UFC 98 predictions

For those with a gaming affinity, MMAJunkie.com resident handicapper Eric "Performify" Foster offers his picks for UFC 98 tomorrow night. Here's how I see a few of a bouts shaking out, based on who I've seen in action:

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Tough call in what will be a great fight. Machida is a buzzsaw who owns wins over name opponents. Depending on your point of view, this is either a strength or a smokescreen. B.J. Penn, Stephan Bonnar and Rich Franklin weren't at their peaks, and Tito Ortiz was past his prime. The Dragon convinced a lot of skeptics he's for real with his first-round knockout of Thiago Silva at UFC 94. Sugar Rashad is on a roll off consecutive destructions of Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. Machida has lost neither a fight, nor a round, in the UFC. That has to end sometime, right? With a win, Evans could defend the light-heavyweight crown against Quinton Jackson. To quote Rampage, it'll be "black on black crime!" Evans by unanimous decision.

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra
A grudge match that pits two fighters that hate each other beyond the hype. Three years ago, Hughes wins this easily, but Serra had no chance against Georges St. Pierre either. Hughes is 1-3 in his last four fights and comes off a serious injury, while Serra's inactivity ends after 13 months. The Terror loves being the underdog and his unquenchable will to beat Hughes up overcomes any talent and experience disadvantage. Serra by TKO, Round 3.

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen
A similar set of circumstances for Sonnen entering his last fight in which he holds an edge in experience but lacks the submission skills of his opponent. Sonnen was schooled by Demien Maia at UFC 95. He rebounds with a better effort but loses the striking battle. Miller by unanimous decision.

Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar
The sleeper fight of the event. Edgar holds wins over Tyson Griffin, Spencer Fisher and Hermes Franca, but has never faced anyone the caliber of the former UFC Lightweight Champion. Sherk holds victories over Griffin, Franca and Kenny Florian. His three defeats are against St. Pierre, Penn and Hughes - nothing to be ashamed off. Sherk vaults back into title contention with an impressive win. Sherk by TKO, Round 2.

Undercard
Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley
A destruction device, Nover has learned a lot since falling to Efrain Escudero at the TUF 8 finale, most importantly how to lose. He takes it out on Bradley. Nover KO, Round 1.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Andre Gusmao
Soszynski was a popular contender on TUF 8 and 2-o in the UFC. The Polish Experiment takes another small step up the latter. Soszynski by unanimous decision.