UFC 88: Breakthrough Predictions

This article has been written by O-ster Jose Barbosa. Hope you enjoy and be sure to look for more from Jose as he hopes to be added as an O Show staff member in the near future.

Dan "Hendo" Henderson (22-8-0) vs. Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares (17-1-0)

This fight will be interesting as we have Henderson who is vet in the MMA game holding both the Welterweight and Light-Heavy Weight Championship in Pride. Henderson is coming off two big losses since his entry to the UFC losing again both Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva. So Hendo is looking for his first win in the UFC, Hendo is going to be coming out guns a blazing looking for the win as going 0-3 in the UFC always means trouble.

On the other hand you have Palhares who is fighting his second fight in the UFC trying to make his name in the UFC with his first fight in the win column against Ivan Salaverry via Arm bar in the first round. Many don't know Palhares but don't let that fool you. Palhares is 8-1 with 6 of his way coming via submission. As well 7 out of his 8 wins haven't gone passed the first round.

My Prediction: I see this fight as being a tough one to predict, Henderson hasn't shown us the Hendo we remember in Pride since he has entered the UFC. Palhares hasn't had to face the caliber fighter as Henderson in his career. Henderson will come into this fight and make sure to keep in standing up, while Palhares will try to take it to the ground for the early submission. Still I don't think that Palhares could control the more experience fighter in this fight Henderson, so I pick Henderson to come out with his first win in the UFC.

Winner: Dan Henderson via TKO in the 1st Round

Karo "The Heat" Parisyan (25-4-0) vs. Yoshiyuki "Zenko" Yoshida (10-2-0)

This fight you have Karo Parisyan who has won 3 out of his last 5 fights all those wins coming via the decision. He fought last at UFC fight Night 13 against Thaigo Alves losing in the 2nd round via a TKO. Yoshida is on a 9 fight winning streak with only one figth in the UFC at UFC 84 against TUF 6 fighter the War Machine Jon Koppenhaver with an Anaconda Choke in the 1st minute in the first round. Yoshida looked good again Koppenhaver getting the submission early. Karo is looking for a win and he needs one badly, while Yoshida is looking for a win to climb to the next step in the welterweight division.

My Prediction: Looking at Yoshida record and the way he was able to take out The War Machine is such a quick fashion, to his wins via TKO early in the first and in the second rounds makes me feel that if he can keep this fight standing and look for the quick TKO then Yoshida can pull off the win, but if this fight gets taken to the ground which Karo will be looking to do I could see this fight going the distance.

Winner: Karo Parisyan via Decision (Unanimous)

Rich "Ace" Franklin (25-3-0) vs. Matt "The Hammer" Hamill (5-1-0)

This fight is another that contains a fighter who is trying to climb the ladder in the UFC in Matt Hamill and a Veteran looking to get his name back in the lights after losing his Middleweight Championship to Anderson Silva and losing a rematch a year later. Rich is 3-2 in his last 5 with both losses coming from Anderson Silva and wins over Jason MacDonald, Yushin Okami and most recently Travis Lutter. While Hamill who is 5-1 is coming off a win against Tim Boetsch and the controversial split decision against Michael Bisping at UFC 75 which to this day every time I hear about it makes me feel like that decision was a Work because of being in London. Franklin is jumping a weight class gaining 20 pounds to fight at 205lbs.

My Prediction: In this fight I can see Matt Hamill trying to keep this fight on his feet, while Franklin might decide to either exchange blows on the feet or might try to take Hamill down either way Franklin will have a tough time with Hamill. Hamill will stand up with Franklin and exchange blows and if Franklin takes him down he will have to deal with Hamill's wrestling background. If Franklin decides to exchange blows with Hamill I could see him taking the win over the vet, but Hamill if not careful might get caught in a submission early if taken to the ground.

Winner: Matt Hamill via KO in the 2nd round.

Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell (21-5-0) vs. Rashad "Sugar" Evans (16-0-1)

This is the fight was suppose to happen back at UFC 85 in London England but was pushed back due to Liddell suffering a hamstring injury during training. I just finished watching the UFC countdown for UFC 88 and they showed a picture of Liddell hamstring injury and damn that was nasty. Dana couldn't have described in any better by saying "When he (Liddell) showed me a picture of the hamstring I saw all the colours in the rainbow, colours I never knew the human body could turn" I question if Liddell is fully healed or is he coming back to early. Rashad has an impressive undefended recorded with wins over Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar and the head kick seen around the world that dropped Sean Salmon at UFC fight night 8. It's clear who the underdog is coming into this fight even though Rashad being undefeated Liddell coming off a hell of a fight with Wanderlei Silva cemented him right back into the light-heavyweight division, but was the fight against Wanderlei enough to give Liddell the boost he needed after back to back losses to Quinton and Jardine? Many think it was and we will get to see what he has again Rashad this Sunday.

My Prediction: To me Liddell proved that he still has what it takes to win fights with his fight against Wanderlei. Liddell is known for being a fighter who finishes fights, while Rashad is known for being a boring fighter with half of his wins coming via the decision. For me I think even though Rashad is a good fighter he will be over whelmed by the power of Liddell, Liddell is not gong to sit there and let him sit on top of him the whole fight and that is the only way I can see Rashad coming out with the win in this fight is via the decision. But look for Liddell to come out looking for the quick KO.

Winner: Chuck Liddell via KO in the first round.


This PPV looks to be a good one with many interesting and not so easy to call fights. We can see some hard hitting finishes making it hard to call Knockout of the Night. I see fight of the night coming from the Matt Hamill vs. Rich Franklin fight. Just in case you need the run down here it is....


Prelims

Roan Carneiro vs. Ryo Chonan
Winner: Roan Carneiro via Decision (Unanimous)

Jason Lambert vs. Jason MacDonald
Winner: Jason McDonald via Rear Naked Choke 2nd Round

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown
Winner: Dong Hyun Kim via TKO 1st Round

Tim Boetsch vs. Michael Patt
Winner: Michael Patt via Rear naked choke 3rd Round

Thaigo Tavares vs. Kurt Pellegrino
Winner: Thaigo Tavares via Triangle Choke 2nd Round

Martin Kampann vs. Nate Marquardt
Winner: Martin Kampann via Rear Naked Choke 1st Round


Main Card

Dan Henderson vs. Rousimar Palhares
Winner: Dan Henderson via TKO 1st Round

Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Winner: Karo Parisyan via Decision (Unanimous)

Rich Franklin vs. Matt Hamill
Winner: Matt Hamill via KO 2nd Round

Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans
Winner: Chuck Liddell via KO 1st Round


Enjoy the fights and visit Tha O Show back on Sunday night for the recap of the show!

Cheers!
Jose Barbosa

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