UFC 97: Redemption Preview - Under Card

So, tonight is the big night of fights in Montreal, for the second time.

UFC 97 should be a good one with Anderson Silva (the greatest fighter on the planet right now) headlining in a bout I'm calling "Why The Fuck Even Bother -insert opponent-"

Should be a good under card as well.

Krzysztof Soszynski (16-8, 1-0 in UFC) takes on Brian Stann (6-1). Krzysztof, a former pro-wrestler, was the favourite on the Ultimate Fighter season 8, while Stann is a former WEC Light Heavyweight champ. I know that Krzysztof is a great stand-up fighter, with decent jui-jitsui as well. I know nothing about Stann, but have read he is a guy who likes to slug it out with a lot of power behind his hands. Apparently, Stann has never been on the ground in any of his fights, raising a huge question.
Prediction: Soszynski in round 2. Submission.


Cheick "Unstoppable" Kongo (13-4-1, 6-2 in UFC) takes on Antoni Hardonk (8-4, 4-2 in UFC). Kongo is a beast with a ton of UFC experience and whose UFC losses were both splitt decisions. Hardonk is less impressive so far in his career, but has had enough experience and success to be dangerous. A win for either dude should put them in contention as a guy with a shot at the title once it is settled on Brock Lesnar. This should be a slug fest as well, with the power edge going to Kongo, while Hardonk has better striking technique.
Prediction: Kongo in round 1. Knockout.


Steve Cantwell (7-1, 1-0 in UFC) takes on Luiz "Banha" Cane (9-1, 2-1 in UFC). Cantwell is a former WEC Light Heavyweight champ and a striker (although he has 4 submission victories), while Cane is a striker as well who has had some good octagon showings (should be 3-0 as only loss was an illegal blow in a fight he was winning). Cane is the better fighter at all aspects of the game, in my opinion, so I expect him to pull it out.
Prediction: Cane by unanimous decision.


Elliot Marshall (6-1, 1-0 in UFC) vs Vinny Magalhaes (2-3, 0-1 in UFC). Both were members of season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter. Vinny is an incredible ground fighter, dominating show favourite Krzysztof with a 1st round armbar victory in the semi-finals. These two have squared off in the past, with Magalhaes pulling out a victory in a jiu-jitsui match, Brazilian style. I would expect history to repeat itself, with a ground based match-up and Magalhaes pulling off some sort of submission.


Denis Kang (31-11, 0-1 in UFC) vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-8). Kang is Canadian, with a Brazilian Jui-Jitsui black belt, with a loss in his UFC debut. Xavier is a Muay Thai striker, while Kang is a ground guy, so it should be settled by whoever can control the fight in their game. Ultimately, I like the ground guys in these match-ups, so I guess Kang will pull of someting to get the submission victory.


Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald (21-11, 5-4 in UFC) vs Nate "The Rock" Quarry (10-3, 5-2 in UFC) . MacDonald is nicknamed "The Athlete" which is the most un-creative nickname of any fighter in the world. Quarry was a contestant on the 1st season of the Ultimate Fighter, but suffered an injury and had to withdraw from the competition. He is also a former Jehovah's Witness, which he calls a cult. Awesome. Quarry has big strikes, while MacDonald has pulled of a few submission victories in the UFC allready. Should be fun fight, and I hope the Canadian pulls it off. I don't think he will however, o give it to Quarry by TKO in round 2.


David "The Crow" Loiseau (18-8, 4-3 in UFC) vs Ed "Short Fuse" Herman (14-7, 3-4 in UFC). "The Crow" is the hometown favourite over "Short Fuse" and it should be a good battle. Herman has a ton of submission victories, while Loiseau is the knockout expert. Herman has the edge in terms of youth and drive, as Loiseau has been less than impressive the last couple of years. Ed Herman is also a ginger, so he has no soul, which will probably be another advantage, as "Short Fus" will take down "The Crow" and disapoint the crowd.


Skipping over 2 preliminary fights due to indifferance, I will move onto the last prelim fight, Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout (13-5-1, 2-4 in UFC) vs "Handsome" Matt Wiman (10-4, 4-2 in UFC). Stout is from my hometown of London, Ontario which is probably a disadvantage. Wiman has much more success in the UFC, so maybe Stout was just destined to lose, which he will, by decision.