosa
My Prediction Beltran TKO 1st Round


Darren Elkins vs Michihiro Omigawa
My Prediction Omigawa Submission 2nd Round

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