I am a big fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).  The Ultimate Fighting Championship presents UFC 91 on November 15th.  Aside from the main event, there are a couple of interesting fights on this card that I will break down here, and offer my predictions on.

Fight #1: Randy “The Natural” Couture vs. Brock Lesnar

This fight is clearly a David vs. Goliath matchup, but also one of youth vs. experience.  In so saying that, styles make fights and Brock Lesnar represents the worst possible matchup for Randy Couture.  Couture typically has problems with big aggressive wrestlers (see his losses to Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez).  In addition, due to a contract dispute, he has not fought in nearly sixteen months.

Lesnar’s weakness is that he is new to the MMA game.  He is a fantastic wrestler, but so is Couture.  Lesnar has been under the spotlight with respect to being in a big time main event (with the WWE at Wrestlemania), therefore I do not see him getting butterflies.  However, his overall skills are subject to scrutiny due to the fact that he is a rookie.

The old adage in the MMA world is to never bet against The Natural.  I think the old ring general will surprise many fans once again and take this fight via rear naked choke.  He will submit Lesnar despite having only two submission wins on his record, and doing the unexpected against this monster challenger.

Fight #2: Kenny “KenFlo” Florian vs. Joe “Daddy” Stevenson

This fight has the potential to be fight of the night.  Two lightweights squaring off to determine the number one contender for the lightweight title, currently held by B.J. Penn.  Aside from Florian needing a new nickname (KenFlo has to be the worst in the sport, bar none), his talent and the amount that he has grown as a fighter since he was on Season One of The Ultimate Fighter is undeniable.  Stevenson, also of The Ultimate Fighter fame (Season Two), is also an impressive fighter.

I believe that Stevenson has a better ground game than Florian.  He is able to transition from submission attempt to submission attempt fluidly.  The better overall game, however, goes to Florian.  He is more athletic, faster, and a better striker.  I also think that he will be able to counter Stevenson’s submission attempts.  I see KenFlo taking this fight via Unanimous Decision.

Fight #3: Nate “Rock” Quarry vs. Demian Maia

Nate Quarry has not fought in a year, not counting the debacle with Kalib Starnes.  That was not his fault, however.  This fight against the undefeated Demian Maia will be a true test for him.  Quarry is a big, strong guy with powerful punches.  Maia is the best pure Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in MMA today.  His three UFC wins have all been by tapout (choke).  I think that this fight will end with a choke, and Quarry tapping out.  Demian Maia is not a fighter that he wants to go to the ground with.  Quarry’s best chance to win this fight is to pressure Maia and test his chin.

As an aside, the fan in me would love to see Maia matched up with Ricardo Almeida.  What a fight that would be!

Other Fights

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Josh Hendricks
Jorge Gurgel vs. Aaron Riley
Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory
Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Alvin Robinson vs. Mark Bocek
Matt Brown vs. Ryan Thomas