UFC Fight Night 52: Bleacher Report Staff Main Card Picks

Craig Amos@@CAABRMMAX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 19, 2014

UFC Fight Night 52: Bleacher Report Staff Main Card Picks

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    Gregory Payan/Associated Press

    UFC Fight Night 52 is set for this Saturday, September 20. The show will be hosted at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, which means the North American audience will have to stay up late—or get up early—to catch the action on Fight Pass. 

    The start time is 12:30 a.m. ET, with the main card kicking off at 3 a.m. The card features a total of 12 bouts, split evenly over the prelims and main card.

    The main attraction features two of the biggest and hardest-hitting heavyweights lumbering the face of the Earth in Roy Nelson and Mark Hunt. The pairing promises to be spectacle and legitimate, high-quality sport rolled into a single entity, making for an intriguing show.

    As per usual, Bleacher Report's predictions crew is here to supply you with our picks for Saturday's contests. It's James "Magnesium" MacDonald, Riley "Krypton" Kontek, Scott "Helium" Harris, Sean "Silver" Smith and Craig "Carbon" Amos bringing you our thoughts on the UFC Fight Night 52 main card matchups.

2014 Standings

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    USA TODAY Sports

    We are nearing the end of the third quarter of 2014, and things are tight at the top. I currently hold a slender lead over Riley, and James has put himself right back in the thick of the chase for supremacy.

    On the other end of the spectrum, Sean is edging out Scott to avoid finishing at the back of the pack. That race is no battle for first, but for Scott and Sean, not getting last is most people's first.

    Here are the records to date:

    • Craig Amos: 106-59-1
    • Riley Kontek: 104-61-1
    • James MacDonald: 102-63-1
    • Sean Smith: 99-66-1
    • Scott Harris:  95-70-1 

    Now on to our Fight Night 52 forecasts.

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Jon Delos Reyes

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    James MacDonald

    Call me cynical, but this seems set up to put Horiguchi over. The Japanese fighter should have too many tools for the overmatched Reyes.

    Horiguchi, TKO, Rd. 1

    Riley Kontek

    The UFC is looking to build up Horiguchi as the next big Japanese star, which is why it matched him up with Jon delos Reyes. Reyes, although a durable, scrappy fighter, fell to Dustin Kimura in his UFC debut, who is not on the level of Horiguchi. Look for the Japanese star to continue his impressive winning streak in dominant fashion.

    Horiguchi, submission, Rd. 2

    Sean Smith

    Originally scheduled to meet Chris Cariaso, who is now booked to fight flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, Horiguchi was due for a step up in competition. Instead, he meets Reyes, who is 0-1 inside the Octagon. The result will be predictable.

    Horiguchi, submission, Rd. 1

    Scott Harris

    Can anything happen in MMA? Yes, anything can happen in MMA. But come on now. Let's not pretend this is anything but a squash match for Horiguchi, the most exciting prospect in the UFC flyweight division. I think the Krazy Bee representative will light up Delos Reyes and get this done sooner rather than later.

    Horiguchi, TKO, Rd. 1

    Craig Amos

    Horiguchi has looked promising since joining the UFC, and I don't think a match with Reyes is going to change that. I expect the Japanese fighter to add another finish to his blossoming resume.

    Horiguchi, submission, Rd. 2

Kiichi Kunimoto vs. Richard Walsh

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    James MacDonald

    Kunimoto has looked good thus far in his UFC career, particularly in his most recent fight against Daniel Sarafian. I expect the Japanese fighter to impose his superior grappling on Walsh and secure the submission.

    Kunimoto, submission, Rd. 3

    Riley Kontek

    I will be honest: Kiichi Kunimoto's win over Daniel Sarafian was extremely impressive. That's why I have all the confidence in the world that he has the tools to make Richard Walsh suffer come fight night. His submission and grappling skills are impressive—something that Walsh may try to match to no avail. 

    Kunimoto, submission, Rd. 2

    Sean Smith

    With a win over Chris Indich in his only UFC appearance, Walsh is still in the process of proving he belongs on the UFC roster. Kunimoto, on the other hand, was able to beat a more proven UFC veteran, Daniel Sarafian, in his most recent outing. Submitting Sarafian made Kunimoto more than entry-level, which means he's hard to pick against opposite an unknown commodity like Walsh.

    Kunimoto, submission, Rd. 1

    Scott Harris

    This one is tough to call. Walsh probably has a striking advantage, but Kunimoto has an advantage everywhere else, even if that advantage is not glaring. I don't think Kunimoto was as good as that win over Daniel Sarafian might suggest, but he's still good enough to keep Walsh at bay and nab the win.

    Kunimoto, unanimous decision

    Craig Amos

    Walsh did well when he made his official UFC debut in Quebec City this past April, but Kunimoto is a different sort of challenge. The Japanese fighter will look to establish control with the takedown and then work for a submission. He may or may not get the finish, but I'll say he wins either way.

    Kunimoto, submission, Rd. 2

Miesha Tate vs. Rin Nakai

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    Reinhold Matay/Associated Press

    James MacDonald

    This fight could be a shock to the system for Nakai, who has excelled against inferior competition. I don’t expect her to be able to outgrapple or outstrike Tate, so I anticipate a rough night for the UFC newbie.

    Tate, unanimous decision

    Riley Kontek

    Rin Nakai is a very good wrestler and submission fighter. This much is true. However, her level of competition has not been anywhere near the competition of Miesha Tate, who is likely the third best current bantamweight in the world. Tate is a wrestler too, which may cancel out Nakai's strength and make this a striking battle. I am more comfortable with Tate on the feet than Nakai.

    Tate, unanimous decision

    Sean Smith

    This matchup between Tate and Nakai should produce a fun grappling match. As the lesser wrestler, Nakai will be active from the bottom, as she’s recorded six submission victories. However, Tate has only been submitted by Ronda Rousey, so her submission defense should be solid enough to win this one via top control.

    Tate, unanimous decision

    Scott Harris

    What if Rin Nakai actually won this? What would she do? What would she say to Jon Anik? What would Anik's facial expression look like when she said whatever she said? Unfortunately for the schadenfreuder in me, it's not going to happen. Tate has the skill set to handle the muscle queen on the ground or wherever the fight goes.

    Tate, unanimous decision

    Craig Amos

    Tate wasn't overly impressive in her victory over Liz Carmouche, but defeating a respectable opponent still counts for something. With plenty of experience fighting at the highest level, the American brings every tool she'll need to continue to rebuild her title prospects.

    Tate, unanimous decision

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Amir Sadollah

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    Eric Jamison/Associated Press

    James MacDonald

    Given how long these two fighters have been gone, this almost seems like a novelty matchup. Akiyama has a tough style for Sadollah to deal with. The former The Ultimate Fighter winner prefers to keep the fight standing, but I’m not convinced he’ll get his wish against Akiyama. And if this fight turns into a grappling contest, I only see one winner.

    Akiyama, unanimous decision

    Riley Kontek

    Both Akiyama and Sadollah have not fought in a long time. I think Ford was the president, Nixon was in the White House and FDR was running this country into the ground (name that movie!). That said, Sadollah has been inconsistent in the UFC, especially against better fighters. Akiyama has always been one of the better fighters, despite his shortcomings in the UFC. He will use his all-around superiority to win in his return.

    Akiyama, unanimous decision

    Sean Smith

    It has been so long since we’ve seen either of these guys that it’s hard to say what Akiyama or Sadollah will look like inside the Octagon on Saturday. Father Time sides with Sadollah, who is five years younger than Akiyama. However, Akiyama matches up well with Sadollah stylistically. The Japanese welterweight’s judo should play a large role in determining the outcome of this bout.

    Akiyama, unanimous decision

    Scott Harris

    With each of these men returning from a two-year absence, give or take, the question almost becomes one of whose style is the most rust-resistant. I'll ride with the efficient judo game of Sexyama.

    Akiyama, unanimous decision

    Craig Amos

    This is a tough one to call given the absence of a recent body of work from either party. In such a case as this, I am inclined to back the younger fighter who is not coming off four consecutive defeats.

    Sadollah, unanimous decision

Myles Jury vs. Takanori Gomi

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    James MacDonald

    Gomi was a terrific fighter once upon a time. The game has moved on, though, and the former Pride great looks a little limited next to today’s best fighters. Jury is too young and skilled for the veteran.

    Jury, unanimous decision

    Riley Kontek

    Myles Jury is on the rise, and there aren't many people who are going to stop him. Not even The Fireball Kid. Jury's ground game is too wicked, and Gomi's biggest weakness is fighting off his back. Jury will secure takedowns and make Gomi uncomfortable, riding him out to another dominant decision.

    Jury, unanimous decision

    Sean Smith

    I know a lot of people thought Gomi defeated Diego Sanchez in a March 2013 split decision that went the other way, but this still seems like a strange matchup, as Jury defeated Sanchez convincingly at UFC 171 in March. It’s not like the stylistic matchup makes this more competitive either, as Gomi’s shortcomings on the ground make him an even less threatening adversary to Jury. Expect the TUF 15 veteran to hold his own when standing and pull away from Gomi on the canvas.

    Jury, unanimous decision

    Scott Harris

    There are still a few seats left on the Myles Jury bandwagon. Get one now, because they'll be gone after fight night. Jury has a complete game and will run that game on Gomi, who will have a disadvantage on the ground and, yes, perhaps even the feet. It's Jury's time, and he'll serve that notice again in Japan.

    Jury, submission, Rd. 3

    Craig Amos

    Until he fights a true contender, the jury is out on Jury as a legitimate title threat. Nevertheless, the Bleacher Report jury seems to have reached a unanimous verdict, with all five of us picking him against Gomi. Also, something about jury duty. 

    Jury, submission, Rd. 2

Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson

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    Julie Jacobson/Associated Press

    James MacDonald

    If Nelson wants to win this fight badly enough, he’ll be able to do it without too much trouble. If he decides to stand with Hunt, he won’t be the favourite. I’m banking on Big Country using his superior grappling to eventually earn the win.

    Nelson, submission, Rd. 2

    Riley Kontek

    My God, I don't know what to do here. Neither man can be hurt with conventional weapons. Both men are known to end opponents with one punch. Both are portly fellows whom science books would point out as potentially obese, yet both are in shape. My brain hurts. I will take Hunt. No, wait! Nelson. Bring on the violence, I can't wait!

    Nelson, TKO, Rd. 3

    Sean Smith

    A stand-up brawl would be awesome in this matchup, but I don’t see it happening. Nelson leaves Dana White questioning his intelligence at times, but he’s smart enough to know the path of least resistance in this bout will be on the ground. Big Country will break out the old mounted crucifix and punch a perfectly conscious Hunt enough times to force the referee to step in.

    Nelson, TKO, Rd. 2

    Scott Harris

    Everybody is always like "Roy Nelson should really go back to his grappling this time!" But he never does. And it's got to be rusty by now, at best, and yet I'd give his chops the edge over Hunt's chops, which don't even exist. As it is, I don't think he'll use them anyway. I think he'll gas, and Hunt will eventually catch him with something mean. 

    Hunt, TKO, Rd. 4

    Craig Amos

    You might expect Nelson to utilize his grappling against Hunt, but of course you shouldn't. He never uses that tool. Besides, Hunt survived Stefan Struve's ground attack, so it's not like a takedown equates to instant victory for Nelson. On the feet, both men hit hard, but Hunt's attack is more diverse, and that should allow him to take control of the match. I, like Mr. Harris, predict he will shatter Nelson's granite jaw.

    Hunt, TKO, Rd. 4

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