UFC 98 Breakdown
An examination of several exiting undercard bouts and the main event
Here is a breakdown of the top fights at UFC 98. A handful of fights which are unlikely to be broadcast have not been examined. The fights are in the order they will occur, with the main card, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans, at the end.
James Irvin vs. Drew McFedries
This fight has low-down, dirty slugfest written all over it. James Irvin is coming off a devastating, albeit understandable, TKO loss to Anderson Silva, and he will probably be looking for blood.
Drew McFederies is a mysterious fighter. He looses more often than not when he fights in the UFC, yet the match-makers continue to keep him around. Irvin is tougher and stronger than McFedries and that should decide the fight. Irvin wins by KO in the first or second round.
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
It’s too bad this fight will probably not be broadcast, because the two heavy hitters will probably go at it like two raccoons in a burlap bag. Pat “HD” Barry vs. Tim “The Thrashing Machine” Hague will probably be a bloodbath of epic proportions.
Barry is the only fighter with UFC experience, he won his fight against Dan Evensen at UFC 92 by way of leg kicks. Tim Hague will be losing his UFC virginity, but expect him to do it in spectacular fashion. Hague will use his colossal 6'4' and 260 pound frame to overwhelm Barry and win by TKO in the first round.
Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar
Sean Sherk, 33-3, is as tough and strong as lightweight MMA fighters get. His three losses have been to absolute studs and he recently beat the ultra-talented Tyson Griffin. To put it simply, Sherk still has it.
Edgar is no slouch, he has taken down some excellent lightweight fighters including Hermes Franka, Tyson Griffin, and Spencer Fisher. His only loss was against Gray Maynard by way of unanimous decision. Frank Edgar will not be the one to let Sherk know he’s getting old, not yet. Sherk wins by unanimous decision.
Yushin Okami vs. Dan Miller
Why is Yushin Okami fighting Dan Miller? According to the middleweight meta rankings on bloody elbow, Okami is the second best middleweight in the world and it seems strange that he is fighting the likes of Dan Miller.
Miller is a strong fighter with a clean record, but he is a level or two lower than Okami.
Okami is a world class fighter with serious credentials and he should win this fight and move on to a title fight, or a fight against a top-five middleweight at least.
Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Wilson
Koscheck has a record of 9-4 in the octagon, not too shabby considering his opposition over the last two years. Chris Wilson is a relatively seasoned fighter with a record of 1-3 in the octagon and 14-5 overall.
There is a reason why Dana White continues to give Koscheck fights on a constant basis, he has a bright future ahead of himself and his fights are usually exciting. Koscheck has stumbled lately, especially in his last fight when he was upset by Paulo Thiago; expect Koscheck to be seeking redemption and to avoid, at all costs, a second straight loss.
Koscheck wins by KO in the second round.
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Sera
Dana White has set up an epic fight between two old-school veterans with nothing to gain and nothing to lose, except pride. Neither of these fighters is really in title contention anymore; but, that doesn’t mean a slew of fans won’t buy the $45 pay-per-view just to watch these two old battle axes pound each other’s past-their-prime faces in.
This might be a grueling battle for the ages, but Matt Hughes’ wrestling skills should prevail. Matt Hughes wins by rear naked choke in the second round.
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Rashad Evans has ascended the light heavyweight ladder faster than anyone would have expected. Lyoto Machida has toiled in the same division, payed his dues, beat top competition, and now, due to Quinton Jackson’s tender jaw, has a shot at the title.
Nobody has been able to dissect Machida’s enigmatic, elusive style and Evans will doubtfully change that. Machida wins by unanimous decision.
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