Charles Oliveira has been known widely for his superior Muay Thai stand up, but after this match people know that he can very much hold his own on the ground. Moving down to the Featherweight Division, Charles looked right where he should be. He was able to snap on a unique submission cranking both on his opponents thigh and calf while hyper extending the knee. Not a good place to be.

At UFC 124, you saw why Georges St. Pierre is considered one of the pound-for-pound best MMA fighters in the world. Along with a great main event, it showed the return of Thiago Alves to vintage form and a scary Lightweight Contender in Jim Miller. It was fun night of fights and the Montreal fans were as crazy as ever. Here were the results from the event:

1. GSP completely dominated Koscheck with ease

The most amazing aspect of Georges St. Pierre’s game is that he’s able to completely take his opponents out of their comfort zone. We’ve seen it with his wrestling, kickboxing, and now against Josh Koscheck — his boxing. He literally kept Koscheck at bay with a stiff jab that landed consistently throughout the whole fight. It was truly a mixed martial arts fight where you saw everything, mostly coming from GSP.

People are going to criticize GSP for not finishing the fight, but come on — he completely dominated. I really thought Koscheck would have a chance against him, but after this fight — I don’t see anyone in the UFC Welterweight Division beating GSP.

(-1) Prediction: Josh Koscheck over Georges St. Pierre

2. Stefan Struve escapes a submission and lands a TKO

I really thought Stefan Struve was a huge mismatch against Sean McCorkle. Then in the beginning of the round, McCorkle was very close in ending the fight with a keylock — my jaw literally dropped thinking the fight was over. Luckily, Struve was calm enough to escape and reverse the position into his mount on McCorkle. From that point, the fight was over. Let’s see Struve fight a Top 10 Heavyweight.

(+1) Prediction: Stefan Struve over Sean McCorkle

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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

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There’s nothing better than the UFC on Spike TV. UFC Fight Night 22 highlighted the depth of the UFC Lightweight Division and the road back for a perennial Middleweight. And I did pretty good with my UFC FN 22 predictions (4-1). Another great surprise was the Mirko Cro Cop interview — I can’t wait for UFC 119, but before that heres the results from tonight:

1. Nate Marquardt never stops fighting

Nate Marquardt needed this win to climb back up the Middleweight ladder and he did so in exciting fashion, as I predicted. There was some empty controversy when Rousimar Palhares cried that Marquardt had greased his legs, which was later cleared during the Joe Rogan post-fight interview. The referee, the doctor and the athletic commission checked and found nothing. Lesson learned by Palhares: Never stop fighting.

(+1) Prediction: Nate Marquardt over Rousimar Palhares

2. Charles Oliveira is the real deal at Lightweight

All I have to say is WOW! Efrain Escudero came into the fight overweight, but that didn’t matter to Charles Oliveira. From Oliveira’s last fight, we were only able to see his BJJ — today we saw a lot more. Vicious leg kicks along with smooth striking, Oliveira confused the hell out of Escudero. He ended it with a standing rear-naked choke.

(-1) Prediction: Efrain Escudero over Charles Oliveira

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