Who’s going to win at UFC Live: Marquardt vs. Story and why [Updated]

This weekend offers Mixed Martial Arts fans a virtual cornucopia of MMA with three high profile, televised events will take place over a three day span. It all kicks off Friday night but the grand finale of the weekend is Sunday’s UFC Live: Marquardt vs. Story on the Versus Network.

Live from the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the UFC Live main card will air on Versus at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET. The jam-packed prelims will once again be streamed on Facebook, giving fans the whole card for free.

A welterweight bout between Charlie Brenneman and T.J. Grant that was to be part on the preliminary card was scrapped just days before the event due to an illness suffered by Grant.

The UFC Live: Marquardt vs. Story fight card has big names from top to bottom and for a free card has got to rank as one of the deepest. Below you’ll see who I predict will win the fight and a short explanation why.

Main Card (Versus):

170 lbs.: Nate Marquardt vs. Rick Story – Rick Story

The streaking Story will catch the more experienced Marquardt at a perfect time, making his debut at welterweight and take a close decision.

[Update] Nate Marquardt was not medically cleared to fight and subsequently released from the UFC just an hour before the weigh-ins. Read the story here

265 lbs.: Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry – Cheick Kongo

The bigger Kongo might surprise everyone by taking Barry down in this fight in route to a unanimous decision.

[Updated] 170 lbs.: Rick Story vs. Charlie Brenneman – Rick Story

With the super late notice of this fight both fighters will be at an equal disadvantage. Sticking with Story but this fight is going to be closer then many might think.

170 lbs.: Matt Brown vs. John Howard – John Howard

Howard has already told Dana White to write the fight of the night check out to him and this two should go back and forth until Howard finishes the fight in the 3^rd.

265 lbs.: Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft – Matt Mitrione

Mitrione will stay undefeated by picking apart Morecraft with his always ever improving stand up game for a 2^nd round TKO.

Preliminary card (May not be broadcast):

170 lbs.: Rich Attonito vs. Daniel Roberts – Rich Attonito

The drop down to welterweight will do wonders for Attonito and the late replacement in Roberts will lose his second straight.

145 lbs.: Manny Gamburyan vs. Tyson Griffin – Tyson Griffin

Another fighter moving down in weight on this card and Griffin should be a powerhouse at featherweight. Look for him to take Gamburyan down at will and score a late TKO victory.

155 lbs.: Joe Lauzon vs. Curt Warburton – Joe Lauzon

Lauzon will get back in the win column against the Wolfsliars trained Warburton with a 1^st round submission.

145 lbs.: Joe Stevenson vs. Javier Vazquez – Joe Stevenson

This fight is do or die for both fighters, as a loss will undoubtedly land them in the unemployment line. Stevenson will grind out a win here and stay way from losing his fourth straight.

155 lbs.: Edward Faaloloto vs. Michael Johnson – Michael Johnson

The TUF 12 runner-up Johnson will get his first official UFC win with a grinding unanimous decision.

155 lbs.: Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira – Charles Oliveira

Lentz is a very tough opponent for the young Oliveira but the Brazilian will get back in the win columns with a 2^nd round submission.

145 lbs.: Matt Grice vs. Ricardo Lamas – Ricardo Lamas

Grice is making his return to the UFC and is also making his 145 lbs. debut. Lamas will capitalize on this and take a unanimous decision.

Tags: Charlie Brenneman, Cheick Kongo, Curt Warburton, Daniel Roberts, Javier Vazquez, Joe Lauzon, Joe Stevenson, John Howard, Manny Gamburyan, Matt Brown, Matt Mitrione, MMA, Nate Marquardt, Pat Barry, Predictions, Rich Attonito, Rick Story, Tyson Griffin, UFC, UFC Live: Marqaurdt vs Story

Category: Exclusive, MMA, Predictions, UFC