By Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Derek Brunson (9-2 MMA)  v Chris Leben (26-8 MMA)

Analysis: Derek Brunson was one of MMA’s brightest young stars, and still is although that star has lost some of its luster. After starting 9-0, the former Strikeforce fighter will make his UFC debut after dropping his last two fights, the first blemishes in a previously unblemished career. In his way is the ferociously reckless Chris Leben, who is returning to the Octagon for the first time since his suspension for testing positive for Oxycontin following his loss to Mark Munoz. He will certainly be looking for redemption against the younger Brunson.

 

Prediction: Leben via 2nd Round TKO

 

Alan Belcher (18-6 MMA) v Yushin Okami (27-7 MMA)

Analysis: Alan Belcher is looking to prove to the world that he is a title contender in the very crowded 185 lbs division. With many other fighters looking to claim rights to the next title shot, a win over Yushin Okami would certainly solidify his claim. Okami is a legend in MMA, and has beat a murders row of fighters with huge names! After back to back losses, that included a title shot loss to Anderson Silva, Okami returned to his winning ways with an impressive win over Buddy Roberts in his last bout. Okami is looking to keep his name in the top tier of middleweights as well.

Prediction: Belcher via Unanimous Decision 

 

Tim Boetsch (16-4 MMA) v Constantinos Philippou (11-2 MMA)

Analysis: Tim Boetsch is coming off his most impressive win thus far in MMA, with his upset decision victory over Hector Lombard. His reward is facing another hard hitting fighter, with very much the same type of skills. Costa Philippou has racked up 4 wins in a row, and is now looking to make a name for himself off of Boetsch’s name. Both fighters have a history of going the distance, so this fight should follow suit.

Prediction: Philippou via Unanimous Decision

 

Jim Miller (21-4 MMA) v Joe Lauzon (22-7 MMA)

Analysis: This fight is an obvious early candidate for Fight of The Night. Lauzon is coming off his most impressive win to date, when he submitted Jaime Varner in a back and forth affair at UFC on Fox 4 in Los Angeles. Jim Miller’s career can best be described by those he has lost too. His only four losses came against Nate Diaz, Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar, and Gray Maynard arguably 4 of the top lightweights in UFC history. Miller will need to avoid Lauzon’s submission game and keep the fight standing.

Prediction: Lauzon via 2nd Round Submission

MAIN EVENT

Cain Velasquez (10-1 MMA) v Junior Dos Santos (15-1 MMA) Current UFC Heavyweight Champion

Analysis: In there first bout Dos Santos only needed 1:04 seconds to take the title from Cain’s waist. This time Velasquez will need to avoid the heavy hands of Dos Santos and land a few of his own. Standing up either fighter can knock out the other however, Dos Santos’s boxing pedigree is the best in the business. The Champion will look to keep the fight standing, while Velasquez will certainly be trying to set up his technical wrestling in order to control the fight on the ground. Dos Santos although not seen on his back often, does possess a Noguiera brothers Black Belt, so he is no push over on the mat himself.

Prediction: Dos Santos via 2nd Round TKO