Preliminary Card:
Yves Edwards vs John Gunderson - Gunderson by decision
Edwards has more experience and is the better striker of the two. However his best days are behind him and he won't be able to stop Gunderson's takedowns. Gunderson will grind out the unanimous decision.
Jared Hamman vs Kyle Kingsbury - Hamman by TKO round 2
Kingsbury has promise but he's been out for about a year and I think the layoff will hurt him against an explosive guy like Hamman. Hamman will push the pace and overwhelm Kingsbury.
Brian Foster vs Forrest Petz - Foster by TKO round 1
Petz's best days are far behind him. Foster is a quality prospect that I believe is better standing and on the ground than Petz is. This one won't be pretty.
Tomasz Drwal vs Dave Branch - Drwal by decision
Branch is talented on the ground but I don't think he can get Drwal there. Drwal will dominate the striking and on the ground he'll spend most of the time on top.
Anthony Waldburger vs David Mitchell - Mitchell by decision
I've never seen Waldburger fight before but from what i've read he's a one dimensional grappler. Mitchell has more big fight experience.
Rich Attonito vs Rafael Natal - Natal by TKO round 2
TUF prospect (Attonito) vs regular prospect (Natal). Very tough fight to pick. I wanted to pick Attonito because I love him for beating Jamie Yager but I think Natal is a little bit past him in the development stage.
Main Card:
Ross Pearson vs Cole Miller - Pearson by TKO round 2
Miller has shown signs of brilliance but has also showed lots of weakness especially with his striking. Pearson is a much better striker and I think he's too strong for Miller. I think this will be a relatively easy win for Pearson.
Jim Miller vs Gleison Tibau - Tibau by decision
Miller is good but the style clash is not in his favor this time. He's had big problems with a wrestling disadvantage in the past against Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar.Tibau is a massive 155lber to the point where I don't understand how he makes the cut. Miller won't be able to stop his takedowns and Tibau's top control is too much for Miller.
Efrain Escudero vs Charles Oliveira - Escudero by decision
Oliveira definitely has the superior submission game. Escudero I think however is too strong for him and his wrestling is too good for Oliveira. Expect a top control clinic from Escudero with a few submission scares en route to a unanimous decision.
Nate Marquardt vs Rousimar Palhares - Marquardt by TKO round 1
Palhares is a jiu-jitsu wizard but is at a significant power and wrestling disadvantage. Marquardt should handle him in a similar fashion that he did with Demian Maia. Palhares won't be able to get it to the ground and Marquardt will blast away on the feet.
KO of the Night - Nate Marquardt
Submission of the Night - N/A
Fight of the Night - Jared Hamman vs Kyle Kingsbury
UFC Ultimate Fight Night 22 predictions
