UFC 134: Previewing The Prelims

Spencer Fisher vs Thiago Tavares

24-7 Record 15-4-1

35 Age 26

154.5 Weight 156

5'7 Height 5'7

68" Reach N/A

+175 Odds -245

How they got here: Fisher, who pretty much has traded wins and loses through out his UFC career is coming off a lose to main card participant Ross Pearson.  Tavares is also looking to rebound from a recent lose, his being  to Shane Roller.


What to expect: With bot fighters coming off a loss they both could be coming out aggressive and looking for an impressive finish to get back into the good graces with the UFC brass.  Fisher is most likely going to have to have the advantage in the striking department and Tavares gets the edge on the ground but that is not saying that either fighter couldn't finish the fight in their opponents strength.  This should be a really hard fought even bout that most likely will go the distance.


My Prediction: Tavares by Decision

Rousimar Palhares vs Dan Miller

12-3 Record 13-5

31 Age 30

186 Weight 185

5'8 Height 6'0

71" Reach 74"

-350 Odds +250

How they got here: Palhares is coming off yet another leglock submission win this one against Dave Branch, Palhares last 3 wins have come by way of that submission. Miller, stepping into a fight yet again on short notice is coming off his decision loss to Nate Marquardt.


What to expect: Palhares gameplan of getting you down and going for a leglock seems easy enough to defend on paper but the powerful Brazilian seems to keep succeeding with a high percentage.  Miller could possibly use his reach and his jab to keep Palhares at bay and does have solid Jiu Jitsu him self but this fight is all about can Miller last?.


My Prediction: Palhares by Decision

Paulo Thiago vs David Mitchell

13-3 Record 11-1

30 Age 31

170.5 Weight 170.5

5'11 Height 6'0

74.5" Reach N/A

-390 Odds +340

How they got here: Thiago looks to get into action for the first time in 2011 and put a rocky 2010 behind him where he went 1-2 and losing his last 2.  Mitchell is making his 2nd appearance with the UFC having lost he debut last year to T.J. Waldburger.


What to expect: Thiago's 2 straight loses have come against some pretty tough competition, a step down and in front on his home country could be exactly what he needs to get back on track.  Thiago should have the advantage in just about any area this fight could take them, and should be looking for the finish which I think it's a matter of when not if.


My Prediction: Thaigo by Submission 2nd Round

Rafael Assuncao vs Johhny Eduardo

16-4 Record 25-8

29 Age 33

145 Weight 145

5'5 Height 5'7

N/A Reach N/A

-160 Odds +150

How they got here:  Assuncao is coming off his UFC debut in which he lost to Erik Koch by knockout.  Eduardo has been on an impressive streak to earn a shot with the UFC having won 11 fights in a row 9 of them coming by way of stoppage.


What to expect: The streaking Eduardo will be looking to duplicate Assuncao's last fight which was him on his back knocked out.  Assuncao will had the advantage on the ground but it could be a task to get it there with the aggressive Eduardo most likely going to be right in Assuncao's face.


My Prediction: Eduardo by TKO 2nd Round

Yuri Alcantara vs Felipe Arantes

25-3 Record 13-3

31 Age 23

 154 Weight 155

5'6 Height 5'8

N/A Reach N/A

-440 Odds +380

How they got here: Alcantara is making his anticipated UFC debut having been on a 11 fight win streak with 10 of the fights ending by submission or TKO.  Arantes is also making he UFC debut and on a solid streak him self having won 7 fights in a row.


What to expect: All eyes will be on Alcantara and I see him to look to push the pace and get a first round stoppage.


My Prediction: Alcantara by TKO 1st Round

Erick Silva vs Luis Ramos

12-1 Record 19-6

27 Age 30

170 Weight 170

5'11 Height 5'8

N/A Reach N/A

-270 Odds +250

How they got here: Silva is yet another Brazilian making his UFC debut and on a lengthy winning streak with his up to 8 fights in a row now.  Ramos steps in for the injured Mike Swick to take on Silva and is making his UFC debut, he is currently on a 3 fight winning streak.


What to expect: Silva should be able to get through this fight with not a whole lot of trouble as the UFC will be looking to build him as and up and comer in the Weltwerweight division.


My Prediction: Silva by TKO 1st Round

Yves Jabouin vs Ian Loveland

15-7 Record 14-8

32 Age 27

146 Weight 135

5'8 Height 5'8

68" Reach N/A

+180 Odds -195

How they got here: Jabouin is making his Bantamweight debut after having lost to Pablo Garza to submission in a fight that he seemed to have control of. Loveland is also dropping down to Bantamweight after having lost to Joseph Benavidez in his last bout.


What to expect: Pretty simple here as Jabouin will want to keep this fight standing at all costs as his has a significant advantage on the feet.  Loveland will want to look for the takedown pretty much immediately and test if Jabouin has work on his takedown defense since his last bout.


My Prediction: Jabouin by TKO 2nd Round

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