MMASucka.com Staff Predictions: UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis

We are back for our second go at Staff Picks here at MMASucka.com. This time we are making our picks for the highly anticipated UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis fight card.

The main event as stated above is between former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans who will go head to head with undefeated Phil Davis. Almost more anticipated than the main event is the co-main event which puts the UFC’s bad boys against eachother when Michael Bisping squares off against “The People’s Champ” Chael Sonnen. Rounding out the fox card is a fight between BJJ king Demian Maia and up and comer Chris Weidman.

Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis

JP Lasaleta – I’ll give Evans the win by decision.  Phil is almost as fast, almost as great of a wrestler, and has almost as good striking.  Evans is just a lil better everywhere.

Carlin Bardsley – Rashad’s (again) fighting for a title shot, so I expect him to come in focused. Rashad’s stand-up is on another level than Davis’, has the edge in experience and I believe their wrestling skills will cancel each other out. That doesn’t leave Davis with a lot of ways to win. Despite Davis having the clear advantage of a really cool nickname, I’m expecting Rashad to light Davis up on the feet. Rashad TKO r2

Jeremy Brand – This fight is Rashad’s to lose. I feel Phil Davis is a younger version of Evans… however he has better standup than Rashad did. If Davis can keep this fight on the feet and land something he could possibly have one of the biggest upsets in a long time. However, i do not see that happening. My pick is Rashad Evans by 2nd Round TKO.

Justin Faux – I like both of these guys and think this is a really interesting match-up but  as I wrote in my breakdown of this fight, there is a glaring difference in the striking game of Evans as opposed to Davis, when he is comfortable standing and trading with someone like against Tito for instance he finds his groove early and really puts his power behind his punches.

Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen

JP Lasaleta – Sonnen by TKO round 2.  Bisping will be overwhelmed by sonnen’s caliber and style of wrestling.  Sonnen will be able to catch bisping’s chin while in top position and put bisping to sleep

Carlin Bardsley – Is anyone else disappointed that they actually have to stop talking and fight now? Bisping’s got a clear advantage with his kickboxing, so I expect Sonnen to take him down repeatedly and pound on him. Bisping’s takedown defence being what it is, the strategy seems likely to work. Sonnen DEC

Jeremy Brand – Chael Sonnen is a 4-1 favorite in this fight. I don’t know what he was against Munoz, but this is an awfully big gap and could be a big payday if someone were to bet on Bisping. I feel this fight will be a lot closer than those odds say. If Bisping can stuff the takedowns like his training partners have said he can than he could land some power shots and finish the fight. I am pulling for Bisping, but my gut is still telling me to stick with Chael. Chael Sonnen by 3rd round Ground and Pound TKO.

Justin Faux – I’ll be taking the self proclaimed middleweight champion to win this one,  I see it going a lot like the Brian Stann fight with Chael taking him off his feet early and pounding him out big time, I think it’ll take a bit of doing to get Bisping off his feet though since he has much better takedown defense than Stann but once he gets there I think he’ll get caught.

Suckas taking Sonnen: 4
Suckas taking Bisping: 0

Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

JP Lasaleta – I’ll give this one to Weidman.  I believe he’s the type that elevates his game when faced with a great challenge.  Weidman will use his wrestling to keep the fight standing, and catch Maia with a big shot that puts him to sleep. Chris by KO round 2

Carlin Bardsley – Weidman seems to have a lot of hype behind him for this one, despite taking the fight on short notice and previously pulling out of a scheduled tilt with Ed Herman with an injury. Weidman has a bright future to be certain, but I think when he takes this fight to the ground that Maia’s jits is on a level he can’t handle. Maia SUB r2

Jeremy Brand – I feel that Demian Maia has been given an even harder test with Chris Weidman instead of Michael Bisping. This kid is 7-0 and taking the UFC’s middleweight division by storm. Maia is no joke either. If this fight goes to the ground and Weidman is put on his back, it could be a short night for him. This is not going to happen and i believe Weidman will have his way with Maia and finish via 1st round TKO.

Justin Faux – Probably the fight I’m most looking forward to, I am a huge supporter of Chris Weidman and think he can go on to do so big, big things in his career and I’m going to back him here. He’s got excellent wrestling, great jiu-jitsu and decent enough hands, I’ll take him by a decision.

Suckas taking Maia: 1
Suckas taking Weidman: 3