(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
One of the most hyped fights in UFC history will finally take place after what seems like years of snowballing animosity between training-partners-turned-foes “Bones” Jon Jones (15-1) and “Suga” Rashad Evans (17-1-1) as the two face off in the UFC 145 main event Saturday night. The prelude to the evening’s marquee bout is a welterweight affair between rising young prospect “Ares” Rory MacDonald (12-1) and fight-finishing Brit “Beautiful” Che Mills (14-4). The heavyweights take to cage with TUF alum “The Hybrid” Brendan Schaub (8-2) slugging it out against IFL veteran “Big” Ben Rothwell (31-8). Former WEC Bantamweight Champion “Angel” Miguel Torres (40-4) looks to earn his third UFC win at the expense of 21-year-old “Mayday” Michael McDonald (14-1), who currently enjoys a seven-fight win streak. A pair of lightweight match-ups start off the night in Atlanta with former top contender and WEC vet “The Machine” Mark Hominick (20-10) facing well-rounded Hawaii native “The Filipino Phenom” Eddie Yagin (15-5) and Tristar MMA fighter Mark Bocek (10-4) pushing the pace against seasoned veteran “The Natural” John Alessio (34-14).
In an event filled with such intriguing match-ups, the possibilities are endless. Here are those that the MMA Gospel staff find most likely.
Dan Griffin, MMA Gospel CEO
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Jones via TKO (Strikes), Round 3
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: MacDonald via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), Round 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Schaub via Unanimous Decision
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Alessio via Unanimous Decision
Mallory Mejia, MMA Gospel Editor-in-Chief
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Jones via TKO (Strikes), Round 4
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: MacDonald via Submission (Armbar), 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Schaub via Unanimous Decision
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via Unanimous Decision
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Bocek via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), Round 2
TJ Martinez, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Jones via TKO (Strikes), Round 3
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: MacDonald via TKO (Strikes), Round 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Schaub via Unanimous Decision
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via Unanimous Decision
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Bocek via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2
Spilled Bag of Ice, MMA Gospel Guest Columnist
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Jones via TKO (Strikes), Round 4
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: MacDonald via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Schaub via TKO (Punches), Round 2
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via Unanimous Decision
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via Submission (Armbar), Round 2
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Bocek via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3
Matt Homeyer, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Evans via Split Decision
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: MacDonald via Submissions (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Rothwell via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 2
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via TKO (Punches), Round 2
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Bocek via Submission (Armbar), Round 1
Ronald Young Jr., MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Evans via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: Mills via TKO (Punches), Round 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Rothwell via Unanimous Decision
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: Torres via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 2
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin:
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Alessio via Unanimous Decision
Cole Moorman, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Evans via Unanimous Decision
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills: Mills via TKO (Punches), Round 1
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell: Schaub via Unanimous Decision
Miguel Torres vs. Michael McDonald: McDonald via KO (Punch), Round 2
Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin: Hominick via KO (Punch), Round 1
Mark Bocek vs. John Alessio: Alessio via Unanimous Decision
