UFC 82 Predictions

MMA fans are in for a treat on March 1. UFC 82 boasts a stacked card and a main event for the ages. Here are my predictions:

John "The Hurricane" Halverson vs. Jorge Gurgel

Both fighters are coming int into this fight with similar records. Halverson is 16 - 5 while Gurgel is 14 and 3. Gurgel is 2 - 2 in the UFC, coming off a loss to Alvin Robinson at UFC 77 in October. Halverson on the other hand is victorious in his only UFC fight. He devastated Roger Huerta with a knockout in just 19 seconds at UFC 67.

I've got Halverson in this bout, the guy has knockout power and an exciting fight style. Gurgel is a BJJ black belt but has yet to finish a fight in the UFC, all four of his previous bouts have resulted in unanimous decisions.

Prediction: Halverson - KO second round, second minute.

David Bielkheden Vs. Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez

As much as I hate Sanchez, I'm picking him to win this fight. Bielkheden is a newcomer to the UFC with an MMA record of 12 - 5. He is a BJJ black belt with solid ground and pound skills. The once indestructible Sanchez is looking to begin his climb back up the welterweight ladder after losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Sanchez, who sits at 19-2, doesn't seem to have much finishing power. His last win was his only knockout in the UFC against the glass chinned Joe Riggs in December of 2006.

Sanchez is desperate for a win and has great ground skills. This fight has the potential to be a great showcase for Jui Jit Sui

Prediction: Sanchez - Choke third round, third minute.

Dustin Hazelett Vs. Josh Koscheck

A lot of people are taking Kos in this fight. The former reality show star has an 11-2 record in MMA and possesses some great wrestling skills. Koscheck is coming off a loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 74 and hasn't finished a fight since April of 2005, excluding his submission loss to Drew Fickett at Fight Night 2. Although he has great slams and excellent conditioning, I doubt the power in his hands.

Dustin Hazelett is where my money is for this fight. The 21 year old, fighting out of Cincinnati, has a 12-3 record in MMA and is 3 - 1 in the UFC. His last two wins came by way of submission in the first round at UFC 72 in June of 2007 and three months later at Fight Night Thomas vs Florian.

Prediction: Hazlett - Arm Bar first round, third minute.

Luigi Fioravanti Vs. Luke "The Silent Assassin" Cummo

Both fighters come into this fight at 27 years old. Firavanti has an MMA record of 12-3 and a UFC record of 2-3. Cummo has an MMA record of 9-4 and a UFC record of 3-3. Both guys like to stand up and strike. Fioravanti has some conditioning issues and had a tendency to gas. Neither fighter likes to go to the grounds and this fight has the potential to be the best of the night.

Prediction: Cummo - KO second round, third minute.

"Irish" Jake O'Brien Vs. Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski

Its been over a year since the undefeated O'Brien last fought in the UFC. After a neck injury impeded his march to the top the 230 pounder's sight is now set on Andrei Arlovski. O'Brien is an aggressive wrestler with great ground and pound. His last win was against Heath Herring in a unanimous decision.

The former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski is on a two fight win streak. His most recent win came by way of decision against Ferbricio Verdum at UFC 70. Arlovski has knockout power in his hands and good grappling skills.

Prediction: Arlovski TKO first round, fourth minute.

Chris "The Professor" Wilson Vs. Jon Fitch

Wilson is calling an upset in this fight. His opponent, Jon Fitch, is on a 7 UFC fight win streak and has an MMA record of 20-2-1. Wilson is a striker with a record of 12-3-1 and is making his UFC debut.

Prediction: Fitch TKO first round, third minute.

Yushin Okami Vs. Evan Tanner

The Japanese sensation takes on the former champ in this middle weight tilt. The 26 year old Okami has a record of 22-4 and has a record of 5-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming to Rich Franklin. Okami is a ground and pound artist with a bright future in the UFC.

Tanner is 37 years old and has an MMA record of 34-6. This is Tanner's first fight since April of 2006. Tanner's strength is in his legs with great kicks and knee's.

Prediction: Okami Unanimous Descision.

Alessio Sakara Vs. Chris Leben

The war of words between Sakara and Leben is in full swing, with Leben publically questioning Sakara's right to be in the UFC. Leben is 27 years old with a record of 17-4. Sakara is 26 and has a record of 16-6. Both are great strikers and are looking to keep this fight on the feet.

Prediction: Leben TKO third round, second minute

Heath Herring Vs. Cheick Kongo

Despite Kongo's latest victory over Mirko Crocop, he still hasn't impressed me. Herring is a bad match up for Kongo, who has little ground skills. If Herring gets this fight to the ground he could do some serious damage.

Prediction: Herring TKO second round, second minute.

Anderson Silva Vs. Dan Henderson

Im so excited for this fight, I've been waiting for a long time to see it. Anderson Silva has been dominating the middle weight division, walking through everyone he faces. Dan Henderson's wrestling pedegree is a style Silva has yet to face. This will be the Spider's best test to date, and if he wins ... who else is left?

Prediction: Silva KO third round, second minute.