Mark Bocek v. Joe Brammer

Bocek is 3-2 in the UFC, with his losses coming to Frank Edgar (a good loss) and Mac Danzig (Bad loss.) None of the wins are of any quality, and even if he wins this one, he is never really going to make any splash in the loaded 155 division. He does train with American Top Team, and is a BJJ black belt, so he’s got that going for him.

Brammer is making his UFC debut and doesn’t have a signature win on his resume. He is an accomplished grappler, having five wins by submission. He’s got to make a splash in this fight, because while he’s 7-0-1, this is a huge step up in competition.

Prediction: Bocek via unanimous decision

John Howard v. Dennis Hallman

Howard is an alumni of our personal favorite regional MMA promotion, Ring of Combat. He’s 2-0 in the UFC, with wins over Tamdan McCrory and Chris Wilson. He’s got a very balanced game with a specialty in Muay Thai. Six of his twelve wins have come by submission, so look for that in the fight.

Hallman is returning to the UFC for his second stint. He fought in the UFC as early as UFC 29, where he beat some guy named Matt Hughes. Now 34 years of age, he comes back for one last shot at glory. He’s got 28 submission victories to his credit, so expect that to be his gameplan against Howard.

Prediction: Howard via Submission

Brian Stann v. Rodney Wallace

Stann is famous for two things: His trio of fights with Steve Cantwell, and his military service. Like a lot of other fighters, he is a former marine, which garners him a ton of support from the fans. Since coming over in Zuffa’s acquiring of the WEC, he’s 1-1, losing to Krzysztof Soszynski and winning the rubber match against Cantwell. His forte is throwing hands, and don’t expect anything else.

Wallace is another prospect making his UFC debut. He’s 9-0, but hasn’t really fought anyone of note yet. The most I can tell you about him is that before taking up MMA, he was a division II running back. Besides that, not a ton about him is known. He hasn’t finished six of his nine wins, so I have a sneaky suspicion that he may be in over his head. But, hey, judge for yourself. Just found this on Youtube.

Prediction: Stann via TKO

Jon Madsen v. Justin Wren

Madsen’s fights on TUF were less than impressive. In the first, he defeated Abe Wagner, who is barely a viable fighter. He did open a hell of a cut on his head though. The second was against eventual finalist Brandon Schaub, and he was just overmatched. The ground and pound specialist from Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. Squad camp will have his chance to impress Dana and the boys and get a shot in the UFC.

Wren was one of the more impressive fighters on TUF in my opinion. He arm triangled Wes Sims and then lost to Roy Nelson in a fight that should have gone to a third round. I love his ground game and think that he has the advantadge standing as well. And none of this has anything to do with the fact that he’s our friend on Twitter.

Prediction: Wren via submission

Darill Schoonover v. James McSweeney

Schoonover is famous for being called “Titties” by Rampage on TUF, but he did win a fight which is more than most of Rampage’s team can say. He was 10-0 heading into TUF and defeated Zak Jensen in the first round. In the second round, he was overpowered by Marcus Jones and knockout out cold. Something to remember, Schoonover has been stop-lossed and is being sent to Afghanistan as part of the Army. He was discharged four years ago, and now he will be going back after Saturday. I don’t know about you, but that would effect my training.

McSweeney is a couple of things. First off, he’s a douche. Second, he is a decent fighter. He is part of the Greg Jackson camp, which means he’s got some of the best in the world to train with. He’s a strong wrestler who made it to the semi-finals before being stopped by Roy Nelson and the apparently unstoppable “fat-in-the-face” crucifix. He’d like to stand in this fight, and will get the chance to against Schoonover.

That being said, his spot on the show still should have went to ROC heavyweight champ Ricardo Romero, who holds a victory over McSweeney.

Prediction: McSweeney via TKO