(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
Saturday night the UFC takes control of the FOX network airwaves for the fourth time since its primetime debut in November, bringing the fans of Los Angeles, California’s Staples Center a live spectacle courtesy of UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera. Starting off the Pay-Per-View worthy main card is former top welterweight “Quick” Mike Swick (14-4) seeking a resurgence in his career after an injury and illness-riddled past two years as he squares off with TUF alum “Darkness” Damarques Johnson (15-10). WEC veteran “C-4″ Jamie Varner (20-6-1) looks to build on a recent upturn in his storied tenure as he faces submission aficionado “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (21-7). Co-main event honors go to elusive Shotokan Karate fighter and former UFC 205lbs. champion “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (17-3) and decorated NCAA Div. I wrestler “Darth” Ryan Bader (14-2), both of whom are hell bent on a rematch with reigning champion “Bones” Jon Jones (16-1). The event’s headliners pits PRIDE veteran and Chute Box fighter “Shogun” Mauricio Rua (20-6) against Muay Thai wrecking ball “The Truth” Brandon Vera (12-5), with the winner reportedly guaranteed a shot at UFC gold. A lot is on the line for these elite mixed martial artists at UFC on FOX 4, and it’s safe to say that virtually anything can happen. Here, the staff of MMA Gospel takes a crack at determining who will rise to the top come Saturday, and who will be sent to the back of the line.
Dan Griffin, MMA Gospel CEO
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Strikes), Round 1
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via TKO (Punches), Round 2
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Swick via TKO (Punches), Round 2
Mallory Mejia, MMA Gospel Editor-in-Chief
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via Unanimous Decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Swick via Unanimous Decision
TJ Martinez, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Strikes), Round 1
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via Unanimous Decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Swick via TKO (Strikes), Round 2
Cole Moorman, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Punches), Round 1
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Bader via Split Decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Varner via TKO (Punches), Round 2
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Johnson via Unanimous Decision
Matt Homeyer, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via KO (Punch), Round 2
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via Unanimous Decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Johnson via Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 2
Patrick Guera, MMA Gospel Staff Writer
Mauricio Rua vs. Brandon Vera: Rua via TKO (Strikes), Round 3
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader: Machida via Unanimous Decision
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner: Lauzon via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1
Mike Swick vs. Damarques Johnson: Johnson via Unanimous Decision
