Gray D.’s picks and predictions for UFC 98: “Evans vs. Machida”
Welcome 6th Rounders, to my picks and predictions for UFC 98. “Evans vs. Machida” will air Saturday evening via PPV beginning at 10 p.m. EST. UFC 98 includes a main event of “Suga” Rashad Evans taking on undefeated Brazilian Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. A solid line-up calls for solid picks, right? Whether you agree or disagree, leave your thoughts by commenting.
As a lead writer here, there’s a certain “responsibility” for making quality peeks into the future. That being said, anything can (and does) happen in mixed martial arts. With an overall 71-47 record thus far since our launch, let’s get into how I, Gray D., see the action inside the Octagon going down on May 23 from Las Vegas.
Pick results update: 6-5
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Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida: Machida by 3rd round KO (head kick)
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra: Hughes via split decision
Sean Sherk vs. Frank Edgar: Sherk via unanimous decision
Chael Sonnen vs. Dan Miller: Miller via unanimous decision
Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries: Foupa-Pokam by 1st round KO
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley: Nover by 1st round submission (guillotine)
Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson: Larson by 3rd round TKO
Tim Hague vs. Patrick Barry: Barry by 2nd round KO
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski: Soszynski by 1st round submission (kimura)
Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff: Yoshida via unanimous decision
Dave Kaplan vs. George Roop: Roop by 1st round submission (armbar)
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Gray D. is 122-78 in his overall picks here at 6th-Round.com and pens this column before every major MMA event. Outside of writing, he is a fitness/nutrition enthusiast and runs the site’s Twitter account @6thRound.
Tags: fight picks, lyoto machida, matt hughes, matt serra, phillipe nover, predictions, rashad evans, ufc 98
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Machida winning??? Really??? I think the only way that that is going to happen is if Machida can control Evans on the ground. I don’t think that’s going to happen. AT.ALL. Unless his stand-up has gotten TREMENDOUSLY better, I don’t think Machida has a chance against Evans. Having said that, though, I would LOVE to see Evans go down! He is an awesome fighter, but his just to damn cocky!! He NEEDS to come down a notch!!
Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra, Hughes all the way, although I don’t think Hughes will let it go to decision. He should be all fired up for this fight, after missing the opportunity to get the Welterweight title back during that incredibly brief moment that Serra had the belt due to Serra’s injury. Hughes finally gets to attempt shut up the loudmouth Serra. I don’t think he is going to take that lightly.
Erika, you bring up good points. I have Machida winning the fight due to his superior ability to intellectually adjust his power and movement during a match. Rashad is a huge test and could certainly retain the belt, but Lyoto has all the skills to snare the strap Sat. night.
Hughes has been training with Sherk at the MMAA/API camp and those Caveman workouts will have boosted his cardio. On the other hand, Serra certainly wants to shut up Hughes and it’ll come down to who can maintain aggression until the finish. Great night of fights this weekend!
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