UFC 114: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Jason Brilz Prediction

Light Heavyweight bout: Antônio Rogério Nogueira vs. Jason Brilz

Odds:  (-800Nogueira /+500 Brilz )

The second bout of the evening is a Light Heavyweight contest pitting tough Nebraskan Jason “The Hitman” Brilz against top 10 contender Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.  Brilz is tough, well-rounded, and notoriously hard to finish, but Little Nog is one of the most dynamic and dangerous fighters in the division, so he is going to have his hands quite full in this one.

Brilz, a veteran of over 20 professional fights, has only been finished once in his career, by submission.  A tough fighter with bruising boxing, a granite chin, and a very underrated ground game, Brilz is a tough opponent for anyone.  That toughness is going to be a huge asset in this fight, because from a technical standpoint, he is not better than Little Nog at anything besides possibly wrestling.

Little Nog is an absolute monster.  Of the most accomplished grapplers in the Light Heavyweight division, he has proved that his hands are also an extremely formidable weapon.  He has excellent technique both standing and on the ground, and his hands are fast, accurate, and powerful.

Brilz is a tough guy and a good fighter, but he is completely overmatched here.  Little Nog will easily pick him apart on the feet and easily handle him on the ground.  I doubt we will see Nog push for a takedown, since he can outbox Brilz with relative ease.  Nog by T/KO.

Prediction:  Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via third round T/KO.

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