UFC 105: Randy Couture Vs Brandon Vera

One of UFC's most beloved fighters of all time steps into the octagon against one of MMA's most exciting up & comers for UFC 105 for the main event on Sat November 14. Taking advantage of their symbiosis, UFC is showing 105 for free on SpikeTV from M.E.N Arena in Manchester England.

Couture at 46 comes off a defeat at the hands of Antonio Rodrigo "Minotaur" Nogueira after a three round war. Despite looking fit and taking Minotaur the distance, Couture's fate was sealed by unanimous decision. He is a world class wrestler with a clench to beware. Striking, grappling, and the conditioning of a man half his age make Couture highly favored in his upcoming battle with Vera. For the first time in three years, Couture is making a bid for the light heavyweight title. This will make a 6^th championship for "Captain America". But he has to face "The Truth" first.

Vera, fighting out of San Diego, brings dangerous kicks, lethal knees and elbows and excellent ground game to the cage. Like so many young fighters, he considers Couture a hero, and looks forward to UFC 105 like a kid getting Christmas, Easter and Summer Break all at the same time. Flying high on 2 wins (UD, UFC 102 vs. Krzysztof Soszynski; TKO, UFC 85 vs. Michael Pratt) Vera is in top condition and on fire. He is battling his way to the top of the heap where he hopes to face the current division champion Lyoto (the Dragon) Machida (Undefeated, UD, UFC 104 vs. Shogun)

My Prediction:
Vera by Stoppage, R2

In an exciting co-main event, British hometown hero Michael "the Count" Bisping will take the cage against fellow middleweight contender Dennis Kang.

Bisping is known as stand-up artist with heart. He easily adapts to any situation or opponent fighting style and never fails to arrive fit and ready to go the distance. Coming off a loss to Dan Henderson (KO, UFC 100, 7/11/09) Bisping is looking to regain his footing and put himself back into contention for a title shot.

Kang, of Montreal, is coming off a win over Xavier Foupa-Pokam (UD, UFC 97, 4/18/09) and is well-matched with Bisping in striking and conditioning. The fight promises to be memorable. Kang's MMA history is short but balanced, having lost his first fight by submission to Alan Belcher (UFC 93 1/17/09 R2).

My Prediction:
Bisping by Split decision

Undercard:

Mike "Quick" Swick vs. Dan Hardy "The Outlaw"

Swick 6'2 280 25/3/0 Hardy 6' 170 22/6/1/1NC

James "Lightning" Wilks vs. Matt "The Immortal" Brown

Wilks 6'1 170 7/2/0 Brown 6' 170 12/7/0

Ross"The Real Deal" Pearson v Aaron Riley

Pearson 5'8 155 11/3/0 Riley 5'8 155 28/11/1

Scheduled but may not broadcast:

Paul "Relentless" Taylor v John "The Hitman" Hathaway

Taylor 6' 170 10/4/1 Hathaway 6'2 170 12/0/0

Terry Etin v Shannon Gugerty

Etin 6'1 155 13/2/0 Gugerty 5'10 155 12/3/0

Nick "Slick" Osipczak v Matthew Riddle

Osipczak 6'1 170 4/1/0 Riddle 6'1 170 3/0/0