The 14th season (and last to air on Spike TV) is set to conclude Saturday December 3rd as the Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort is the host venue for the finale. For the first time since season 5 the coaches will be fighting on the finale as Michael Bisping will be facing Jason Miller. Both the Bantamweight and Featherweight finals feature Team Miller taking on Team Bisping as Diego Brandao from Team Bisping will be taking on Team Miller's Dennis Bermudez. In the Bantamweight finals it is Team Miller's John Dodson taking on T.J. Dillashaw from Team Bisping. Last seasons winner Tony Ferguson takes on veteran Yves Ewards and Johnny Bedford vs Louis Gaudinot round out the main card. On the prelims it is an all TUF 14 cast competing with the exception of Akira Corassani who is out with an injury and was replaced with Elimination Round loser Josh Clopton.
Michael Bisping vs Jason Miller
21-3 Record 24-7
32 Age 30
185 Weight 185
6'2 Height 6'0
75.5" Reach N/A
-180 Odds +155
Common opponents: Denis Kang
Bisping won by TKO 2nd Round at UFC 105 11/14/09
Miller won by Submission 2nd Round at Extreme Challenge 50 2/23/03
How they got here: Miller is making his return to the UFC after he previously lost to George St. Pierre at UFC 52. Miller has been inactive for more than a year with the brawl against Jake Shields' team possibly being the reason for that, despite that he has won his last 2 fights both by stoppage. Bisping is coming off his heated TKO win over Jorge Rivera at UFC 127 and overall has won 3 fights in a row.
What to expect: Bisping has been on this stage before and more often than Miller but Miller is still experienced in his own right and shouldn't have any "octagon jitters". What Miller does have an advantage over Bisping is his grappling but in order to get the fight in his favour he is going to have to negoiate through Bisping's superior striking skills. This is not to say this fight is strictly a grappler vs striker affair as both fighters can survive in their opponents strengths but it would be most likely Bisping keeping this standing and winning the decision.
My prediction: Bisping by Decision
Bantamweight Final
T.J. Dillashaw vs John Dodson
4-0 Record 11-5
25 Age 27
135 Weight 135
5'6 Height 5'4
N/A Reach N/A
-240 Odds +190
Common opponents: noneHow they got here: Dodson got to the finals with wins over Johnny Bedford (TKO 2nd Round), Josh Ferguson (Decision), and Brandon Merkt (TKO 1st Round). Officially Dodson has won 2 fights in a row. Dillashaw got to the finals with wins over Dustin Pague (Decision), Roland Delorme (Submission 2nd Round), and Matt Jaggers (TKO 1st Round). 3 of Dillashaw's career wins are by stoppage.
What to expect: The difference in experience has not effected Dillashaw being the slight favorite coming into this fight. Dodson's great speed could provide Dillashaw with some challenges but he should eventually be able to grab a hold of him and get him to the ground. Even on his back Dodson's speed and explosiveness will be a factor as Dillashaw will want to stop any sort of scramble.
My prediction: Dillashaw by Decision
Featherweight Final
Diego Brandao vs Dennis Bermudez
13-7 Record 7-2
24 Age 24
155 Weight 145
5'7 Height 5'6
N/A Reach N/A
-365 Odds +280
Common opponents: noneHow they got here: Brandao got to the finals with a trio of impressive first round KO's over Bryan Caraway, Steven Siler, and Jesse Newell. Officially Brandao is on a 3 fight win streak with all 3 being stoppages. Bermudez also got the finals with 3 stoppages with 2 of his being submissions over Akira Corassani and Jimmie Rivera and a TKO win over against Stephan Bass. Officially Bermudez is actually on a 2 fight losing streak.
What to expect: Brandao's aggressive style proved to be too much for all 3 of his opponents on the show and most likely will be for Bermudez. Bermudez will need to get the fight to the ground wear on Brandao and test his conditioning.
My prediction: Brandao by TKO 1st Round
Yves Edwards vs Tony Ferguson
41-17-1 Record 12-2
35 Age 27
155 Weight 155
5'10 Height 6'0
73" Reach 76"
+180 Odds -240
Common opponents:Aaron Riley
Ferguson won by TKO 1st Round at UFC 135 9/24/11
Edwards won by Decision at Hook N Shoot- Texas Heat 10/2/99
Edwards won by Decision at Hook N Shoot- Showdown 7/14/01
How they got here: Ferguson is coming off his first fight since winning last seasons ultimate fighter in which he defeated Aaron Riley by TKO at UFC 135, overall Ferguson has now won 5 fights in a row. Edwards recovered from his devastating KO loss to Sam Stout at UFC 131 with his own TKO win over Rafaello Olivieira at UFC Live 6.
What to expect: Edwards is always a dangerous opponent no matter his opponent or where the fight ends up. Ferguson though is on a roll and could be too powerful on the feet for Edwards to handle.
My prediction: Ferguson by TKO 2nd Round
Johnny Bedford vs Louis Gaudinot
17-9-1 Record 5-1
28 Age 27
136 Weight 135
5'10 Height 5'3
72" Reach N/A
-200 Odds +200
Common opponents: none
How they got here: Bedford lost in the semi finals to John Dodson, he got to that fight with wins over Carson Beebe and Josh Ferguson. Bedford's last official fight was a submission win in December of 2010. Gaudinot got into the house with a win over Paul McVeigh but lost to Dustin Pague by submission in the quarter finals. Officially though Gaubinot has won 4 fights in a row.
What to expect: Bedford should be able to use his wrestling to grind on the smaller Gaudinot to get the decision win.
My prediction: Bedford by Decision
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