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hioki vs roop
Hatsu Hioki vs George Roop
Inside Scoop, Hioki He's an experienced fighter (22-4-2) who knows how to get his opponents to the ground. He can get you with strikes or submissions... But the same has been said about many Japanese fighters who have come to the States before him. Most of them have been unsuccessful in the UFC.
Inside Scoop, @georgeroopRoop (12-7-1) is a Muay Thai striker. When he wins, it's by KO. When he loses, it's by submission. He's been working on his BJJ and wrestling. Will those skills be sharp enough for this challenge?
Prediction Hioki. He uses his experience to get Roop to the ground. After softening hm with punches, Hioki passes the guard and locks in a submission. Good bet for submission of the night.
jorgensen vs curran
Scott "Young Gun" Jorgensen vs Jeff "Big Frog" Curran
Inside Scoop, @ScottjorgensenHe's a solid up-and-comer with a record of 12-4. He's a wrestler at his core who wins a lot of decisions. His last victory came by KO (punches).
Inside Scoop, @BigFrogBJJCurran has been in a lot of fights (33-13-1). He often wins by decision but he's also scored a significant number of submissions thanks to his BJJ.
Prediction Curran.Big Frog hasn't won by submission in two years. He's due. Jorgensen makes a mistake on the ground and finds himself on the wrong end of a choke. *Cue the J. Cole.* Lights please, turn out the lights...
crop cop vs nelson
Mirko Cro Cop vs Roy "Big Country" Nelson
Inside Scoop, Cro Cop This dude had an awesome career in Pride only to come stateside to the UFC and be mediocre. Could be he's gotten old or his jaw is already on tilt. Either way, if he doesn't get a win here, it should be the end.
Inside Scoop, @roynelsonmmaNelson is the Oliver Miller of the UFC. Every fight has been the same story: if homie would get in shape he would be a major force in the heavyweight division. Guess what, he finally decided to go hard on his diet and cardio.
Prediction Nelson. Mirko has zero ground defense and Nelson is a skilled takedown/ground fighter. Nelson dominates with his ground skills and wins by ground-and-pound. Mirko, your head-kick videos will always be fan favorites, but it's time to retire.
kongo vs mitrione
Cheick Kongo vs Matt Mitrione
Inside Scoop, @iamcheickkongoKongo is the most ripped big man in the sport. Too bad this isn't body building. He's a European stand-up fighter whose recent wins have been against bums. His recent losses: Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir.
Inside Scoop, @mattmitrione Mitrione is an up-and-coming fighter who got his start on The Ultimate Fighter with Rashad Evans. While on the show he seemed like he wouldn't amount to much but with focus and commitment have come great results. Now he's 5-0.
Prediction Mitrione. Kongo is susceptible to wrestling and submissions. Mitrione's been practicing those aspects of his game and uses that too his advantage. Ultimately, he does something no one's done since 2004 and knocks Kongo out.
penn vs diaz
BJ "The Prodigy" Penn vs Nick Diaz
Inside Scoop, @bjpenndotcomPenn is that Hawaiian guy who loves to fight. He's Notoriously heavy-handed and his takedown defense and BJJ are legendary. He lost his lightweight belt to Frankie Edgar, then lost the rematch. Since then he's moved up to welterweight and, though he KO-ed Matt Hughes, he's only looked good, not impressive.
Inside Scoop, @nickdiaz209Diaz is that Mexican kid from Cali who loves to fight. He's not built like Penn but his game is modeled after the Prodigy's. The talent of Diaz has been bandied about for years. He hasn't lost a fight since 2007 and now he has the opportunity to prove himself in the UFC.
Prediction Penn. Diaz has looked good for a long time, but against inferior competition. This is prime time and Penn's no slouch. This fight never goes to the ground until someone falls down due to strikes. That person will be Diaz. Penn becomes the first person to knock him out since 2002. Good bet for knockout of the night.