Fan Opinion: UFC 116 Breakdown

Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin

The fight that all MMA fans have been eagerly awaiting is just around the corner. This Saturday at UFC 116 it will happen, and we will have the number one HW in the world. Carwin has climbed through the ranks, destroying all of his opponents. Fighting out of Greg Jackson‘s camp, all of his victories have come by KO or submission and all in round 1. Notable victories include Christian Wellisch, Gabriel Gonzaga and most recently Frank Mirr, all meeting the same fate, a first round KO. His opponent , Lesnar, holds victories over Frank Mir, Randy Couture and Heath Herring . Lesnar has been out of action due to serious illness and his return to the UFC octagon promises to be truly epic in this battle of the giants to prove the worlds number 1 heavyweight. I expect fireworks and most likely a knockout in round one. If I had to put money on it I would go with Carwin purely because of the ring rust effect on Brock and Carwin’s brutal knockout power.

Kryzstof Soszynski vs Stephen Bonnar II

The first bout between these two fighters ended in a TKO loss for Bonnar due to a cut from a clash of heads. Bonnar a TUF veteran who holds wins over Eric Schafer, James Irvin and Kieth Jardine is on a three fight losing streak and needs to get back to winning ways. Many have criticized Bonnar for being one dimensional, though his fight against Forrest Griffin is in many peoples top ten fights of all time. Soszynski has faced some good fighters, but has always came off on the wrong side of the decision. Dropping his record overall to 19-9-1 compared to Bonnar’s 11-7. So both fighters in need of another W to put on their record. I predict plenty of heart and grit, most probably a ground out ,slugfest decision….. for Bonnar.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Chris Leben.

Akiyama is a K-1, UFC and Pride veteran who holds notable victories over Alan Belcher, Denis Kang and Melvin Manhoef. A judo and karate black belt, ‘Sexyama’ is a tricky opponent with fast hands and good submissions, also a not too shabby 13-1-2nc record. Leben aTUF veteran has great knockout power and a good chin. His record stands at 20-6 and he is fresh off a TKO victory over Aaron Simpson at TUF 11 Finale last month. I think these two will put on a great show, but I think that Akiyama will steal this one. either by TKO or a decision if Leben’s chin holds out.

Chris Lytle vs Matt Brown

Lytle truly has been in the octagon with the best fighters beating some, but losing to many. His record stands at 28-17 with 5 draws. ATUF veteran and finalist Lytle is  game fighter, holding 4 fight of the night, two sub of the night, and one ko of the night honors under the UFC. Brown, whose record stands at 11-8 will be looking to avenge his submission loss that he suffered at the hands of Lytle in 2007. Brown has good hand speed and very under rated Jiu-Jitsu skills that I think he will try to utilize in this grudge match. Overall though I think Lytle’s experience will show through and he will snatch a decision win.

George Sotiropoulos vs Kurt Pellegrino

Kurt is a submissions specialist holding a record of 15-4, 10 of his wins by way of submission. His most recent win was against Fabricio Camoes at UFC 111. The fight was an amazing display of grappling and Jiu-Jitsu which ended in a submission win in Kurt’s favor. George, also a BJJ expert holds a record of 12-2 and looked amazing in his latest win against Joe Stevenson at UFC 110, winning fight of the night honors after an incredible 3 round war. Both fighters being amazing BJJ practitioners I am at a loss at who I think will win….. I’m gonna call Pellegrino by submission, although I wouldn’t put money on it.