UFC 175 LowKick MMA Staff Predictions

Join us in the LowKick live chat room for UFC 175 fight day this Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. EST!!!

Chris Weidman vs. Lyoto Machida:

Mike Drahota: UFC 175’s main event has got me excited. It’s one of the most enigmatic title bouts we’ve seen in recent years, and it almost seems like Weidman has to finish Machida to silence all of the doubt clouding his two finish wins over Anderson Silva in 2013. While I don’t think that’s necessarily true, I do think there’s more pressure on Weidman here. Machida has already won the title, and he’s looked nigh unstoppable since moving down to middleweight. His striking will pose problems for Weidman, and his takedown defense is much better than Silva’s was. However, I simply think the champion is too confident, poised, and durable. The champ will push the pace in a cautious manner, and even though he might eat some dangerous shots, I think Weidman brings home a unanimous decision here.

Rory Kernaghan: Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida is a huge fight for so many reasons, mainly though I feel it will be because UFC 175 will see the crowning of a new champion in ‘The Dragon’. Machida’s style is possibly the worst match that ‘The All-American’ could hope for; hard to take down and even harder to hit clean. Add the fact that Lyoto looks like a killer at 185 pounds, and you can see why my pick was so easy to make. I don’t doubt Weidman as a legitimate force, but Machida is just so hard to train for and I don’t think that ‘The All-American’ will have an answer for ‘The Dragon’. I’m picking Machida for a second round TKO win.

Brian Cox: If Weidman comes out and aggressively cuts off the cage and presents to Machida neither a static nor passive target, he should easily maintain his belt. However, if Weidman has not ‘camped’ for Machida’s quirky style and timing, it could be a short night’s work for “The Dragon.” My deduction is that Weidman and crew have prepared for the challenge and will meet it. As such, I think “The All-American” will seek the fight that Mark Munoz would not and take his non-friend to the ground, and enforce his first non-Silva title defense. Resultantly, and for reasons of greater physical strength, gameplan, and Ray Longo touch, I’m picking Chris Weidman by way of second round TKO – ground strikes.

Buster Evans: Chris Weidman may have knocked out the greatest striker the middleweight division has ever seen in Anderson Silva but he’s going to have his hands full with Lyoto Machida who’s stand-up is arguably better than his Brazilian training partner. The “All-American” has to get this fight down to the mat to win in my opinion, which is going to be incredibly hard to do considering Machida is difficult enough to touch; never mind take down. Look for “The Dragon” to frustrate Weidman on the feet, causing him to push for the takedown, ultimately leading to him getting knocked out with a right straight in the second round. Machida via second round KO.

Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis:

Mike Drahota: Alexis Davis is up next on “Toughest opponent Rousey has ever faced” hype train, and I don’t think she’ll be the one who derails it. True, “Ally-Gator” has looked very impressive in recent efforts, but she’s been winning decisions. “Rowdy” has been absolutely steamrolling through opponents, and her striking has miraculously caught up with her Olympic-level judo. Davis is a massive underdog heading into this bout, but I think it’s justified. I just don’t see her having much for Rousey anywhere this fight goes. Rousey via first round TKO.

Rory Kernaghan: Ronda Rousey vs. Alexis Davis is not a hard fight for me to choose, mainly because the women’s bantamweight champion is such a force in her division. Davis is legit, there is no doubt about that, but does she have what is required to beat ‘Rowdy’? I don’t think so. I think this fight comes down to how the women’s champ chooses to finish her foe. In my mind, Rousey will want to showcase some more of her newfound striking, and will finish Davis in the first by TKO.

Brian Cox: Ronda Rousey is the greatest female fighter the world has seen to date. To think that she might lose a fight is near heresy. Her aggression is unmatched, her ground game untouched, her judo unstoppable, and her stand-up an ever-increasing problem to deal with. In short, Rousey looks unbeatable. However, Alexis Davis brings her own chops to the table, with the most significant being self belief. Davis believes that she can hang with Rousey over five rounds, and where she’s not promised to stop “Rowdy,” she has stated that she’s ready to put Rousey to the test for the full twenty-five minutes. For those reasons, and the sake of supporting an underdog, I’m picking Alexis Davis via unanimous decision.

Buster Evans: Personally, if there’s anyone who stands a chance at beating Ronda Rousey in the UFC right now, I think it’s Alexis Davis. The Canadian could very well be the more superior grappler on Saturday night; she has an extremely high skill set. And I believe if Miesha Tate can defend against Rousey on the ground for nearly three rounds, “Ally-Gator” will be able to do it for five. With that said, “Rowdy’s” striking has come on in leaps-and-bounds in her last few fights and I think she’s going to be able to keep up with her opponent tomorrow. The champion will take it tomorrow night, but it won’t be how most people expect. Rousey via split decision.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports