By TXMMA Staff | Emil Fischer | Photos by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Tim Kennedy and Michael Bisping finally face off tonight after months of banter
APRIL 16, 2014 – The Ultimate Fighting Championship is back on tap again with two fight cards slated for this week. The events take place on FOX Sports 1 (tonight) and FOX (Saturday), and both event feature some pivotal main events with contenders looking to make their way up their respective division ladders.
First up is evening’s The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy event taking place at Colisée Pepsi in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
The night’s main event finally pits Texas resident Tim Kennedy against his online target for months, Michael Bisping. The two have jabbed back and forth with the US Army Ranger goading the temperamental Englishman. Based on their jabber at weigh-ins, this is one fight that should present a decent payoff for viewers as these guys genuinely dislike one another.
The co-main event will pit TUF Nations coaches against one another with Canada’s Patrick Cote taking on Australian Kyle Noke. The show also includes this season’s TUF Nations final bouts with Olivier Aubin-Mercier taking on Chad Laprise in the welterweight finals while Sheldon Westcott faces Elias Theodorou in the middleweight finals.
A featherweight bout pitting top-five contender Dustin Poirier against Akira Corassani rounds off the main card on Fox Sports 1.
The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy – Main Card Predictions
185 lbs.: Michael Bisping vs. Tim Kennedy
After many months of trash talk, these two high ranking middleweights will finally get to go toe to toe in the octagon. Michael “The Count” Bisping is known for his foul mouth and ability to back it up with knockout power. The always classy Tim Kennedy is known for his resilience and well-rounded skill set. This is going to be a great fight that the fans can look forward to because both fighters will come out swinging. If it goes to the ground, Kennedy will be looking to finish with his well-polished submission game. If it stays on the feet, Kennedy’s striking is more than sufficient to outwork Bisping. This fight is very likely going to end with Kennedy scoring a knockout in the second round and probably a fight of the night as well.
Prediction: Kennedy over Bisping by KO in the 2nd
185 lbs.: Patrick Cote vs. Kyle Noke
This fight features two men, Patrick Cote and Kyle Noke who have dropped from middleweight to welterweight in the past 2 years and who have similar MMA records. That being said there is a distinct divergence of styles, Noke, being a well-rounded striker AND grappler having several submission victories on his record, and Cote being a lethal striker with less interest in being on the ground. There’s a good chance this fight winds up on the ground with Noke and Cote’s back sinking in his successful rear naked choke in the first round.
Prediction: Noke over Cote by RNC in the 1st
185 lbs.: Sheldon Westcott vs. Elias Theodorou
Sheldon Westcott and Elias Theodorou are both brand new UFC middleweight fighters. Both have similar records and both are successful cast members of TUF Nations who are fighting to win TUF. This whole card is built around these two fighters and Laprise and Mercier. Unfortunately for Australia none of its fighters made it to the finals. That said Sheldon Westcott seems to be on a tear with his grappling game, having won both of his fights on TUF by submission. He has a nasty guillotine choke that he has used with some success throughout his short MMA career. Theodorou hasn’t been as vicious throughout his career thus far having a lower finishing rate. Given that both fighters are so fresh and tough, we probably won’t get to see a finish in this fight, and it will wind up being a decision for Sheldon Westcott.
Prediction: Westcott over Theodorou by Unanimous Decision
170 lbs.: Chad Laprise vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier
As the other part of the TUF Finale, this fight is one of the two that are really what this event is all about, namely the UFC’s gathering of fresh talent from an ever growing international MMA community. Chad Laprise and Olivier Aubin-Mercier are two hungry welterweights, both of whom had outstanding performances on TUF. Aubin-Mercier has had a shorter career thus far but with impressive grappling acumen. On the other hand we have Chad Laprise who has some very heavy hands. This fight will likely end in a second round TKO with Chad Laprise as the victor.
Prediction: Laprise over Aubin-Mercier by TKO in the 2nd
145 lbs.: Dustin Poirier vs. Akira Corassani
Last but certainly not least we have Dustin “Diamond” Poirier battling with Akira Corassani in this featherweight bout. Poirier has a substantial edge when it comes to his fighting for the finish, posing a threat both on the feet and on the ground. Corassani has, on the other hand, been a decision fighter, only finishing a small handful of his fights. Poirier is downright feisty and will very likely end this fight with whatever submission or knockout he wants, probably a TKO in the first.
Prediction: Dustin Poirier over Akira Corassani by TKO in the 1st
TUF Nations Undercard Picks: Stout, Kaufman, Jimmo, Roop, Bocek, Taleb, Walsh, Gagnon