UFC 162 Prelim Predictions Facebook

UFC 162 is one of the most interesting cards of 2013 and is tendency, the cards on the weekends of the 4th of July tend to be more stacked. This year proves to be no different. For the 2nd straight year, on the 4th of July weekend, Anderson Silva puts his middleweight title on the line against the rising star in Chris Weidman, while Frankie Edgar looks to notch his first win since 2011 as he goes up against submission specialist Charles Oliveira. But before we get to the main card, there will be a stacked card of preliminary fights which will be live on Facebook as well as FX… So lets cut all the extra stuff and get to my predictions.

 
David Mitchell Vs. Mike Pierce

Heading off the fights on Facebook is Mike Pierce(who is on the verge of being a top 10 welterweight), who is facing off against the relatively unknown David Mitchell. Pierce, who acknowledged feelings of disrespect, feels he should be higher on the totem poll of the UFC, receiving better fights than he has been. To Pierce's credit, I believe he is in the right and should feel disrespected with this fight. Since he lost a razor close decision to Josh Koscheck, he's been on a 3 fight winning streak, defeating solid competition like Carlos Eduardo Rocha, Aaron Simpson, and Seth Baczynski. Pierce shouldn't complain too much and allow himself to underestimate a fighter like David Mitchell, because upsets often occur this way. Pierce is a tough, hard-nosed grinder who has lots of power in his hands. He's a fighter who is constantly active, whether engaged in stand up, or on the ground.

David Mitchell, although unknown, is a very solid fighter with wins over highly touted Bobby Green, UFC and WEC vet Tim McKenzie, and the first win he notched in his UFc career in in January over Simeon Thoresen. With 9 of 12 of his victories coming by way of submission, Mitchell has become known as somewhat of a submission specialist in the UFC. But in this fight,  he's going to have a lot of trouble trying to submit Mike Pierce, who possesses with those short arms and stumpy neck. I don't expect Pierce to be in any danger of submission.

I expect Pierce to come in chip on his shoulder and see him getting the TKO over Mitchell, showing the UFC brass that he deserves a top 10 level fight. Althought Mitchell is good on the ground with solid submissions, he won't have Pierce in any danger. Pierce has faced better fighters with much more advanced BJJ skill sets and has never been submitted. I see Pierce taking out Mitchell in the first round.

My Prediction: Mike Pierce - KO 1st Round



Seth Baczynski Vs. Brian Melancon  

Ultimate Fighter 11 veteran, Seth Baczynski, welcomes UFC newcomer and former Strikeforce veteran, Brian Melancon, into the UFC, in the final Facebook fight on the card. 

Seth Baczynski is a solid, underrated fighter who is primarily utilized as a gatekeeper in the UFC. Having being on Tito Ortiz's team on TUF 11, Seth has since improved as a fighter exhibiting a very well rounded game. He has victories over Lance Benoist, Clay Harvison, and a victory over rising welterweight Matt Brown(which was probably his biggest win). Although he sustained a loss to Mike Pierce back in December, Seth is still a solid gatekeeper in the UFC and is perfect for the situation he is in right now, which is welcoming new fighters and finding their true worth. 

Brian Melancon enters the UFC as a relative newcomer despite being 31… Though not much is known about him as he's only had 8 fights in the sport, he has fought on somewhat of a big stage with Strikeforce(going 1-1). When Strikeforce folded, UFC decided he was good enough to pick up his contract and have him fight on the biggest MMA stage in the world. Brian comes into this fight very confident, feeling he has what it takes to make a name of himself in the UFC. But with Seth, he's facing someone with over twice his level of experience. 

Experience vs lack of will be a heavy factor in this fight. Seth has beaten the tough competition he has faced, and I think that Seth's solid ground game will be too much for Melancon He should take him out early in the 2nd round by the way of submission.

My Prediction: Seth Bacyznski - Submission in the 2nd round.

Edson Barboza Vs. Rafaello Oliveira 

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