Only a few days away from the event so here are some predictions.

Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote

You know, Cote seems like a really cool guy… I don’t really know what else to add.

Prediction: Silva, TKO, Rd. 1

Josh Koscheck vs. Thiago Alves

While I was super-amped for Sanchez/Alves, it’s nice that the UFC is so deep that they can put together a tremendous fight despite short notice.

This one is all about Kos’ takedowns. If he can get Alves down, he will win. If he can’t, he will lose. Pretty simple – and I’m banking on Josh being able to get this to the ground.

Prediction: Koscheck, Decision

Rich Clementi vs. Gray Maynard

Another example of a deep UFC roster since this replaces the Leites/Reljic bout that was scheduled for the main card. This is a good one, with Clementi riding a 6 fight winning streak and Maynard coming off a big win over Frankie Edgar.

Rich is a wily veteran, but Maynard is going to win here. Gray is a monstrous lightweight with top-notch wrestling and a powerful right hand. His BJJ was suspect on TUF5, but I would bet it is far enough along now that he will be able to avoid Clementi’s submissions.

I’ve heard this pun roughly 10 billion times at this point, so one more won’t hurt: look for Maynard to “bully” Rich around and get the win.

Prediction: Maynard, Decision

Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior Dos Santos

Fabricio Werdum, the odd-man out in the heavyweight tournament, looks to stay on track here.

I know nothing about Dos Santos and I have no reason to believe Werdum will lose… BUT, for some reason I smell a Jardine/Alexander in this fight.

Don’t ask me why.

Prediction: Dos Santos, KO, Rd. 2

Sean Sherk vs. Tyson Griffin

Last week, I wrote a column for MMArated.com talking about the significance of this fight. People have said it has the potential to be boring, but I think it is going to surprise everyone.

Sherk still has some gas in the tank and will be able to both out-box and out-wrestle Tyson. I also think Sean is going to – gasp – finish the fight.

Prediction: Sherk, TKO, Rd. 3

That’s a very solid main card for UFC 90 – aside from what looks to be a non-competitive main event.

The undercard isn’t too shabby either. Thales Leites will look to inch closer to a MW title shot when he fights Drew McFedries. Hermes Franca will battle Marcus Aurelio with the loser losing all relevance in the lightweight division. And Josh Burkman will fight Pete Sell in what has to be a ‘loser leaves town’ fight.

Enjoy…

-Ken
http:www.IntelligentlyDefending.com

Tags: MMA, UFC, UFC 90

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008 at 10:51 am and is filed under MMA, UFC, UFC 90. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.