UFC 118 Picks, Predictions , and Thoughts

UFC 118 is a card that really hopes to bring the UFC into the mainstream even more. With fighters with exciting styles will make this card universal to the mainstream audience. Fighters with stand-up and boxing styles such as BJ Penn, Kenny Florian, Frankie Edgar, Nick Diaz, and professional boxers James Toney and Marcus Davis will have boxing fans tuning in. The UFC will be making it's first appearance in Boston and is sure not to letdown any fans. Now here are my picks:

Lightweight Championship bout: Frankie Edgar (c) vs. B.J. Penn
This fight is an immediate rematch after their first fight which Edgar won via unanimous decision in five rounds. To me I can see Penn learning and adapting to Edgar's style. Edgar seems to be a one trick pony who will try to do the same thing he did the last fight. Penn has seemed really motivated to win this match as he has been on top of the world's lightweight division for many years. Penn will take this as he has more ways to win than Edgar. The only advantage Edgar truly has over Penn is stamina, but Penn is most likely going to finish this fight.
Penn defeats Edgar via submission (later rounds)

Heavyweight bout: Randy Couture vs. James Toney
This fight really seems interesting to me as Toney is really trying to hype himself and promote this fight by taunting Couture by calling him names such as "princess". Couture has looked amazing his last few fights with his stamina and it looks like he has no intention to stop. Toney does have power, but he won't be able to land a clean punch on the much more agile Couture. Couture is sure to use his wrestling and clinch to tie up Toney. With Toney only having boxing to win and Couture being a well balanced fighter this will go to Couture. Couture will most likely take Toney down and damage him there.
Couture defeats Toney via knockout/ tko/ submission (first/ second round)

Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda
This fight will turn out to be very one-sided. Maia got exposed in his fight with Anderson Silva and he is sure to look the same. Miranda on the other-hand looks great and is a fighter who is balanced. Maia only has jiu-jitsu in his arsenal while Miranda can submit Maia or knock Maia out. People can even compare Miranda to Anderson Silva as they are both well- balanced fighters.
Miranda defeats Maia via knockout/ tko (first/ second round)

Lightweight bout: Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard
The importance of this fight is very large as it is said tat the winner will go on to fight the winner of the championship fight in the lightweight division. Maynard is looking really good at winning this fight as he is extremely powerful for this division. Maynard is a world class wrestler who trains with the like of Randy Couture. Florian though is the well-rounded fighter in this contest. Florian has good stand-up and jiu-jitsu, but Florian won't be able to maneuver himself away for Maynard's powerful takedowns and stand-up.
Maynard defeats Florian via knockout/ tko (second/ third round)

Welterweight bout: Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis
Now this fight will be much to the boxing fans' delight as these two fighters have been known to have great fights that stayed on the feet. This will be a brawl in stand-up as Diaz doesn't look like he is powerful enough to takedown Davis. If Diaz somehow does take Davis down it will be done as Diaz has great jiu-jitsu. Overall Diaz has more ways to win and has the youth advantage while age seems to be a factor with the 37-year old Davis.
Diaz defeats Davis via knockout/ tko (first round)