UFC 46 Predictions  

Hermes Franca vs. Josh Thompson
Franca will probably want to go to the ground but Thompson, a more experience fighter, will probably want

to stand and trade or maybe ground and pound and will be able to either KO or TKO Franca. Both fighters

will come out hard but Thompson will get the best of Franca around the second round. 

Lee Murray vs. Jorge Rivera
These two fighters are really closely matched. Both fighters will fight their hearts out but there can only be

one winner - I'll give this one to Rivera by decision.

Karo Parisyan vs. George St. Pierre
For Parisyan to win, he has to dominate St. Pierre on the ground. St. Pierre has good ground skills and can

strike if need be so it could be lights out for Parisyan if he decides to stand. Don't get me wrong, Parisyan

has some stand-up skills himself but he still has more to learn. I will give this one to Parisyan by

submission late in the fight.

Frank Mir vs. Wes Sims
These two heavyweights will battle it out but I think Mir has learned that he should not take a beating if he

doesn't need to - like the one Ian Freeman gave him - so he will go in fast and try to submit Sims quickly -

so I'll give this one to Mir by submission either late in the first or early in the second (some kind of leg or

foot submission).

Matt Serra vs. Jeff Curran 

Serra will dominate and keep Curran busy and guessing - Serra will attempt submission after submission

and finally catch him with some kind of leg lock.

Carlos Newton vs. Renato Verissimo
Newton is a bit faster and more experienced and will be able to catch Verissimo in a submission late in the

second round.

Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn
This match seems to be one sided - Penn has bitten off more that he can chew in my opinion. Everyone has

a chance but I just don't see Penn pulling it off. Good luck BJ. - This one will go to Hughes by Ref stoppage

in the second round.

Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort
Belfort will take this one. I know what you are saying - are you crazy?  Let me explain - Couture doesn't

need to prove anything to anyone anymore. He is one of the best, if not the best, of the best. On the other

hand, Belfort has everything to prove to himself and to the rest of the world. I do believe Belfort has all the

skills that it takes to beat couture and not many people do. Belfort just has to put them to work, and its

going to be some hard work, but he will be able to pull it off . Belfort by Ref stoppage late in the fight.

My two cents (be it brief),

AL

(1/30/04)