UFC 108 predictions, preview and analysis

UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva" is set to go down this Saturday, January 2, 2010 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, live via pay-per-view.

Remember: MMAmania.com will provide LIVE updates with blow-by-blow, round-by-round commentary of the main card action on fight night, which is slated to air on PPV at 10 p.m. ET.

To get us pumped for the event, MMAmania.com Editor and Senior Writer, Jesse Holland (that’s me), has once again rallied the troops for a breakdown of the televised main card fights. All your favorite contributors are here, bringing you an in-depth look at each contest.

One of the big stories coming into this event is of course the headlining fight between Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva. Will Saturday night be sweet for "Suga?" Or will the Brazilian smashing machine dissolve his title aspirations?

And does a victory for either fighter guarantee them a shot at the winner of Machida vs. Shogun 2?

There are also a lot of unanswered questions regarding the future of Paul Daley. Is it reasonable to believe that the power-puncher is a legitimate title contender if he gets exposed by Dustin Hazelett's ground game?

And does a win for "McLovin" give him the right to challenge a top five welterweight?

Also on tap is the heavyweight scrap between Junior dos Santos and Gilbert Yvel. "Cigano" has punched his way through a good portion of the 265-pound roster -- but may need one more big finish to put him among the ranks of Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez.

Would stopping "Hurricane" give him that honor?

There will certainly be a lot to talk about on Sunday morning.

I’ve also included the current betting lines for each fight so that you can get a feel for what the money has to say about the chances of each combatant.

Now, enough with the formalities … let’s get cracking:

205 lbs.: Rashad Evans (13-1-1) vs. Thiago Silva (14-1)

Derek Bolender predicts: The main event of the evening pits former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (13 - 1 - 1) against another top contender in Thiago Silva (14 - 1).

We've seen "Suga" over the past few months coaching on The Ultimate Fighter season 10. He has not actually fought since current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida purchased a house for him on queer street back at UFC 98 in May 2009.

Silva, like Evans, was also handed his first professional loss by "The Urinator" Machida. He rebounded with an impressive throttling of Evans' teammate Keith Jardine at UFC 102 in August 2009.

Evans' biggest strengths have to be solid wrestling base and his ever improving hands that are as fast and as crisp as they come. Just ask the tango master Chuck Liddell. On second thought, he probably does not remember.

A win over the Brazilian striker would be a huge feather in the cap of Evans who is looking to right the ship and get back to his winning ways.

Silva, on the other hand, is being marketed in the UFC 108 commercial as a "jiu-jitsu black belt," implying he's some sort of reigning Abu Dhabi open weight winner.

While it may be true he's a black belt the label is a bit misleading as he is, first and foremost (or so I thought), one of the best pure Muay Thai strikers in MMA. He is rarely ever seen on the ground in a submission battle.

There is only one certainty in this fight. In no way, shape, or form will this turn into a grappling match.

It is almost a sure thing like me rescuing former octagon girl Logan Stanton from the unemployment line, her falling in love with me, and me finding a way to sneak her back into the UFC.

 ... but enough about my New Year's resolution. 

Silva likely would never be able to secure a takedown against the seasoned wrestler anyways. Likewise, Evans would not be interested in wasting his energy or putting on a boring show in the headlining fight now that his popularity is peaking. Very little to no grappling means this will turn into a stand-up war that I believe will morph into a glorified boxing match.

When it inevitably ensues Evans will look to stay on the outside, shuffle his feet and stay on the move, and patiently wait to unleash his hands. As the saying goes, "the shortest distance between two points is a straight line," however, Evans tends to get a bit loopy at times with his punches.

On the other hand, Silva is very technical. He stays in tight, straight, and is very disciplined. He will need to get in close to inflict damage on Evans while avoiding getting sniped with a right or left hook. It is a dangerous proposition as both men have one punch knockout power, but I expect Silva to find success in close and allow his pressure to negate the counter striking of Evans.

We have seen recently what happens when Evans is put on his heels. He struggled in exchanges against Forrest Griffin at times. Machida was even more successful at making him both tentative and continually guessing. Evans has a tendency to turn into Tony Romo in the playoffs when pressure is applied. 

Ultimately, the combination of Silva's hands, his overbearing aggressiveness, and Evans' long layoff will be the hat trick from hell that will decide the fight.

Roughly 75% (73.3%) of the time Silva knocks out his opponent. I like those odds to improve on Saturday night.

Thiago "don't call me Alves or Anderson" Silva shall reign supreme.

Betting lines (as of Jan. 1):

Evans: -210 ((Bet Now))

Silva: +165 ((Bet Now))

Prediction: Silva via TKO

170 lbs.: Paul Daley (22-8-2) vs. Dustin Hazelett (12-4)

Adam Wagner predicts: Prior to getting injured training for UFC 96, Dustin Hazelett (12-4) had earned consecutive "Submission of the Night" victories over Tamdan McCrory and Josh Burkman. A seven-fight UFC veteran, "McLovin's" jitz had looked sicker and sicker with each fight, and his stand-up was coming along nicely, as seen in his close loss to Josh Koscheck at UFC 82 and in every fight since.

Hazelett was due to make his long-awaited comeback at UFC 106; however, Karo Parisyan's demons struck again, forcing a last-minute cancellation of the bout. At 6'1", the lanky Hazelett is immensely talented, but not having fought since November 2008, the question of ring rust cannot be ignored.

Paul Daley (22-8-2) is a bad Brit with dynamite in his hands. In his lone UFC appearance, "Semtex" showed no jitters at all in derailing Martin Kampmann's impending title shot dreams in just two minutes and 31 seconds. He's won 10 of his last 12 with losses to Jake Shields and Nick Thompson, both highly regarded opponents.

An impressive 17 of Daley's 22 wins are by (T)KO. He's got knees and punches in dime bags. But five of his eight losses are by submission, and that's what Hazelett has to bank on. If Hazelett is to win, he'll have to respect the power of "Semtex" and take this fight to the ground his first opportunity.

But something tells me Hazelett won't. Daley's last win helped put him on the map among general UFC audiences (hardcore fans have known him for years). This is his coming out party.

Betting lines (as of Jan. 1):

Hazelett: -105 ((Bet Now))

Daley: +135 ((Bet Now))

Prediction: Daley via technical knockout

155 lbs.: Joe Lauzon (18-4) vs. Sam Stout (14-5-1)

Nate Lawson predicts: While UFC 108 saw fighter after fighter drop off the card due to injury, this weekend's event marks the return of dynamic lightweight Joe "J-Lau" Lauzon.

Lauzon (18-4) is coming off knee surgery that kept him out of the latter half of 2009. However, a speedy recovery to go along with his insatiable desire to fight is what has Lauzon ready to fight at 100%, months ahead of schedule.

Welcoming back "J-Lau" Sat. evening is Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout, who ended a two fight losing streak earlier this year with a unanimous decision victory over Matt Wiman at UFC 97. However, that win is only the third in Stout's seven-fight UFC career; a career that has fallen well short of the expectations that had been held for "Hands of Stone".

Lauzon, however, has had a nearly flawless career in the UFC at 5-1. His lone loss was a technical knockout loss to Kenny Florian at "Ultimate Fight Night 13", though several illegal elbows in the first round which cut Lauzon badly could have been an overwhelming factor.

When "Baby Joe" and Stout meet at UFC 108 this Saturday, the result should be fairly cut and dry. Stout holds a slight advantage in the stand up, but the unorthodox style of Lauzon is a curveball that could baffle the Team Tompkins fighter.

On the ground, the match up is not even close. Lauzon holds a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has utilized his skill against fighters such as Jeremy Stephens, Jason Reinhardt and Brandon Melendez. If Stout feels the cold, hard canvas against his back, he has entered Lauzon's world, where his survival is somewhat unlikely.

Stout's chances at winning against Lauzon at the MGM Grand this Sat. are greatly hindered due to the fact that throughout his UFC career he has been unable to finish fights, as six of his seven fights in the UFC have gone the distance. While that displays his durability and heart, Lauzon has never gone to a decision in his entire career.

This bout has Lauzon's name written all over it. With his unorthodox, yet effective stand up (just ask Jens Pulver), "J-Lau" should be able to manage anything Stout can throw at him on the feet. When the fight hits the ground, that is where Lauzon should get his finish with a second round submission victory over Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout.

Betting lines (as of Jan. 1):

Lauzon: -300 ((Bet Now))

Stout: +220 ((Bet Now))

Prediction: Lauzon via submission

155 lbs.: Duane Ludwig (19-9) vs. Jim Miller (15-2)

James Iannotti predicts: "Bang" has an impressive list of past opponents, including BJ Penn, Josh "The Punk" Thomson, Takanori Gomi, Paul "Semtex" Daley, Tyson Griffin and others. He's fought a ton of talented guys, but the thing is, he lost to all those guys. He's basically lost the majority of his fights against UFC caliber competition.

That's not a knock on him, he's a tough, respected veteran. But don't expect anything other than another hard fought loss against a superior opponent for him in this fight.

He does have the advantage in the stand up with a solid kickboxing background and 10 career wins by TKO. And he's not too shabby with submissions either, so its definitely going to be a tough fight.

But Miller is stronger, he's a better wrestler, he's harder to finish, and he probably has the better ground game of the two. Plus he's red hot right now, having won 4 of 5 fights in the UFC.

Look for Miller to basically out-work Ludwig en route to his fifth win inside the Octagon, more than likely another unanimous decision.

Betting lines (as of Jan. 1):

Miller: -500 ((Bet Now))

Ludwig: +350 ((Bet Now))

Prediction: Miller via unanimous decision

265 lbs.: Junior Dos Santos (9-1) vs. Gilbert Yvel (36-13-1)

Akimitsu Kuwabara predicts: "Cigano" immediately vaulted himself through the ranks of UFC heavyweight upon his UFC debut when he upset the former top UFC heavyweight contender, Fabricio Werdum. His momentum shows no sign of waning with consecutive pummeling of Stefan Struve and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.

Gilbert Yvel has built his infamy as much on his arsenal of incinerating strikes as on his nefarious conduct. His in-ring rap sheet includes biting, eye gouging, and KO-ing a referee. In fact, his transgressions have led to the denial of his license to fight in Nevada before. A veteran of the now defunct Rings, PRIDE, and Affliction, he holds notable wins over Cheick Kongo, Valentijn Overeem, Akira Shoji, and most recently, Pedro Rizzo.

Dos Santos and Yvel have displayed the eagerness to let their hands go and have never gone the distance in their victories (9 and 36, respectively), most of which have come by (T)KO. Thus, if they stick to their usual fistic routine, the fans are in treat for a potential Fight of the Night. Once a top heavyweight prospect hailing from European circuit, Yvel has seen the luster on his career wear off in recent years. Nevertheless, he is still a potent knock-out machine with grenades in his fists and knees.

He has proven to know a thing or two about defensive grappling and capable of doing damage even from his guard. In his three UFC fights, Dos Santos has shown power and precision in his strikes. It took him 54 seconds to starch the 6`11" Stefan Struve. Despite facing a legend past his prime in his last fight at UFC 103, he displayed measured aggression to dismantle Mirko Cro Cop.

While Yvel is still capable of knocking anyone out with a single strike, Dos Santos is the more technically sound striker. Moreover, the strategic discipline he has shown thus far will be his biggest weapon against Yvel whose aggression and wild strikes tend to compromise his defense and techniques.

Dos Santos has not shown much of his grappling in his UFC fights but training with Nogueira brothers on a regular basis should equip him with at least decent jiu jitsu skills. As long as he has decent takedown and ground game, he should not have much problem securing dominant position to work for submissions or flatten Yvel with ground-and-pound.

Expect Dos Santos to execute a sound game plan to outwork Yvel on the feet and on the ground en route to a decision victory.

Betting lines (as of Jan. 1):

Dos Santos: -350 ((Bet Now))

Yvel: +250 ((Bet Now))

Prediction: Dos Santos via unanimous decision

That’s a wrap, folks.

Remember to come check us out after the show for all the latest results, recaps and coverage of UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva."

What do you think? Now it’s your turn … let us have it in the comments section and share your thoughts and picks for Saturday’s event.