Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Pic by SHERDOG.COM -click for source- Credit: Dave Mandel

It was an exciting final UFC on Fox for 2013 and with Christmas coming up, I thought it would be good to do a preview of UFC 168 a week early:

UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 Review

Main Event: Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez

Prediction: Johnson by decision. Result: Johnson by strikes. The first match was close but this time Johnson decisively finished Benavidez with an overhand right that landed squarely on Benavidez’s upper jaw and sent him to the Octagon floor which resulted in his third title defense.

Co-main Event: Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald

Prediction: McDonald by strikes. Result: Faber by submission. Faber once again made a case that he’s deserving of the Cruz vs. Barao winner. There was a point where some including myself doubted Faber’s relevance after his loss to Barao but that’s certainly changed this year.

Chad Mendes vs. Nik Lentz

Prediction: Mendes by decision. Result: Same. It wasn’t the prettiest win but Mendes did have health issues before the fight so good fight. This being his fifth win in a row, one could make the argument that Mendes should get the winner of the Jose Aldo vs. Ricardo Lamas fight.

Joe Lauzon vs. Mac Danzig

Prediction: Lauzon by submission. Result: Lauzon by decision. Lauzon showed improved striking and it was probably the way to dominate.

Overall score: 2/4; 0.5 prediction percentage. 0.5 for Johnson’s knockout, 1 for Mendes’ win by decision, and 0.5 for Lauzon’s win by decision.

UFC 168 Weidman vs. Silva 2 Predictions

Main Event: Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva

Prediction: Weidman by strikes. Silva may be motivated for this fight but Weidman was dominating last time by wrestling, something to repeat.

Co-main Event: Ronda Rousey vs. Meisha Tate

Prediction: Rousey by submission. Rousey’s arm bar has been her method of victory in every fight but her striking has only been improving.

Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne

Prediction: Browne by strikes. Barnett’s had a good year but so has Browne with wins against Gabriel Gonzaga and Alistair Overeem.

Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes

Prediction: Miller by submission. Miller has had a rough patch but he’s looking to rebound against Camoes, a tough opponent.

Dustin Poirier vs. Deigo Brandao

Prediction: Poirier by submission. Poirier had a good rebound and a good fight against Erik Koch and looks to win against the TUF 14 Winner.

I would like to take this time to remind all MMA Freak readers to keep Shane del Rosario‘s family in your prayers. Thanks for reading.