Home Categories Miscellaneous The FightLockdown Forecast - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva
The FightLockdown Forecast - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva
Written by Miles Hackett   
Friday, 01 January 2010 20:03
Tomorrow night from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Zuffa LLC will be bringing us its most injury beleaguered MMA card ever, UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva. Instead of discussing the struggle involved in keeping this card alive, Jamie Hughes, Brad Taschuk, and Matt Bremner, will be keeping Dana White off their backs by breaking down the fights actually taking place. Hold onto your umbrella because another forecast is coming your way!



“Sugar” Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva

Jamie Hughes: In this fight, I think it is imperative for Silva to get off to a fast start and look to pressure Evans from the get-go, as “Sugar” is known for being a slow starter. Silva should look to use his footwork to cut off angles so that Evans cannot get in his hit and move rhythm, while mixing-up his striking patterns with a range of kicks to keep Evans guessing. Conversely, Evans should look to use his very good boxing skills to jab and move, frustrating Silva in the early part of the fight. By doing so, Rashad will eventually bait Silva into close quarters later on in the bout, so that he can look for the knockout blow  – which he is more than capable of delivering. Winner via 3rd round (T)KO: Rashad Evans.

Brad Taschuk: There is one aspect to this fight which makes it not quite as one-sided as many people are making it seem, and that is Rashad’s tendency to get off to slow starts, and get hit a lot in the early stages of his contests. He’s shown both of those characteristics in his last 3 fights, and only one of those opponents has truly been able to capitalize. I don’t think Silva will be able to take advantage either, since he doesn’t have true one shot stopping power and he does he best work from top position. Against Rashad, he won’t ever get top position, and one shot won’t stop him. Eventually Rashad will find his rhythm and tag Thiago’s chin, which will spell the beginning of the end for the ATT product. Winner via 2nd Round (T)KO: Rashad Evans.

Matt Bremner: Much has been made of Thiago Silva's “weak chin”, which I don't really buy. Timing was his downfall against Machida, who hit him with a shot he didn't expect that would have dropped almost anyone, and Rashad went down from a much weaker blow, though neither of these factors are my main concern.. My biggest concern in this fight is that Evans is a notoriously slow starter, and in a 3 round fight, where he doesn't land that one big shot, he's going to be in big trouble. He has claimed to work on his wrestling, which could be a boon or a curse, considering against Bisping his wrestling looked atrocious and it tired him out before the end of the fight. However, at the end of the day, as a student of history, I have to go with it in this one, and despite Rashad's slow start, eventually he'll get it together when Greg Jackson babytalks him in the corner, and he'll come out and eventually stop Thiago, who will make this fight far closer than most people think. Winner via 3rd round (T)KO: Rashad Evans.


The Final Forecast: Evans puts Thiago Silva's lights-out before all is said and done.


Paul “Semtex” Daley vs. Dustin “McLovin” Hazelett

Jamie: In my favorite bout of the evening, a welterweight clash between Paul ”Semtex” Daley and returning submission expert, Dustin Hazelett. This fight, to me, is a great bit of matchmaking for Daley. I think “Semtex” will use his far superior stand-up to control things early on, and look to figure out Hazelett before going in for the kill. That said, if the fight hits the ground Daley will have to scramble well and fast because Hazelett could easily catch him on the ground. However, I do not believe Hazelett will have the wrestling to get Daley down, and his best bet is from inside the clinch with a trip or throw or pulling guard. In my honest (and slightly biased opinion - huge Daley fan here) I think Daley takes this tilt. Winner via 1st round (T)KO: Paul Daley.

Brad: This fight is going one of two very specific ways. Either Hazelett can’t figure out how to get it to the ground, and Daley punishes him for the finish on the feet, or Paul can’t keep the fight standing and Dustin makes a pretzel of him on the ground. I think that Hazelett has more ways to get this fight to the ground than Daley will know how to defend, and eventually it will result in another highlight reel submission. Plus, we’ve seen the recent success of beards in MMA, so that gives McLovin an added edge. Winner via 1st round Submission: Dustin Hazelett.

Matt: Paul Daley has serious power and seriously technical striking, I won't argue that for one second. However, his ground game leaves everything to be desired and if you give Dustin Hazelett the time of day, he will submit you in fancy fashion. I expect Hazelett to get hit in this fight, but as so much of Daley's dangerousness comes from his combinations, I have to think that before he can land 3 or 4 punches, McLovin can get him on the ground, and if it hits the ground for an extended period of time, Hazelett will end the fight. Winner via 2nd round Submission: Dustin Hazelett.


The Final Forecast: McLovin' violates Daley on the ground, the FLD forum weeps violently.


Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon vs. Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout

Jamie: I think Lauzon has good enough stand-up to match Stout and his ground game and wrestling are far superior. Stout has a puncher’s chance, but I see a quick submission victory for Lauzon. Winner via 1st round Submission: Joe Lauzon.

Brad: This is a match the UFC would like us to believe has some ramifications in the LW division, but reality neither of these guys will ever sniff the title in this lifetime. Lauzon is a well-rounded guy, who would be best served taking this fight down and exposing Stout’s ground game. That is not to say Lauzon can’t also find success on the feet, since Stout is a vastly overrated kick boxer who may have actually benefited from his coach Shawn Tompkins leaving for another gym. Lauzon is an intelligent fighter, so look for him to take the path of least resistance to victory here. Winner via 2nd round Submission: Joe Lauzon.

Matt: Sam Stout is a tough Canadian, and unfortunately, that's about all the good things I can say about him going into this fight. He has hands, but doesn't really possess the Johnny Flamingo One Shot Bingo power that he'd need for me to even remotely lean towards him in this fight. He's up against Joe Lauzon, who may never challenge for a belt, but has more than enough on the feet and on the floor to win this fight by keeping Stout on the ground, though he probably won't be able to finish the game Canuck. Winner via Unanimous Decision: Joe Lauzon.


The Final Forecast: J-Lau shakes off the rust and dominates Stout on the ground.


Duane “Bang” Ludwig vs. Jim Miller

Jamie: Ludwig is always a danger standing, but he has shown that the ground is his weakness and Jim Miller fits the bill to exploit that. If Miller stays disciplined on the feet and is patient, he will get the takedown and should be able to control Ludwig, and maybe forcing a late submission. Winner via Unanimous Decision: Jim Miller.

Brad: Jim Miller didn’t exactly set the world on fire in his last appearance at UFC 103, but he got the victory. In this bout, I don’t foresee Jim needing to look fantastic either, since he’s facing UFC retread “Bang” Ludwig. Ludwig has struggled every time he’s stepped up in competition for the last 5 years, and expect this to be no different. Bang has lost some of his explosion on the feet over time, and Miller should have no trouble taking him down and eventually working towards a submission. Winner via 1st round Submission: Jim Miller.

Matt: I'm not sure what to say here that isn't somewhat obvious. Duane Ludwig is on his third trip to the UFC, and since neither of his first two were successful, I don't have much hope that this one will be. He's up against Jim Miller, a solid grappler who is definitely on the rise. Unfortunately for “Bang”, he's never shown much on the ground, despite his claims that he's been trying for longer than any of us have been watching MMA. I don't see any of his work paying dividends, as Miller makes Ludwig tap rather quickly. Winner via 1st round Submission: Jim Miller.


The Final Forecast: Miller submits Duane before he gets a chance to "bang".


Junior “Cigano” dos Santos vs. Gilbert “Hurricane” Yvel

Jamie: If Dos Santos is smart, he will strike and test the water, and then look to take down Yvel where he can dominate him on the ground. We all have seen enough of Dos Santos to safely say he likes a good brawl and, if he does, I think he has to be extremely careful as Yvel has some serious power. Should Dos Santos use his obvious boxing skills correctly he will be able to catch Yvel swinging wildly for the knockout. Winner via 1st round (T)KO: Junior dos Santos.

Brad: This fight is extremely dangerous for Junior dos Santos, since Yvel has the ability to stop anyone at any time with his power. However, Junior possesses the same weapon with his devastating power, but has also presumably developed some semblance of a ground game through training with the Nogueiras. I still find that dos Santos telegraphs his power punches pretty badly, and Yvel is one of the few HWs who can capitalize on that. Because of that fact, I think this fight breaks down simply. If it stays on the feet, eventually Gilbert will catch Junior with a big shot, and end the title hopes of the young Brazilian, but if JDS takes it to the ground, he’ll have no trouble garnering the victory. Winner via 3rd round (T)KO: Junior dos Santos.

Matt: One of the fastest rising heavyweight stars in the UFC's heavyweight division meets up with a man known as much for his insanity as his knockout victims. Yvel has power and he has experience, but he just doesn't have the things he really needs to beat the frightening attack of “Cigano”. Dos Santos has proven that he knows how to keep distance, pick spots and wear a fighter down, he has also shown that he can put you to bed with a submarine uppercut not seen since Street Fighter hit arcades. I expect “Cigano” to pepper Yvel until Gilbert gets frustrated, and when he starts to turn it up, he will shut Yvel off. Winner via 3rd round (T)KO: Junior dos Santos.


The Final Forecast: Not even a Hurricane will stop Junior dos Santos from continuing his violent march to a title shot.


Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann vs. Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann

Jamie: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Martin Kampmann.

Brad: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Martin Kampmann.

Matt: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Martin Kampmann.


The Final Forecast: Kampmann makes "Christmas" feel dumb and dumber for accepting this bout.


Cole "Magrino" Miller vs. Dan Lauzon

Jamie: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Cole Miller.

Brad: Winner via 2 nd round Submission: Cole Miller.

Matt: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Cole Miller.


The Final Forecast: Miller returns to form by beating up on D-Lau.



Mark Munoz vs. Ryan Jensen

Jamie: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Mark Munoz.

Brad: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Mark Munoz.

Matt: Winner via 2nd round Submission: Ryan Jensen.


The Final Forecast: Munoz outwrestles Jensen for the judges' favor.


Mike “Quicksand” Pyle vs. Jake Ellenberger

Jamie: Winner via 2nd round (T)KO: Jake Ellenberger.

Brad: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Jake Ellenberger.

Matt: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Jake Ellenberger.


The Final Forecast: Jake decisively wades through "Quicksand".


John Gunderson vs. Rafaello Oliveira

Jamie: Winner via 1st round Submission: John Gunderson.

Brad: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Rafaello Oliveira.

Matt: Winner via Unanimous Decision: Rafaello Oliveira.


The Final Forecast: Oliveira bounces back with a win over the Lion's Den's Gunderson.