UFC 105: full card, preview and predictions

November 11, 5:17 PMMinneapolis MMA ExaminerChris DeLine

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promotional poster: UFC

UFC 105 marks the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to England, and features the co-main event of Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera and Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy. The promotion's first event in England since this past February's UFC 95 will be held this Saturday, November 14 and will also feature Michael Bisping, Denis Kang, James Wilks, Matt Brown, Ross Pearson, and Aaron Riley on its main card.

Main Card

Light Heavyweight bout: Randy "The Natural" Couture 16-10) vs. Brandon "The Truth" Vera (11-3)

In his return to the light heavyweight division, Randy Couture will face off against a very talented striker in Vera, marking the first time "The Natural" has stepped down from the heavyweight division since his last fight against Chuck Liddell in 2006. While the much younger Vera presents a strong challenge for Couture, with his devastating knees, kicks, and striking combos, the fighter lacks the resiliency that Couture has continually shown throughout his mixed martial arts career. Comfortably stepping down from heavyweight should only go to aid Couture as he is now able to return to bouts with fighters his own size, and his effective boxing, wrestling and clinches should be able to keep him away from a striking war with Vera. Look for Couture to control Vera on their feet and try to take the match to the ground where he has a significant advantage.

Winner: Couture via (T)KO in round 3.

Welterweight bout: Mike "Quick" Swick (14-2) vs. Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy (22-6)

There's a reason Swick's nickname is "Quick," the fighter possesses the ability to unleash some amazingly speedy strikes and has the explosiveness to turn a match around at a moment's notice. Hardy has also shown that he has knockout power in his punches in the past however, which should make for an interesting match-up if the fighters remain on their feet. UFC President Dana White has already suggested that the winner of this bout will likely be the next to get a shot at Georges St-Pierre's welterweight championship. While it has the potential to go to a second round, don't expect either fighter to hold back once the bell rings.

Winner: Swick via (T)KO in round 2.

Middleweight bout: Michael "The Count" Bisping (17-2) vs. Denis "The Super Korean" Kang (32-11)

While Kang, the former welterweight Pride Grand Prix winner, offers a unique challenge for Bisping—his jiu-jitsu could open up any remaining holes left in Bisping's ground game—the focus of this bout will most certainly be on "The Count." Following his massive knockout at the hands of Dan Henderson at UFC 100 the only story that has followed Bisping is that of whether or not he can turn things back around against Kang. That said, it's easy to forget that Bisping is still 17-2 with his only other loss coming as a split decision loss to Rashad Evans. Add to the equation that this fight is on Bisping's home soil, where has has yet to lose as a professional, and things look much more in the favor of Bisping than some would have you to believe.

Winner: Bisping via (T)KO in round 3.

Welterweight bout: James "Lightning" Wilks (6-2) vs. Matt "The Immortal" Brown (9-7)

While Brown's overall record suggests a near-.500 fighter, he has only lost one of his past four fights and has a background that parallels last season's winner of The Ultimate Fighter. Though both fighters should offer similarly difficult challenges for another, look for Wilks to take control if the fighters stay on their feet and Brown to take a slight advantage of the fight if the match moves to the ground. Given his history in jiu-jitsu however, it is just too hard to count Wilks out on the ground.

Winner: Wilks via (T)KO in round 2.

Lightweight bout: Ross "The Real Deal" Pearson (9-3) vs. Aaron Riley (28-11-1)

The other winner of last season's The Ultimate Fighter will have his first challenge away from the show with the experienced Riley. While he has yet to amass the same resume of fights as the American, Pearson's excellent wrestling and jiu-jitsu skills should give him enough of an advantage to make up for any jitters he might be experiencing.

Winner: Pearson via Unanimous Decision.

Preliminary Card

Welterweight bout: Paul "Relentless" Taylor (10-4) vs. John "The Hitman" Hathaway (11-0)

Lightweight bout: Terry Etim (13-2) vs. Shannon Gugerty (12-4)

Welterweight bout: Nick "Slick" Osipczak (4-0) vs. Matthew Riddle (3-0)

Lightweight bout: Paul "Tellys" Kelly (9-0) vs. Dennis Siver (14-6)

Light Heavyweight bout: Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson (8-0) vs. Jared Hamman (10-1)

Lightweight bout: Andre Winner (9-3) vs. Rolando "The Crazy Cuban" Delgado (6-4-1)

Previously: UFC 104 Results: "Shogun" pounds Machida, but the champ retains the title

UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera
Examiner	Winner	For More...
Bryan Levick Long Island MMA	Couture Unanimous Decision	UFC 105 main card predictions
Chris DeLine Minneapolis MMA	Couture 3rd Round (T)KO	UFC 105: full card, preview and predictions
Greg Garcia Dallas MMA/Pro Wrestling	Vera Split Decision	UFC 105: Couture vs Vera fight preview
Jordan Gathany Huntsville MMA	Vera	UFC 105 predictions
Eddie Graveline Mixed Martial Arts	Couture Decision	UFC 105 main card preview and predictions: Couture, Swick & Kang look for wins in England
Nick Sita LA MMA	Vara Unanimous Decision	UFC 105 preview and picks
Chris Garcia Las Vegas MMA	Couture	UFC 105 analysis and predictions
Doug Drexler Tampa MMA	Couture Decision	UFC 105: Previews and predictions - Couture, Swick, and Bisping will walk away with wins
E. Spencer Kyte Vancouver MMA	Whoever imposes his will	UFC 105 Fight Week Previews: Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera
Tom Chernitsky Cleveland MMA	Couture 2nd Round	Randy Couture looking to rebound against Brandon Vera at UFC 105