Katsunori Kikuno vs. Diego Brandao
Hugh: Both guys have been ko’d twice in their last 3 fights. This fight is tough because Brandao is so unpredictable. He’s had highs and lows showing up in and out of shape. On TUF 14 he came out swinging wild, and if he does that I don’t think Kikuno will be able to handle it.
Winner: Diego Brandao by TKO
Chris: The only thing I'm sure of is that this is ending early. Brandao has been ko'd too many times for my liking, but I expect his wild style to pay dividends before Kikuno has time to make any adjustments.
Winner: Brandao by TKO
Takeya Mizugaki vs George Roop
Hugh: Both guys have been around for a while. Roop being an Ultimate Fighter vet, rarely credited as the guy that KO’d the Korean Zombie back at WEC 51.
Mizugaki is coming off a couple of losses to great fighters, all of his losses are to top level guys. I like Roop but I have to go with Mizugaki.
Winner: Takeya Mizugaki by Decision
Chris: I find Roop very difficult to predict, as he wins some fights he shouldn't but basically looks bad the rest of the time. Mizugaki was on a great run before he ran into Dominick Cruz and Aljamain Sterling, so he'll be looking to get back to form here. I am taking Mizugaki by decision, but I wouldn't be surprised if he cracks the chin of Roop before the end.
Winner: Takeya Mizugaki by Decision
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Chico Camus
Hugh: Although Camus has victories over a couple names, most notably picking up a split decision over Brad Pickett, I’m going to have to take Horiguchi. I think he’s the more well rounded fighter, and in that division technique is everything.
Winner: Kyoji Horiguchi by Decision
Chris: I thought Camus looked good in his last fight against Henry Cejudo, and could have got the win if he pushed a little harder. His takedown defense was perfect, but this won't be enough against Horiguchi. Horiguchi is the better guy at this point, and while I don't expect him to get the finish, he should win convincingly.
Winner: Kyoji Horiguchi by Decision
Gegard Mousasi vs Uriah Hall
Hugh: I deliberately didn’t look at any betting lines before writing this, but I would guess that Mousasi is the favorite. Obviously Hall is very dangerous, but I think that Mousasi will be able to get the win.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi by Submission
Chris: Hall has let me down literally every time I have picked him to win. He always manages to surprise us in the worst way possible. Mousasi is a veteran and has more ways to win this than Hall, and should employ a grapple heavy strategy. I don't think he gets enough for the submission, but Mousasi should grapple his way to a decision win here.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi by Decision
Josh Barnett vs Roy Nelson
Hugh: This is a very hard fight to call. While Nelson has been the more active fighter, Barnett hasn’t been doing nothing. He recently became the first Metamoris heavyweight champ. But his last MMA fight was 21 months before this one.
When I’m really stuck on who to go with on a fight I use a friends system of evaluating their last 3 fights. But it’s hard to do when Nelson has fought 3 times since the War-masters last fight.
Winner: Roy Nelson by TKO
Chris: It is hard to count out Roy Nelson because of his ridiculous knockout power, but he is a fighter on the decline. 39 years old and he looks worse every time we see him. Barnett is a bit of a question mark because he has fought so infrequently, but he at least looks physically good and has been winning grappling tournaments while away. Expect Nelson to tire early and Barnett to take over, using the clinch and and ground strikes for a late TKO victory.
Winner: Barnett by TKO
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