Fight Night: Marquardt vs Palhares

You know, I kinda hate picking these Fight Night fights 'cause most fights involve at least one guy I've never heard of or know little about. Last time out, I think I got killed in my predictions. Oh well, let's take another shot at this:

Nate Marquardt vs Rousimar Palhares (middleweight)
This is a big step up for Palhares. Sure, he's beaten Ivan Salaverry and Jeremy Horn, but they weren't title contenders at the time (Marquardt has beaten both as well). And he did lose to Dan Henderson who was on his way to title contention. Nate Marquardt is too smart to get submitted and is likely too big for Palhares to handle. I'm picking Marquardt.

Efrain Escudero vs Charles Oliveira (lightweight)
Good match up featuring two up and comers with great records. Folks know Escudero from TUF, but who's the other guy, right? Oliveira has an unblemished record and finishes fights. Although I could see Efrain laying and praying a victory, I'm gonna pick the upset and take Oliveira.

Jim Miller vs Gleison Tibau (lightweight)
Tibau is good and has lost to some decent fighters, but Miller is a beast and has lost to Gray Maynard and Frank Edgar - the top two dogs in the division. I bet Miller finds a way to win. I'm picking Miller.

Ross Pearson vs Cole Miller (lightweight)
Another good match up. Miller is the tall finesse guy whereas Pearson likes to stand and bang. Pearson is no joke on the ground, but I don't think he can hang with Miller. If it goes to the ground, I've got Miller. I think it will, so, yup: I'm picking Miller.

Yves Edwards vs John Gunderson (lightweight)
Edwards is a journeyman whose best days are likely behind him. Gunderson is hardly a stud, so this is a bit of a crappy match up. It's a toss up, really. No way I'm picking a guy who claims his discipline is "thugitsu". Eff that. I'm picking Gunderson.

Jared Hamman vs Kyle Kingsbury (light heavyweight)
Kingsbury, who had a stint on TUF, hasn't exactly been impressive, but the UFC has kept him around. Hamman is no big whoop (and he certainly doesn't look like much), but has won Fight of the Night, which means he's got some stones. I don't like either guy particularly, but Hamman has the better record, and I'll assume there's a reason. I'll pick Hamman.

Tomasz Drwal vs Dave Branch (middleweight)
Dave who? Oh right, this is the guy who got slammed by Gerald Harris. Ok. Drwal on the other hand has fought some decent opponents and has come out with a decent record. He's susceptible to submissions, but I still think he'll take it. I'll take Drwal.

Rich Attonito vs Rafael Natal (middleweight)
Attonito didn't exactly turn my crank during TUF, but he was a sympathetic character so here he is. Natal doens't have a profile pic on the UFC website - not a good sign. He does have some impressive wins, though, including one over Travis Lutter by TKO. I'm gonna pick another dark horse and go with Natal.

TJ Waldburger vs David Mitchell (welterweight?)
...Who? For better or for worse, Waldburger's fights don't last long. Mitchell is another guy with no profile pic - and no Wikipedia entry! - but he has an unblemished record and finishes fights fast - usually by submission. Sure, let's pick another dark horse and take Mitchell. Let's hope they steal the show.

Brian Foster vs Forrest Petz (welterweight)
Petz has a good record but has lost every fight against a significant opponent. Brian Foster likes to keep his nights short and has won most of those fights. I'll pick Foster.