Look Out For Falling Genius: The Gals' UFC 143 Predictions

Welcome to another installment of genius! Here we make out UFC 143 predictions known to the world, and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Or, not. Whatever. In any case, there are some interesting and seemingly exciting fights on this card, and many that are pretty tough to call. I know I've been back and forth on several of them many times. Remember to tune in to watch the fights, starting on Facebook (probably around 7:00 EST/4:00 PDT), continuing on FX (8:00 PM EST/5:00 PDT), and then culminating in big ol' show on PPV (10:00 PM EST/7:00 PDT). Here is what we think will happen in all the fights!

Main Card (PPV):

Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit

Beth: Woo Hoo! The fight of the century. I may be more jazzed about this fight than I was about Diaz vs. GSP. Well, no that's a lie. But I'm still pretty jazzed. Diaz by something awesome.

Donna: Oh man, I can't wait for this fight! This one has fight of the year written all over it. It's going to be a barn burner for sure, and Condit is going to take it by decision..

Knitty: I think this fight is going to be so much fun! Nick has started to win me over in his last couple of fights, just picking his opponents apart. But I think Condit by decision will be the final outcome.

Kat: I have been back and forth on this one. I have no idea who to pick. I initially thought Nick Diaz by TKO. But, then I thought Carlos Condit may very well be able to win a decision here. Sweet fancy Moses, this could be a good fight! I am flipping a coin. Diaz by KO/TKO.

Keren: This is a really tough choice for me, but I think I'm going with the 209 on this. Diaz by TKO.

Rachel: If Diaz can go to war with Paul Daley and not only survive but win, Condit is going to have some issues. If the fight goes to the ground Diaz has the Jitz to get a submission or at least control where the fight goes down. Diaz by TKO.

Midge: Both of these guys would ruin Georges St. Pierre's world. Don't drink the kool-aid kids. It's riddled with ring rust, injuries, and inability to FIGHT fight. These two are game, and someone is going to win in spectacular fashion. I really hope the winner beats GSP, then the loser beats GSP immediately after :-) For now, I'll go with Nick's worse nightmare Condit by Split Decision

Nolan: Diaz by submission.

More picks after the jump!

Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum

Beth: Really? Werdum by Decision.

Donna: Oh, Roy, you were a fun little diversion there for a little while. Werdum by Submission.

Knitty: Roy Nelson, the inspiration to all beer guts out there. Werdum by KO.

Kat: I think I would enjoy a Roy Nelson victory here but I don't have the cajones to actually pick it. Fabricio Werdum by Submission

Keren: I know he's tough, but Nelson doesn't belong in the heavyweight division, plain and simple. Werdum by Decision.

Rachel: Werdum has the reach to push the pace standing up and last I heard he was pretty good at that Jiu Jitsu thing. Werdum by Decision.

Midge: Come on people. When did Werdum become a world beater in the MMA world? When he beat a MW in Fedor? Or perhaps when he dived away like a little girl from Overeem? Or went to an uneventful decision with Bigfoot? Or when he was KTFO by Dos Santos? Look, I'm not saying that Roy Nelson is a world beater, but neither is Fabricio Werdum. He's a BJJ wizard who is fighting a man who is also a very skilled submission artist? A better one? No. But one that is good enough to survive if it goes down, and most likely able to ensure it doesn't go down? Yes? Werdum's only asset won't be of much use here, while Nelson has KO power and a much better skill set on the feet. This bring us to a logical, most likely scenario. Nelson by TKO.

Nolan: Nelson by TKO.


Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce

Beth: I feel like it's been so long since we've had the joy of listening to Josh Koscheck talking about why Josh Koscheck is so awesome. I suspect we'll get a nice dose after he beats Mike Pierce. Koscheck by TKO.

Donna: Looking at the fight resumes of these two guys, it becomes clear that these two guys are in different leagues. Koscheck has fought the best of the best. Pierce is coming off of a decision victory against....Paul Bradley. Koscheck by Decision.

Kat: This fight could be a really good one, too. Hooray for welterweights! I think Mike Pierce is really going to give Koscheck a challenge. Pierce is relentless and has the will to at least survive, if not actually win. I just still think Koscheck will grind it out and win a decision. Koscheck by Decision

Knitty: I always want to bet against Josh Koscheck, but I can't. My dreams of his hair fading away into the sunset will not come to fruition. Koscheck by decision.

Keren: Pierce is a good fighter, but not great. He doesn't excell anywhere and Koscheck probably knows it. Koscheck is the better overall fighter. Koscheck by Decision.

Rachel: My upset senses are tingling. I'm hoping that Kos will forget that Pierce is a pretty decent fighter. That would save us all for months and months of trash talk. Pierce by TKO.

Midge: I remember once upon a time Josh Koschek wanting to fight 12 times in a year. I'd actually really like to see him doing that against guys of Pierce's caliber. Guys who definitely don't have as good of odds as Kos, but have the ability to end the fight at any time. That's an interesting Koschek fight to me, personally. Koschek by Decision

Nolan: Koscheck by late TKO or decision.


Renan Barao vs. Scott Jorgensen

Beth: Always, always, always pick Scott Jorgensen to win. Always. Unless he's fighting Dominick Cruz. Then don't pick Jorgensen to win. Jorgensen by Decision followed by victory dance for breaking Barao's winning streak.

Donna: I love me some Scott Jorgensen. He gets into the cage and just exudes awesomeness. Yes, Barao is a scary dude, but if Scott can keep Barao on his feet, he has a chance. Jorgensen by TKO. (I'm dreaming big, kids!)

Kat: I probably should take Beth's advice on this one but I'm going to Renan Barao instead. This could be another really great bout and Jorgensen will hang tough but I think he'll get stuck and have to negotiate for his release. Barao by Submission

Knitty: Well, I'm taking Beth's advice. Jorgensen by decision.

Keren: I love and hate this fight. I want both guys to win. It's tough picking against Jorgensen, but I have to go with Barao. Sorry Jorgy! Barao by submission.

Rachel: Scotty is one tough... (I probably shouldn't finish that sentence). Both of these guys are at the top of their division. I'm going to have to go with Jorgensen by decision.

Midge: Such. A. Good. Fight. Such a good fight. Damn. It's not often you get a "fuuuuuuhhh... I have no idea whats going to happen but its guaranteed to be amazing" super competitive, aggressive match on a card. But two in one go? This could possibly steal FOTN from Diaz v. Condit. And again, I struggle to choose. So, I'll go with No Contest due to 2nd judge head explosion.

Nolan: Split draw. Don't force me to pick!


Ed Herman vs. Clifford Starks

Beth: Eh. Whatevs. Herman by Ginger Awesomeness.

Donna: Someone has given Herman the eye of the tiger, and Clifford is about to feel his first loss. Herman by TKO.

Kat: Ed Herman has been impressive in his last few fights so I'm going with him. Herman by Submission

Knitty: Herman better keep me awake. Herman by decision.

Keren: Starks by Decision. That's right Herman, just like Tito, I didn't pick you!

Rachel: ‘Gingers' almost rhymes with winners. Almost. Starks by Decision.

Midge: Wonder when they decided that Ed Herman made a better star than feeder to stars. Herman by first round TKO

Nolan: Herman by submission



Prelims (FX)

Dustin Poirier vs. Max Holloway

Beth: Ummmmmmmmm.....Poirier via decisions

Kat: I don't know much about Max Holloway although I'm sure he's a lovely person. Dustin Poirier by Submission

Knitty: Poirier by decision.

Midge: Poirier is a littl bad ass. Its not really worth our time mentioning anyone besides him in this pick, and I'm sure Joe Rogan will hype nobody but him during this fight. Poirier by TKO

Nolan: Poirier by early submission or TKO.


Matt Riddle vs. Henry Martinez

Beth: Oh my goodness. Poor Matt Riddle. I do like him so much but I don't think that this is going to be very pretty. Martinez by KO.

Kat: Henry Martinez looks scary and he trains with Greg Jackson. Martinez by Decision

Knitty: Riddle me this, riddle me that. Greg Jackson will be screaming in the corner like a barncat? Crap. Martinez by decision.

Nolan: Who in the sweet cream on an ice cream sammich is Henry Martinez? Riddle by decision.


Alex Caceres vs. Edwin Figueroa

Beth: Yeah, I've kind of been over Alex Caceres since the moment I knew who Alex Caceres was. Figueroa by the grace of God.

Kat: Alex Caceres looked much better than I expected in his last outing. It sort of seemed like he had his stuff figured out. Edwin Figueroa beat Jason Reinhardt in his last outing. I think I'm going with Bruce Leroy on this one. I'm believing the hype. Caceres by Decision

Knitty: I'm not over Alex Caceres! Ok, well I'm over the entire Bruce Leroy thing, because it's getting annoying, but I'll still go with Caceres by decision.

Nolan: Bruce Leeroy by having the glow, yo. Caceres decision.


Matt Brown vs. Chris Cope

Beth: Seriously? Brown by superior awesomeness of everything.

Kat: Matt Brown tends to lose by submission and Chris Cope hasn't submitted anyone. Matt Brown by KO/TKO.

Knitty: Brown by awesome KO.

Midge: Cope looked great in his last fight. But that was 97% is opponents doing, 3% Cope doing. Brown is just a better fighter in every single way period. Brown by first round submission

Nolan: Brown by not being a clownshoes fighter. Or TKO.


Prelims (Facebook)

Dan Stittgen vs. Stephen Thompson

Kat: Stephen Thompson is the Wonderboy. His last fight was in Atlanta and he won. That's enough for me! Thompson by Decision.

Knitty: The Anvil vs the Wonderboy. Wonderboy has quite a few fights under his belt, so I'm going with Thompson by KO.

Nolan: Thompson by Karate awesomeness.


Rafael Natal vs. Michael Kuiper

Kat: If I was a veteran UFC fighter facing a guy who's brand new to the UFC, I wouldn't want it to be Michael Kuiper. He likes to knock people out. And, submit them. Hmmmm. Kuiper by KO.

Knitty: Natal by decision.

Nolan: Natal by decision.