On the heels of the TUF 12 Finale, the coaches will battle it out at UFC 124. Are you part of Team GSP or Team Koscheck? It seems most of the WeHeartMMA community is leaning toward Georges St. Pierre (103 notes) instead of the challenger Josh Koscheck (13 notes). I just know it’s going to be a crazy crowd up in Canada, and I can’t wait for Saturday’s fights. Here are my predictions, and be prepared to be blown away.

1. Koscheck will test St. Pierre’s chin and it will fail

Georges St. Pierre is probably the most well-rounded MMA fighter ever. A true mixed martial artist. If he fought Josh Koscheck ten times, he would win nine out of the ten. He’s got all the tools to do so.

(1) He has the better technical striking from his karate along with training with both Phil Nurse (Muay Thai) and Freddie Roach (Boxing).
(2) A well improved ground game courtesy of John Danaher (BJJ black belt under Renzo Gracie).
(3) The best coaches in his corner, Firas Zahabi and Greg Jackson.
(4) Considered to have best wrestling utilized in MMA.
(5) GSP is an athletic beast.

There’s nothing negative I can say about him, but I still have the feeling the 10% chance he has of losing will be reality this Saturday and I’ll tell you why. Josh Koscheck has nothing to lose, similar to when Chael Sonnen fought Anderson Silva, all the pressure is on the champion. He’s fighting in GSP’s hometown. He just needs to focus.

Koscheck has got the tools to beat GSP and one of those tools is his big right hand. He has knockout power. I mean lights out, good night type of power. And I hate to say this, but GSP doesn’t have the strongest chin in the game. He’s made a living of not taking a ton of punishment. If Kos is able avoid the takedown, mixes up his striking with punches and kicks, land some takedowns here and there — he may be able to open up an opportunity for him to land a knockout.

That’s definitely a big if, but I think Kos is going to shake up the UFC Welterweight Division with his heavy hands. TEAM KOSCHECK FTW! What say you, GSP fans? 

Prediction: Josh Koscheck over Georges St. Pierre via KO

2. Stefan Struve finally shuts Sean McCorkle up

I don’t see this ending well for Sean McCorkle. Stefan Struve has fought high quality opponents since he’s been in the UFC, and has the battle scars to show for it. Plus, the kid is only 24 22 years old — he’s tough as they come. The key in this fight will be distance. If Struve is able to keep the fight in kicking distance, it’s over for McCorkle since he’ll be eating a ton of kicks from that 6’11” frame. I see McCorkle trying to take the fight to the ground and not being able to do so. Look for a meaner Struve on Saturday anxious to take someones head off.

Prediction: Stefan Struve over Sean McCorkle via TKO

3. Jim Miller can’t handle the speed from Charles Oliveira

Fight of the Night candidate right here. I think Jim Miller is one of the best lightweights the UFC has to offer since he has a tight grappling game along with crisp striking. Although, I don’t think he’ll be able to keep up with the quickness that Charles Oliveira brings. He just has that extra spark that puts a little bit of a snap on his punches and kicks. And when the fight gets to the ground, Oliveira has the BJJ skills to do well there too. I love Miller and the way that he fights, but he’s running into a buzz saw that is Oliveira tonight. Great fight back and forth that will go the distance — biggest test in Oliveira short UFC career.

Prediction: Charles Oliveira over Jim Miller via decision

4. It’s good to see the Joe Stevenson of old

Simple game plan for Joe Stevenson: turn this fight into a grappling match and beat the hell out of Mac Danzig on the ground. I don’t see the fight going any other way. There seems to be a fire under Stevenson’s ass since he’s rejoined the Greg Jackson Camp and I think they’ve brought him back to his roots. Although there’s a ton riding on this for Danzig, he won’t be able to stop Stevenson from implementing his game plan. Look for submission attempts galore once the fight gets to the ground.

Prediction: Joe Stevenson over Mac Danzig via submission

5. Thiago Alves and John Howard set off fireworks!

I was very surprised that the Thiago Alves vs. John Howard fight wasn’t the Co-Main Event since these fighters always put on a good show. It may be because they are both coming off of a loss, so it wouldn’t be right to reward them that type of billing. Aside from that, this fight is also a Fight of the Night candidate due to the fact that they are both kick boxers who like to bang. I don’t see either one of the backing down — they will both come forward each trying to take the center of the octagon. I believe Alves has the superior Muay Thai striking with lethal leg kicks, absolutely lethal. I don’t see Howard getting past that. The Pit Bull is back to his winning ways.

Prediction: Thiago Alves over John Howard via TKO

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QUESTION: Predictions? GSP fans — what will you do when he loses?