UFC 136: Main Card Predictions

Written by Jake Thompson
Friday, 07 October 2011 20:55

Our UFC 136 predictions are in and we hope they’ll keep our recent mixed martial arts hot streak going.

UFC 136 is coming up on Saturday and we wanted to take a second to preview the fight card and release predictions on the pay-per-view potion of the night.  All of the UFC 136 odds we used in our predictions are from 5Dimes Sportsbook, and we recommend betting on the card there since they are giving our readers a 50% cash bonus just for using the link we provided to get started.

UFC 136 Fight Card & Betting Odds:

Frankie Edgar -130

Gray Maynard +110

Jose Aldo -360

Kenny Florian +300

Chael Sonnen -260

Brian Stann +220

Nam Phan -240

Leonard Garcia +200

Melvin Guillard -420

Joe Lauzon +335

Demian Maia -300

Jorge Santiago +250

Anthony Pettis -290

Jeremy Stephens +245

Stipe Miocic -245

Joey Beltran +205

Tiequan Zhang -125

Darren Elkins +105

Aaron Simpson -360

Eric Schafer +300

Steve Cantwell -135

Mike Massenzio +115

UFC 136 Predictions:

Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard

This will be the 3rd fight between these two after Maynard (10-0-1) won a decision in 2008 and their UFC 125 lightweight title fight ended in a draw with Edgar (13-1-1) taking control after nearly getting finished in a lopsided opening round.  Edgar is the champion, but he’s giving up size, reach, and wrestling advantages to his undefeated challenger.  Maynard landed everything he had in the first fight before Edgar started taking the late rounds, and I expect the champion to stay out of harm’s way a bit more this time around.  Look for Edgar to win a decision in another great 5-round scrap.

Jose Aldo vs. Kenny Florian

Florian (14-5) and Aldo (19-1) are fighting for the featherweight belt, and I’m just not seeing any way it changes hands at UFC 136.  Florian has strong technical striking, huge elbows, a nice ground game, and solid game plans, but Aldo just seems better in every facet.  Most know Aldo as the guy who has been destroying guys in the standup department, but what many don’t realize about him is that he’s one of the best Jiu Jitsu fighters in the sport as well.  Florian will look to control his opponent on the cage, but ultimately he won’t be good enough.  I’ll call for Aldo by a 3rd round submission after wobbling Florian with punches and kicks.

Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann

The story on Sonnen (25-11-1) has always been that he’s going to win if you can’t submit him, and I don’t think that Stann (11-3) possesses the skills to do that.  Stann has won by triangle choke before against a wrestler in Mike Massenzio, but Sonnen is a completely different beast.  Sonnen’s only two career TKO losses were via a cut and his corner stopping the fight, and the guy has a granite chin.  He should be able to withstand the heavy shots that Stann will throw before taking down his opponent for some ground and pound.  Rinse and repeat for 3 rounds and you have Sonnen getting the unanimous decision nod.

Nam Phan vs. Leonard Garcia

This is a rematch after Garcia (15-7-1) beat Phan (16-9) in a controversial decision on the Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale card.  The two engaged in a standup war with Garcia the aggressor, but it was Phan that was landing the meaningful and damaging blows for much of the action.  Now it’s time to do it again and I have to think the value is on Garcia to come out ahead.  The wild striker has never been knocked out and his all-out style is loved by the judges.  This one will be a standup battle and I’ll take the guy with the iron chin and go-forward aggression as a large underdog.  Garcia by split decision.

Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon

Guillard (29-8-2) is a powerful and efficient striker with serious knockout power and ever-improving takedown defense.  Lauzon (20-6) has a great offensive submission game, a strong chin, and an ability to finish fights early before the other fighter has a chance to find a rhythm.  Guillard has won 5 straight and looks to be just about ready for a title shot, but I think he’ll struggle here.  Lauzon has bested big punchers in Jeremy Stephens, Brandon Melendez, and Jens Pulver previously, and he’s tough enough to take some shots to get the fight to the ground.  Lauzon always come out fast, so I’m calling for a 1st round armbar victory in a huge upset.