Ex-Champs Fight Their Way Back in UFC 68

UFC 68 brings us the return of Rich "Ace" Franklin and Matt Hughes. After they lost their titles, both fighters have been looking to get their career back on track. Dana White has helped both fighters out by setting them up with arguably slightly above competition. In my opinion it's just another case of White and the UFC looking for future match-ups involving Anderson Silva and George St. Peire.

And now for my predictions. First I told you that Heath Hearing would loose by decision in his UFC debut. No one believed me, but like always I was completely right with Hearing going down in a unanimous decision. Then I told you that UFC 67 would bring us quick knockouts from Quinton Jackson and Cro Cop. Both happened like I said they would with Jackson winning by knockout in the second round and Cro Cop winning in the first. I called both fights down to the round. Vegas betters would love this kind of information and yet you guys get it for FREE.

Tim Silvia vs Randy Couture
Everyone knows the story surrounding Randy Couture's comeback. Unfortunately I don't see this fight having the happy ending that Randy was hoping for. Couture left the heavyweight division because his competition had gotten to big for him. And I'm sorry to say, but Tim Silvia is one of the biggest he'll face. Tim will take his time (as usual) and pick "The Natural" apart; ending the fight by knockout in the 4th round. Winner: Tim Silvia

Matt Hughes vs Chris Lytle
This fight should bring lots of cheers from the fans at UFC 68. Matt Hughes is a big crowd favorite. I see Hughes going back to the style that made him one the most dominant welterweights in MMA history. Why? Because he said so. Hughes will start of standing with Lytle, only to set up the take-down. Once he finds his range he'll take Chris Lytle to the mat and use his aw-some ground-n-pound. That will set up the all anticipated Hughes vs St. Peire rubber match. After Hughes looses to GSP he'll collectively retire and pull a Randy Coulure on all of us. Watch and see... Winner: Matt Hughes in the third

Rich Franklin vs Jason McDonald
Both of these fighters come into the Octagon with something to prove. Franklin wants to prove that his showing against Anderson Silva was NOT the real "Ace" Franklin. McDonald wants to prove that he's really a force to be recoded with in the middleweight division. Only one can be right. Rich Franklin will continue his climb to a rematch against Silva with top rate performance in UFC 68. His hands are to pin-point accurate for McDonald and he'll win by knock-out in the second round. Winner: Rich Franklin

That breaks down the top fights. As for the under card fights, I basically agree with Dr. J's predictions. We'll see Silvia win one more before he'll likely face Cro Cop and get beat down. The same will happen to Hughes when he faces GSP in a rubber match. I can't say the same for Franklin. Out of all these fighters, I think he stands the best chance at holding the UFC title before the year ends.