Fightin' Words

Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Serra -- Welterweight championship

St. Pierre is the ultimate well-rounded mixed martial artist. He's got the wrestling, the submission grappling, the kickboxing and the conditioning to be one of the best ever. But like I've said before -- Serra is a gamer. He's clutch and he's New York tough. The odds don't seem to bother him, and he fights loose and focused.

Serra will be Serra. This fight will depend greatly on which St. Pierre shows up -- The infinitely-talented wrecking ball that dominated Matt Hughes in his last fight, or the fighter that took his underdog opponent lightly.

I think Serra can shock the MMA world again. St. Pierre's kickboxing is nasty, but Serra has heavy hands and can trade with him. But the Long Island native has to stay away from the Canadian's punishing kicks and outbox the challenger. If he does that, he can outpoint him and earn a decision.

But five rounds is a long time and even the most conditioned fighters get tired. That's why I think Serra will finally catch GSP with a big right hand in the fourth round, chase him down to the mat and earn the referee stoppage win.

Rich Franklin vs. Travis Lutter

I see Anderson Silva holding that middleweight belt as long as he wants to. But there are other matches in the 185-pound world.

This match might be three rounds of Lutter shooting at Franklin's legs, while Franklin pelts him with jabs and crosses. It also could be three exciting rounds of near knockouts and near submissions, but I don't think so. Franklin will outpoint Lutter, who will look exhausted after three rounds of failed takedowns, and earn the unanimous decision win.

Nate Quarry vs. Kalib Starnes

I didn't really understand why this match was getting this much play, until I looked on UFC.com and remembered that Starnes is from Canada. The old -- more hometown guys on the card, more media attention, more public attention, more pay per view buys -- I get it. Starnes is coming off a loss to Alan Belcher last October and Quarry knocked out Long Islander Pete Sell in September. Quarry does have heavy hands though. All four of his UFC wins have been from either KO/TKO. He earns the second-round TKO in this one.

Michael Bisping vs. Charles McCarthy

Bisping won a controversial split decision against Matt Hamill and then lost a split decision to Rashad Evans. So the former Ultimate Fighter cast member really needs to win and win impressively. Now that Bisping is fighting at 185 it looks like he could liven up the UFC's thinnest division. McCarthy's last UFC and mixed martial arts match was a 2006 win against Gideon Ray. After a near-victory in the first-round, Bisping dials it up in the second and earns the TKO win.

Mac Danzig vs. Mark Bocek

I like the way Mac Danzig fights. His calm Octagon presence and tactical approach reminds me of a 170-pound version of Travis Lutter. Danzig has the fight experience and the cage savvy to be a very dangerous welterweight. Bocek, a Toronto native, might get pumped fighting in front of a Canadian crowd and give a great fight, but I see Danzig earning the unanimous decision victory.

Best fight you might not see: I have a feeling that the Jason Day/Alan Belcher fight will be a good standup slug fest. Belcher finishes fights and Day is fighting in his home country...Also, if you appreciate the ground game, the Ed Herman vs. Demian Maia fight should be fun. Herman likes to take it to the mats and Maia is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion.

Fightin' Words readers: What are your predictions for this UFC 83 card?