UFC 86 Predictions

Jackson Vs. Griffin - Prediction

The Championship fight sees the two Ultimate Fighter coaches squaring up with Jackson putting his Light Heavyweight title on the line against former police officer and all round nice guy Forest Griffin. The bookies are right behind “Rampage” with Bodog offering odds of -260. Griffin is unbeaten in his last two outings, after a superb rear naked choke put Mauricio Rua to bed at UFC 76 and will be looking for more of the same this time out but even with the crowd behind him this could prove to be one step too far. It’s hard to look beyond Jackson, the man who has twice knocked out Chuck Liddell and more recently put away Pride champion Dan Henderson. My heart says Griffin but my head says Jackson is going to retain his title.

Patrick Cote Vs. Ricardo Almeida- Prediction

This Middleweight matchup is a very tough one to call. Patrick “Predator” Cote has demonstrated his undoubted knockout power and hasn’t lost since the Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale against Travis Lutter. Bookies have him down as favourite with Bookmaker.com offering odds of -140. “Big Dog” Almeida has had three years off to concentrate on his Jiu-Jitsu school before returning at UFC 81 and choking out Rob Yundt. I fancy him to spring a surprise and take this and with odds of +110 I think he’s worth a punt.

Joe Stevenson Vs. Gleison Tibau - Prediction

A submission by BJ Penn at UFC 80 ended an impressive run of 4 straight wins for takedown and wrestling specialist Stevenson. He’s back at UFC 86 to put things straight taking on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Tibau who himself is coming off a loss to Tyson Griffin at UFC 81. I think Stevenson will be too strong for Tibau and the bookmakers seem to share the same opinion with Stevenson priced favourite at -215 with Tibau and outside bet at +175 at Bodog.

Josh Koscheck Vs. Chris Lytle- Prediction

Koscheck is a massive favourite in this one with Betus.com pricing him at -350. If you fancy a little flutter on outsider “Lights Out” Lytle then you are looking at odds of +250. Koscheck is three years younger, an outstanding athlete and top class wrestler and it’s no surprise he’s odds on favourite in this one. He recovered well from his loss to Georges St. Pierre to beat Dustin Hazelett at UFC 82 and I have no doubts he’ll come out on top here.

Tyson Griffin Vs. Marcus Aurelio - Prediction

This lightweight belt sees the ferocious ground and pound of Griffin up against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Aurelio. Although 3rd degree black belt Aurelio has won his last two outings in the very first round the bookies don’t fancy him here and make him as a big outsider with bookmaker.com offering odds of +275. Three wins in a row for Griffin coming into this fight and the bookies have him as favourite at -375. I’d be inclined to agree, if Griffin lands some punches this one could be over early.

Jorge Gurgel Vs. Cole Miller- Prediction

This fight is going to be tight and looking at the odds the bookies don’t seem to have a clear idea who is going to emerge the victor. On Bookmaker.com and Betus.com Miller is the favourite by a whisker whilst Bodog have Gurgel the short price at -120. Gurgel is the more aggressive fighter of the two with superb stand up kickboxing but I think Miller will get this one to the ground quickly as he can and when he does his submission skills could well see him come out on top.