UFC 175 emanates Saturday, July 5, 2014, from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last Word on Sports’ MMA Department brings to you their fight picks and analysis for the upcoming event.
Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida
James Carlucci, Michael Hutchinson, Mark Modeski: Weidman
Todd Parkinson: Machida
“The incumbent UFC Middleweight Champion Weidman is facing his first non-Anderson Silva opponent in almost exactly two years. He’s not too far removed from Silva though, as his next challenger is Silva’s longtime Black House stablemate and training partner. Weidman has improved drastically every fight, always showing something new, and we already know what we’re getting from Machida at this point in his career. As elusive as “The Dragon” is, after seeing what Weidman did to Silva I’m confident that whatever game plan Ray Longo and company drafted up will be executed to perfection by the American. You’d be foolish to count out Machida and his ability to take it to the scorecards, but Weidman is the superior fighter here and the results Saturday night should reflect that.” – Carlucci
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis
Carlucci, Hutchinson, Modeski, Parkinson: Rousey
“Ronda Rousey is in a league of her own, and this fight against Canadian Alexis Davis won’t be a whole lot different. Davis has skills on the ground, but no one messes with Rousey there. Rousey also showed her improved striking skills in a TKO victory over Sara McMann, and is now becoming a well rounded fighter; that’s scary for every woman in her division. This should be a quick victory for the champ.” – Hutchinson
Matt “Meathead” Mitrione vs. Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve
Carlucci, Modeski: Mitrione
Hutchinson, Parkinson: Struve
“It’s great to see that Struve has overcome his health concerns and is ready to return to the cage. Unfortunately, I see his heartwarming tale coming to a screeching halt on Saturday night. The Dutchman is coming off of both a year-long layoff and a knockout loss, neither of which bode well for his bout against “Meathead.” Couple that with his penchant for getting hit early and often, and I see Mitrione turning “Skyscraper’s” lights off.” – Carlucci
Uriah “Prime Time” Hall vs. Thiago “Marreta” Santos
Carlucci: Santos
Hutchinson, Modeski, Parkinson: Hall
“Toot toot! All aboard the Uriah Hall hype train! After finally getting his first win in the UFC against veteran fighter Chris Leben, many are jumping back on the hype train that was derailed at one point by Kelvin Gastelum. Hall is the betting favourite for the fourth time in four UFC appearances, and he’s expected to make short work of Thiago Santos. Santos has had two Octagon appearances, one win and one loss, with both fights lasting under a minute. We haven’t gotten to see a lot from Santos, and I believe we won’t get to see a whole lot more. If you’re a betting man, I wouldn’t lay money on Hall, but as an even pick, I’m laying my guess on a quick win for Hall. ” – Hutchinson
Marucs Brimage vs. Russell “The Young Punisher” Doane
Carlucci, Modeski, Parkinson: Doane
Hutchinson: Brimage
“We will see Brimage try to keep to mainly keep it on the feet because he knows Doane is an experienced grappler. Brimage will land some strikes to get Doane’s attention, but Russell will take it down to the ground and finish the bout via arm-triangle in the 2nd round.” – Parkinson
Undercard Radar:
“In what universe does a division’s #2 ranked fighter and #1 most popular get shifted off of PPV and onto the undercard? Urijah Faber is the biggest star in the bantamweight division, one of its most talented fighters, and yet is fighting under six others fighters who aren’t even in the top 10 of their divisions? Not only that, but he’s fighting a dangerous and popular opponent in Alex Caceres, who plans to take a page out of Team Alpha Male fighter TJ Dillashaw’s book and win in a major upset. This one should be fireworks, with one hungry underdog and another with a #2 ranking to hold onto.” – Hutchinson
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