The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Predictions
 

The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Info and Predictions for the Entire Card

BleachersReport

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This week serves as the last season of The Ultimate Fighter—well, at least the last that Spike TV will see of the ultra-popular program on their network.

The UFC will later move the hit series to the FX network in 2012, though the promotion hosts a memorable farewell finale as former Icon Sport champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller makes his re-entrance to the Octagon opposite of middleweight contender Michael Bisping.

The two served as coaches for season 14 of the TUF show, which hosts both bantamweight and featherweight hopefuls, where two studs in each division will battle it out in the finals in order to procure a six-figure contract with the UFC.

Re: The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Predictions
 

Dennis Bermudez vs. Diego Brandao




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Though a battle between Diego Brandao and Bryan Caraway is still pending, the featherweight matchup is all in favor of the ultra confident Brazilian.
Caraway, unarguably the most experienced and well rounded fighter on the show, lacks a huge amount of confidence, which he reiterated in the look of surprise he had when he discovered his opponent for his semi-final bout.
The Team Alpha Male product is a talented grappler and a WEC veteran who has tangled with the likes of UFC veterans Ian Loveland, John Gunderson, Fredson Paixao and former title challenger Mark Hominick—though he has been unsuccessful against all.
In Brandao, you find a wily fighter with true knockout power in each hand, which his two TUF opponents in Jesse Newell and Steven Siler—both succumbing to finished in a combined 77 seconds—can attest to.
Caraway is a notoriously slow starter, which falls right into Brandao's hands, who will record another impressive first round stoppage.
In Dennis Bermudez, however, "Ceara" meets his equal.
An equally strong 145-pounder, Bermudez is a powerhouse wrestler who can bring just about any one to the ground based on sheer will.
Though he's unpolished as far as strikers go, his chin has been tested against the likes of top prospect Jimmie Rivera and Akira Corassani—two notable heavy hitters. Dennis will gut out a few hairy moments from Brandao, weathering an early storm before outworking the Brazilian en route to a decision victory.

Re: The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Predictions
 

TJ Dillashaw vs. John Dodson


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There's a reason John Dodson is widely recognized as one of the best flyweights in the world.
Outside of his ninja-like flips in the cage, the Greg Jackson product is one of the more well-rounded and well-versed fighters to enter the show.
A fast, wily and powerful fighter, Dodson has impressive striking to compliment his wrestling prowess. The stout fighter next faces teammate Johnny Bedford in the semifinals.
Bedford is a tireless worker who has an underrated jiu-jitsu arsenal. His biggest asset, however, is his size, towering over his opponents with his 5'10" frame, his wiry body enabling him to cinch up submissions almost effortlessly.
His skill was applied thanks to his extensive high school career as a wrestler, which he has been able to successfully transition into the cage.
Bedford may be able to hit a few takedowns here and there; however, Dodson's relentless cardio and movement will allow him to get back to the feet, where he will pick apart the "Brutal" Bedford with his chopping leg kicks en route to a decision victory.
However, Dodson will meet his match in Dillashaw.
TJ is a natural bantamweight, whereas Dodson allows himself to become a glorified 135-pounder, since he has regularly competed in the 125-pound class over the years.
Dillashaw will measure Dodson early with feigning hooks before taking his smaller foe to the mat. Dodson will not go down without a fight, but will ultimately succumb to the size and higher grappling prowess of Dillashaw, who was a former collegiate NCAA Division I wrestler.
Dillashaw will pick up a decision victory in a back-and-forth performance against Dodson.

Re: The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Predictions
 

Tony Ferguson vs. Yves Edwards


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In a battle of heavy hitters, lightweights Tony Ferguson and former kingpin Yves Edwards meet on the main card of the TUF 14 Finale.
Edwards is a highlight reel machine, with his knockout victory over Josh Thomson some years ago still making runs around the internet regularly. However, his best days may be behind him.
A recent loss to Sam Stout has reasserted those claims. Though dubbed "Hands of Stone," Stout failed to cinch a knockout finish in his five-year UFC career; that is, until he came across Edwards, who fell to a counter left hook this April.
The "Thugjitsu Master" came back with a vengeance against Rafaello Oliveira, storming through "The Tractor" with a second-round TKO.
Against lower tier competition such as John Gunderson, Cody McKenzie and the aforementioned Brazilian, Edwards shines, giving fans hope of an emphatic return to the top. However, against top tier competitors, he crumbles.
Ferguson is largely unproven still in his young Octagon career, though he has the stuff to make a run to the top. His awesome cardio comes from his amateur background as a wrestler, though it's his hands that have really garnered the attention of most, owning eight knockout finishes in his 12 career wins.
A long and rangy fighter, Ferguson utilizes every inch of his six-foot frame by whipping inside and outside leg kicks, bludgeoning opponents low in order to compliment his stinging jabs and uppercuts that have put many a man down.
Expect Ferguson to stand over Edwards asking him "where's your kid at?" before the final bell, as "El Cucuy" will pick up another knockout victory, moving 3-0 in the UFC.

Re: The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale: Predictions
 

Jason Miller vs. Michael Bisping


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In the main event of the evening, coaches Michael Bisping and Jason Miller will engage in a five round, non-title middleweight bout.
The event marks the return of "Mayhem" following a six-year absence from the Octagon, where the popular fighter has made a name for himself outside the promotion, picking up impressive submission victories over the likes of Falaniko Vitale and former EliteXC champ Robbie Lawler while besting top Strikeforce contender Tim Kennedy twice by decision.
Miller has continued to round out his obvious submission prowess whilst under the tutelage of both Joao Assis and Fabricio Werdum out of Kings MMA, where the "Bully Beatdown" host has since picked up his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Mayhem continues to plug away in the striking department with none other than Rafael Cordeiro, the former head trainer of the Chute Boxe academy who has trained the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Anderson Silva in the past.
Though Miller is making all the necessary changes to be recognized as part of the upper echelon once again, it might just be a little too much too soon in taking on "The Count" at this point of his career.
Bisping has become a surging contender in the 185-pound division, having gone 3-0 in his three outings inside the Octagon. The Brit is a complete fighter, showing improved takedown defense over the years and complimenting his impressive striking arsenal, which is chock full of kicks, knees, elbows and punches.
Neither man has the juice to put the other away with a hard blow nor do either best each other in the wrestling department, so expect Bisping to outwork Miller on the feet with the jab, sneaking in some hooks and straights along the way, taking home the decision win after 25 minutes of action.
My heart's with Miller, but my mind is telling me Bisping, who will likely remain one big fight away from a shot at the middleweight title.