The UFC returns to PPV this Saturday night in the most anticipated fight of 2012, as Chael Sonnen challenges Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title in the main event of UFC 148. The rubber match between light heavyweight legends Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin acts as the co-main event of the evening, and middleweights Cung Le and Patrick Cote also battle on the PPV card.
UFC 148 Predictions:
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
In my heart I am rooting for Sonnen because I am tired of the reign of Anderson Silva. He is almost too good, and most of his fights are dreadfully one-sided. Sonnen has the tools to beat him, using the same game plan as he did in the first fight, however I think Silva has learned from that fight and will not take Sonnen lightly this time. Sonnen, despite being a great wrestler, leaves himself susceptible to the submission, I think that while on the ground Silva will catch something on Sonnen and submit him inside of three rounds. SB Naton AZ Predicts: Silva via submission
Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin
A matchup of two UFC legends in the twilight of their respective careers. Ortiz has won only one fight since 2006, and Griffin hasn't finished a fight since 2007. My heart is telling me Ortiz, he is retiring after this fight and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame before this fight. But I do not think he still has the tools to beat Griffin. I think this fight will be a war as Ortiz wants to go out on a high note, and Griffin wants to prove he is not done. SB Nation AZ Predicts: Griffin via unanimous decision
Le came in with a lot of hype for his UFC debut last November, and was knockout out by Wanderlei Silva at UFC 139. Le is the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, but with only nine fights is still relatively young in his MMA career. Cote is making his return to the UFC after a two years of fighting around the world. Cote is a former title challenger as his was defeated by Silva at UFC 90. Cote is 4-0 since leaving the UFC, but has not faced the level of competition lately that Le has. SB Nation AZ Predicts: Le by knockout
For full fight night coverage of UFC 148, head over to MMAFighting.com