My Prediction: Maia by Submission 2nd Round
My Rating: $$
What Happened: In a pretty slowed paced bout it was Maia who spent most of it trying to get passed Santiago's guard. It wasn't until the closing minutes of the final round that Maia gained some momentum on the ground getting passed Santiago's guard into side control, Maia transitioned all the way around Santiago from side control to north-south to the other side and started to look for full mount as the round ended.
Future matchups to make: The fallout of the Sonnen vs Stann, Leben vs Munoz, and Le vs Silva bouts will probably have to happen before a matchup for Maia is made but Stann if he loses or Leben if he wins both make sense.
My Prediction: Anthony Pettis by Decision
My Rating: $$1/2
What Happened: In perhaps a surprise this fight was battle mostly in the clinch and ground with Pettis showing an improved wrestling game to go along with his submissions. It wasn't a flashy win that we have seen from Pettis in the past but it did show a different and important side to Pettis's game. Pettis did have some submission attempts and a couple unorthodox kicks but it seemed Stephens was very aware and showed good defense.
Future matchups to make: Pettis vs Jim Miller would be a great measuring stick for both fighters and really show how much Pettis has worked on his ground game.
Stipe Miocic defeated Joey Beltran by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
My Prediction: Miocic by TKO 1st RoundMy Rating: $$
What Happened: Miocic was the more technical striker and was able to get Beltran down when he felt the need when Beltran landed some of his own strikes. It was in the 3rd where Miocic took control by stuffing a takedown of Beltran's which ended up Miocic taking side control and transitioning to full mount as the round and fight ended.
Future matchups to make: Beltran is no easy task to finish so it's a great start and experience for Miocic. With the depth of the Heavyweight division not on the level of other weight classes Miocic could see himself in a steep learner curve and end up facing a guy like Mike Russow in his next fight.
My Prediction: Zhang by Submission
My Rating: $1/2
What Happened: At all 3 rounds started Zhang was able to get a guilltoine attempt with the 3rd round seemingly being very close. But Elkins was able to defend nicely while dominating Zhang on the ground after the escapes getting Zhang's back repeatedly and with ease.
Future matchups to make: Rani Yahya would be another great grappling test for Elkins.
Aaron Simpson defeated Eric Schafer by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
My Prediction: Simpson by DecisionMy Rating: $$
What Happened: Right from the get go it was apparent that Simpson had the striking advantage in this fight as he dropped Schafer right away and from there was able to tag Schafer almost at will. As the 2nd ended Simpson nailed Schafer with a hard shot but to Schafer's credit he showed alot of heart and a solid chin. But the 3rd rolled around it seemed Simpson was on cruise control as although he did still hit Schafer with some shots he still did play it safe some what.
Future matchups to make: 3 in a row for Simpson now who could find himself in a pretty big fight his next time out perhaps against a Alan Belcher or Rousimar Palhares.
My Prediction: Massenzio by Decision
My Rating: $$$
What Happened: The first round started with Cantwell being the more patient fighter and Massenzio pushed forward but it was Cantwell that landed the more sigificant strikes. But it was in the 2nd round on that Massenzio pushing forward plan started to pay off as the fight turned into a more of a brawl with him landing left hands repeatedly. But the 3rd Cantwell had his nose busted up and Massenzio continued to push as he seemed to be on the verge of a stoppage in the last half of the round but to Cantwell's credit he was able to hold on.
Future matchups to make: Great come from behind victory for Massenzio, it may save his job but it doesn't move him much in any rankings, a bout against Seth Bacynski could make sense.
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