LowKick.com UFC 132 Community Predictions

March 24th, 2007. That’s a day that changed Dominick Cruz as a mixed martial artist. He went into the fight a young kid going up against arguably the best Featherweight in the world (Norifumi Yamamoto was still the “other one”). Dominick came out a man on a mission. Fast forward to August 9th, 2009, Cruz’s first fight with Urijah Faber protege’ Joseph Benavidez. Cruz was once again the underdog, but the fight played out completely different this time. Cruz “cruised” to a unanimous decision victory which put the world on notice. Now two title defenses down, Cruz is every bit the dominant champion he makes himself out to be.

Now the last step to him gaining more exposure, and getting the thought of being in a crushing guillotine out of his head is a rematch with the man who beat him.

Urijah has been up and down (for him) in his most recent fights. A pretty wide unanimous decision victory against Eddie Wineland was preceded by a scary choke out of Takeya Mizugaki. However, both of these victories came after being thrashed by Jose Aldo. Faber has looked noticeably quicker, and very determined at this new weight class. If he loses it might be the final piece of evidence to show Faber can’t compete at the highest level (Championship level) of competition anymore. Then again he could come in and blitz Cruz to start off another long reign.

It’s a tough call.

On to the picks!

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

David Saucier –  I’m so excited for this fight, it will be a great way to cap off this stacked card. We have Cruz the young top dog, and Faber the older veteran who dropped weight classes looking to regain some of his glory days, unfortunately you can’t hit what you can’t catch, Faber’s only chance is to take Cruz down, or tie him up against the cage. I just don’t see it happening, look for Cruz to be bouncing all of the cage, and putting together fast combinations to out point Faber. Cruz by Decision

postmortem –  Dominick has improved a lot since their first fight but i still cant get that image of Cruz tapping at 1:30 in the first round out of my head. Expect a much tougher fight this time around but with the same result. 60/40 Faber. Faber Submission 2

griffin – Both guys have improved a ton since they last fought. In the last few fights though Urijah seems to have slowed down just a bit while the young and hungry Cruz has been unstoppable. I don’t really see either guy finishing but it will be one hell of a good fight. Dominick’s height and movement will make the difference in the rematch. Cruz by Decision

edub – It’s pretty simple for me here. I think one guy has improved by leaps and bounds, and one hasn’t. IMO this Cruz is just too much for Urijah to handle. Cruz by Decision

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben

David Saucier – This fight right here will be a fun fight, where both guys chins will be tested. I expect both to keep it standing, and go for FOTN. I expect them to trade, and Leben’s chin will hold up in the end. Leben TKO 

postmortem –  I realize that I am going way out on a limb here. But with Wandy’s long lay off and recovery and lets face it he is not getting any younger Leben may have just the slight edge. Although I believe Silva to be the more skilled of the two .The Axe Murder just cannot resist a good slug-fest and Chris is the more durable of the two. 51/49 Leben. Leben TKO 2

griffin – This fight will be an all out war! honestly it could go either way but if i had to choose id go with Wandy via KO(knees). Silva TKO 2

edub – I got Wand here because of speed. He still throws punches very hard, and very quick. I didn’t like the way Leben looked against Stann. However, this one is kind of a coin flip since Silva is still a little chinny. Still: Silva TKO 1

Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader

David Saucier –  This could possibly be Tito’s last fight in the UFC I expect him to come out motivated, as well as Bader. I think this fight will be competitive till the end. I predict the fight will be tied 1-1 heading into the third round, the question is will Tito fade like he does in the third, and gives the fight away. Call me crazy but I got a feeling Tito will win this somehow. Ortiz by Decision

postmortem – Not much to say about this one Ryan is better in every aspect of the game. tito is still tough and hard to finish but expect a one sided beatdown and possibly some excuses . 90/10 Bader. Bader by Decision

griffin – Tito has shown ZERO improvement in his last 5 fight and that’s exactly why he cannot win a fight. Aside from his overrated wrestling he has nothing to offer but the guy is incredibly hard to finish. Bader by Decision

edub – Tito really gets no favors in the match making, he goes from fighting one really tough guy to another. This might be Tito’s swan song, and I for one will be sad if he loses. He will go down as one of the pioneers of this sport. Plus he would always work tirelessly to help out the military. I find that very admirable because he really does go further then what a celebrity needs to do. Bader by Decision

Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim

David Saucier –  This is the hardest fight to pick we have a unbeaten fighter in Kim, and Condit the natural born killer who finish just about everybody he fights. Condit has shown that he can be controlled, and that is Kim strong point with his Judo/Takedowns Kim will look to take a decision with control as Condit is hard to finish. Condit is dangerous always standing, and on the ground alla Hardy rd 1 KO, and McDonald 7 sec left in the third round submission. Condit Submission 3

postmortem – The stun has great top control and is a excellent grinder. Condit has had trouble with strong grapplers in the past so there is a possibility of a upset. But The Natural Born Killer is dangerous from any position while Kim is dangerous from none. So 60/40 Condit. Condit TKO 3

griffin – This is another fight that really could go either way. Both guys are very talented in all aspects of the game. Stun Guns grappling is bit better and could make the difference but Condit always seems to find a way to win. Condit by Decision

edub – Kim could control Condit for 15 minutes. However, I don’t see it happening. Condit TKO 3

Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman

David Saucier – A good fight in the LW division Siver is coming of a huge upset of George Sotiropoulos, back in Australia. I have learned never to count this elite striker out, expect him to keep the fight standing against Wiman. Siver will be head hunting as well as his reverse spinning kick to the liver. Siver TKO 2

postmortem –  I have never been overly impressed with Wiman while the exact opposite is true of Siver. here is to hoping for another awesome but unlikely spinning back kick KO. 80/20 Siver. Siver by Decision

griffin –  Matt Wiman has a clear disadvantage on the feet but his wrestling is a lot better than G-Sot. I see this fight going a lot like the Cole Miller fight. Wiman by Decision

edub – I think Siver is a typical fighter that gives Wiman problems. Fast, strong, better striker. I don’t think Wiman lasts til the final bell here. Wouldn’t mind seeing an upset, but would rather see a Siver-Guillard rematch. Siver TKO 2

Photo: Tito Ortiz enters the arena during UFC 73 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA on July 7, 2007. Photo credit: Francis Specker