UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Bold Predictions

The UFC makes its return to San Jose, California this weekend with the UFC on FOX 7, sporting a main card with a UFC vs. Strikeforce feel to it. The four UFC on FOX 7 bout on the main card feature one UFC veteran against a former Strikeforce fighter, which seems only fitting since they are in the old stomping grounds of the once #2 Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the United States.

Headlining the card will be a champion versus champion lightweight title fight between current UFC champion Benson Henderson against the last man to hold the Strikeforce lightweight title, Gilbert Melendez. Henderson is coming off a successful title defense at the last FOX event where he defeated Nate Diaz. Melendez will be making his long overdue Octagon debut after closing out his Strikeforce career on a seven fight winning streak. For the longest time Melendez was one of the best lightweight not in the UFC and this Saturday he finally gets his chance.

Speaking of Nate Diaz, the lightweight and teammate of Melendez will also be on the UFC on FOX 7 main card. He’ll be facing a very familiar opponent in the former Strikeforce champion and often injured Josh Thomson. Melendez and Thomson had three memorable Strikeforce title fights and Diaz was a major part of those Melendez camps. These two know each other very well but that shouldn’t stop it from being a Fight of the Night candidate.

In the UFC on FOX 7 co-main event slot is a bout that was originally set to take place late last year under the Strikeforce banner. Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will take on the much hyped and Strikeforce Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier. Mir is coming off a loss last May to then champion Junior Dos Santos but is still one of the best-rounded fighters in the heavyweight division. Cormier has used his Olympic level wrestling along with a quickly improving striking and submission game to the tune of 11-0. Whoever gets their hand raised in this fight will right away be near the top of the UFC heavyweight division.

Prior to the main card that begins at 5pm PT / 8pm ET, the UFC on FOX 7 preliminary card will get started on Facebook at for two fight before going live on FX at 2pm PT / 5pm ET with the remaining six preliminary bouts.

After another not so impressive 7-5 outing with my TUF 17 Finale predictions the overall record dropped slightly to 71-45 (61.2%). The Ultimate Fighter finales are traditionally difficult to prediction since there are some many new faces but nevertheless an improvement in needed with the below UFC on Fox 7 predictions.

Main Card:

155 lbs. Title Fight: Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez – Benson Henderson

265 lbs.: Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir – Daniel Cormier

155 lbs.: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson – Nate Diaz

170 lbs.: Matt Brown vs. Jordan Mein – Jordan Mein

Preliminary Card:

145 lbs.: Darren Elkins vs. Chad Mendes – Chad Mendes

185 lbs.: Francis Carmont vs. Lorenz Larkin – Lorenz Larkin

155 lbs.: Myles Jury vs. Ramsey Nijem – Myles Jury

125 lbs.: Joseph Benavidez vs. Darren Uyenoyama - Joseph Benavidez

155 lbs.: Jorge Masvidal vs. Tim Means – Jorge Masvidal

135 lbs.: T.J. Dillashaw vs. Hugo Viana – T.J. Dillashaw 

Preliminary Card:

155 lbs.: Roger Bowling vs. Anthony Njokuani – Roger Bowling

185 lbs.: Clifford Starks vs. Yoel Romero – Yoel Romero

The UFC on FOX 7 takes place this Saturday (April 20, 2013) from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California

Tags: Anthony Njokuani, Benson Henderson, Chad Mendes, Clifford Starks, Daniel Cormier, Darren Elkins, Darren Uyenoyama, Francis Carmont, Frank Mir, Gilbert Melendez, Hugo Viana, Jordan Mein, Jorge Masvidal, joseph Benavidez, Josh Thomson, Lorenz Larkin, Matt Brown, MMA, Myles Jury, Nate Diaz, Predictions, Ramsey Nijem, Roger Bowling, T.J. Dillashaw, Tim Means, UFC, UFC on FOX 7, Yoel Romero

Category: MMA, Opinion, Predictions, UFC