UFC 98 “Evans vs Machida” will take place tomorrow, May 23, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air live on pay-per-view at 10PM ET/7PM PT. The weigh-ins will be held this afternoon at 7PM ET/4PM PT at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, and will stream live on UFC.com.
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The Fights
Minus (-) = favorite | Plus (+) = underdog
With a line of -150 & +150, you would have to wager $150 to win $100 if you’re picking the favorite. You would win $150 for every $100 if you bet on the underdog assuming he won.
Good luck!
Preview and picks after the jump.
Lyoto Machida (-200) vs Rashad Evans (+150)
Mike Moffatt: In this match-up of undefeated fighters the most prestigious belt in the UFC is up for grabs. Though Rashad Evans is clearly the superior athlete in my opinion, Machida has proven to be somewhat invincible and has yet to lose even one round on the judges’ scorecards during his tenure in the UFC. Though Rashad Evans seems to be saying all of the right things leading up to their fight on Saturday night, I believe that Lyoto will be able to frustrate him and take him out late in the fight. Machida by TKO in Round 4
Zak Woods: One thing is for sure, this will be a chess match. Problem is chess matches are boring to watch. I can’t shake this nagging feeling that Evans and Greg Jackson have a trick up their sleeves to win this fight. So I will channel my inner Stephen Colbert and go with my gut. Evans by Split Decision
Mark Dorsey: This bout is an extremely tough one to call. From the pre-fight hype both guys will probably spend the first two rounds feeling each other out with limited action. I expect Lyoto to frustrate Rashad’s traditional boxing style, and though Rashad is a great wrestler I think Lyoto can take him down and outpoint him on a way to a five-round decision that really picks up in action during the later rounds. Machida by Decision
Gregory Monskie: I’ve been looking forward to this fight for some time, and I must disclose that I am, and always have been, a huge Machida fan. I’m definitely picking Machida to win, and I think it will be a decisive one. The days of Machida being a “boring” fighter are over, as I believe he is now starting to let his hands go and get out of the mindset of point-style karate fighting, and into the world of MMA where strikes are thrown to hurt your opponent. Thiago Silva was a perfect example of that. Evans is no doubt a good fighter with an even better camp behind him. If anyone is going to take Machida out, I think Evans has the best chance. I don’t see Evans’s wrestling as being a factor, because Machida’s takedown defense is exceptional, nearly perfect against traditional wrestling. Nor do I think Evans has the patience and mentality to get Machida off of his “game.” I don’t see any way that Evans takes this, and I think Machida gets a T/KO in the third or fourth round. Fasten your seatbelts guys, the Light Heavyweight title is about to be locked up for a long time. Machida by T/KO in Round 4
Steve Barry: This is such a difficult fight to pick. Both are undefeated. Both are coming in with very impressive victories. That said, until someone proves they’ve figured Machida out, I really find it hard to pick against him. I expect a long feeling out process, short exchanges, and Machida going in for the kill in the third. Machida by TKO in Round 3
Matt Hughes (-275) vs Matt Serra (+190)
Mike Moffatt: Finally these two welterweights will be given the chance to step into the Octagon and settle their score once and for all. Though this bout is much too long overdue, it should still pique the interest of fight fans, as there is nothing quite like a good ol’ fashioned grudge match. Perhaps the sport of mixed martial arts has passed both of these competitors by, but that doesn’t mean that a fight between the two will be anything less than a war. Matt Hughes is destined for the UFC Hall of Fame, but I believe that he might be headed there on a losing note. I look for Serra to win the stand-up battle and frustrate Hughes on the feet en route to a TKO finish. Serra by TKO in Round 1
Zak Woods: The grudge match finally occurs, just eighteen months late. Since each fighter has had such a long lay off I will go with my original prediction for UFC 79. Hughes by Unanimous Decision
Mark Dorsey: This should be another close match. I think Serra’s right that he has the advantage on the feet. Eventually, I see Hughes getting a few takedowns. Serra reverses him early in the third on his way to rage-filled TKO. Then they kiss and make up. Serra by TKO in Round 3
Gregory Monskie: This is a grudge match that really doesn’t matter anymore. Neither is much of a spring chicken, and I sense this could be the last fight for both of them, regardless of the outcome. Hughes has gone 1-3 in his last four fights (although losing twice to GSP and once to Alves is little to be ashamed of), and has looked old and slow as of late. Serra lost his last two to GSP, and sustained a nasty back injury in the process. I’d have to give the edge to Hughes, however, as I think his wrestling will be enough to keep Serra on his back, and I don’t think Serra will catch as seasoned a fighter as Hughes in a submission off of his back. This one goes the distance and probably will not live up to the hype. Hughes by Decision
Steve Barry: Another tough fight to pick. I’d be a lot more excited about this one if the outcome of the fight really made a difference beyond settling their grudge. Hughes looked terrible against GSP and Alves, but Serra is certainly neither so he can certainly win this one. Really have no clue who takes it, but I’m going with Serra with a TKO. Serra by TKO in Round 2
Xavier Foupa Pokam (-200) vs Drew McFedries (+150)
Mike Moffatt: Stepping in for the injured James Irvin, Professor X has a big task ahead of him when he takes on Drew McFedries. Xavier mentioned that he encountered the notorious Octagon jitters in his first match and was unable to perform to his full extent. If he runs into the same problems this weekend it could lead to a brutal knockout, as well as a pink slip that might hurt even more. With his back against the wall, however, I think that Professor X is able to lock in a submission near the end of round 2. Prof X by Submission in Round 2
Zak Woods: McFedries has heavy hands and that’s about it. Lucky for him he is fighting a journeyman. If Xavier gets this fight to the ground he can win easily. Professor X by Submission
Mark Dorsey: No chance of this going to ground. Foupa-Pokam’s got good stand up skills but he hasn’t looked great whenever he faced top-tier competition. McFedries needs a win badly. McFedries by KO in Round 2
Gregory Monskie: Professor X is an experienced Cage Rage veteran, who has significant stand-up skills in the style of Savate, something relatively unusual in modern MMA. McFedries is probably on his last leg in the UFC, going a lackluster 3-4 in the big show. With no ground game, this fight may be a classic case of two good strikers neutralizing each other and ending up on the mat. If it goes down, McFedries is finished. Professor X by Submission in Round 1
Steve Barry: McFedries is probably going to drop another one in the UFC by submission X by Submission in Round 1
Dan Miller (-210) vs Chael Sonnen (+160)
Mike Moffatt: The Miller brothers have always put on exciting fights in the UFC and hopefully the match-up against Chael Sonnen is no exception. Sonnen was unable to walk away from his debut in the Octagon victorious, but will be looking to turn that around this weekend. Sonnen hasn’t looked overly impressive lately and I don’t believe he will be able to match the intensity of Miller on Saturday night. Miller via Unanimous Decision
Zak Woods: Fireworks should fly in this middleweight bout. Both are former champions and both bring it. Despite Sonnen’s short camp I don’t think Miller will be able to pull the victory out. Sonnen via Split Decision
Mark Dorsey: Both of the Miller brothers have great skills and this is a good step up in competition for Dan, which should answer a lot of questions. Not a Sonnen fan and other than his wins over an overrated Filho he hasn’t faced stiff competition. Miller by Submission in Round 3
Gregory Monskie: Good BJJ against good wrestling. Sonnen should not be counted out in this one, because this is a very even match. However, Sonnen hasn’t finished a fight since signing with Zuffa, and with taking the fight on such short notice, I am concerned with the short time within which he must make weight. He also has shown the potential for getting caught in submissions against high level grapplers. Miller by Submission in Round 2
Steve Barry: Sonnen is tough but he’s shown a vulnerability to submissions. I’m betting Miller catches him in one. Miller by Submission in Round 2
Sean Sherk (-300) vs Frank Edgar (+200)
Mike Moffatt: With only one blemish on his record, Frank Edgar takes on a very tough task against Sherk Saturday night. ‘The Muscle Shark’ is looking for another shot at lightweight kingpin, BJ Penn, and with a win over Edgar he could find himself right back in the mix. Though Edgar has proven he belongs near the top of the lightweight standings in the UFC, I think that Sherk is simply a level above him and will prove to be too much in this fight. Sherk by TKO in Round 3
Zak Woods: Sherk puts his impressive cardio to work grinding out a win. Sherk by Unanimous Decision
Mark Dorsey: Sherk is just too big for Edgar. Not sure why the UFC put Edgar against another big wrestler unless they’re trying to force him over to the WEC, which is a good call for Zuffa and Edgar. Edgar’s tough to finish, so I see Sherk winning a decision in a possible Fight of the Night candidate. Sherk by Decision
Gregory Monskie: This should be a wrestling match, but I think Sherk is likely to try be more “exciting” and win back his fans after the whole steroid debacle. However, I don’t think it will work out well for him. Edgar is a great wrestler with a strong record against game opponents. Edgar by Decision
Steve Barry: Sherk’s just too tough for Edgar at this point. He’s going to grind out a decision in this one. Sherk by Decision
Brock Larson (-350) vs Chris Wilson (+225)
Mike Moffatt: Chris Wilson by TKO in Round 2
Zak Woods: Larson continues his transition from the WEC with another victory. Larson by TKO in Round 2
Gregory Monskie: Larson by Decision
Mark Dorsey: Larson’s got some impressive wins on his resume and Wilson has looked hit or miss in his career. Wilson’s the sentimental favorite but his recent hardships will probably have affected his training and his frame of mind. I like Wilson but see Larson taking a decision. Larson by Decision
Steve Barry: Larson by Decision
Patrick Barry (-330) vs Tim Hague (+220)
Mike Moffatt: Patrick Barry by KO in Round 1
Zak Woods: Hague has 30lbs. on Barry. Hague uses his size to win by decision. Hague by Decision
Gregory Monskie: Barry by indiscriminately violent kicks in Round 1
Mark Dorsey: Hague has a terrible history dealing with leg kicks. Barry’s being set up as a possible top heavyweight and this match-up is just begging for Hague to walk away limping from the cage. Barry by TKO in Round 1
Steve Barry: Barry by badass last name
Phillipe Nover (-330) vs Kyle Bradley (+220)
Mike Moffatt: Kyle Bradley by Unanimous Decision
Zak Woods: Phillipe was suppose to be the next Anderson Silva on TUF 8 but didn’t win the season. The UFC seems committed to him though with an opponent who is 0-2 in the UFC. Nover by TKO in Round 3
Gregory Monskie: Nover by Submission in Round 2
Mark Dorsey: This is a must win for Bradley. Nover “the next Anderson Silva?!” should be able to take Undisputed’s worst rated player by TKO in round 3. Nover by TKO in Round 3
Steve Barry: Nover by TKO in Round 1
Andre Gusmao (-145) vs Krzysztof Soszynski (+105)
Mike Moffatt: Soszynski by Submission in Round 2
Zak Woods: Soszynski via Submission in Round 1
Gregory Monskie: Soszynski by Submission in Round 1
Mark Dorsey: Despite a loss in his fist UFC bout Gusmao has got really solid skills. However, Soszynski’s looked great since he started training with Team Quest. Expect him to almost break Gusmao’s arm with his signature Kimura. Soszynski by Submission
Steve Barry: Soszynski coming in on very short notice. Gusmao gets over his Octagon jitters for a win. Gusmao by TKO in Round 2
Yoshiyuki Yoshida (-500) vs Brandon Wolff (+300)
Mike Moffatt: Yoshida by Submission in Round 2
Zak Woods: Can Yoshida rebound after Koscheck knocked his head off? I think so. Yoshida by Unanimous Decision
Gregory Monskie: Yoshida rebounds by Decision
Mark Dorsey: Both guys got demolished in their last UFC outings so the loser is definitely on their way out. Yoshida’s got good ground skills to I could see him getting a second round submission. Yoshida by Submission in Round 2
Steve Barry: Yoshida by TKO in Round 1
George Roop (-180) vs Dave Kaplan (+140)
Mike Moffatt: George Roop by TKO in Round 1
Zak Woods: Does anyone care about this fight? Kaplan by Awesome Entrance
Gregory Monskie: Roop by TKO in Round 1
Mark Dorsey: These two are only still around because they are TUF alums. Kaplan should have an entertaining entrance but we likely won’t get to see it. Kaplan’s got a good camp so I’ll pick him by 2nd round submission, though I really couldn’t care less. Kaplan by Submission in Round 2
Steve Barry: These two haven’t been cut yet? Roop by something


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LOL @ Barry by badass last name
second that
Barry for the f@#king win!
Am I the only one who believes in the champ?!
Also I just want to say for the record I picked Sonnen before I knew he had to cut 30+ pounds. Just so everyone knows. Ok.
What I am saying is that I regret that pick.
Looks like it. Looks like you barely believe in him with the split decision.
If it makes you feel any better I forgot too. I just like to see Sonnen lose for some reason.
At least you get all the credit if Rashad wins! I also like to see Sonnen lose, there’s just something about the guy…
Nice picks guys. Looks I am the lone wolf on the upset special for Edgar. I also want to go on record that since Pyle is stepping in for Wilson, I’ll take Pyle by submission in Round 2.
Zak, it looks like you and I are the only ones giving Rashad a chance to win, but victory for us will be that much sweeter.
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wha???