UFC 160 Lowkick Staff Predictions
Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva:
Mike Drahota: For a UFC heavyweight title match, this one seems like a pretty obvious choice on paper. Bigfoot Silva has two impressive knockouts in his last two fights, but I’m still not completely sold on him as a legitimate title contender. Travis Browne got injured quickly, and Overeem was simply cocky (and arguably without his “enhancements”). So with that said, it’s hard to imagine the outcome of this fight being any different than it was last May, when Velasquez destroyed Silva in one very bloody match. Velasquez TKO by strikes R1.
Rory Kernaghan: Cain is probably the most dangerous guy at HW right now, something Bigfoot knows only too well. The last time the two met, CV put a gnarly beatdown on the giant Brazilian, and I really can’t see it happening much different the second time around. Look for BF to be more aggressive-but don’t think that will be enough against Velasquez. I expect Velasquez to steamroll Silva, putting him away in brutal fashion via TKO in Round 1.
Bryan Fontez: It’s easy to say that Velasquez will just do the same thing he did to Bigfoot the first time around, and you could very well be right, but something tells me this fight will be a little more competitive. However, unless Bigfoot has miraculously found a way to increase his speed and has developed some high level take down defense, I really don’t give him much chance to win the fight. This fight could go quite a few directions but no matter which direction it goes I can’t picture it ending with anything but Cain Velasquez‘ hand raised high in the hair and the belt still firmly fastened around his waist. Velasquez via 4th round TKO.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt:
Mike Drahota: This is a fight fans have been clamoring for ever since Alistair Overeem was pronounced injured, and I’m glad we get to see it. It could be argued that there’s not a knockout artist on the face of the earth as deadly as these two men, and that’s a great thing for fans this Memorial Day. Early prognostications have JDS utilizing his high level but rarely seen BJJ pedigree to ground Hunt and avoid his strikes. I’m not so sure that will be the case however, as I think dos Santos is supremely confident in his standup skills against anyone, and for good reason. It’ll be tough to knock out the iron-chinned “Super Samoan,” but I do think JDS will take home the decision win.
Rory Kernaghan: JDS vs. Hunt is still a fight that I’m having trouble picking. Both guys are absolute warriors, they have incredible power in both hands and solid chins. The beating that Dos Santos took against CV is testament to his iron beard. I have a feeling that this one might come down to the ground game, I know JDS has a great chin, but Mark Hunt‘s power really doesn’t go for the chin, it goes for knocking your head off. I truly believe Hunt can knock anyone out if given the chance. I’m a HUGE Hunt fan, but I think that Dos Santos’ agility and diversity will be the unmaking of ‘The Super Samoan’. I hope for a Hunt win, but in reality I think it will be JDS by decision.
Bryan Fontez: This is a fun fight and by far my favorite on the card. It’s one of those fights where give then skills and abilities of both fighters the possibilities are truly endless. Although I can almost guarantee we’ll know who’s leaving the cage with the victory within the first 2 minutes. I don’t expect Junior dos Santos to take Hunt down as some have been suggesting. No Junior is too stubborn for that, instead I predict he’s going to make a statement and be the first person to try to take Hunt’s head off. Which is no simple task mind you given the strength and durability of his Super Samoan head. This fight has all the makings of fight of the night and I can’t wait to see what happens. I predict a 3 round slobber-knocker with JDS winning the decision.
