UFC 73 Stacked

Dana White claims this is not only the greatest MMA card of all time, but the greatest combat sport card of all time. I'm not so sure about that, but there are some good fights here, and definitely recognizable names for the newer MMA fans. Lets just hope this sets a precedent for future Zuffa ran cards, to load up on talent unlike the dismal UFC 72 in Ireland.

Middleweight Champion Anderson "Spider" Silva 18-4 vs Nate "The Great" Marquardt 28-6-1 I'm starting out with an upset pick. Most MMA theologians believe the sometimes cautious Nate will be bolled over by the slick and vicious attack of Silva who has just blasted his way through the UFC. Keep in mind folks, in his last fight Silva barely squeaked through an overweight, Travis Lutter who basically gassed and gave up. Marquardt is not going to have issues with cardio coming from Greg Jackson's camp, and the guys stand up is strong, and we all know what he can do on the ground. I have seen Silva tire on occasion and off his back, I don't think he's as effective as everyone wants to believe. Marquardt will take this fight to the floor and that is his key to win. It may take a few rounds, but look for Nate to avoid the strikes and take this fight to the mat for a possible submission, but most likely, a decision win.
WINNER-Nate The Great (by decision)

Lightweight Champion Sean "Muscle Shark" Sherk 35-2-1 vs Hermes Franca 19-5 Everyone is also picking overwhelmingly for Sherk here, but this time I agree. Sean is an absolute Juggernaut beast who is now healthy, and is going to pound his way through the lovable Franca. Franca's best bet is a ju jitsu submission on the ground, but he won't have much of a chance with Sean's short arms or his gargantuan neck. Sherk knows what to do with those looping crazy punches from Hermes, and will probably be able to out strike him on the feet before he takes things to his home on the mat where he pounds out the victory for his 1st title defense.
WINNER-Sean Sherk (by TKO 3rd round)

Tito Ortiz 16-5 vs Rashad "Sugar" Evans 15-0 Once again let me stress, "sugar" doesn't work for me as Evans nickname. It just doesn't mesh. Anywho, though Tito is coming off his 2nd loss to Chuck, I think he beats the up and comer. Tito is much bigger than Rashad, and I question whether or not Evans can keep pace with the ever active Ortiz. Yes, Rashad KO'd Sean Salmon in spectacular fashion in his last fight, but keep in mind he lost the 1st round of that fight to a wrestler who was out striking him and besides the Jason Lambert fight, who has he ever beaten of note? Tito has been against the toughest and with this being the last fight on his UFC contract, he will be as motivated as ever (he's a greedy little bitch which may drive him more than anything) and quite frankly, I believe will out muscle and outwork Rashad on his way to a victory. It won't be pretty (Tito fights never are), but he'll out wrestle the undefeated Sugar take this fight on points.
WINNER-Tito (by decision)

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira 29-4-1 vs Heath "Texas Crazy Horse" Herring 27-12-1 Ummm, haven't I seen this fight twice before? Oh yes I have, so with Heath losing both contests, why are we seeing this again? My guess is the UFC is very disappointed in Herrings efforts so far in the #1 MMA company, and want Big Nog to dismantle him and then send him away. Antonio is being introduced to the American fans for the most part, and the #2 Heavyweight in the world will not disappoint. The guy may be the best submission fighter in any weight class, he has a chin of iron, and he already knows how to beat Herring. They could fight 10 times and I don't know that Heath would win one. I like Heath, but he won't KO Big Nog, and that is his only chance.
WINNER-Antonio Nogueira (submission round 2)

Stephan Bonnar 12-4 vs Mike Nickels 5-1 Everyone welcome Stephan back from an 11 month steroid suspension and two straight losses. As for the match, I've never seen anything of worth from Mike including his supposed ju jitsu prowess. Bonnar's got this on the feet and the ground. And for the record, I still think Stephan's win over Keith Jardine was legit, and I still think he should've got the decision the 1st time against Forrest Griffin. Lets just hope Bonnar has got his personal (no more porn stars) and professional life in order for his MMA return.
WINNER-Bonnar (TKO 2nd)

Kenny "Kenflo" Florian 8-3 vs Alvin Robinson 9-1 I told ya before, Kenflo has proved me wrong too many times and I'm finally giving the guy credit. He's a tough kid (see the Sean Sherk fight), with razor sharp elbows, great low kicks, and is a ju jitsu blackbelt. Alvin is pretty much an unknown with submission skills, but I think, possibly for the 1st time in his career, Kenflo can dominate on the feet to win this fight. Ken, you finally made me a fan of you, now just don't make a liar out of me.
WINNER-Kenflo (TKO cut)

Chris "I Got Robbed At The TUF Finals" Lytle 32-14-4 vs Jason "Gizzard (seriously that's his nickname)" Gilliam Now Lytle has all the experience in the world, and is a much more well rounded fighter, but Jason is a really tough KO striker. Avoiding the feet, Chris should win this on the floor with a nice boring victory. Final note, Gilliam is also a Lightweight who took this Welterweight fight on short notice.
WINNER-Lytle (wake me up for the decision)

Jorge Gurgel 13-2 vs Diego Saraiva 9-4-1 Will the real Jorge Gurgel please stand up. This guy has been touted as a Lightweight contender forever, I just have never seen this potential everyone says he has. His stand up is wild, and his "legendary" ju jitsu has been absent for quite some time. Granted the guy has had a lot of injuries, but he is now supposed to be 100% healthy, so no excuses. This is a fight he should/must win, and must win with style (unlike the Danny Abbadi split decision win and cmon, Danny is horrible) just to remain a possibility in the Lightweight Division.
WINNER-Gurgel (TKO)

Frankie Edgar 6-0 vs Mark Bocek 4-0 Everyone, including myself, became and instant fan of Edgar after his "Fight Of The Year Nominee" performance against the seemingly unstoppable Tyson Griffin. The guys wrestling skills are off the chain (do the kids still say that?) and he can take and throw a punch. Bocek is a great submission guy, but Frankie has transitions on the ground like I have never seen. The non-stop Edgar should take this and probably early.
WINNER-Edgar (TKO rd1)

There ya go. It felt like a pretty easy card to pick except for perhaps Tito/Rashad and Silva/Marquardt. We'll soon see how I do, but lest I let you forget, I picked the last 2 UFC cards 100% correctamundo. Who is that I see in the Sacramento crowd? Is that Gomi? Look closely.