By TXMMA Staff
Johnson vs. Benavidez flyweight title rematch on tap for UFC on FOX 9 this Saturday
SACRAMENTO, CA, December 13, 2013 – The UFC returns to network television this Saturday, December 14 with UFC on FOX 9 taking place at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, CA. The show is headlined by representatives of Team Alpha Male with Urijah Faber being joined by teammates Joseph Benavidez and Chad Mendes on the main card set for national broadcast. The show also features a flyweight title fight in the main event of the evening with Benavidez getting his rematch against current champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
The action begins at 4:30PM with the Facebook prelims with the rest of prelim action following on FOX Sports 1 untilt he main card on FOX begins at 8PM.
Check out all of our picks and UFC on Fox 9 Predictions for every fight on the card below!
UFC on Fox 9 Predictions – Main Card Bouts (FOX)
125 lbs.: (C) Demetrious Johnson (18-2-1) vs. Joseph Benavidez (19-3)
Demetrious Johnson has demonstrated in these past two years that he is the undisputed best flyweight in the world. He’s done so by beating the top four in his division including Benavidez and most recently John Mayorga this past July. Meanwhile Joseph Benavidez was once thought of as the best 125 fighter in the world but lost out via split decision to “Mighty Mouse” Johnson at UFC 152. He’s gone 3-0 since then and is looking to prove that he and not Johnson is the best in the world at this weight class. This bout will go a long way towards deciding once and for all who the best will be moving forward.
Similarly to the first bout Johnson will look to use his speed, agility, and motor to get ahead of Benavidez. The disparity there isn’t that great however and Joseph can also post Demetrious with plenty of trouble on the feet. When you mix in takedowns “Mighty Mouse” should have the slight edge but again, it’s close there as well. All in all both these men employ very similar skill sets but it’s who will be on top of their game Saturday that will prevail. Anybody’s ballgame here but we pick the champ to retain based on recent history.
Prediction: Demetrious Johnson over Joseph Benavidez by split decision
135 lbs.: Urijah Faber (29-6) vs. Michael McDonald (16-2)
Urijah Faber has been on a streak lately with wins over Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen, and Iuri Alcantara since losing an interim title bout to Renan Barão. Michael McDonald has also rebounded with a win over Brad Pickett since losing to Barão and both guys are looking to make their way back up. At this stage striking would favor the longer and rangier McDonald but Faber is still the stronger wrestler/grappler and should take things on the ground. That should make all the difference in this one.
Prediction: Urijah Faber over Michael McDonald by unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Chad Mendes (15-1) vs. Nik Lentz (24-5-2)
Chad Mendes would be the top featherweight in the world would it not be for the presence of current champion Jose Aldo, the only man he’s lost to. Ever since their fight “Money” Mendes has knocked out his next four opponents and is looking for another finish here. A former lightweight, Nick Lentz has won three straight since dropping to 145 lbs. but might in over his head in this one considering he’s mainly a wrestler and Mendes has never been taken down in the UFC. It may not be a walk in the park but should be another dominant performance nonetheless for Chad Mendes.
Prediction: Chad Mendes over Nik Lentz by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Joe Lauzon (22-6) vs. Mac Danzig (22-11-1)
In a battle of two longtime veterans mired in two-fight losing streaks, Joe Lauzon takes on Mac Danzig. Both these guys are known commodities and well-rounded fighters but the KO-power and speed edge both go to the Bostonian, Lauzon. He should be able to beat him handedly here.
Prediction: Joe Lauzon over Mac Danzig by TKO, RD3
UFC on Fox 9 Predictions – Preliminary Card (FOX Sports 1)
170 lbs.: Court McGee (18-3) vs. Ryan LaFlare (9-0)
Court McGee was supposed to take on Kevin Gastellum in this one aftear beating Robert Whittaker at UFC Fight Night 27 but settles for Ryan LaFlare, a 30 year old newcomer looking for his second UFC win. LaFlare is a teammate of middleweight champ Chris Weidman so he’s no doubt a tough guy. Accepting a short notice fight against McGee says volumes about his confidence but McGee has been around too long to be taken unawares.
Prediction: Court McGee over Ryan LaFlare by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Edson Barboza (16-5) vs. Danny Castillo (12-1)
Danny Castillo is a wrestler by trade but likesto sttrike while Edson Barboza is a classic dangerous striker that looks to avoid the ground at all costs. If Castillo is successul in taking things to the ground early and often then he should win but if the Brazilian keeps it on the feet then he could go night night at any time.
Prediction: Edson Barboza over Danny Castillo by TKO, RD3
155 lbs.: Bobby Green (21-5) vs. Pat Healy (31-16)
Bobby Green has gone 2-0 since coming over from Strikeforce. meanwhile Pat “Bam Bam” Healy’s UFC career hasn’t gone so smoothly considering his overtuned win over Jim Miller and Khabib Nurmagomedov but all that makes no difference here. Healy should prove to be the better fighter.
Prediction: Pat Healy over Bobby Green by split decision
125 lbs.: Scott Jorgensen (14-7) vs. Zach Makovsky (16-4) – Jorgensen via submission
Former Bellator champion Zach Makovsky arrives into the UFC after a short stint at RFA. He’s a strong wrestler but Jorgensen should prove to be the much more dangerous striker. A former Boise State wrestler, Jorgensen can also wrestle as well and his octagon experience should give him the edge in this one.
Prediction: Scott Jorgensen over Zach Makovsky by TKO, RD3
155 lbs.: Sam Stout (19-9-1) vs. Cody McKenzie (14-3)
Canadian Sam Stout is a technical kickboxer who relies on his striking output to win him fights while Cody McKenzie is also reliant on a specific skill but it’s his guillotine choke that gets him his wins.”Hands of Stone” Stout is a veteran though so it’ll be hard-pressed for Cody to catch him with that one.
Prediction: Sam Stout over Cody McKenzie by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Abel Trujillo (10-5) vs. Roger Bowling (11-4)
This is a continuation of the first bout between Abel Trujillo and Roger Bowling that ended in a no-contest at UFC Fight Night 27. Hopefully there won’t be any miffed referee calls in this one. We’re going with Abel to earn the win he should have gotten that firs time.
Prediction: Abel Trujillo over Roger Bowling by TKO, RD2
UFC on Fox 9 Predictions – Preliminary Card (Facebook)
125 lbs.: Darren Uyenoyama (8-4) vs. Alptekin Ozkilic (8-1) – Ozkilic via TKO
Alp Ozkilic makes his UFC debut fresh off a KO of Antonio Baneulos at Legacy FC. This time he’ll have to deal with wizard grappler Darren Uyenoyama. The good thing for Alp is that he has loads of grappling experience of his own and should be able to dominate on the feet wheras Darren will find it tough sledding trying to get him down. This should be the Turkish fighter’s fight to lose.
Prediction: Alp Ozkilic over Darren Uyenoyama by TKO, RD2