UFC 149 is a card that has gone through more injury replacements and scheduling changes than anything other event in Ultimate Fighting Championship history. But still the organization has managed to put together a card that people are excited about.
A group of sportsnet.ca MMA contributors give their predictions for UFC 149’s main and co-main events.
Vote or chime in with your picks and thoughts.
URIJAH FABER VS. RENAN BARAO
Jason MacDonald: Barao. I haven’t been extremely impressed with Faber since he moved over to the UFC. I think Barao will give him a run for his money. I’m going with Barao.
James Brydon: Faber by unanimous decision. Skills-wise, I really like Barao’s chances. I just have a feeling he will be overwhelmed by the moment. Urijah won’t.
Mike Johnston:. Barao by decision. The Brazilian has the tools to outpoint Faber on the feet and control the action on the ground. Faber’s speed and conditioning could give him major trouble though.
Dwight Wakabayashi: Faber by unanimous decision. Barao is good but not as good as the future Hall of Famer Faber. This war goes the distance.
Carlin Bardsley: Faber by submission. Barao will come out strong, but Faber will take him into deep water and secure the victory.
Brad Taschuk: Faber by submission. Barao may in fact be a “monster” but he has never faced any fighter close to what The California Kid brings to the cage in terms of a well-rounded, well-conditioned fighter.
Ryan Young: Barao by unanimous decision. I personally think this is a far more exciting fight than another Faber vs. Cruz matchup. Urijah has to put Barao on his back for at least three rounds to take it. Don’t expect him to.
POLL:
Who will win this fight?
$(“#poll_10411”).v2Poll({poll_id: 10411});
HECTOR LOMBARD VS. TIM BOETSCH
Jason MacDonald: Boetsch. Lombard has been destroying guys, but he hasn’t been facing the calibre of guys in the UFC. I’m taking the upset here and going with Boetsch.
James Brydon: Lombard by TKO. A guy who was easily outstruck for two rounds by Yushin Okami doesn’t stand a chance against a guy like Lombard. Boetsch won’t last anywhere near long enough to pull off a last-round turnaround.
Mike Johnston: Lombard by TKO. The way Boetsch moves forward will work against him against an explosive southpaw striker like the longtime Bellator champion.
Dwight Wakabayashi: Boetsch by unanimous decision. Boetsch is going to take Lombard into deep water and outwork him to a win.
Carlin Bardsley: Lombard by decision. Boetsch will hang in there, but Lombard will land more strikes.
Brad Taschuk: Lombard by unanimous decision. Hector is known for his quick KOs, but once he realizes Boetsch isn’t going away early he will settle into a rhythm using his Judo base to keep it standing while out striking his slower foe for the duration.
Ryan Young: Lombard by unanimous decision. Can’t stop flip-flopping on this one. I’ll take Lombard to win the first two rounds and survive the third after gassing out.
POLL:
Who will win this fight?
$(“#poll_10412”).v2Poll({poll_id: 10412});
Jason MacDonald is a Canadian UFC middleweight and a regular sportsnet.ca blogger.
James Brydon is sportsnet.ca’s Managing Digital Editor for UFC and MMA content.
Mike Johnston is a Digital Content Editor for sportsnet.ca and an MMA blogger.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a featured columnist for BleacherReport.com and a writer/analyst for MMACanada.net.
Carlin Bardsley is a writer for MMASucka.com and the host of a daily MMA radio show on NextSportStar.com.
Brad Taschuk is a freelance writer and blogger for tazmma.wordpress.com.
Ryan Young is the lead reporter for mma360.ca.
