Try to keep this under wraps, because I have a very prestigious reputation to uphold for being able to pick my nose better than a fight, but...
http://thegarv.com/Dissection-by-Dallas-UFC-114-Prediction-Leftovers.html
Todd Duffee x Mike Russow
Exciting new heavyweight prospect Todd Duffee makes his eagerly anticipated return to action after securing the UFC's fastest knockout over Tim Hague (even though Bang vs. Goulet was much quicker than the official time represents). The ATT beast takes a monstrous leap in competition against the dangerous Mike Russow, who holds an impressive submission win over the feisty Roman Zentsov in the ephemeral Yarennoka promotion, and has only been bested by Sergei Kharitonov in Pride
I'm the stubborn type of party pooper who prefers to value the tangibility of performance and experience versus top competition over the excitement of amazing potential. Duffee undoubtedly has the horsepower to become a great heavyweight, but the infancy of his career leaves too many questions for me to think he can top a wary veteran like Russow. The endless hours Duffee's been punching in on the time card at the prestigious ATT camp should endow him with enough submission savvy to steer clear of Russow's aggressive ground attack, but Russow is an ultra-steep test for Duffee at this point. My prediction: Russow by decision
Diego Sanchez x John Hathaway
Before you come to the conclusion yourself, allow me point out in advance how I'm completely contradicting my basis for picking Russow over Duffee by picking undefeated London Shootfighter John Hathaway to edge Diego Sanchez for the upset. Hathaway proved that his success in Cage Rage was legit with enthusiastic displays of his formidable strength and wrestling in his three-straight UFC wins over Tom Egan, Rick "Horror" Story, and Paul Taylor.
Sanchez is seeking to rebuild his once prominent status after falling short in two separate stints at welter- and lightweight, being horribly mauled and partially disfigured by B.J. Penn in his last venture. He returns to 170 pounds with the intention of stepping on Hathaway to get back up, but the lanky Brit got the better end of the wrestling battle in his bout with Story, who's no shabby wrestler himself. Though Diego plainly has the more proven ground assault and experience against top competition, I think Hathaway can use his height and 4" reach advantage to keep Diego at bay when he charges forward, and has enough grappling savvy to hold his own against Diego's aggression. Diego has enhanced the berserk bull rush he employs to distract with strikes and snag a takedown by cleaning up his boxing game, but his charge into close distance is still fairly predictable. My prediction: Hathaway by decision
Luis Cane x Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate
Yes, another upset; and this is actually the one I'm feeling the best about. Towering French kickboxer Cyrille Diabate is making his UFC debut as the gangliest 205'er in the light-heavyweight landscape, and boasts an extensive history in pure striking. Cane hasn't shown the slightest interest or desire to do anything but stand and trade, and despite the rocket-fueled power of his devastating straight left and admirable Thai repertoire, Diabate should be able to keep him on the business end of his lanky strikes and pinpoint tiny openings to land the higher quantity of more meaningful blows.
My prediction: Diabate by TKO
