Kick off your Superbowl weekend with an intriguing UFC card highlighted by an interim welterweight title between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit on February 4th.
Brazilian heavyweight Fabricio Werdum makes his return to the UFC where he faces Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Roy Nelson. In the welterweight division, Mike Pierce looks to make a statement when he takes on former title challenger Josh Koscheck.
Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks
Starks enters the fight undefeated at 8-0 as he makes his second appearance with the UFC. Herman, an Ultimate Fighter 3 alumni, has been impressive with two first round wins since returning from an extended recovery from a knee injury. I expect Herman’s experience and better overall game to be too much for Starks. Look for Stark’s wrestling to keep it close in the first round but Herman finishes him in the second round.
Renan Barao vs. Scott Jorgensen
Barao (27-1) is on an incredible 26 fight unbeaten streak as he looks to take another step up in the bantamweight division. Jorgensen has won seven of his past eight fights with the only setback coming in a title shot against champion Dominick Cruz. Do you go with the wrestling and durability of Jorgenson or the striking and grappling of Barao. The pick here is Barao who will push the pace standing while threatening on the ground. Jorgensen will survive into the third on the strength of his wrestling but Barao ultimately finishes the fight late.
Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce
A win over Koscheck will be huge for Pierce who is out to prove that he can be a factor in the welterweight division. While both fighters are very similar…tough, durable, strong wrestlers with some power. Koscheck will score key takedowns which will open opportunities to cause damage on the ground. Pierce has never been finished and that streak will continue as Koscheck takes a unanimous decision.
Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum
Werdum returns to the UFC after a four fight stint in Strikeforce where he compiled a 3-1 record which included wins over Fedor Emelianenko and Antonio Silva. He dropped a decision to Alistair Overeem where he continually attempted to get the fight to the ground despite having some success standing. Nelson is coming off a technical knockout of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. His striking can be dangerous particularly early in the fight as he showed against Brendan Schaub and Stefan Struve. In addition, Nelson’s top control can be suffocating on the ground. Werdum gets the better of the standup as their jiu-jitsu skills are nullified on the ground. The pick is Werdum by decision.
Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit
This is an incredible interim welterweight title bout in which I can easily see either fighter walking away with the win. Condit has his power and a solid ground game as evidenced by his 13 wins apiece by knockout and submission. Footwork and head movement will be important for Condit who cannot give Diaz an easy target to pepper with his accurate and sheer volume of strikes (kinda like Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz). Diaz’s pressure can be particularly relentless behind endless combinations. He has shown that he is willing to stand and bang while taking punishment as he did against Paul Daley. Both fighters are extremely well-rounded. Condit wins if he picks his spots and does not get drawn into Diaz’s game. However, in the end Diaz will be able to dictate the action which leads him to a unanimous decision.
