UFC Content: UFC Previews - UFC Results - UFC Schedule - UFC Apparel - UFC Tickets - UFC Forums - UFC Rankings - UFC News - UFC Fighter Profiles - UFC Video Games

UFC 104 Predictions: UFC 104 Picks, Predictions & Fight Previews

UFC & MMA merchandise

Find a fantastic selection of MMA apparel & merchandise online available through Pro Fighting Fans!

Buy MMA fight & training gear online through Pro Fighting Fans & partner sites!

Pro Fighting Fans is the home of UFC fans across the world and we now bring you the best place to find the latest UFC preview & predictions. UFC 103 has come and gone and we take a look at the UFC 103 results.

The next event for the UFC will be UFC 104, held on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California, and our UFC 104 predictions & preview will be posted below for UFC fans across the globe to enjoy. Also be sure to check out our popular "A Fans' View from his Couch" column where UFC fan Greg Vorse gives us his take & picks for each major UFC fight, including UFC 104, UFC 105, UFC 106 & more in the coming days and weeks and buy UFC tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!

For more UFC events to be held in 2009 and lists of which Mixed Martial Artists are schedule to fight, be sure to check out the future UFC event fight cards.

The UFC travels to Los Angeles with a main event that is sure to grab the attention of MMA fans worldwide. The card is solid from top to bottom featuring some well known names. If you haven’t watched Lyoto Machida, you are missing one of the most unique fighters in the history of the sport. UFC 104 is available on PPV on Saturday October 24th.

> Buy UFC clothing, hats & merchandise online through Pro Fighting Fans where we now provide fans with the opportunity to rent or buy UFC 2009 Undisputed for Playstation 3 or XBox 360!

UFC 104 Predictions: Preliminary Card

Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve 17-3 vs. Chase Gormley 6-0 - Heavyweight Division:

Struve, who stands at 6’11”, has competed in several organizations which span the globe. Struve made his UFC debut against Junior dos Santos at UFC 95, a loss via TKO-punches. Struve defeated a tough Denis Stojnic at UFC 99. Gormley makes his UFC debut after competing for several promotions.

Prediction: Gormley is a wrestler but will find no success against the talented submission artist on the ground. Gormley pulls off the upset via TKO due to strikes in the 3rd round

Kyle Kingsbury 7-2 vs. Razak Al-Hassan 6-1 - Light Heavyweight Division:

The former Ultimate Fighter participant Kingsbury will face the relatively unknown Al-Hassan. Razak lost his last bout at UFC Fight for the Troops against Steve Cantwell (his only appearance in the UFC) while Kingsbury hasn’t competed since a loss December of 2008 at The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale against Tom Lawlor.

Prediction: Al-Hassan via TKO due to strikes 2nd round

Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera 16-7 vs. Rob “The Rosedale Reaper” Kimmons 22-4 - Middleweight Division:

This will be an entertaining fight between two experienced veterans. This will be an entertaining slugfest and will likely be a strong candidate for KO of the night.

Prediction: Kimmons via KO 2nd round

<![if lt IE 4]> <script src="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711;type=js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/go2/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711"> <img src="http://www.servedbyadbutler.com/adserve/;ID=154450;size=728x90;setID=119711;type=img" border="0" height="90" width="728" alt=""></a> </noscript><![endif]>

Yushin “Thunder” Okami 23-4 vs. Chael Sonnen 23-10-1 - Middleweight Division:

Okami is 15-2 in his last 17 fights with his only losses coming to Rich Franklin and Jake Shields. Okami is very skilled in all aspects which will serve him well against a very good Chael Sonnen. The former WEC competitor is coming off a victory over Dan Miller at UFC 98. Sonnen is very good but has struggled with submission artists. This will be one of the better fights on the card.

Prediction: Okami via submission due to armbar in the 3rd round

Antoni Hardonk 8-5 vs. Pat Barry 4-1 - Heavyweight Division:

Hardonk and Barry are free swingers. This has the potential to be the KO of the night. Hardonk will hold an extensive reach advantage. Barry will try to get inside and unload punches.

Prediction: Barry via KO 2nd round

Ryan “Darth” Bader 9-0 vs. Eric “Red” Schafer 11-3-2 - Light Heavyweight Division:

Bader entered the UFC Octagon with a 7-0 record and hasn’t disappointed. In his UFC stint Bader is 2-0 with victories over Vinny Magalhaes and Carmelo Marrero. Bader faces his toughest test against Eric Schafer. Schafer is on a 4 fight win streak but hasn’t competed since UFC 93 in January where he defeated Antonio Mendes. Schafer is very strong and loves to get his opponents on the ground.

Prediction: Both fighters like to compete on the ground. Bader was an accomplished collegiate wrestler while Schafer is very skilled in the submission game. In a surprise, Bader wins the fight on his feet. Bader wins via TKO due to strikes in the 3rd round.

> Find the UFC 104 results after the fights are complete at Pro Fighting Fans, check out the UFC schedule or buy UFC DVDs of past UFC events

UFC 104 Predictions: Main Card

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson 7-2 vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida 11-3 Welterweight Division: Johnson is a very talented welterweight who is on a 2 fight winning streak after a surprising loss to Kevin Burns at UFC Fight Night 14. Johnson is very athletic and explosive in the stand up. Yoshida, 2-1 in the UFC, is very good on the ground and will be very technical against the superior athleticism of Johnson.

Prediction: Johnson via TKO due to strikes 2nd round

Joe “Daddy” Stevenson 30-10 vs. Spencer “The King” Fisher 23-4 - Lightweight:

Stevenson is coming off a big win over Nate Diaz at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 9 in June 2009. Stevenson has fought the best of the best in the division with losses to Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian and BJ Penn. To get back in the title picture, Stevenson must defeat the always tough Spencer Fisher. Fisher is an aggressive fighter who is well versed in all aspects of the fight game. Fisher is on a 3 fight winning streak with his latest bout a victory over Caol Uno at UFC 99.

Prediction: Fisher via Split Decision

Gleison Tibau 19-6 vs. Josh “The Dentist” Neer 25-8-1 - Lightweight Division:

Gleison Tibau, The American Top Team member, is a very skilled and experienced fighter. Tibau is coming off a tough loss to Melvin Guillard at The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 finale via a split decision. He has solid wins on his resume of Jason Dent, Rich Clementi and Jeremy Stephens. Although Tibau has an impressive record he is still looking for a signature win. To get in the title picture, Tibau has to defeat Neer. Josh Neer is as tough as nails and entertaining but has been inconsistent of late going 1-2 in his last 3 fights. Neer lost his last fight via UD to Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 101. In that bout, Neer was taken down with ease and controlled on the ground.

Prediction: This should be a technical and entertaining fight. In the end, Neer’s versatility will be the difference. Neer via KO 3rd round.

Cain Velasquez 6-0 vs. Ben Rothwell 30-6 - Heavyweight Division:

I watched the 245lb Velasquez train in person; his talent was obvious. He is very fluid with his movements and is quick on the ground like a much smaller fighter. His stand up needs improvement but it will happen in time. Cain is 4-0 in the UFC with an impressive victory over Cheick Kongo at UFC 99. Velasquez ate some wicked strikes from the dangerous Kongo but managed to get him on the ground throughout the fight. In Ben Rothwell, Cain will find a much more experienced fighter who is better versed on the ground. Rothwell is 14-1 in his last 15 fights with the only loss coming to former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski in July of 08. Rothwell, an accomplished kick boxer, is known for his strikes and is very dangerous with his hands and feet.

Prediction: Cain will have a more difficult time taking down Rothwell compared to Kongo. However, Rothwell doesn’t have the explosiveness of Kongo. It will take Cain some time to get proper distance but eventually will get Rothwell on the ground and dominate. Velasquez wins via UD.

UFC 104 Main Event: Light Heavyweight Title Bout - Lyoto Machida (15-0) vs. Shogun Rua (18-3):

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (15-0)

Shogun Rua was a legend when he competed in the Pride Fighting Championships. Rua won the esteemed Grand Prix tournament and holds victories over the likes of Rampage Jackson and Alistair Overeem. Since entering the UFC Octagon Rua is 2-1 with the loss coming to Forrest Griffin at UFC 76. Rua, recovering from injuries, was out of action until UFC 93 in January of 2009 where he defeated nemesis Mark Coleman in a lackluster performance. Shogun then faced Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 where he made quick work of the UFC Hall-of-Famer winning via TKO due to strikes in the 1 st round. Rua will now face his biggest challenge in UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. The 31 year old Machida holds an impressive resume with victories over the biggest names in the sport. This will be Machida’s first title defense after winning the belt at UFC 98 in impressive fashion over Rashad Evans. Machida’s biggest asset is his ability to avoid being hit. His karate style allows him to be elusive and dangerous with both his hands and feet. He defeated Evans, Thiago Silva and Tito Ortiz without sustaining any damage.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-3)

Prediction: Shogun is talented on his feet and the ground. He is very skilled in tight with the clinch and has very good knees. However, Machida is a whole different class of opponent. His footwork and gracefulness look poetic in the cage. He skips punches and is never out of position. Shogun will provide a different challenge to the Dragon but in the end he will fall like all previous challengers. Machida retains the title with a victory via TKO due to strikes midway through the 3rd round.

By Scott Dryden
ProFighting-fans.com Editor-in-Chief

UFC logo & fighter pictures used with permission from the Ultimate Fighting Championship