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UFC 167 Preview and Picks

The greatest Welterweight in the history of MMA Georges St. Pierre will return to action Saturday looking to squash the dreams of yet another up and coming young fighter.

UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks
Event: UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks
Date: November 16, 2013
Time: 10pm ET/7pm PT
Location: Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

Main Bouts (on Pay-Per-View)

Georges St-Pierre (24-2): -280
Johny Hendricks (15-1): +210

UFC Odds From Bovada

The greatest Welterweight in the history of MMA Georges St. Pierre will return to action Saturday looking to squash the dreams of yet another up and coming young fighter. Although still relatively green his opponent Johny Hendricks brings an incredible set of skills to the Octagon – a nearly unmatched striking game and one of the more impressive wrestling pedigrees in the Division.

St. Pierre has long been criticized for his inability to finish a fight but he has become the master of taking exactly what his opponent gives him, exploiting it and utterly dominating anywhere the fight happens to go. His athleticism is top tier, his takedowns are nearly unstoppable and his jab is one of the most effective weapons in the sport today. But perhaps St. Pierre’s biggest asset – his brain. As one of the most cerebral fighters in MMA, opponents never know which area of their own game that Georges is going to exploit. Simply put, St. Pierre has absolutely no weaknesses – all he does is win!

Johny Hendricks is a former two-time national wrestling champion – his takedowns, takedown defense and top game are at least equal to that of St. Pierre’s – you can’t say that about many of recent challengers. Perhaps Hendricks’ biggest weapon is his left hand – he has made a living out of turning out the lights with one shot! Hendricks is certainly well rounded and as dangerous in every area of the game as anyone St. Pierre has ever faced.

You have to love what Hendricks brings to the Octagon but you have to love St. Pierre’s penchant fro intense preparation to shine again in this fight. No matter what any of Georges opponents have done – he has had an answer for – I don’t see that changing Saturday. In a wrestling ring, I may lean Johny’s way but in the Octagon I have to go with Georges in every aspect – even wrestling. Georges avoids the difference making left hand and wins yet another decision Saturday night.

Pick: Georges St. Pierre -280

Rashad Evans (18-3-1): -190
Chael Sonnen (28-13-1): +155

In perhaps the most interesting fight on the card Rashad Evans will look to take a step toward a rematch against Jon Jones when he takes on the Mouth of the UFC Chael Sonnen. Is Sonnen on every UFC card or is it just me? Anyway, this fight will be a battle of two excellent wrestlers that need to impose their wills in order to secure victory.

Rashad is the superior athlete in this fight and I think that’s the difference. There is no wrestling edge for either fighter in this bout. And as we’ve seen in the past when the wrestling chops are equal, they tend to cancel each other out. That leaves us to a question of who is the better striker, who has the technique and power in a stand-up war.

The answer to that question is simple to me. A very motivated Rashad takes this fight and remains on the Jon Jones radar. An Evans loss means that he will descend to the world of the “B level fighters” and may never get a title shot again – don’t think he doesn’t know it!

Pick: Rashad Evans -190

Rory MacDonald (15-1): -375
Robbie Lawler (21-9): +275

Rory MacDonald will look to remain relevant in the Welterweight Division Saturday night when he takes on true veteran Robbie Lawler. MacDonald is winner of five straight fights while Lawler has recently seen a resurgence with two straight wins (after losing three of four in Strikeforce).

MacDonald is certainly better in every aspect of MMA at this point of his career – even training partner Georges St. Pierre has anointed him as the future of the division. Lawler will either finish the fight or be finished and in this case, his recklessness costs him.

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MacDonald’s camp is terrific at fight planning and it won’t be difficult to come up with a plan against Lawler. Consider this another stepping stone for MacDonald as he wins in impressive fashion Saturday night.

Pick: Rory MacDonald -375

Josh Koscheck (17-7): -110
Tyron Woodley (11-2): -120

Josh Koschek will look to put an end to a two fight losing streak when he takes on fellow wrestler Tyron Woodley who can make a huge statement with a win here. Koschek has the experience advantage, the edge in the standup and he also has the knowledge that he took Johny Hendricks to a decision last May. Kos seems to be a fading star but I think he has one or two last gasps in him.

Pick: Josh Koschek -110

Tim Elliott (10-3-1): -150
Ali Bagautinov (11-2): +120

Flyweights open the PPV card Saturday when Russian sambo master Ali Bagautinov takes on another prospect and recent Fight of the Night winner Tim Elliot. Elliot is a nice fighter but the UFC brass appears to be pumping the tires of Bagautinov. In a typically exciting Flyweight bout, I think the skills of Bagautinov slightly outweigh those of Elliot in this one.

Pick: Ali Bagautinov +120

Preliminary Bouts (on Fox Sports 1)

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (20-6): -120 vs. Evan Dunham (14-4): -110
Pick: Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone -110

Ed Herman (21-9, 1 NC): +165 vs. Thales Leites (21-4): -210
Pick: Thales Leites -210

Brian Ebersole (50-15-1): +165 vs. Rick Story (15-7): -210
Pick: Brian Ebersole +165

Erik Perez (13-5): -375 vs. Edwin Figueroa (9-3): +275
Pick: Erik Perez -375

Preliminary Bouts (on Facebook)

Jason High (17-4): -300 vs. Anthony Lapsley (21-5, 2 NC): +220
Pick: Jason High -300

Will Campuzano: +325 vs. Sergio Pettis (9-0): -450
Pick: Sergio Pettis -450

Cody Donovan (8-3): +250 vs. Gian Villante (10-4): -350
Pick: Cody Donovan +250

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