FightHype staff picks are in for this weekend's highly anticipated UFC 73: Stacked. Check out who we think will come out on top and don't miss what fighters like Bas Rutten, Joe Stevenson, Mike Swick, Cole Miller and many more had to say as they share their opinions.
TITO ORTIZ VS. RASHAD EVANS
The Hype - Ortiz by Decision
Does Rashad Evans have enough attitude to take on the Huntington Beach Bad Boy? Probably. At this point, however, I'm just not sure he has enough experience. If Evans comes at Ortiz too aggressively, he could end up making a foolish mistake. More than likely, this is another one that's going to end up on the ground. If that's the case, I think Ortiz still has enough skill and enough savvy to pull out a few tricks that Evans just isn't quite ready for. This one could end up being a snoozer with Ortiz content to ground-and-pound his way to a unanimous decision.
Percy Crawford - Evans TKO2
Let's be honest, when's the last time Ortiz really looked good? He lost to Liddell, a lot of people thought he lost to Forrest Griffin and I wouldn't even count his fights with Ken Shamrock. Rashad wasn't looking all that spectacular either against Sean Salmon until he landed that head kick, but I'm starting to like this new, meaner version of Evans. He actually sounds like he has a chip on his shoulder. Combine that with the extra motivation (his mouth) that Ortiz gives all of his opponents, and I think we might see an upset. I see Rashad jumping on Ortiz and finishing him late in the second round.
Bas Rutten - N/A
Rashad vs. Tito is going to be a real good fight. People are starting to get Tito's gameplan down a little bit. He's won a long time with the same gameplan, you know, take you down and start raining elbows. People have started to slowly but surely pick it up and that's what he has to watch out for. I hope he still has the hunger, which I'm pretty much sure of because he wants to show the world that he's not done yet after the loss to Chuck. He trains hard and he's always in shape. This is a hard one to call. When Tito gets on top of you and pushes you up against the fence and starts raining down those elbows, it's tough to deal with that.
Joe Stevenson - Evans
I have to go with youth. Evans has a lot of momentum going into this fight. I think this will be a good one though. I'm going with Rashad. Besides, I'm going to his wedding on the 14th!
Cole Miller - Evans by Decision
My upset pick of the night.
Mike Swick - N/A
I think the Tito-Rashad fight is going to be interesting. A couple of guys that don't like each other always make for an interesting matchup.
David Loiseau - Evans KO3
Evand by third round knockout.
Jake Shields - Ortiz by Decision
Cub Swanson - Evans
ANDERSON SILVA VS. NATE MARQUARDT
The Hype - Silva TKO2
Another classic matchup between a striker and a submission specialist. To be honest, I really like Marquardt's chances in this one and if I was going to pick an upset, this one would be it. However, I'm not picking any upsets this time around! It's no secret that Marquardt is probably going to want to take it to the ground and get the submission...and because it's no secret, I think Silva will be prepared for that. Look for Silva to avoid the takedowns when he can, escape the submissions if he's in trouble, and keep the fight on his feet where he can inflict serious damage in the first couple of rounds until the ref stops the fight.
Percy Crawford - Marquardt by Decision
Marquardt is a very dangerous opponent for Silva and he is coming into this fight with nothing to lose. After paying his dues, I don't think he's going to let this opportunity slip through his fingers because, let's face it, if he does lose, he'll disappear from the radar. I just see Marquardt controlling Silva on the ground for all five rounds. It won't be pretty, but Marquardt will be somewhat dominant and will get Team Jackson a much needed win and title.
Bas Rutten - N/A
This is going to be a good fight. Nate should definitely take it to the ground and bury the striker. If you're going to fight a guy like Anderson, you have to take him out of his strongest frame and that, for sure, is his striking. You don't want to stand up with this guy. It's going to be a good one. I never like to make predictions, you know?
Joe Stevenson - Marquardt by Submission or TKO
This is the closest fight on the card. I think Nate could pull it off. I bet the odds are on Silva, so if I was a betting man, I would bet on Marquardt.
Cole Miller - Silva by KO or TKO
This is going to be a real interesting fight. I just don't think Marquardt has fought anyone in a while that's going to come at him like Anderson will.
Mike Swick - Marquardt
Anderson Silva is going to have one of his toughest tests yet with Marquardt. I think it could be very exciting or it could be a very passive fight. I can see him keeping Silva down and controlling him, but if Silva can get up on his feet, it could be quite exciting. I give the edge to Marquardt in this fight.
David Loiseau- Marquardt by Submission
Marquardt by first or second round submission.
Jake Shields - Silva by TKO
Tough call on this one, but I'll go with Silva by TKO.
Cub Swanson - Silva
SEAN SHERK VS. HERMES FRANCA
The Hype - Sherk by Decision
One way or another, this one's going to the ground so it's going to come down to a classic matchup of wrestling versus Jiu-Jitsu. Personally, I think Sherk's wrestling is just a tad bit better than Franca's Jiu-Jitsu. In a tactical fight that will probably take place mainly on the ground, expect a very strong Sherk to be able to avoid Franca's submission attempts, maintain ground control and pound his way to a unanimous decision.
Percy Crawford - Sherk TKO4
Look for Franca to get off to a good start and then slowly deteriorate under Sherk's relentless attack. Sherk's bad shoulder and long layoff originally had me leaning towards Franca, but after seeing Sherk on UFC All Access, I don't think octagon rust will be a factor. I gotta admit, this is the first time my prediction has ever changed based on watching that show.
Bas Rutten - N/A
If Sean Sherk takes you down, he has real good ground control. Franca comes from out of nowhere and he hits hard. If he lands one of those shots, it could be trouble. He's a very unorthodox fighter, but he's effective with it. If there's going to be a knockout, I'd probably favor Franca and if it goes to decision, then probably Sean Sherk. I've always been very impressed with Sherk's ground control.
Joe Stevenson - Sherk TKO4
Sherk by 4th round TKO.
Cole Miller - Sherk by Decision
Most of the time, Franca does not show up in good shape and I think Sean Sherk is a workhorse and he's just going to outwork Hermes the entire fight.
Mike Swick - N/A
Sherk vs. Franca is going to be another interesting matchup. Sherk will probably get him to the ground fairly easy and it's going to be a matter of whether or not he can fend off Franca's submissions. Franca is one of the best in the world. That's going to be an interesting matchup. What would be even more interesting would be BJ Penn and Sherk. That would be an amazing fight that I would love to see one day.
David Loiseau - Franca by Submission
Franca by submission in either the 2nd or 3rd round.
Jake Shields - Sherk by TKO
Sherk by 3rd or 4th round TKO.
Cub Swanson - Sherk
