UFC Fight for the Troops Preview

This week is one that is jam packed with UFC action.  It all starts on Wednesday in North Carolina as the UFC tries to give back to the troops that protect our freedom. Below are my predictions and quick preview of the main card.

Tim Credeur Vs. Nate Loughran
These two fighters have very similar styles and since styles make fights this one should be a good one. Tim Credeur has a technical jits game and will look to take control on the ground.  Tim like several of the fighters on the card is former military.  He will look to use the crowd to propel him to a win.  Loughran is not a house hold name unless you are a hardcore fan.  He has won an impressive 9 wins in a row and is undefeated as a pro fighter.  Nate is the type of guy that succeeds at anything he does.  He has won national championships in soccer, wrestled in college, and will look to continue his wining ways on Wednesday.

Pick:  Nate’s wrestling will allow him to determine where he wants this fight to go.  Credeur has been training off of his back but I don’t think it will be enough to stop the undefeated Loughran.  I am picking Loughran by referee stoppage and I am leaning toward ground and pound.

Steve Cantwell Vs. Razak Al-Hassan
I have one major rule when picking fights.  If you aren’t good enough to have your picture on UFC.com then you aren’t good enough to get my nod.  Al-Hassan does not have a picture therefor I will be leading toward Cantwell.  Speaking of Cantwell he is off of an impressive win over a former service man in Brian Stann.  The former WEC fighter will look to prove that the WEC was not the minor leagues and he should win this fight relatively easy.

Pick:  Cantwell by ref stoppage in the 1st.

Mike Swick Vs. Jonathan Goulet
Mike “Quick” Swick is a veteran in the UFC.  He has been around since the first season of TUF.  He is 12-2 (per UFC.com) with losses to Chris Leben and Yushin Okami.  Swick has basically established himself as a gatekeeper type of fighter in this division and he will stay that way unless he puts together an impressive win streak.  He is on his way with 2 straight wins over formidable opponents, and a win over Goulet would be the next step for his career.    Goulet started off in the UFC a little rocky with a 2-3 record.  2 of those losses were to Hazelett and Koscheck.  This is my pick for fight of the night, that is if it lasts long enough.  These two will stand and bang until someone falls down.

Pick:  Swick by TKO in the 3rd round

Josh Koscheck Vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Josh Koscheck needs no introduction.  He stepped up when the UFC was in a bind and fought title contender Thiago Alves less than 2 months ago in October.  Kos seemed outclassed by the top team  fighter and suffered the loss.  He did however show a great chin and heart as he never gave up even though he took a beating.  Yoshida is not worried about Koscheck’s great wrestling, he feels that his stand up game will allow him to take Kos down and control the fight.  Putting Kos on his back could be the key to victory for Yoshida.  His last fight was against troubled fighter John Koppenhaver or should I say War Machine..

Pick:  Although Yoshida does have a great judo game, he will not be able to take down Koscheck.  Yoshida’s striking isn’t close to Thiago Alves’ and Koscheck will show what he learned in the loss and defeat Yoshida on their feet.  Koscheck by TKO.

Take advantage of this fight card.  This one will be better than the one later in the week.  The fights will be better with much better talent.  Plus it is a chance to see top competition for free.  The UFC will want to put on a show for the troops so expect short fast paced fight and a few devastating knockouts.