By Adam Martin, sportsnet.ca
UFC on FOX 8 features a terrific four-fight main card, but there’s also eight underrated preliminary fights on the docket that should provide solid action for those who tune in.
In the featured preliminary bout of the evening, TUF 15 winner Michael Chiesa looks to make it three-straight wins in the Octagon when he takes on veteran Jorge Masvidal in what will surely be his toughest test to date. Although many believe that Masvidal is going to be too much for Chiesa to handle, Chiesa proved by winning TUF that he’s a very skilled mixed martial artist even though he doesn’t look the part with his shaggy beard. Chiesa can’t be counted out in this fight.
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Look for Masvidal to try and keep the fight standing and the KO blow against Chiesa, but look for Chiesa to survive, take Masvidal’s back and sink in his signature rear-naked choke for the upset win in front of his home-state fans.
Prediction: Chiesa via submission
Next up is a lightweight bout between Tim Means and Danny Castillo. Means took the fight on short notice after Bobby Green was hurt, and he’ll look to rebound from his loss to Masvidal at the last UFC on FOX card with a big win over Castillo, who has been victorious in four of his last five fights in the UFC.
Like Masvidal vs. Chiesa, Means vs. Castillo is a grappler against striker matchup. Look for Castillo to try to get the takedowns but if this fight stays upright, Means is going to have a huge edge and could win the fight by knockout or at least a decision if Castillo is tough enough to survive Means’ vicious standup assault.
Prediction: Means via decision
Another lightweight bout is on tap as Melvin Guillard takes on Mac Danzig in a fight that could send the loser out of the UFC. Guillard has lost four of his last five fights while Danzig has lost three of his last five and hasn’t won two in a row since 2007-2008. This isn’t a fight that’s drawing much fan interest because neither guy is relevant in the division anymore.
Both of these guys have been involved in some memorable fights over the years but with a new breed of lightweights coming into the UFC, both Guillard and Danzig are nearing the end of their runs in the UFC.
For this particular fight, I think Guillard will show he has a little more left in the tank. He will be able to keep the fight standing up and use his superior striking to win either by knockout or decision.
Prediction: Guillard via TKO
The fourth of five lightweight bouts on the UFC on FOX 8 prelims is a matchup between Daron Cruickshank and Yves Edwards. Like Means, Cruickshank took this fight on short notice against the veteran Edwards, but it’s a fight that presents a decent style matchup for him because Edwards is primarily a striker who will look to stand and bang. Cruickshank showed at UFC on FOX 5 that he has major power in his strikes.
Still, coming in on short notice against an experienced and savvy vet like Edwards is going to hinder Cruickshank. I see Edwards using his superior wrestling to get the takedowns necessary to win a close decision on the judges’ cards.
Prediction: Edwards via decision
Up next is a middleweight fight between Ed Herman and Trevor Smith, two fighters who both hail from nearby Vancouver, WA. Both fighters are coming off a loss in their last outings at the Strikeforce finale to Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Tim Kennedy, respectively, but both guys are getting a chance this weekend to prove they have what it takes to be a key member of the UFC middleweight division.
I believe the UFC gave Herman a decent matchup here because Smith is primarily a grappler and if he can’t get Herman down, he can’t win this fight. Look for Herman to keep it upright and finish off Smith with a TKO somewhere in the first or second round.
Prediction: Herman via TKO
There’s two female fights at UFC on FOX 8 and one of them is a bantamweight matchup between Julie Kedzie and Germaine de Randamie. This is a match between two former Strikeforce fighters making their UFC debuts, and I expect both women to do what the other ladies in the UFC have so far – put on a great fight for the fans.
I believe this fight will stay on the feet and even though Kedzie has solid standup, de Randamie is more skilled and will do enough to end up winning a judges’ decision on the scorecards.
Prediction: De Randamie via decision
In one of two Facebook prelims, veteran Aaron Riley returns to the Octagon after a near two-year absence to take on Justin Salas. Riley is only 32-years of age but this is a guy who has been around forever, who has seen and done everything one can in the sport of mixed martial arts. But he’s taking on a fighter here in Salas who has less wear and tear on his body. It’s not going to be easy to get the win.
Look for Riley to have some success in the early going but the long layoff will hurt him, as Salas will be the better conditioned athlete in the fight and he’ll end up grinding out a decision win.
Prediction: Salas via decision
Finally, in the first fight of the night, John Albert takes on Yaotzin Meza in another fight where the loser is likely to be cut. Albert has lost his last three fights, all by stoppages, while Meza was knocked out in his UFC debut against Chad Mendes. With the UFC bantamweight division looking to trim the fat, both fighters know they are in a must-win situation.
Although Albert is a talented fighter, he has no cardio whatsoever. As long as Meza can survive the first round, he can win this fight. I’m going with Meza to take the fight to the second round and win by submission there.
Prediction: Meza via submission
