UFC 143 Preview

Main Event 

UFC Interim Welterweight Championship

Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit

26-7 Record 25-7

28 Age 27

170 Weight 170

6'0 Height 6'1

76" Reach 76"

 -170 Odds +145

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here:  It has been a strange path for both fighters since UFC 137 to get them to this event which more fights being cancelled than have actually happened.  The now infamous booking of UFC 137 saw Diaz first scheduled to face GSP, pulled from that fight and then put back in against BJ Penn where as Condit was originally scheduled to face BJ Penn then replace Diaz against GSP then to see that fight fall threw and himself removed from the card when GSP got injured. When the fight finally happened Diaz defeated BJ Penn by decision in an impressive performance in his return to the UFC, the win extended his win streak to 11 in a row.  Condit is coming off his highlight reel KO win over Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 132 to push his winning streak to 4.

What To Expect: It might only be February and the 2nd pay per view event for the UFC but this main event has fight of the year written all over it.  It has been said throughout Diaz's winning streak that he hasn't faced quality wrestlers and that is his weakness but one would really have to question if it would be Condit who will be the one to actually to prove those critics right about Diaz's takedown defense.  So if the fight ends up on the feet we will see the usual non stop attack from Diaz who mixes up his strikes to the body and head perhaps better than anybody in MMA today.  What Condit brings to the standup game is an equally aggressive pace but uses all the tools available to his disposal with knees and elbows.  The potential GSP vs Diaz fight rivals in anticipation with Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen II among most fans and although I do agree it's a mega fight i'm going out on a limb and picking Condit to play the roll of spoiler.

Prediction: Condit by Decision

Roy Nelson vs Fabricio Werdum

     16-6 Record 14-5-1

35 Age 34

252 Weight 246

6'0 Height 6'4

 73" Reach 78"

  -120 Odds -110

Common Opponents:
Junior Dos Santos
Nelson lost by Unanimous Decision at UFC 117 8/7/10
Werdum lost by TKO 1st Round at UFC 90 10/25/08

How They Got Here: Werdum is making his UFC return after going 3-1 in Strikeforce but is coming off a loss to Alistair Overeem in his last bout. Nelson is coming off his TKO win over Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 137 which snapped a 2 fight losing streak.

What To Expect: With both fighters having BJJ backgrounds it is very possible this fight ends up staying on the feet in what could be a sluggish stand up battle.  Werdum could arguably have the advantage in that case but it would be a pretty big surprise if he was able to KO the tough Nelson.

Prediction: Werdum by Decision

Josh Koscheck vs Mike Pierce

16-5 Record 15-4

  34 Age 31
170.5 Weight 171

  5'10 Height 5'8

   73" Reach 71"

    -250 Odds +200

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: A fight with Carlos Condit and even a move to the middleweight division were both briefly rumoured for Koscheck in the past but for now he is set to face Pierce and is coming off his big win over Matt Hughes at UFC 135.  Pierce is coming off his split decision win over Paul Bradley at UFC on FOX 1.

What To Expect: Both fighters are great wrestlers which could result in this fight being decided on the feet.  If that will be the case on saturday night Koshcheck would definitely have the advantage as he is the much faster fighter who also is alot quicker.

Prediction: Koscheck by Decision

Renan Barao vs Scott Jorgensen

28-1 Record 13-4

24 Age 29

136 Weight 135

5'6 Height 5'6

70" Reach 66"

-245 Odds +195

Common Opponents:
Brad Pickett
Barao won by Submission 1st Round at UFC 138 11/5/11
Jorgensen won by Unanimous Decision at WEC 50 6/8/10

How They Got Here: Those unfamiliar with Barao saw his full potential in his last fight against Brad Pickett at UFC 138 which Barao won by submission in impressive fashion to extend his incredible unbeaten streak to 28 fights.  Jorgensen is coming off his decision win over Jeff Curran at UFC 137 and now has won both of his fights in the UFC.

What To Expect: With top contenders Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson making the move to the Flyweight division this fight between Barao and Jorgensen took a huge step up in importance.  With their potential title shot on the line this fight should be action packed whether it goes to the ground or stays on the feet.  Overall Barao is perhaps the more well rounded of the 2 but Jorgensen's speed and wrestling could be the equalizer.

Prediction: Barao by Submission 2nd Round

Ed Herman vs Clifford Starks

23-9 Record 8-0

31 Age 30

186 Weight 186

6'2 Height 5'10

75" Reach 78"

-245 Odds +195

Common Opponents: none

How They Got Here: Herman is coming off his submission win over Kyle Noke at UFC Live 5 which was his 2nd win in a row after having having been out of action for nearly 2 years.  Starks is coming of his UFC debut against Dustin Jacoby at UFC 137 where he came away with an unanimous decision victory.

What To Expect: Sparks is taking a big jump in competition and spotlight and he jumps from the first fight on the night in his last bout to the main card of a pay per view against Ed Herman.  Herman who has had more fights in the UFC than Starks has had so far in his career has the definite experience advantage.  Herman is well rounded and tough enough for pretty much any opponent and could be too much too soon for Starks.

Prediction: Herman by Decision

Prelims
Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway
Prediction: Poirier by TKO 1st Round

Matt Riddle vs Henry Martinez
Prediction: Riddle by Decision

Alex Caceres vs Edwin Figueroa
Prediction: Caceres by Decision

Matt Brown vs Chris Cope
Prediction: Brown by Decision

Dan Stittgen vs Stephen Thompson
Prediction: Thompson by TKO 2nd Round

Rafael Natal vs Michael Kuiper
Prediction: Kuiper by Decision

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