UFC 146 Predictions

On May 26th, the UFC will invade the MGM Grand for UFC 146 and provide viewers with a rare opportunity to see a pay-per-view card comprised solely of the organization’s elite heavyweight goliaths. In the main event of the evening, UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos will seek to defend his belt for the first time against perennial contender and jiu-jitsu wizard, Frank Mir. While the fight was originally slated to pit Dos Santos against fellow striker Alistair Overeem, Overeem later failed a pre-fight drug test causing the UFC to shuffle their deck of heavyweights, with Frank Mir coming out as the winner of the Dos Santos sweepstakes.

The co-main event features another solid heavyweight tilt between former champ Cain Velasquez and the up and coming Antonio Silva. Both men are coming of KO losses and are looking to reposition themselves at the front of the line for the title. Three additional heavyweight battles will round out the main card: Roy Nelson seeks to display his steadily improving physique and cardio against tough challenger Dave Herman. Rising prospect Shane Del Rosario will enter the cage against the undefeated Stipe Miocic, and finally, Lavar “Big” Johnson will step in for injured Mark Hunt to fight for the second time this month taking on the always exciting Stefan “the Skyscraper” Struve.

While the pay-per-view card is highlighted by the heavy hitting big men, the UFC has put together a stacked seven-fight preliminary card that is sure to please the hardcore fans. The undercard is highlighted by a featherweight clash between former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Brandao and Darren Elkins and a 155-pound striking battle between the impressive Brazilian, Edson Barboza, and former WEC lightweight champ, Jamie Varner.

Five more PPV worthy fights will finalize the preliminary card: former WEC bantamweight champ Mike Brown will take on Daniel Pineda. Jason Miller will look to rebound from his embarrassing performance against Michael Bisping in a make or break fight against C.B. Dollaway. Knockout artists Dan Hardy and Duane Ludwig will do battle and both try to avoid getting their termination papers. British submission specialist Paul Sass will put his undefeated record on the line against seasoned veteran Jacob Volkmann. Last but not least, in a fight that hardcore fans will definitely appreciate, Glover Teixeira will finally make his UFC debut against TUF-alumni Kyle Kingsbury.

Can Mir handle the crisp boxing and knockout power of Dos Santos or will we finally see a foe that can expose “Cigano’s” possible kryptonite on the ground? Is Antonio Silva ready to take on the likes of a former UFC Champ? Will Lavar Johnson continue to impress the bosses and make a run at the UFC title? Stay tuned on May 26 and make sure you check out all of the predictions and the UFC 146 bet pack here at Kamikazeoverdirve.net.

Joel Richer– Co-Editor

UFC 146 Main card

Heavyweight Championship bout:

265lbs:  Junior dos Santos (C) vs. Frank Mir

265lbs:   Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva

265lbs: Roy Nelson vs. Dave Herman

265lbs: Stipe Miocic vs. Shane del Rosario

265lbs: Stefan Struve vs. Lavar Johnson

Preliminary card (FX & Sportsnet)

145lbs: Diego Brandao vs. Darren Elkins

155lbs: Edson Barboza vs. Jamie Varner

185lbs: Jason Miller vs. C.B. Dollaway

170lbs: Dan Hardy vs. Duane Ludwig

Preliminary card (Facebook)

155lbs: Jacob Volkmann vs. Paul Sass

205lbs: Kyle Kingsbury vs. Glover Teixeira

145lbs: Mike Brown vs. Daniel Pineda

* All predictions included the latest episode of Kamikaze Overdrive MMA Predictions