UFC 77 Hostile Territory Preview & Picks

Middleweight Champion Anderson "Spider" Silva 19-4 vs Rich "Ace" Franklin 24-2 (Rematch) Everyone believes Anderson is unstoppable after running through Leben, Franklin, Lutter, & Marquardt. Even so, since Rich lost the 1st time I immediately stated he would win whenever he got the rematch. It took a while but its rematch time and in Rich's home state of Ohio which may be adding pressure instead of home field advantage for Ace. Rich took off and has been training away from his home for this fight to keep distractions at a minimum. I still believe Rich has better stand up (yes, even after he got destroyed by Silva the 1st time), better cardio, better ground game, and a better game plane this 2nd time around. Of course, the clinch is where Rich must avoid at all costs, and instead strike from the outside. Silva hurts people with his length and deceptive power, but he is sometimes so aggressive there are large openings where a smart fighter can attack his carelessness. Also, after this steamrolling of competition, how can a fighter not lay off a bit in training and get complacent, much like Chuck Liddell now admits to doing. Especially to a man he already beat, and beat badly.

Here's something else, Rich had diarrhea all day before his fight with Anderson so imagine living on the toilet before you go out to face a high caliber fighter. I've got a feeling here people, and the feeling says Ace gets his belt back probably with a later round TKO or decision. This is an upset pick so take it how you will.
WINNER-Rich Franklin

Tim Sylvia 25-3 vs Brandon "The Truth" Vera 8-0 Lets all welcome back two guys who took some extended time off. Vera's been gone for 11 months sorting out contract disputes with the UFC and his own management, while Sylvia had major back surgery and was off for 7 months to think about the loss of his title to Randy Couture. I like the "Truth" alot, even his winners dance, but he is in a bad way if he wants to strike with the near 7 foot Sylvia who is only known for KOing people. Vera should be fighting at 205 and does this undersized Heavyweight have the power to hurt Tim, and the chin to withstand the 260 lb. giants punches? I'm not too sure. Rooting for Brandon, but Tim has fought a much higher caliber of competition and I look for him to be very angry, after losing the title, hearing lots of boo's recently from fans.
WINNER-Tim Sylvia by TKO

"The American Psycho" Stephan Bonnar 13-4 vs Eric "The Red" Schafer 9-2-2 The Red is coming off a loss to Mike Bisping, but he brings amazing ground ju jitsu and decent standup. Bonner has his 2nd fight since his steroid suspension and is coming off a tomato can fight with Mike Nickels. Bonnar has been training with Xtreme Couture and the boys, so it can only have helped his career. His chin is tough, stand up decent, ju jitsu slick, but he can never seem to really get the best of his opponents (6 of his last 7 fights have been decisions including 3 losses and a controversial win over Keith Jardine). This is a close fight with Eric having the better chance to end the fight, while Stephan could take a decision.
WINNER-Bonnar in a close one

Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald 20-8 vs Yushin Okami 21-4 MacDonald got exposed in his fight with Rich Franklin, and Okami is very similar to Franklin. Look for Yushin to grind out a victory on the floor getting himself back in line for a title shot.
WINNER-Okami by decision

Kalib Starnes 10-2-1 vs Alan "The Talent" Belcher 10-3 Alan doesn't impress me a hell of a lot, and Starnes can be good, if he addresses his stamina issues and becomes more aggressive. Belcher wants this on the feet, but Starnes keeps it on the ground to a decision win.
WINNER-Starnes by I already told you

Jorge Gurgel 14-2 vs Alvin Robinson 9-2 The Chipmunks leader just got embarrassed in his last fight with Kenflo, and must have a stronger showing. Gurgel is the hometown boy and usually has exciting fights not to mention he'll want to impress his peeps. Jorge is better on the floor but always wants to slug it out. That could lead to his downfall by the wrestling submission machine Robinson. I really don't feel like Jorge should win this, but who knows.
WINNER-Alvin by ??????????

Josh Burkman 19-4 vs Forrest Petz 19-4 Two guys with two of the worst nicknames in the business, so terrible that I refuse to mention them. Anywho, Burkman seems to be near the top but just can't get over that upper tier talent (Karo, Fitch, Horn, etc.) while Petz can't even consistently beat mid level fighters. Avoiding the powerful standup of Petz, Burkman's speed and agility should help him find a way to win.
WINNER-Burkman by submission

Jason Black 22-3-1 vs Matt Grice 9-1 Jason should be better accustomed to the 155 weight this time and has only lost to the best in the biz (see Tavares & Aoki). He is the quintessential Miletich fighter with insane ground game and knowledge. Grice is well rounded but this is a definite step up in game to face a man with 12 more wins than he has fights. I think Black rebounds here and punishes Matty.
WINNER-Black by ground and pound out

Demian Maia 6-0 vs Ryan Jensen 11-2 Demian (what a cool name) comes in as the new guy with the ground game and is kind of an unknown. Jenson is a wrestler from Nebraska and all his wins have been finishes. Jenson has the experience and will to give the rookie a warm welcome.
WINNER-Jensen by submission