Georges St-Pierre (minus-500) vs. Nick Diaz (plus +400)

From the media call last week to the press conference today it seems like GSP is certainly tired of the media, the fans, and of course – Nick Diaz.  What will happen in that cage is anyone’s guess but Georges fight IQ is the best in the business and it is my opinion that Georges will be able to turn the tables on Nick and use the same sort of mental warfare that Condit did against Nick and get him flustered on the way to a decision victory where he will remain the welterweight title.

PICK: GSP

Carlos Condit (plus + 110) vs. Johny Hendricks (minus - 140)

The former interim champ has a tough road ahead of him as he takes on the true number one contender with the best one-punch KO power perhaps in all of the UFC in Johny Hendricks.  For me this is a fun fight because Condit has never been KOd and Johny is accumulating a bit of a collection over guys who have “never been KOd” before they met Hendricks.  The problem with this fight is that if Condit wins he might not be the best candidate for GSP just coming off a loss to him.  So for a fight that only works if Johny wins this is not a great fight.  Condit can win this fight at range and will be able to scramble if he gets taken down by Hendricks and with that I really like his chances, but if he wins he certainly makes some problems for the UFC.

PICK: Condit

Nate Marquardt (plus + 135) vs. Jake Ellenberger (minus -165)

This fight is a tough call because Nate has become the BJ Penn of modern MMA.  By that I mean he looked like a world beater when he dropped to 170lbs to destroy Tyron Woodley and then looked very flat against Saffeidine in his next fight.  Ellenberger on the other hand is a dynamic powerhouse wrestler who has power punching and in this case a full camp (Nate is a late replacement).  I think Jake is going to be able to get a win here although the longer it goes the more the tables turn in favor of Marquardt.

PICK: Ellenberger