Ultimate Fight Night 12 Preview

Mike “Quick” Swick vs Josh Burkman

The UFC has select a good opponent with Josh Burkman for Mike Swick's Welterweight debut. This fight also should show us all if Swick's future will be this weight class. Burkman won his last fight against Forrest Petz, whereas Swick was liable to Yushin Okami at UFC 69. Swick's advantage is clearly the stand-up, but I wouldn't underestimate Burkman's wrestling ability as well he'll try to take Swick down and pound his way to victory.

Overall, I think Swick should be able to defeat Burkman, he's the superior striker and has a huge reach advantage on Burkman. While on the other hand, Burkman's stand-up lacked technical prowness in many of his fights and simply throwing haymakers that are easy to avoid.

My Prediction: Mike "Quick" Swick via unanimous decision

Drew McFedries vs Patrick “The Predator” Cote

This is one of the more even fights of the evening. Patrick Cote ( 11-4 ) is on a winning streak, he won his last 3 fights lastly against Kendall Grove. He's all-around well skilled fighter who has shown a strong chin in his fight against Chris Leben. McFedries ( 6-2 ) is a Robbie Lawler type of puncher, he has great power in his hand, but is also criticized for his weak cardio.

At the stand-up they are pretty even matched and it should become an interesting fight if they decide to do so. On the ground Cote is the more dangerous fighter and should be able to control McFedries who didn't show much of any type of defence while on his back.

My Prediction: Patrick Cote via KO, Round 2

Nate Diaz vs Alvin “Kid” Robinson

Styles are what make this fight. Robinson is a powerful ground and pound fighter and has a great submission game on the ground that revolves around choking opponents out after pounding their skulls in. Diaz has the perfect game to combat this game.

Diaz has unbelievable jiu-jitsu skills, even if he is only a purple belt under Cesar Gracie, fighters wich are practicing under him definitely have an advantage on the ground. The other factor is his standup. It is well known that both Diaz brothers train under Luisito Espinosa, former WBC and WBA boxing champion. A combination of improving boxing, great jiu-jitsu, and the Diaz iron chin coupled with a “never say die” attitude, I can't go against Diaz here.

My Prediction: Nate Diaz via Submission, Round 2

Dennis Siver vs Gray Maynard

Dennis Siver surely has to face a tough opponent in his third UFC appearance, Gray Maynard. Siver has a good submission game nonetheless, but can he handle Maynard's power and wrestling ability?

Maynard trains out of Xtreme Couture, so he'll have sparring partners capable of imitating Siver, great wrestling instruction, and more than enough solid technical training to help him out for this matchup. His wrestling gives him impressive top control, and he should be able to punish Siver from the top.

My Prediction: Gray Maynard via TKO, Round 1

Quick Hits:

Kurt Pellegrino vs Alberto Crane

Alberto Crane is an impressive BJJ Black Belt with an unbelievable ground game, but his striking is non-existent. Pellegrino, on the other hand, is a very tough fight for anyone. He went to decision against Joe Stevenson at UFC 74, and dominated Nate Mohr and Junior Assuncao with his ground tactics.

The matchup here is BJJ black belt vs. an excellent wrestling ground game. Pellegrino has strength, but Crane has BJJ technique that is supposed to counter power. Will Crane pull a Royce Gracie over Kurt Pellegrino?

My Prediction: Alberto Crane via submission, Round 3

Thiago Tavares vs Michihiro Omigawa

This will be Tavares comeback after the first loss of his career against Tyson Griffin at UFC 76, he'll takes on Japanese Judoka Michihiro Omigawa who also lost at UFC 76 his debut against Matt Wiman.

Tavares has excellent submissions, and has a good win over a very good wrestler in Jason Black. Omigawa hasn't been impressive. His judo is decent, but he has losses to less than stellar competition. Tavares should pick up another good win to get back on track to move up in the division again.

My Prediction: Thiago Tavares via submission, Round 1

Matt Wiman vs Justin Bucholz

This is a tough pick. Wiman has some good standup, but always covers his entire head when in defensive mode. It seems odd to me that he would limit his vision that much to defend punches. Even with the faults in his defense, he has some decent striking, but fighters who take chances seem to capitalize on Wiman's chin.

Bucholz seems to be light on his feet and tries to calculate his shots. I'm looking for the upset.

Bucholz comes into this fight on an impressive KO streak. Only 1 of his 8 fights has made it out of the first round. Look for this one to make it to the second, but just barely. Bucholz will sprawl and brawl his way to a stoppage from strikes in the second round.

My Prediction: Justin Bucholz via TKO/KO, Round 2

Corey Hill vs Joe Veres

Maybe this is a long shot, but Joe Veres being KO'd early by Gray Maynard in his first fight in the UFC seems to be a fluke. Veres has unbelievable wrestling credentials, and Hill never fought a MMA battle until his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter.

Hill is coming into this fight with plenty of hype. He is a very tall and very lanky fighter for 155lbs. He has a good background in wrestling, but his wrestling is not on the level of Veres. I expect Hill to sprawl effectively and keep Veres away with his long jab. Eventually, he will connect with a well-timed punch or kick and finish Veres off.

My Prediction: Corey Hill via KO, Round 3

Cole Miller vs Jeremy Stephens

Cole Miller has the reach and jiu-jitsu skills. Stephens likes to brawl and has good power. Look for Miller to get the fight to the ground as soon as possible. Stephens will show an improved submission defense and will ground-and-pound Miller for 3 rounds earning himself the unanimous decision victory.

My Prediction: Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision

The preview is written by Blitz