UFC 118 coming to theaters: This and main card predictions

Once again, a huge UFC event will be provided on the big screen. B.J. Penn gets his rematch with Frankie Edgar as he attempts to regain his lightweight belt. Randy Couture takes on James Toney in what has been represented as an MMA vs. boxing match. Kenny Florian will try to mar Gray Maynard's undefeated record. Nick Diaz faces Marcus Davis, and Demian Maia fights fellow Brazilian, Mario Miranda.

I myself will get to watch the show at the Cinemark Colony Square Cinema 12 in Zanesville. Click here for a list of theaters in the Columbus area that will play the fights tomorrow night. Since theaters seem to charge $20 per ticket, however, it would be smarter for groups of three or more to chip in for the PPV at home. It would also be cheaper to just visit a local sports bar and watch it there. Buffalo Wild Wings and Champps will offer this event, or just follow this link for a more complete list of participating locations in the Columbus area.

Predictions

Edgar vs. Penn: Don't put too much money on this fight. Penn is hungry to have his title again, but Edgar is determined to defend it. Considering their skills and fighting styles, this bout has a good chance of going the distance a second time. But Penn does have much more finishing power than Edgar, who tends to win the clear majority of his fights by decision. Conclusion: Penn wins via TKO.

Couture vs. Toney: Well, the result of this fight wouldn't really be a fair assessment about which sport is better - MMA or boxing. After all, both guys are over the hill and aren't the best in what they do. Couture is a well-conditioned wrestler with little striking skills, while Toney is a hard hitter and a less-conditioned athlete with no grappling capabilities. Yes, Toney very much looks to outweigh Couture. And yes, Toney could land that knockout punch. More likely, though, Couture will close distance time after time and do what he does best. Conclusion: Couture wins via decision.

Maia vs. Miranda: Maia has some of the best jiu jitsu in the UFC, and he will probably get to show it off again in this bout. His opponent looks as if he has some grappling abilities as well, but let's face it - he's fighting Maia. Conclusion: Maia wins via submission.

Florian vs. Maynard: Florian has such a growing, diverse skill set. He has devastating elbows, dangerous jiu jitsu, and improving boxing. Maynard, although a tough guy with no losses on his record yet, does not have very much finishing power. Instead, he mainly uses his wrestling to win his fights by decision. Odds are, Florian is about to change that. Conclusion: Florian wins via TKO.

Diaz vs. Davis: Davis wins via KO. Okay, that is wishful thinking. Davis is a decent boxer with a lot of heart. Diaz is a punk with an attitude. But Diaz does have good jiu jitsu and long reach. The latter is what will probably throw Davis off his game. Davis can only land that knockout punch if he knows how to get past the long, persistent Diaz jab. More likely, Diaz will continue to score more points by landing numerous sissy punches for three rounds. Conclusion: Diaz wins via decision.

Go to the following link to view the complete UFC 118 fight card.

Check out these UFC® 118 predictions from other MMA Examiners:

• National MMA Examine Astrid Bidanec
  
• Miami MMA Examiner Harry Bergollo
  
• National MMA Examiner Eddie Graveline
  
• Houston MMA Examiner A.J. Hoffman
  
• Philadelphia MMA Examiner Kyle Holdsworth
  
• Indianapolis MMA Examiner Dennis "D Source" Guillermo
  
• Detroit Fight Sports Examiner Bill Shimizu
  
• Providence Fight Sports Examiner Joseph Roche
  
• Durham MMA Examiner Justin Harris
  
• Columbus MMA Examiner Trisha Barr
  
• Canadian MMA Examiner Mike Johnson