UFC 77 'Hostile Territory' Preview and Predictions

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This UFC 77 ‘Hostile Territory’ preview is going to be shorter than is typical for me. The fact is that I’ve been busy as all hell the past couple of days working on site related things which I’ll wager most people won’t even appreciate if they even notice at all but which will make the site better.

Lightweight Bout:
Matt "The Real One" Grice: 25, 5'8, 155, 9-1-0
Vs.
Jason Black: 34, 5'8, 155, 22-3-1
I know nothing about either guy really accept they both lost in their UFC debuts. Black is the heavy favorite so I’ll pick him to win because I’m tired.
Winner: Jason Black

Welterweight Bout:
Forrest "The Meat Cleaver" Petz: 31, 5'10, 170, 19-4-0
Vs.
"The People’s Warrior" Josh Burkman: 27, 5'10, 170, 19-4-0
I seem to always under rate Forrest Petz for some reason. Maybe it’s the Meat Cleaver thing. Anyway, both these guys are talented and both could use the win. Burkman’s competition of late has been better, he lost to Karo Parisyan in his last bout while Petz defeated Luigi Fiorvanti last time out. I’ll take Burkman but it is a tough one.
Winner: Josh Burkman

Middleweight Bout:
Demian Maia: 29, 6'0, 185, 6-0-0
Vs.
Ryan Jensen: 29, 5'10, 185, 11-2-0
I again know nothing about either guy really, Maia is making his debut while Jensen is coming off a loss to Thales Leites. I’m picking Maia to win because his name is cooler.
Winner: Demian Maia

Lightweight Bout:
Jorge Gurgel: 30, 5'9, 155, 14-2-0
Vs.
Alvin "Kid" Robinson: 24, 5'8, 155, 9-2-0
Gurgel is coming off a win over Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 while Robinson is coming off a loss to Kenny Florian. At 0-1 in the UFC Robinson definitely needs a win but unfortunately for him Gurgel is a real tough out. I’m picking Gurgel to take this.
Winner: Jorge Gurgel

Middleweight Bout:
Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald: 31, 6'3, 185, 19-8-0
Vs.
Yushin Okami: 25, 6'2, 185, 21-4-0
The winner of this fight could get a title shot which is kind of sad since Rich Franklin beat both of these guys earlier this year. Okami lost to Franklin his last time out while MacDonald, a Franklin victim at UFC 68, defeated Rory Singer at UFC 72.
MacDonald is more of an exciting fighter while Okami is less so but wins way more than he loses and nearly tapped Franklin in round 3 at UFC 72. I’ll go with Okami if only because while MacDonald does well against members of the Ultimate Fighter, it is only cast members he beats and Okami never was one of those.
Winner: Yushin Okami

Middleweight Bout:
Kalib Starnes: 32, 6'1, 185, 10-1-1
Vs.
Alan "The Talent" Belcher: 22, 6'2, 185, 10-3-0
I picked Belcher on the little preview show Euan and I did, so I’m sticking with that here.
Winner: Alan Belcher

Light Heavyweight Bout:
Eric "Ravishing Red" Schafer: 29, 6'3, 205, 9-2-2
Vs.
"American Psycho" Stephan Bonnar: 30, 6'3, 205, 13-3-0
Picked Bonnar on the show, sticking with my choice. I’m really exhausted, maybe even moreso when I recorded that show that’s why it is just easier for me to tell you to listen to it.
Winner: Stephan Bonnar

Heavyweight Bout:
Brandon "The Truth" Vera: 29, 6'2, 223, 8-0-0
Vs.
Tim "The Mainie-ac" Sylvia: 31, 6'8, 255, 25-3-0
Welcome back to the UFC Brandon Vera. He gets a tough opponent in the former champ in his first match back. I am not nearly as down on Tim Sylvia as my friend Euan but as I’ve mentioned several times I am a pretty big fan of Brandon Vera. I think both men have something to prove which is why I actually expect this to be a pretty entertaining brawl. I think it all comes down to Sylvia’s reach. If Vera can close the distance and not allow himself to take many big shots then he should be in good shape to win.
Winner: Brandon Vera

Middleweight Championship Bout:
Rich "Ace" Franklin: 32, 6'1, 185, 24-2-0
Vs.
Anderson "The Spider" Silva: 33, 6'0, 185, 19-4-0
Lots of intrigue in this fight. How will Anderson Silva handle being so roundly hated? Is Anderson Silva still in Franklin’s head after last years beating? Can Franklin resist the temptation to stand with him and take this to the ground? Honestly, I’ve thought about this a lot and while I’m not as automatic on this as Euan, Euan tends to make more extreme statements on fights than I, we both give this one to Silva. He’s on a role and I’m not picking against him this time after looking so bad the last time I did it.
Winner: Anderson Silva

Well there you have it, a very quick preview. I’ll remind everyone that Art Shimko will have live UFC 77 coverage tomorrow on the site so you’ll want to be around for that and Art can provide in his picks the time he’ll ramp up his coverage but for sure it will be at 10:00 PM ET.
Speaking of others picks, you can read the rest of the staff’s picks and make your own right here



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