UFC 117 is a good few hours away and its expected to be an insane one. The line up of fights look great, tonight could be the night where a new champion is crowned, or it was all hype but no dice. Also, a number one contender shot for the heavyweight title is in the balance.

Here’s the main card:

Roy Nelson (263) vs. Junior Dos Santos (238)
Matt Hughes (170) vs. Ricardo Almeida (185)
Clay Guida (155) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (155)
Jon Fitch (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)
Anderson Silva (185 – UFC Middleweight Champion) vs. Chael Sonnen (185)

Anderson Silva has been getting a lot of stick for the last few fights he’s been placed in, most notably his last fight against Demian Maia, to which the fight could’ve ended first or second round though Anderson ‘The Spider’ really toyed with the skilled Maia all five rounds leaving Abu Dhabi to jeers and boo’s. Silva may have to lay off a little in being laid back this time round and bring his intense striking more into the game as Chael has been rampant with words of how he is gonna bring a fight and even ‘retire’ the skilled martial artist. Its definitely big words, as Chael is up against a man considered the best P4P fighter on the block, who also leaves fans doubting themselves and hugely entertained with his relaxed yet fierce approach.
Sonnen has been quite critical at the moment himself, with his controversial words he spoke of about Lance Armstrong and pretty much just being the bigmouth assclown he knows he is. But the man is looking tough and is coming off three strong victories each through unanimous victories. Whilst Anderson Silva will prefer standing, Chael Sonnen is likely to take the game to the ground, so whether he knows what to expect from Anderson Silva on the ground or not we will only know soon enough…
My prediction however will be towards ‘The Spider’ Silva. Not really a fan of trash talkers as I tend to believe they think far ahead from the fight itself. Anderson seems to get underestimated quite a bit in recent times, but he’s still champion for a reason and when he brings his strikes and work to play, he means business. Franklin, Henderson, Griffin are just the few well-known names taken down, I don’t really see Sonnen any different from them other than he is likely to be more aggressive towards Silva, but would that even be his downfall? Silva my choice, and hopefully he ends it and not play around, as much as Sonnen may deserve it, he does seem like the person to capitalize on any chance he’ll get.

The fight between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves is a second coming, as both men met back in 2006 which Jon Fitch took the victory via a turnaround TKO. Now the two meet again with Jon Fitch hoping to get a second knockout win and also next in line for a title shot against either George St. Pierre or Josh Kosheck for the Welterweight. Thiago Alves however has been an improved fighter since, sending out clear messages just how much of a skilled fighter he is, and overcoming a career ending moment with a possible tumor, The Pitbull is just as ready to gain a victory.
I wanna go with Alves on this, I think thought both are respectful fighters, I think Alves has grown since their last meeting and is more conditioned and using his striking and ju-jitsu tactics, he’ll power through. He had the fight last time the two met only to then drain himself and a kick to the face dropping him into a TKO loss against Fitch, who equally is a skilled fighter himself. Its a tough one to choose but I will go for Pitbull.

Clay “The Carpenter” Guida vs. Rafael Dos Anjos should be a good lightweight fight, both skilled fighters where it literally feels like Tazmania Devil against Zen. No doubt this fight is gonna be likely be a ground challenge with both strong within takedowns, Rafael likely going for submissions to which Guida will have to defend and bring on his striking game.
Think despite Clay being all out crazy and odd I think he’ll take this one. Think there has to be a way to match he’s adrenaline and he seems the like to jump around just about everywhere. Diego Sanchez won over him in a great fight doing just that. ‘The Carpenter’s” fight after that didn’t, which led to Clay gaining victory. It is still a tough fight, with Rafael coming off three wins and has insane submission tricks going on. Nonetheless I think Guida’s hyper ways will gain this victory.

Legend that is Matt Hughes goes up against another Ju-Jitsu expert Ricardo ‘Big Dog’ Almedia who is looking to do what his mentor Renzo Gracie couldn’t, and that is gain a victory against Matt Hughes. Hughes has an all round balance in himself and is considered one of the best Welterweights, the guy knows how to defend himself but it seems like him getting into a sibmission state could have him shaken a little, and thats where Ricardo can do some damage. Both have strong takedowns but different techniques, it’s a hard decision for me to choose I think, we’d see a great fight out of it all in the end anyways.
I will go for Matt Hughes on this, but Ricardo is different from a Gracie, his approach is more viscous and strong, one not to underestimate. I just feel Matt has gone through this before however and will update himself to win this match in a smart manor just like he did against Renzo.

Finally the match to decide who will face either Brock Lesnar or Cain Velasquez for the UFC heavyweight title; Roy “Big Country” Nelson against Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos. I watched Roy Nelson go through The Ultimate Fighter and for a man considered unfit/unhealthy he does know how to fight and bring his game taking out the well conditioned. Dos Santos though is no little threat however and can easily bring his A-Game. I do like the idea of seeing Roy Nelson taking on Brock Lesnar however, and even though Cain Velasquez is one of my favourites I can’t see him winning against Brock Lesnar as much as I wish it could be, but more on that when the event happens…
But all in all Roy is a near enough balance with good takedowns and strikes, Dos Santos can finish standing however, but thats about it, I think if this falls into the ground, Roy Nelson can just sit on him and that should do.

Got your own thoughts? few hours away and it should be a great event. Results will be tomorrow. Let us know what you think.