Tonight, in Oakland, California, the UFC brings you one of the most talent rich paper-view cards in the history of the company. UFC 117 is headlined by the Middleweight Championship fight between Anderson "The Spider" Silva and Chael Sonnen. There is no other way to put it other than saying this card is stacked. Dana White and Joe Silva pulled out all the stops on this one, and as fans all we can say is thank you.
Anderson Silva (30-4, 11-0 UFC) vs.Chael Sonnen (26-10-1, 4-3 UFC): Middleweight Championship
Silva, who many believe to be the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world, looks to defend his Middleweight championship, and extended the longest winning streak in UFC history (11 fights) against #1 contender Chael Sonnen. For Sonnen, who is coming of impressive wins over Dan Miller, Yushin Okami, and Nate Marquardt in his last 3 fights, this is his first shot at UFC gold. During the promotion of this fight, Sonnen has turned himself into the best interview in the UFC. Constantly ripping Silva and discrediting his accomplishments, he has turned the promotion of this fight into the Chael Sonnen comedy tour. The focus of of Sonnen's verbal assault towards Silva is the fact that Silva has not beaten the caliber of fighter that Sonnen has, and he has not faced someone as tough as Sonnen. "I'm the toughest guy in the company period, whether it's Anderson or any other opponent," Sonnen said. "There's never been a guy with earrings who could out-tough me, and [Silva's] not going to be the first."
Although Chael has pretty much promoted the fight 100% by himself, when the door closes on Saturday night he won't be by himself, yet starring at one of the most dangerous and talented fighters in the world. MMA is a sport where the fight can end at any second, going into this fight fans should be be expecting just that. If you are the casual MMA fan and don't know what to expect from this fight, I can sum it up in one word: PAIN! Chael Sonnen is a fighter who has never taken a step backwards in his life and will be going after the champ with everything he has. Expect to see the same from Silva with the potential of being cut hovering over his head. In Silva's last title defense against Demian Maia in April, he made a mockery of his opponent and the sport as he danced and show boated his way to a unanimous decision victory. After the fight, UFC President Dana White informed Silva and the media that if he ever acted that way again, he would be cut from the UFC (Dana White Threatens to Cut Anderson Silva).
Chael Sonnen quotes from UFC 117 press conference <-- hahahahaha
Prediction: Silva via 2nd rd. TKO
The only prediction I know will be right is there will be NO touching of gloves to start this fight. I will say this though, if Sonnen is able to withstand the punishment that Silva will deliver, do not, I repeat DO NOT be surprised if Chael Sonnen walks out of the Arena as the new Middleweight champion. He is one tough SOB and who knows how much he can take.
Jon Fitch (22-3 (1), 12-1 UFC) vs. Thiago Alves (16-6, 9-3 UFC): Welterweight
In what can be considered the C0-Main Event, Jon Fitch takes on Thiago "Pitbull" Alves for the #1 contender spot in the Welterweight division. Dana White announced at the UFC 117 press conference that the winner of this fight will take on the winner of the Welterweight championship match between Josh Koscheck and (c) Georges St.-Pierre.
For Thiago Alves, this fight will be the culmination of one of the most remarkable come backs in not just UFC, but sports history. Alves and Fitch were originally intended to fight at UFC 107 on March 27th, but Alves was taken off the card on March 25th due to arteriovenous malformation in the brain that was caught in a pre-fight CAT scan. On March 31, Alves had corrective brain surgery. Fast forward to today, less than 5 months after the surgery, Alves is medically cleared to take on Fitch, something no one thought they would see so soon. This will not be the first time that these two have stepped in the ring, Fitch scored a 2nd round TKO victory over Alves at UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5.
Prediction: Fitch via Decision
Although the world would love to see the story book comeback and Alves walk away the victor, I think that the time off and inability to train hinders him and Fitch walks away victorious.
Junior Dos Santos (11-1, 5-0 UFC) vs. Roy "Big Country" Nelson (16-4, 2-0 UFC): Heavyweight
On most cards, the #1 contender matchup in the heavyweight division would be a co main event, but not 117. KO specialist Junior Dos Santos takes on Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Roy "Big Country" Nelson for the chance to fight the winner of Cain Velasquez and (c) Brock Lesnar. When you watch this fight, your reaction to Nelson will be something in the range of "Look at this fat ass," but don't let his physical appearance fool you; Nelson can fight. With 20 MMA fights under his belt, Nelson is a true veteran of the sport, and has obviously done enough to impress Dana White with only 2 UFC fights. Dos Santos comes into this fight undefeated in the UFC and is riding a 6 fight win streak. In all but 3 of his wins, Dos Santos has won via KO or TKO so look for him to use his reach advantage and keep this fight standing.
Prediction: Dos Santos via 1 rd. TKO
Roy Nelson is a good fighter, but Junior Dos Santos is one of the best heavyweights in the world. Just the fact that a win here would set up a potential mega fight between either Lesnar or Valsquez has to be enough motivation to bring out an even hungrier Junior Dos Santos.
Matt Hughes (44-7, 15-4 UFC) vs. Ricardo Almeida (12-3, 6-3 UFC): Welterweight
At this point in his career, UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes' fights have lost some of the allure. It's safe to say in a stacked Welterweight division Hughes will never earn himself another title shot, and right now he is fighting just because he wants to. Although both deny it, there is a little bit of a story behind this fight. In his last fight, Hughes defeated MMA legend Renzo Gracie by a 3rd rd. TKO. Gracie is Almeida's teacher. Although denying it when asked by the media if this fight was some sort of revenge for Gracie's loss to Hughes, I assume that there does have to be a little bit of that revenge factor for Almeida and if he wins he'll make note of it in his post fight press conference.
Prediction: Almedia via decision
It's extremely hard to pick against Matt Hughes, so for me this isn't easy. He is 2-0 in his last 2 fights, but those were against Gracie and Matt Serra. Almedia will be a step up in competition, and I have a hard time seeing Hughes handle him at his age. I will say this, although I don't think Hughes will win, I'm hoping I'm wrong.
Clay "The Carpenter" Guida (26-11, 6-5 UFC) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (14-4, 3-2 UFC): Lightweight
Possibly the most exciting fighter in the sport, and proverbial gate keeper in the Lightweight division, Clay Guida takes on extremely talented Rafael Dos Anjos. For Dos Anjos, a win in this fight has the ability to shoot him up the Lightweight rankings. Losses in his first 2 UFC fights against Jeremy Stephens and Tyson Griffin have been avenged by a 3 fight win streak, and at only 25 he is just coming into his own as a fighter. When Clay Guida steps into the octagon, you know your in for a wild ride. Guida is an all out attack fighter, and in order to win this fight he is going to need to keep the fight standing. Dos Anjos is lethal on the ground and Guida has shown he is susceptible to being submitted, so if this fight does end up on the mat it could be another long night for The Carpenter.
Prediction: Dos Anjos via 2nd rd. submission
Preliminary card
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