Fighter vs Writer - UFC 166 - Loughnane vs Strong

Fighter vs Writer: Brendan Loughnane - UFC 166
by Tommy Strong @Strong_tea

Welcome to another Kingdom MMA fighter vs writer challenge.

For this challenge we challenge some of the biggest names from the world of MMA to give us their picks and fight outcomes for specific MMA events. Then they will be challenged by one of our writers, who will make their own predictions. Previously we have challenged the likes of Luke Barnatt, Jim Alers, Mike Wilkison, Phil Harris, Cathal Pendred and Dustin Poirier. Jim Alers still remains the only fighter to beat one of our Kingdom MMA writers.

This weeks opponent was team of Team UK on the UFC's TUF Smashes, unfortunately losing in the Finale of the show to Mike Wilkinson and recently got back to winning ways with a decision victory in the main event of FCC7. He is of course Brendan Loughnane.

The Scoring
If you predict the correct winner of the fight you will get one point and if you predict the correct method of victory you will get an extra point. However, if the fight ends in a stoppage and you predict the round as well the method you could earn a third bonus point. If the fight goes the distance you can only earn a maximum of two points.

The Predictions

Cain Velasquez vs Junior Dos Santos

Brendan: I believe JDS got lucky in the first fight and the second fight was a dominant display by the champ.

Prediction: Cain Velasquez - TKO Round 3 

Strong: The fight everyone has been waiting for! Having one win a piece it will be very interesting if Cain can hold onto his belt, or see JDS once again be the heavyweight champion!

I'm really torn between these two fighters. JDS proved in their first encounter he has the knockout power to stop Cain, and Cain proved in their rematch he can maul and handle JDS if he can get in close!
Both fighters claim they were not totally fit for both fights, I'm hoping no excuses are made and we are in for another great fight.

With the heavyweight division not the strongest within the UFC, I feel this won't be the last we see of them fighting each other!!
Prediction: Cain Velasquez - Unanimous Decision

Daniel Cormier vs Roy Nelson

Brendan: I see this being a very boring fight and Cormier wrestling him to death.

Prediction: Daniel Cormier - Unanimous Decision

Strong: I've been quite vocal about my thoughts on Cormier and I'm not his biggest fan at all. He's overweight and overrated!! If you really look into his record it isn't all that! Having looked awful against Mir I'm hoping Big Country makes it an unpleasant night for him!

Though this will be a test for Roy, if he can keep Cormier from hugging him all night and land one that right hand I think Roy can cause an upset.

My head says Cormier to ground out a very lack luster performance, but my heart is hoping and praying for a Big Country win!
Prediction: Daniel Cormier - Unanimous Decision

Gilbert Melendez vs Diego Sanchez

Brendan: I think Sanchez is past his sell by date and Melendez will maul him.

Prediction: Gilbert Melendez - TKO Round 3

Strong: Really looking forward to this fight! Styles makes fights and I love both of these fighters styles. I'm hoping Sanchez comes in on weight, having missed the lightweight limit of 156lbs, weighing in at 158lbs and being fined 20% of his purse when he went onto a split decision win against Takanori Gomi

Melendez will be looking to bounce back after his very close split decision loss to then UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

I think Melendez is the all round better fighter and will put on a display to get himself back into title contention!
Prediction: Gilbert Melendez - Unanimous Decision

Gabriel Gonzaga vs Shawn Jordan

Brendan: I hope that the Gonzaga that fought Cro Cop turns up and we will see a destruction.

Prediction: Gonzaga - TKO Round 1 

Strong: Blink and you might miss this fight!! Jordan is coming into the fight of the back of brilliant display knocking out Pat Barry within the first minute of round one to earn himself knockout of the night!

Gonzaga isn't the easiest fighter to predict, he can either be world class one minute and totally average the next! I have to favour Jordan in this fight, Gonzaga doesn't possess the greatest chin and with Jordan's knockout power this fight could be over very early!
Prediction: Shawn Jordan - KO Round 1

John Dodson vs Darrell Montague

Brendan: I see Dodson moving around and out pointing his opponent.

Prediction: John Dodson  - Unanimous Decision

Strong: I'm really not a fan of the flyweight division. I couldn't care less what Dana says, there just isn't any excitement in the division except for one fighter and that is John Dodson!

He brings excitement every time he fights, has punching power and speed that caused UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson his toughest title defence to date.

Darrell Montague will be making his UFC debut and like Dodson carries punching power and submission skills that will make it an entertaining fight, having only gone the distance in 3 of his 15 fights. Though Dodson has fought and beat better fighters and I fully expect him to come away with the victory!

Prediction: John Dodson - TKO Round 2


So that's our predictions for the fights, we will be live tweeting on Saturday night as always and we will keep you all informed as to how the challenge is going with latest scores throughout the main card.

Thanks again to Brendan for providing us with his picks for this weekends fights and it just leaves me to say.... May the best man win!!