Tomorrow, before MMA fans get to watch Everyone Hates Kimbo -- er, that is, The Ultimate Fighter season 10 premiere -- there's a rip-snortin' UFC Fight Night airing live with Nate Diaz vs. Melvin "The Young Assassin" Guillard headlining over Gray "The Bully" Maynard vs. Roger "El Matador" Huerta.
Diaz vs. Guillard
Despite coming off a two-fight losing streak (to strong opponents: Joe "Daddy" Stevenson at TUF 9 finale, and Clay "The Carpenter" Guida at UFC 94), I'd be inclined to give the edge to Diaz... if not for his stated intention to stand and trade with Guillard, who is probably the most muscled and explosive lightweight in the division, bringing devastating speed and knockout power. If Diaz sets aside the bluster and utilizes his full arsenal, I like his chances: I can see him using his superior reach and skills to frustrate Guillard until taking him down and submitting him. But if Nate -- who hasn't had a TKO in over three years -- is determined to keep the fight standing, I don't see it going so well, despite his durable chin. Still, my expectation is that Diaz will come to his senses and take the victory where he finds it: on the ground. Prediction: Diaz by submission late in the 1st round.
Maynard vs. Huerta
On the other ticket (which really should be the main event except that Dana White seems to be looking to put the disaffected Huerta in his place), UFC up-and-comer Gray Maynard faces one-time golden boy Huerta. Both are impressive fighters and this has the potential to go either way: Huerta struggles against wrestlers while Maynard is susceptible to leg kicks. I see it being harder, however, for El Matador to stay on his feet than for The Bully to endure his opponent's predictable strikes long enough to make a shot. Prediction: Maynard by TKO due to strikes from the top, probably in the 2nd.
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