UFC Fight Night 55 LowKick MMA Staff Predictions
Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping:
Mike Drahota:
This trash-talk fueled war will finally find a victor tomorrow night (Fri., November 7, 2014), and to be honest, that’s a good thing. This is a potentially entertaining main event with two talented middleweights who play the perfect foil to one another, but on paper, it isn’t all that great of a fight.
Bisping looked great in a rebound victory over Cung Le at August’s UFC Fight Night 48, but in reality he beat a 42-year-old fighter who hadn’t fought in nearly two years. Rockhold is the on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of opponent, a surging, well-rounded martial artist who has been rolling over competition. Bisping has largely failed to rise to the occasion against elite competition, and Rockhold certainly falls within that category.
The Brit is tough, but I’m going with Rockhold by decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold is a tough fight for the Brit in my opinion. “Rocky” has a clear advantage in the ground game, and the striking is just about even. Where I think “The Count” has an advantage is the pace he can keep on the feet, if he is able to keep the fight there. In reality, I feel like takedowns will be the difference here, in particular for the AKA product. It may not be pretty, but I expect Rockhold to grind out a decision win.
Mike Henken:
This main event is a very important bout for each man, one that may propel either combatant to a number one contender fight or even a title shot. Michael “The Count” Bisping has been around for quite some time and has always been a top middleweight, but has yet to receive a title shot, so I think motivation and hunger won’t be a question for the Brit. To win this fight, Bisping will have to use his footwork and boxing to pick apart “Rocky”.
However, that doesn’t mean Rockhold is at a huge disadvantage in the striking department. He has solid kicks and has improved his striking over time. I think the AKA-based fighter’s best chance is to use his large wrestling and grappling advantage to drag Bisping to the mat and dominate him like Tim Kennedy did. Rockhold by unanimous decision.
Ross Pearson vs. Al Iaquinta:
Mike Drahota:
Both Pearson and Iaquinta have a decent amount of momentum going, as each has won three out of their past four bouts if you discount’s Pearson’s no contest against Melvin Guillard. His UFC Fight Night 42 loss to Diego Sanchez was a travesty as well, and it could definitely be argued that Pearson has fought a much higher quality of opponents.
But Iaquinta is an up-and-coming fighter from Long Island’s Serra-Longo team, so he can never be counted out. I think this fight will be a wholly entertaining one, with the fighters trading shots on the feet a good amount. The x-factor could be Iaquinta’s vaunted wrestling. Pearson has shown solid takedown defense in recent bouts; his success here will most likely hinge on his ability to keep this fight standing.
I think he will, but it won’t be easy. “The Real Deal” takes a decision here.
Rory Kernaghan:
Ross Pearson and Al Iaquinta have very similar styles, making this one quite a hard fight to pick. You could argue that Pearson is unbeaten since his return to lightweight in 2012, whereas “Raging” was finished by submission just one fight ago. I don’t think there will even be a takedown attempt in sight, but “The Real Deal” has just that little bit more octagon experience.
Pearson by unanimous decision.
Mike Henken:
Ross “The Real Deal” Pearson has been on a solid streak as of late. He’s known for his boxing, possessing fluent and crisp combos. His opponent, Al Iaquinta, is known more for his wrestling and grappling where I believe he’ll have the advantage, but has improved his striking as of late as well.
He looked impressive in his last outing where he used combinations and deadly elbows to score a win. Training with middleweight champion Chris Weidman under legendary trainers Ray Longo and Matt Serra, I think the New York native will come prepared.
I’m choosing the upset, Iaquinta by second round submission.
