UFC 91: Preview and Predictions on Lesnar- Couture, Florian-Stevenson, Quarry-Maia

By Michael David Smith - Lead Blogger

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It's the biggest fight in UFC history, or so we've been told a million times in the last couple of months. Randy Couture will return to the Octagon and defend the heavyweight title against Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 in an event that has the hard-core fans and the casual fans alike in a lather. Here are the details.

What: UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar

Who: In addition to the main event, the fights on the main card are Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson, Gabriel Gonzaga vs.Josh Hendricks, Demian Maia vs. Nate Quarry and Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory.

When: Saturday

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

How: Pay-per-view, $44.95 ($54.95 in HD), or just follow along with our FanHouse UFC 91 live blog.

Predictions after the jump.


Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar
The fact that Lesnar, whose career MMA record is 2-1, is actually the favorite over Couture, a UFC legend, is incredible. But it speaks to just how captivated fans were by the size and athleticism Lesnar displayed in beating Heath Herring at UFC 87. I was one of those captivated fans, but I just don't believe Lesnar has enough MMA skill just yet to beat a well-rounded fighter like The Natural.
Predicted winner: Couture

Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson
The best of the UFC 91 undercard bouts is this lightweight match-up that will go a long way toward determining the No. 1 contender when champion B.J. Penn is finally ready to defend his title. I like this fight a lot, and I think Florian will get his sixth straight win, setting up either a title shot or, maybe, a rematch with Sean Sherk, the last man to beat Florian.
Predicted winner: Florian

Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Josh Hendricks
Gonzaga was on a two-fight losing streak after Couture and Fabricio Werdum beat him, and now the UFC seems to want to rehabilitate Gonzaga by giving him opponents he should beat. Gonzaga had little trouble with Justin McCully at UFC 86 and now shouldn't have much trouble with Hendricks, either.
Predicted winner: Gonzaga

Demian Maia vs. Nate Quarry
Maia, a Brazilian jiu jitsu specialist, is 8-0 overall and has won all three of his UFC fights by submission, and some folks see him as a future middleweight title contender. I'd like to see him become a more well-rounded fighter on his feet, but I think he'll stay undefeated against Quarry.
Predicted winner: Maia

Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory
This fight, which wasn't originally scheduled to be part of the televised card, should be a good ground battle. I think Hazelett's superior jiu jitsu will be the difference.
Predicted winner: Hazelett.

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