UFC 148 - Preliminary Card & Predictions

Over the last couple years, the UFC and Zuffa have been putting together bigger and better fight cards, and thus far, all leading up to this one. Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight, Wealterweight, Middleweight, and Light-Heavyweight classes will be engaged throughout the UFC 148 event on July 7^th, 2012.

Here are the top 3 more exciting names (aside from the Main Event) to know and who will host the “Can’t Blink” type of fights:

Costa Philippou (Middleweight) Stand and Bang Power                             [VS Riki Fukuda]

Melvin Guillard (Lightweight) Speed, Power, and agility                             [VS Fabricio Camoes]
Ivan Mejivar (Bantamweight) Speed and Striking                                         [VS Mike Easton]

With fighters such as these named above, it’s not hard to get a little excited. But wait, yes, there’s more…

 Starting with the Preliminary Fights on FX:

Lightweight – 155lbs

John “The Natural” Alessio (34-15-0)
VS
Shane Roller (10-6-0)

 Shane Roller is coming off of his third loss in the Octagon after a third round decision going to his opponent Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 2 in January earlier this year. This upcoming fight with Alessio will probably mark his standing in or out of the UFC.

“The Natural” Alessio, is coming off of a loss after six year break from the UFC where he fought in the WEC  and Dream 8 divisions. In April of 2012, Alessio lost a 3 round Unanimous decision to Mark Bocek.
With Alessio’s ground game and Roller’s all around Octagon skills, this preliminary fight should make an interesting battle between the two Lightweights.
*Prediction:  [W] Alessio Round 2 Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Photo: John Alessio UFC 145 Weigh-ins

Middleweight – 185lbs

Constantinos “Costa” Philippou (10-2-0)
VS
Riki Fukuda (18-5-0)

This is a great match up styles similar to if Matt Hughes were to fight Kimbo Slice. Costa Philippou has some serious stand up and a wealth of experience and power. In hindsight, Fukuda’s dominant takedowns and ground game are nothing to overlook. Costa is really going to have to keep this fight on their feet not to lose from a sheer points disadvantage.  Philippou is coming off of a 3 fight win streak to include a First Round KO over Jarred Hamman at UFC 140 and a Unanimous Decision victory over Court McGee at UFC on FX 2, March 2^nd earlier this year. Philippou will have to utilize his strikes and take defense to put this fight in the Win column, and continue his reign over the Middleweight division.
*Prediction: [W] Philippou Round 1 TKO
Photo: Philippou landing a solid straight right on Court McGee at UFC on FOX 2

Lightweight – 155lbs

Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (46-11-3)
VS
Fabricio “Morango” Camoes (13-6-1)

 Looking at the numbers alone would give this fight to The Young Assassin due to an overwhelming wealth of experience. But, the 2 most recent of Guillard’s 11 losses have come consecutively with two First Round submissions by Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller. Guillard’s 16 UFC fights have brought 7 KO finishes over some big names in the division such as:  Evan Dunham,  Dennis Siver, and Marcus Davis. Fabricio Camoes  is a well-rounded Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with wins a 1-2 record thus far in the UFC. His only win comes from a first round submission over Tommy Hayden at UFC on Fox 1: Guillard VS Miller.

Melvin Guillard is really going to have to step up his ground game (or lack thereof)  and keep this fight standing utilizing his speed and agility to pull off the win over Camoes. The Young Assassin’s ground game has been his Achilles heel for the better part of his UFC career.
*Prediction: [W] Guillard Round 1 KO (Overhand Right)
Photo: Melvin Guillard giving Shane Roller a big knee at UFC 132

Lightweight – 155lbs

Gleison Tibau (34-7-0)
VS
Kabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov (17-0-0)

 The Russian native Nurmagomedov has had only 1 fight to date inside the Octagon pulling an impressive 3 round submission win over Kamal Salorus at UFC on Fox 1, January 20^th this year.

Tibau on the other hand is coming of a 3 fight win streak ending with a Split Decision over Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 139, November 19^th of 2011. Tibau has an excellent ground game to match that of the Russian newcomer and the experience to boot. We’ll see if Tibau can shake off the “Ring Rust” and bring a fourth straight win to his win column.
*Prediction: [W] Nurmagomedov Round 2 Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Photo: The Eagle and his big blonde afro wig at UFC on Fox 1 Weigh-ins.