UFC 88 Picks

UFC 88 emanates tonight live 10 PM ET from Atlanta, GA. Here is how I see it going down.

The Main Card

Martin Kampmann Vs. Nate Marquardt
This could be a surprise fight for most. First of all, in regards to betting Marquardt is favored, however I’ve seen a lot of love going Kampmann’s way from people I personally respect. That being said, I am on Nate “the great” Marquart still. I think this one will go to decision and Marquart will due enough.

Pick: Marquart (split decision)

Dan Henderson Vs. Rousimar Palhares
Henderson is very open about his wanting to have a rematch with Silva. Henderson probably won the first round in that fight and was looking good until he got caught by Silva. This could be a classic trap match for Henderson. Palhares is not joke, his jits is top notch, he has won his last 5 by submission. Henderson is a wrestler but he loves to stand and throw and that is what he will do here. If Henderson can stay off his back then he can win easily. You aren’t going to knock out Hendo. However, if Palhares can control Henderson by taking him to the mat and using his world class jiu jitsu.

Pick: Henderson (TKO)

Rich Franklin Vs. Matt Hamill
This fight was an odd one from the time it was announced. These are two of the biggest fan favorites in the UFC. I know this is not scripted, pro wrestling stuff but it just doesn’t seem to make that much sense to have them face off here. If Hamill wins, he does move up the middleweight rankings for sure but it Franklin wins it does do that much for him. Franklin has an awful situation; he is the second best fighter in a division where the #1 guy (Anderson Silva) is unstoppable and Franklin has been no exception. To add to the odd match making decision of Joe Silva, these two guys are good friends. They are from Cincinnati and Franklin put in a good word for Hamill to help get him on TUF 2. As far as the fight goes, everyone thought Franklin was on the decline and he is getting older but its not so much a decline as it wastwo other things; an injury and facing SIlva that made him look bad.

Pick: Franklin (TKO)

Chuck Liddell Vs. Rashad Evans
Liddell has underrated cardio, I’d look for that to play a role here. Evans is not going to stand like we have seen in the past, not with Liddell. Evans will use his wrestling to attempt to take Liddell down but the only thing more underrated that Liddell’s cardio is is sprawl. He is one of the toughest guys to take to the mat. I’m not the classic Liddell fan like most, but I don’t see him losing here. I think Evans strengths can be neutralized by those things I mentioned Liddell does extraordinarily well. On the other hand, Evans will be hard pressed to stop the inevitable onslaught of punches from Liddell.

Pick: Liddell (TKO)

The Undercard

The biggest lock of the night for me is Dong Hyun Kim Vs. Matt Brown. I see Hyun taking this one easily. I’m pretty much on all the favorites so I won’t run them all down. I also believe Jason Lambert Vs. Jason MacDonald will end in either a spectacular submission (MacDonald) or more likely a great TKO/KO (Lambert). And for those who have not heard Karo Parisyan sustained an injury yesterday, just hours prior to weigh-ins, and will be unable to go.