UFC 82 is being held on March 1st, 2008 in Columbus Ohio. I'd like to invite all of you back to this site on March 1st for my live UFC 82 results, don't forget to add your own comments too!
Here are my official UFC 82 predictions:
Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson
In yet another UFC vs Pride champion matchup, Pride champ Dan Henderson takes on UFC middelweight chmpion Anderson Silva. The breakdown for this fight is pretty simple, Henderson is a top class wrestler, incredibly strong with KO power in both hands and a really good chin. His key to winner this fight is to take Anderson Silva to the ground, keep him on his back and get the fight stopped.
Anderson Silva on the other hand needs to keep this fight standing, use his surgical striking and set up some big punches. Silva does not want to clinch in this fight (a la Rich Franklin) as Hendo is too strong and his Greco Roman background will be difficult to deal with in the clinch, even for Silva.
I'm picking Henderson to win this one, but I can see whoever imposes their gameplan taking it.
UFC 82 Prediction : Dan Henderson
Heath Herring vs Cheick Kongo
Are you ready for this? I think that Heath Herring will win this fight by submission. Yes, Kongo just took out Mirko Cro Cop and Herring in theory should be no match for the bigger, stronger, faster Kongo, but I have a feeling that Herring will take this match. Look for an early flying knee.
UFC 82 Prediction : Heath Herring
Yushin Okami vs. Evan Tanner
I hate picking against Evan Tanner, he is truly one of my all time favourites. However, Yushin Okami is just a better all round fighter.
UFC 82 Prediction : Yushin Okami
Jon Fitch vs. Chris Wilson
Fitch has faced the better competition and come out on top. I expect the same result this time.
UFC 82 Prediciton : Jon Fitch
David Bielkheden vs. Diego Sanchez
Sanchez is coming off two losses in a row. Expect to see the old Diego Sanchez back and winning this one in the first round. If Diego looses this one, he must drop weight or reconsider his fighting career.
UFC 82 Prediction : Diego Sanchez
Andrei Arlovski vs. Jake O’Brien
I can't believe that this fight is on the undercard. Although O'Brien looked good against Heath Herring I expect Andrei Arlovski to school him in this bout. Look for Arlovski to make a statement with a big KO. Look For O'Brien to try and take this fight to the ground.
UFC 82 Prediction : Andrei Arlovski
Luke Cummo vs. Luigi Fioravanti
A tough fight for me to pick, Cummo has really not been effective against top competition (he has losses against Jonathan Goulet, Joe Stevenson and Josh Koscheck, but he is riding a two fight winning streak. Fiorvanti on the other hand has a win over Dave Menne, but also lost to Leben and Fitch.
UFC 82 Prediction : Luigi Fioravanti ( no confidence in this pick)
Dustin Hazelett vs. Josh Koscheck
Kos, like Diego has something to prove in this fight. I still believe that Josh Koscheck is top 5 in the welterweight division and quite possibly fighting for a spot somewhere in the top 3 (along with Matt Hughes, GSP and Serra). I expect Kos to run right over Hazelett in this fight.
UFC 82 Prediction : Josh Koscheck
Chris Leben vs. Alessio Sakara
Sakara has some good wins over James Leee and Elvis Sinosic, but has lost to Houston Alexander and Drew McFedries. Leben has looked better and better since his losses to Anderson Silva and Jason MacDonald (even his loss to Kalib Starnes showed a much improved ground game).
UFC 82 Prediction : Chris Leben
That rounds out my predictions for UFC 82. Don't forget to visit back here for
UFC 82 Results and
UFC 83 Results.
I'm still thinking about driving down to Columbus to hit UFC 82 
