The Main Event of UFC 172, which takes place in Baltimore, Maryland on Saturday, April 26, 2014, will feature the return of UFC Light-heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones to the Octagon after his epic title defense fight against Alexander Gustafsson in UFC 165, a fight that he almost lost. There are a lot of other good fights on the fight card, including the return of Anthony "Rumble" Johnson to the UFC octagon against Phil Davis.
Here is a look at the fights that are taking place on the Main Card of the pay per view.
Max "Blessed" Holloway (8-3-0) vs. Andre "Touchy" Fili (13-1-0)
Max Holloway is the more experienced fighter in this featherweight battle, he is a striker, and will try to stay on his feet in this fight. He has an 8-3 overall MMA record, and is 4-3 in the UFC, winning his last fight against Will Chope in January via TKO in the second round, earning him the Knockout of the Night award. Andre Fili is a well rounded fighter that can defeat his opponents standing up, on the ground, or via submission. He is a newcomer in the UFC, with one previous fight which he took on short notice, but still won via TKO in the second round. He has the advantage in this fight because he has more knockout power than Holloway, and can take the fight to the ground if he has to.
Fight Line: Fili is favored to win the fight, with the money line at -160.
Personal Pick: Fili will win the fight via submission.
Jim Miller (23-4-0) vs. Yancy Medeiros (9-1-0, 1 NC)
Jim Miller was supposed to fight Bobby Green, but Green pulled out last week due to injury and Medeiros took his place. Miller is the more experienced fighter, and prefers to take fights to the ground. This will be Medeiros third fight since joining the UFC, he is more of a striker, and will prefer to fight standing up, which makes for an intriguing fight.
Fight Line: Jim Miller is favored to win the fight, with the money line currently at -214.
Personal Pick: Changing the fighters makes this a dangerous fight for Miller who was training for Bobby Green, but I think Miller will take the fight to the ground and submit Medeiros.
Luke Rockhold (11-2-0) vs. Tim "The Barbarian" Boetsch (17-6-0)
Rockhold gave a very good performance in his last fight against Constance Philippou, and needs a win against Boetsch to move up the middleweight ladder for a shot at the championship belt. He is a good striker, and is also a good wrestler, making him a handful for opponents. Boetsch is also a good wrestler, and has the size and power to take anyone down. The only problem is Rockhold has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and can submit him Boetsch if the fight goes to the ground.
Fight Line: Rockhold is heavily favored to win the fight, with the money line at -888.
Personal Pick: I think Rockhold is the better fighter, and will be too much for Boetsch to handle. I think he will submit Boetsch.
Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis (12-1-0, 1 NC) vs. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (16-4-0)
Davis is one of the best wrestlers in the UFC, while Johnson is a very powerful striker. Davis has defeated some of the big names in the division, and is coming off a controversial decision vs. Lyoto Machida that most people thought he lost. Johnson had problems making weight at middleweight, which led to his departure from the UFC, he has won four straight fights at light heavyweight, and is trying to work his way up the division ladder.
Fight Line: Phil Davis is favored to win this fight; the money line is currently -227.
Personal Pick: Phil Davis will be the toughest opponent Anthony Johnson has faced in the octagon, but I think Johnson will find a way to win the fight because of his knockout power.
Jon "Bones" Jones (19-1-0) vs. Glover Teixeira (22-2-0)
Alexander Gustafsson made Jon Jones look human when they fought at UFC 165, and gave other fighters the blueprint to defeat Jones. Jones will be looking to prove that he is still the best fighter in the world against Teixeira who is a ground and pound specialist who is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. Texeira is undefeated in the UFC, and has shown that he can win a fight standing up if he has to. Jones is a better striker, and is much quicker; he will likely keep the fight standing because Teixeira will have the advantage on the ground.
Fight Line: Jones is heavily favored to win, with the line at -533.
Personal Pick: Jones will prove the Gustafsson fight was a fluke, and win this fight via knockout.