This Saturday FOX will be showcasing its third installment of the UFC on FOX since signing its multi-million dollar deal with the promotion. This card looks to impress with a plethora of explosive bouts culminating with the main event of Jim Miller versus Nate Diaz. If Diaz wins it’s a title shot for the Stockton, CA native. But if Miller wins, he will need to rack up two or three more wins before he can fight for the strap. Plus, a welterweight showdown between Josh Koshcheck and Johny Hendricks might also produce a #1 contender. The UFC has put together a surprisingly stacked free card that is sure to bring fireworks.
Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz is on a tear as of late. Diaz (15-7) is riding an impressive two-fight winning streak. Although the number might not open some eyes, it’s how he fought those two fights that have a lot of analysts projecting him as the next 155er to fight for the belt. After a rough stint at welterweight, the Cesar Gracie student picked apart and eventually submitted former Pride champ Takanori Gomi. Diaz later took on fellow lightweight contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and for three rounds, Diaz used his reach and boxing as his advantage to out strike the WEC vet en route to a unanimous decision victory. Diaz landed 238 significant strikes in that scrap, shattering the old record of 178 held by his own brother, Nick.
Miller (21-3) is also coming off a huge victory, as he submit the always-dangerous Melvin Guillard in January via rear-naked choke. This was a big win for Miller coming off a unanimous decision beating to now UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson. With that blemish aside, Miller has won 8 of his last 9 fights. The New Jersey native will be fighting only 30 minutes away from his gym; so you know he will get the home-field advantage. Diaz doesn’t seem to care, as he has fought many fighters in their own backyard. Both fighters have an aggressive style that fans will be sure to enjoy. Diaz uses his aggressiveness to box on the feet and if the opportunity presents itself, Diaz can use his super Jiu Jitsu to look for a finish on the ground. Miller, on the other hand, uses his Muay Thai to set up sweeps and takedowns to create openings for submissions and nasty ground and pound. Being a five round fight, it’s hard to pick a winner. I almost want to just flip a coin and be done with it. But with Jim Miller having a great wrestling background, I’m going to go with Miller grinding out a unanimous decision victory.
Josh “Kos” Koscheck vs. Johny “Big Rig” Hendricks
One of the biggest upsets in recent MMA history belongs to Johny Hendricks (12-1), who needed only 12 seconds to knock out former top ten pound-for-pound fighter John Fitch. That powerful left hand put the two-time national champion wrestler from Oklahoma State on top of the welterweight division. Hendricks has proven time and time again that he is one of the most explosive fighters in the division with his power and wrestling prowess. But Hendricks will take on another fellow NCAA wrestling champion in Josh Koscheck. Kos (19-5) has an impressive eight-year career in MMA with 20 fights inside the octagon. The Ultimate Fighter alum is coming a off a razor thin split decision victory over Mike Pierce in February and will look to make a statement that the former Edinboro wrestler is still a force to be reckoned with at 170lbs. Koscheck has a great double-leg takedown to compliment his most dangerous weapon in his over-hand right that has floored many opponents. Look for Hendricks to stuff Koscheck’s takedown attempts and implement some dirty boxing in the clinch. Koscheck will have the advantage on the feet landing stiff jabs and straight rights keeping Big Rig at bay. If Kos loads up on a massive overhand right and misses, Hendricks could capitalize with that devastating left hand. But I don’t see Koscheck being that overzealous and he'll pick Hendricks apart on the feet. Koscheck by unanimous decision.
Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares vs Alan “The Talent” Belcher
The name “Toquinho” suits Palhares well. Toquinho is Portuguese for tree stump and when you look at Palhares, he looks the part. He's a short, albeit massive middleweight that is becoming an intimidating force for anyone to face. Toquinho (23-3) is riding a three-fight win streak with two of them ending by his vicious heel hook. Palhares is one of the most dangerous submission artists in the game and if he even touches your heel, you might as well tap because he’s going to take it home with him. Palhares has an interesting fight against Alan Belcher. Belcher (17-6) is coming off a great first round finish of Jason MacDonald after more than a year on the shelf due to an eye injury. Belcher is definitely getting a huge step-up in competition against Toquinho, and will have to bring his A game if he wants to come out on top. Belcher has good stand-up, but he will have to rock Toquinho early if he wants to take home a victory. Palhares will use his immense power to clip Belcher early where he will pick his shots carefully until he sees that heel open and will pounce. Toquinho by 1st round heel hook.
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