UFC Fight Night: Barnett vs. Nelson Predictions

Heavyweight Bout: Josh Barnett (33-7) vs. Roy Nelson (20-11)

Nolan Howell: I think this is where Roy Nelson’s “throw my right hand at a pad a few times a day” training strategy catches up to him. I think Barnett takes him down with no trouble avoiding the second-most predictable right hand in the game. Josh Barnett by first-round submission.

Luke Irwin: The narrative on Roy is the same. Roy has an excellent submission game that he chooses to never use. Josh Barnett, meanwhile, has an excellent submission game that he can’t WAIT to use. After a feeling out round, Barnett does what Roy has never been interested in. Barnett via R2 Submission.

Middleweight Bout: Gegard Mousasi (37-5-2) vs. Uriah Hall (11-5)

Nolan Howell: Unless Gegard Mousasi comes out sleepwalking (and let’s be real, there’s about a 25% chance that could happen), can’t see Uriah Hall doing much. Gegard Mousasi by first-round submission.

Luke Irwin: Nope, not gonna do it. Not going to get excited for a Uriah Hall fight. Like an absentee father on the weekend, he’s let me down too many times. Mousasi will clown him and Hall will be timid as usual. Mousasi via UD.

Flyweight Bout: Chico Camus (14-6) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (15-2)

Nolan Howell: As I’m going down the line, this card could be fun as hell and full of finishes. Horiguchi has that capability to provide a fast finish, but Camus is tough as nails. Kyoji Horiguchi by unanimous decision.

Luke Irwin: Horiguchi ’bouts to throw some hot fire. Japanese fist destruction incoming. Horiguchi via R1 TKO.

Bantamweight Bout: George Roop (15-11-1) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (20-9-2)

Nolan Howell: I think the best thing George Roop has going for him as a fighter is his head having so far to fall when he inevitably lets smaller fighters in close. This should be no different. Takeya Mizugaki by second-round TKO.

Luke Irwin: Six-inch height difference and it definitely showed at the weigh-ins, but Mizu has an immeasurable toughness and heart difference. In front of a Japanese crowd, Horiguchi will come with both barrels and will not stop until Glass George is on his back. Mizugaki via R2 TKO.

Featherweight Bout: Diego Brandao (19-10) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (23-7-2)

Nolan Howell: Diego Brandao is a slow starter, but Katsunori Kikuno throws strikes that could lose a race with a sloth. Fortunately, Brandao should put a quick end to that. Diego Brandao by first-round TKO.

Luke Irwin: Once Brandao gets going, he’s going to smother Kikuno with strikes and pressure, leaving him no room to breathe. Brandao via UD.

Featherweight Bout: Mizuto Hirota (17-7-1) vs. Teruto Ishihara (7-2-1)

Nolan Howell: His Pugnus, The Pug Prince is back with a vengeance. Mizuto Hirota by unanimous decision.

Luke Irwin: Besides this being perhaps the best hairstyle battle in the history of combat sports, Hirota just has too many tools at his disposal for a mediocre fighter like Ishihara. Hirota via UD.

Welterweight Bout: Keita Nakamura (30-6-2) vs. Li Jingliang (10-3)

Nolan Howell: Keita Nakamura by second-round submission.

Luke Irwin: Long time coming for Nakamura, who’s making his return to the UFC after seven years and a whole heap of stops since. Nakamura’s a damned good fighter and the only thing riskier than wagering on a Japanese fighter in the UFC is wagering on a Chinese fighter. Nakamura via R1 Submission.