UFC 99: German Invasion!

Maybe UFC 99: German Invasion! isn't the PC name to put on the card, but I like it as a humerous toast to history as Zuffa brings its MMA promotion to Cologne, Germany for the 1st time! A card filled with personal favorites the likes of which I have never seen but fight picking is not done with your heart.

Main Card
Catchweight (195 lb) bout: Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva Both men could use a big win but Wand has to have the fight to stay in the UFC and ever hope to get a title shot against former friend turned enemy, Anderson Silva. "Ace" has all the skills to win this on points since he doesn't have that KO power, yet "The Axe Murderer's" chin is damaged in this his 43rd professional fight. Wand will use the "gong & dash" approach to put away Rich early but Franklin must withstand the storm and using his ground skills would be a plus. I gotta think Wand can hurt Rich early but if he doesn't put him away, expect "Ace" to pick away at Silva en route to a decision win. Size, reach, and physical youth (Wand's body is shot) lead to Silva's demise and possible end to his career.
WINNER-Rich by decision
Heavyweight bout: Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez This is a bit of a conundrum as Cain lacks the standup skills of Cheick, but his collegiate wrestling is superb and Kongo has lost on the floor to ground pounders like Heath Herring and the lackluster Carmelo Marrero. I have never been too impressed with the Frenchman and feel he'll inflict some punishment on the smaller ATT member, leaving himself open for the takedown and ensuing brutality.
WINNER-The man called Cain by G&P stoppage Rd.2
Heavyweight bout: Mirko Filipović vs. Mustapha Al-turk Cro Cop is back in the UFC and the far and away favorite of the German crowd. The turk is a stand up fighter himself but outgunned and outclassed. The Croation only loses to top flight competition (except for Kongo who kicked his nuts off and broke his ribs to eek out a victory) so I don't expect a loss against an opponent hand picked to delight the German crowd.
WINNER-Mirko Cro Cop by TKO Rd.1
Welterweight bout: Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders "Quick" vs "Killa-B!" American Kickboxing Academy vs American Top Team! 2 bad ass's who love to strike but can fight the floor war. I wanna take "Killa-B" I need pick wins and can't go with my heart here taking.....
WINNER- Swick by exciting decision in "Fight Of The Night"
Lightweight bout: Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno My man the "King" returns to face "Shoten" who is famous for being blasted into oblivion by BJ Penn. WOW, computer virus and crash right in the middle of this shit. I couldn't be more mad after taking the last 30 minutes to get back online and rid (sort of) myself of the assholes who saw fit to fuck with me. Calming down, calming down. Ok, I'm taking Spence now that I am totally thrown off my game.
WINNER-The King by decision and computer murder
Welterweight bout: Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy Bring on the Brit invasion for this PPV card. Oh by the way news, these guys fucking hate each other! Major trash talk leading into this bout as Hardy boy called Davis a fake Irishman and as a fake Irishman I was offended. Both men strike well on the feet but Marcus has better ground skills which he will refuse to use. I don't know, both guys are good but I guess I'm going power over finesse. A cut could save the day for Hardy.
WINNER- "Irish Hand Grenade" by decision

Prelims
Lightweight bout: Terry Etim vs. Justin Buchholz Bucky Done Gun can use his vast reach to tag and bag Justin all day long. Slick and skinny wins the day possibly with the sub at the end. Ummm, could terry not show his elephantiasis of the nuts at the weigh-ins from now on?
WINNER-The Liverpool Fool by atomic tea bag
Lightweight bout: Dennis Siver vs. Dale Hart Siver has the hometown Germans in his corner and somebody has to represent. Hart is tough and now famous for bursting Corey Hill's leg in twain via brutal fashion back in December '08. Dale employs the better standup, but Siver will throw up the submissions to frustrate and catch Hart.
WINNER-Dennis "Mannheim Mauler" Siver by submission
Welterweight bout: Paul Taylor vs. Peter Sobotta Hello German hometown homeboy Sobotta bread. That being said, Pauly has a more versed MMA offensive style though Pete has some upset picking going on in the forums. Good luck with that.
WINNER-Paulie Taylor by decision
Lightweight bout: Paul Kelly vs. Rolando Delgado The Wolfslair fighter brings that Brit heart and never say die attitude to out muscle and bops the puff.
WINNER-Telly's by TKO Rd.2
Heavyweight bout: Denis Stojnic vs. Stefan Struve I like "Skyscraper" to use his 6'11" body and reach to strike and eventually submit the guy who went with the nickname of "The Menace."
WINNER-Skyscrape by armbar
Welterweight bout: John Hathaway vs. Rick Story The undefeated guy who went with the unused "Hitman" as his nickname does have game, but I like Story's wrestling a little better which leads to a 1-sided pointfest.
WINNER-Story who employs the nickname "Horror" (geez guys really?)

Personal favs Rich Franklin, Wanderlei Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, Killa-B, Marcus Davis, and Spencer Fisher all on 1 card! Good luck to all my boys, even if they are fighting each other.