UFC 103 is, by the standards of UFC pay-per-view shows, not a particularly good card. There isn't a title fight or a clash of legends. But there are five good fights on the card, and for the first time ever, the pay-per-view show is preceded by a couple of free fights on Spike. So UFC 103 is still a worthy way to spend your Saturday night, and we've got a full preview and predictions below.
What: UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort
When: The undercard starts at 7 PM ET Saturday, Spike TV will show an hour of fights beginning at 9 and the pay-per-view begins at 10.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
How: You can buy it for $44.95 on UFC.com or from your cable or satellite provider ($54.95 in HD), or you can just follow along with our live coverage here at FanHouse.
Predictions on the five pay-per-view fights:
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
I've long maintained that people don't give Franklin enough credit for just how great a fighter he's been over his decade-long career. He has a record of 25-4, and the losses are to three all-time greats: Anderson Silva (twice), Lyoto Machida and this year's split decision to Dan Henderson. And yet I think Franklin is about to suffer his fifth loss. Belfort's hand speed and punching power will overwhelm Franklin in a fight that I don't see going to the ground. Pick: Belfort.
Junior dos Santos vs. Mirko Cro Cop
This is the fight I'm most looking forward to on the card, a classic heavyweight clash of a young buck taking on an MMA legend. But while dos Santos has the advantage of youth, I think his greater advantage is size: He's significantly bigger and stronger than Cro Cop, who I believe should be fighting at light heavyweight. I look for dos Santos to land some powerful punches and then finish Cro Cop on the ground. Pick: dos Santos.
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
This card lost what would have been a great fight when Mike Swick had to pull out of his bout with Kampmann. Daley is a decent fighter on his feet, but Kampmann is much more well-rounded and shouldn't have too much trouble finishing Daley. Pick: Kampmann.
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
Trigg is an entertaining, intelligent fighter whose return to the UFC is good to see, but I just don't think he's at a level anymore, at age 37, where he can beat a Top 10 welterweight. I look for Koscheck to dominate Trigg in all phases of the fight. Pick: Koscheck.
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
I think Griffin and Franca are going to go at it at a furious pace and deliver a Fight of the Night-type of showing, with Franca taking the fight to the ground and edging out a close decision. Pick: Franca.
We'll have full UFC 103 coverage on Saturday night, and you can follow all the action by following my UFC Twitter updates.
Get the latest gear
