One of the most stacked fight cards is set to take place this Saturday night (Nov. 16) live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
UFC 167 is headlined by one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world Georges St-Pierre, as he looks to defend his welterweight championship for an amazing ninth time when he takes on Johny Hendricks.
Light heavyweights Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen will square off in the co-main event and in other action, Rory MacDonald steps back inside the Octagon against Robbie Lawler in a welterweight battle.
Check out the MMASucka.com Staff Predictions below.
Allen – 9-4
Justin – 9-4
Jeremy – 7-6
Suraj – 7-1
Henry – 5-3
JP – 1-4
Johny Hendricks vs. Georges St-Pierre
Jeremy: When this match-up was originally announced, I thought Hendricks was going to be the man to dethrone St-Pierre. He has the wrestling to counteract the champ, he also has the punching power that we’ve seen in his previous match-ups. Since watching the ‘Countdown’ show and the ‘Primetime’ episodes, I have now swayed to the Canadian’s side and am going to pick St-Pierre to dominate this fight down the stretch. Georges St-Pierre via Unanimous Decision.
Henry: This fight is such a close match up. GSP has been the well-rounded dominant champ and Hendricks is a deadly mix of high level wrestling and dynamite punching power. However, there is one small less known detail that might make the difference. Since 2011, GSP hasn’t had Greg Jackson travel up to his Montreal camp to help with his strategy. For this fight, Jackson did indeed make the trip and with two world class coaches in his corner, I think GSP utilizes a perfect game plan with his jabs, level change and endurance to frustrate Hendricks. Georges St-Pierre by Round 3 Sub
Justin: I don’t understand why people are thinking that this is going to be a close fight. Hendricks wrestling credentials in university may have been top-notch, but it has not transferred over to MMA in the way many might have hoped. In fact, St-Pierre’s takedown-related metrics kind of blow Johny’s out of the water when it comes to wrestling for MMA. Additionally, while “Bigg Rigg” has defeated fighters with 6 or more inches of wingspan on him, he has not faced anybody with as keen a sense of distance and reach as St. Pierre. So, with that said, Hendricks will get frustrated, make mistakes, and just end up on the bottom as GSP works towards another dominant decision and continues his transition into the Floyd Mayweather of MMA – Technically perfect, but not overly entertaining. Georges St-Pierre via Unanimous Decision.
Suraj: It seems the educated MMA fan can’t help but side with the most dominant fighter in today’s era. He has defeated every contender that has come his way since winning the title back and has not been phased by some of the best welterweights in the world. There was another fighter talked about in similar fashion. Remember Anderson Silva? You know, the guy who’s getting an automatic title rematch after a very questionable performance? Well a guy name Chris Weidman came along and shocked the world by beating the previously celebrated middleweight champ. Hendricks never had to use his wrestling because he knocks people out in the first round. Against Condit, he was forced to use his wrestling, which was easily the reason for his victory. Condit’s chin is solid rock and Hendricks just could not drop him no matter what he threw. GSP may be the hardest working fighter in the gym, but improving your chin is not the same thing. GSP has been rocked before, and if there is a fighter in the division to do it again, it is Hendricks. Johny Hendricks via Round 3 TKO.
Chael Sonnen vs. Rashad Evans
Jeremy: A match-up between two wrestlers could be extremely boring, but this one I am very excited about. Not just because the Sonnen and Evans are fantastic fighters, but the lead up to the fight has been fun as well. Sonnen may not have the speed that Evans does, but we’ve seen what he can do to someone faster than him, a la Anderson Silva. This fight is very tough for me to pick a winner – my heart says Sonnen, while my gut is telling me Evans. Rashad Evans via Round 2 TKO.
Henry: I was kind of disappointed that they didn’t give any airtime to this match up on the Primetime series. What we have here is two stars with personality. Both have great wrestl but I give the stand up advantage to Evans. I think the wrestling nullify each other out and Evans will land a power shot that will put Sonnen down. Rashad Evans via Round 1 TKO
Justin: I keep feeling like Rashad Evans has lost a step since leaving Jackson’s MMA. He has surrounded himself with some excellent coaches and training partners, but they don’t seem to be reaching him and motivating him the way Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn did. Chael Sonnen, on the other hand, is in the midst of another career renaissance, and performing beyond expectations. I don’t expect a finish, but I do expect Sonnen to be able to put Evans on his back enough over the course of 3 rounds to win the decision. Chael Sonnen via Unanimous Decision
Suraj: This is a battle of two very good, even great, wrestlers in the UFC who have grown tremendously throughout their careers. While both fighters have displayed solid takedown ability, they have also shown their versatility in accumulating victories in exciting fashion. In Evans’ initial UFC title run, he showed incredible skill and was able to to gain TKO victories over some legendary names including Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. However, in his recent fights, many of them have come through uneventful decision victories, usually dominating in pace and wrestling. Well, in both regards, Evans has definitely met his match. Sonnen may very well be the best pure greco-roman wrestler in the UFC, and has some of the best conditioning. Having only lost to Damian Maia, Jon Jones and Anderson Silva twice in the UFC, Sonnen has stood his ground with the very best. Maybe if Sonnen did not run his mouth so much as a fighter, we would acknowledge how great of a fighter he really is. Chael Sonnen via Unanimous Decision.
Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler
Jeremy: MacDonald is not getting the love he should, due to his last outing against Jake Ellenberger being extremely blasé. He is facing one of the toughest strikers in the welterweight division and “Ares” best be taking Lawler seriously, because he is only one punch away from finishing the bout. I highly doubt that is going to happen, but you never know. Rory MacDonald via Unanimous Decision.
Henry: I don’t think MacDonald is going to stand in front of Lawler for very long in this fight. I see MacDonald taking Lawler to the ground relatively quickly and grinding out the victory. Unfortunately, I don’t think this is going to be an entertaining fight. Rory MacDonald via Unanimous Decision
Justin: Robbie Lawler is game-bred, there’s just no two ways about it. The problem is, against great grapplers, it tends to get him into some sticky situations. That fact, combined with Rory’s ground skills, leads me to believe that Lawler’s night in the cage will end in less than 15 minutes. Rory McDonald via Round 2 Submission
Suraj: The problem with Rory MacDonald is he will continue to be good enough to fight for a championship, but never will. As long as his pal GSP retains the gold, MacDonald will continue to play some sort of over-qualified gatekeeper while his fellow Canadian takes on anyone who squeezes through the cracks. In his last fight, MacDonald showed how he uses his length to keep his opponent at a distance, while landing jab-like shots and head kicks consistently. With that said, it will be some time baefore McDonald faces competition that truly challenges his skill. For now, we will have to settle for another GSP-esque fighter who will boringly dominate his competition. Rory MacDonald via Unanimous Decision.
Tyron Woodley vs. Josh Koscheck
Jeremy: Another pair of extremely decorated wrestlers in the match-up between Woodley and Koscheck. This bout could either be the most boring on the fight card, or very exciting. Koscheck hasn’t stepped inside the Octagon since February, where he lost to Lawler via TKO. Woodley is also coming off a loss against Jake Shields at UFC 161 in June. “Kos” is looking to cement his name as a legitimate welterweight, while Woodley will look to stay relevant. Josh Koscheck via Unanimous Decision.
Henry: Wrestler vs wrestler and unfortunately in this case, it doesn’t look like it’ll be very entertaining. I see both going back and forth in a wrestling match. I think Koscheck will do just enough to score the victory. Josh Koscheck via Split Decision
Justin: Yes, we have two wrestlers in the cage, but one of them suffers from a horrible case of Jackson’s-Hendo Disease. Josh Koscheck fell in love with his right hand a long time ago – long enough that I think they could be declared common-law partners – and it’s either led him to tepid decisions or outright defeats. I’m not sure if his J-H Disease, which causes great wrestlers to become infatuated with punching and forget their grappling skills, is in remission, but it will likely lead to a long night for those of us at home no matter what. Since we all lose anyways, I propose a drinking game for this fight. Take a shot for the following: every 60 seconds spent clinching against the cage, every time Koscheck misses with the right hand, and every time you hear Tyron Woodley’s mama in the background. If I have to pick a winner, I’m picking Woodley, since he still remembers he’s a wrestler, and because all the judges will hear during the fight will be his mother cheering him on. Tyron Woodley via Unanimous Decision
Suraj: Josh Koscheck is in a very interesting position. In his last two fights, he lost against two of the biggest welterweight contenders in Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler. If he were to lose this fight, at least in most cases, his UFC career may very well be in jeopardy. Tyron Woodley is almost like a young Koscheck, like in the Ultimate Fighter days when he counted on nothing but his wrestling to get him through the fight. The difference is Koscheck worked heavily on his striking and has a solid collection of knockout victories. In his UFC debut, Woodley was knocked out in under a minute by Jay Hieron, showing signs of a vulnerable chin. The x-factor in this fight could very well be Koscheck’s better striking, which will likely help him come away with a much needed win. Josh Koscheck via Round 3 TKO.
Timothy Elliott vs. Ali Bagautinov
Jeremy: As Justin Pierrot said, you should never bet against a guy from Dagestan. Guess what though – I am. I think Tim Elliott is about one fight away from becoming the number one contender in the UFC’s flyweight division. Tim Elliott via Round 2 TKO.
Henry: Of the two, Tim Elliott is definitely the more technical fighter. Bagautinov has a puncher’s chance as he has power, but Elliott has the advantage whether this fight stays standing or goes to the ground. Timothy Elliott via Round 2 TKO
Justin: If 2013 has taught me one thing, it’s never bet against the guy from Dagestan, especially if he’s ranked as an International Master of Sports in Sambo. This fight will be violent, will likely contain at least one attempt at a submission, has a high possibility of suplexes, and there will be blood. Oh yes, there will be blood. Ali Bagautinov via Round 2 Submission.
Suraj: Both fighters have proven to be very versatile and have won an array of matches in multiple ways. While Bagautinov has the slight experience advantage, Elliot has fought more in the UFC and has been quite successful, despite his only UFC loss to John Dodson. Bagautinov has never been finished and has lost just twice via decision. Elliot has a great advantage over Bagautinov in terms of UFC experiecne and skill, which will help him come away with a hard fought victory. Tim Elliot via Unanimous Decision.
