UFC Fight Night 22 – Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares Prediction

Fight Overview:  Perennial top contender Marquardt tries to put together another run at a Middleweight title shot against Rousimar Palhares, one of the division’s most prolific submission experts.  Marquardt is far more well-rounded but Palhares has a chance of submitting anyone, so this is a compelling fight.

Palhares’ Strengths:  Palhares has a superb ground game.  His takedowns are pretty solid, his positional control is great, and his submissions are as good as they get.

Palhares’ Weaknesses:  His standup is still developing and his wrestling is not good enough to compensate for his lack of standup ability.

Marquardt’s Strengths:  Marquardt is extremely well-rounded.  His jiu-jitsu is very good, mainly from top position, and his striking is extremely dangerous.

Marquardt’s Weaknesses:  His wrestling is not very good, offensively or defensively.

The Verdict:  This is Marquardt’s fight.  Palhares is better on the ground, but he is probably not good enough to force the fight there as much as he would need to to control Marquardt.  On the feet, Marquardt will tear Palhares up, and that is what I expect to happen in this fight.  Marquardt by T/KO.

Fight Prediction:  Nate Marquardt by third round T/KO.