A Fan's View from his Couch: UFC 99 Preview

You know that annoying team you hate to play at any sport - the one that has no superstar and isn't great at anything, but wins on heart and depth alone?  Yea, that team, that team is the equal to UFC 99.  Not championship bouts, no one in the top 5 in their respective weight classes, but one hell of a deep card!

Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva (catchweight 195 lbs.)

Both of these fighters have struggled mightily as of late with counter punchers; which means they insisted on going straight forward and throwing towering bombs at their opponents.  Sweet, we should all look forward to three five minute rounds of guys simply looking to slip the other guy a roofie in the form of a haymaker.  On top of that fact both men need this fight, "Ace" wins and he moves into the top 2 or 3 guys in line for Lyoto's crown.  While if the "Axe Murderer's" hand is raised we might finally see the Silva Showdown for the 185lb. title; however a loss by either man and they join the growing crop of gate keepers and door mates i.e. Jens Pulver and Chuck Liddell.  The bottom line, both men have seen their fights end early as of late, with a combined 8 of 10 falling short of the scheduled distance and I don't see this ending any different as Rich teaches Wanderlei a little old school math in the from of 1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3's equals a 2nd round KO for Ace.

> Check out the great selection of UFC hats & merchandise and find the rest of our UFC 99 predictions online here at Pro Fighting Fans!

Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez

One would think that if two fighters were called in to replace two combatants who bowed out due to injury, it would create a lesser fight. However, Kongo versus Velasquez is quite the contrary as the winner of this bout should be next in line for the unified heavyweight title.  Kongo has ripped off 5 wins in his last 6 fights including 3 straight TKO's - impressive.  This is until you see that Cain is unbeaten with his own 3 TKO streak - can you say fireworks?!?  I'd love to tell you the ways that Cain can continue his hot streak and run rickshaw over Kongo, but my gut tells my mind to listen to my eyes and they see Kongo winning by ground and pound.  He is going to overwhelm the relatively unexperienced Velasquez and take him to the medical room in desperate need of stitches.  Kongo runs his streak of TKO's to four and lines up behind Mir and Lesner.

P.S. If you could have any other man’s physique, would you not pick Cheick? Dude is diesel!

Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders

It doesn't take Broadway Joe to guarantee this fight will end via knockout, hell it doesn't even take a MMA fan.  Just look at the stats - 70 percent of Swick's wins have come due to referee stoppage, while 2 of Saunders 3 UFC bouts have ended early.  Oh yea, both men have also guaranteed it won't go the distance, but if Swick is going to keep climbing the top 10 ladder he needs this fight and will get it.  "Quick" ends it early with a flying knee and stomps his foot throw the door that is the hierarchy of the 170 pound division.

Three great fights and the card is just getting started - other names on the docket include Marcus Davis, Spencer Fisher, Mirko Cro Cop, Paul Taylor and Paul Kelly.  If you don't know the Paul's their fight at UFC 80 was an instant classic; just as this fight card could be if even half of these guys live up to their potential! 

> Don't miss the UFC 99 fight card & results of all 11 fights on the card for Saturday night's big event!

By Greg Vorse
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
A Fan's View from his Couch