UFC 188 SHOCKER: MMA Fans Predictions That Will Blow Your Mind

By Barnaby “Mattress Man” Kellaway

On Saturday night the UFC makes its second trip to Mexico City. This time though the prodigal son, Cain Velasquez, returns to remind everyone who is the baddest man around.

VELASQUEZ VS WERDUM

Finally the time has come for Cain Velasquez, the heavyweight champion of the world, to return. Fans have been robbed of his performances for over a year and a half. In that time his opponent come Saturday, Fabricio Werdum, has become the interim champion.

The returning champion is the overwhelming favourite, for good reason. He has unstoppable wrestling, powerful striking and unbelievable cardio. He will have the same plan he always does: high pressure. From the off Velasquez will set the pace and be in Werdum’s face. From there, Werdum’s best opportunity will be to score a submission from his back, without a doubt he has the ability to do this, he is considered to be the best jiu-jitsu practitioner in the division. However, the proud American-Mexican is just too powerful. He should control this fight from the very beginning., rag-dolling Werdum to the ground and pounding away until the referee says enough is enough.

VELASQUEZ BY KO/TKO

MELENDEZ VS ALVAREZ

In the people’s main event, Melendez and Alvarez fight to crown the underground champion. It has fight of the night written all over it.

Perhaps the smart way for Melendez to approach this would be for him to utilise his wrestling abilities, which are more advanced than Alvarez’s, and take it to the ground. Therefore nullifying the slick boxing of his opponent. However, luckily for us he has proved in the past to love a stand up war. This is likely the kind of fight Alvarez will seek, face to face exchanging blows. In this case it is a tough pick. But the edge has to go to Alvarez, he has excellent boxing and possesses great power for a lightweight. If Melendez engages in the war we are all hoping for then surely Alvarez will break through the defence of Melendez.

ALVAREZ BY KO/TKO

GASTELUM VS MARQUADT

Kelvin Gastelum will make his return to middleweight after being forced to go up a weight following weight cut issues in his previous two. He faces veteran Nate Marquadt, who having lost four of his last five is nearing the end of his career.

Gastelum cannot have been happy to receive his marching orders from the welterweight division. He looked excellent there, scoring impressive wins over Rick Story and Jake Ellenberger before going through an awful weight cut in the run up to his defeat at the hands of Tyron Woodley.

But he has been given a favourable match-up at UFC 188. The young Californian should be outsized at middleweight. However, he faces an opponent who himself used to compete a division down so the size differential should not be such an issue. Gastelum will be faster, stronger and more eager than Marquadt. He has a high pressure style and won’t allow his opponent any room to attack.

GASTELUM BY DECISION

RODRIGUEZ VS ROSA

This featherweight bout matches up two fighters with only three UFC fights between them. Rodriguez will return to Mexico City, where he made his one and only appearance for the promotion when he won The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. His opponent on the other hand is 1-1 in his short time with the UFC. He was given a tough test in his UFC debut against Dennis Siver, too tough on the day as he lost a decision. But he recovered well in his next fight earning a d’arce choke submission over Sean Soriano.

With seven submission victories to his name Rosa will be expected to take this one to the mat. The Brazilian on the other hand boasts a taekwondo black belt so if he is to win this fight it is imperative that he can avoid the takedown, make space and strike.

Having not faced top level competition previously, we are set to learn a lot more about what Rodriguez has to offer. If he is to beat Rosa, who has looked every bit UFC calibre in his two fights, then he will certainly have people turning their heads. However this time round it should be the American Top Team product, with his experience and grappling advantage, who gets the win.

ROSA BY SUBMISSION

TORRES VS HILL

This women’s strawweight fight pits two top contenders for the belt against one another. Both inexperienced but both unbeaten and both products of The Ultimate Fighter. Before the show Tecia Torres had impressive victories over Rose Namajunas, Paige Van Zandt and Felice Herrig. She is a known quantity. Her opponent on the other hand was discovered on the show, where she improved leaps and bounds before leaving.

Whilst Torres is a natural striker she may be advised to take this one to the ground. Angela Hill is also a beast on the feet, with an extensive background in Thai fighting. If it stays standing it is anyones game, if Torres switches her style up then she should scrape to victory.

TORRES BY DECISION

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