UFC 102 Main Card Previews and Predicitons

The Pay-Per-View portion of UFC102 features several matches between fighter looking to bounce back after disappoint losses. Keith Jardine and Thiago Silva want to prove they still belong in the LHW Title mix, Brandon Vera wants to show the world he can effectively cut weight to 205 and fight the best and Chris Leben who is returning from a steroid suspension wants to show he’s matured into a professional.

Here are my breakdowns and picks for the Main Card fights, I will be back later today with my write-up and UFC102 Main Event preview and predictions.

Light Heavyweight bout: Brandon Vera vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Krzysztof Soszynski  +140
Brandon Vera              -170

Brandon “Truth” Vera is adjusting to life as a light heavyweight, sandwiching a split decision loss to the always-tough Keith Jardine between two wins over non-contenders Reese Andy and Michael Patt. As a small heavyweight, much larger fighters often overmatched Vera’s exceptional skills. He’ll face off against Ultimate Fighter alum Krzysztof Soszynski who has won three straight after losing his TUF semifinal match to Vinny Magalhaes. Soszynski will be a dangerous fight for Vera who feels he should be in the title picture but unfortunately hasn’t been able to string two wins together.
I’m picking Krzysztof Soszynski to continue his winning streak.

Middleweight bout: Nate Marquardt vs. Demian Maia
Nate Marquardt         -160
Demian Maia              +130

In a fight that could determine the next in line for a shot at the middleweight title, the submission machine Demian Maia will face Nate Marquardt in his toughest challenge to date. Maia has all 11 times he fought including five in the UFC all by submission but across the cage Nate Marquardt who was the Pancrase King of the Cage 7 times. Nate is favored to win and if he does expect a KO or TKO but I’m feeling the Dogs on this card.

I’m picking Maia to continue his submission brilliance and end this fight before it goes to the cards.

Get all your UFC 102 Bets in at Legendz Sportsbook

Middleweight bout:
Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
Chris Leben           -155
Jake Rosholt         +125

It has been 10 months since Chris Leben last fought in the Octagon, losing a unanimous decision to The Count Michael Bisping. He will face Jake Rosholt is an incredible wrestler and had been predicted to do big things in the UFC. Rosholt had won his first four pro-mma fights before losing his UFC debut to Dan Miller in about a minute.

Both fighters will be looking for redemption, Rosholt wants to prove he belongs in the UFC. Chris Leben who has all the skills to be a title contender but he’s shown erratic behavior, first being sent to jail for a DUI and then testing positive for steroids, earning him a 9 month suspension.
I’m picking Leben to win this matchup.

Light Heavyweight
Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
Keith Jardine        -145
Thiago Silva           +115

Keith Jardine is part of Greg Jackson’s Jackson Submission fighting camp. Jackson has been on a roll of late training some of the best most notably Welterweight Champ Georges St. Pierre. Jardine’s awkward style could cause problems for his opponent Thiago Silva. Thiago Silva was on a tear, winning 13 straight including four in the UFC before dropping the first fight of his career to current UFC Champ Lyoto Machida.

Jardine has fought better opponents to mixed results but I think Silva will start a new streak with a win over Jardine at UFC102.

Get all your UFC 102 Bets in at Legendz Sportsbook