UFC 42: Sudden Impact: Predictions & Analysis

The Welterweight championship matchup features Matt Hughes (18-6) taking on Sean Sherk (7-4). Hughes is the bigger frame at 5'9" with a 6-inch reach advantage.

There's a real Elo separation here: Sherk at 1371 versus Hughes at 1273. That 99-point gap typically reflects a meaningful difference in recent quality of competition and results.

Both fighters land in our "Wrestler" archetype — fighters who win by dictating where the fight takes place, grinding out control time and wearing opponents down. When mirror matchups like this happen, the edge usually goes to whoever can impose their preferred pace and range.

A few statistical edges stand out. Hughes throws significantly more leather — a 1.2 sig. strike per minute gap. Sherk is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.3 more per 15 minutes. Sherk has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Matt Hughes over Sean Sherk. We're leaning Hughes here at 70%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.

The Welterweight matchup features Pete Spratt (3-3) taking on Robbie Lawler (14-10).

Lawler is rated at 1297 — 416 points above Spratt's 881. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.

Stylistically this is Spratt's submission artist game against Lawler's striker approach. Spratt is most dangerous on the ground, constantly threatening chokes and joint locks, while Lawler brings a versatile approach. Historically these archetypes are dead-even when they collide.

A few statistical edges stand out. Lawler throws significantly more leather — a 3.5 sig. strike per minute gap. Lawler is far more active with takedowns, averaging 4.8 more per 15 minutes. Spratt has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Robbie Lawler over Pete Spratt. We're leaning Lawler here at 74%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.

The Welterweight matchup features Dave Strasser (1-0) taking on Romie Aram (0-0).

Strasser carries a modest Elo edge (948 to 915), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.

A few statistical edges stand out. Aram throws significantly more leather — a 0.0 sig. strike per minute gap. Aram is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Aram has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Romie Aram over Dave Strasser. We're leaning Aram here at 67%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.

The Heavyweight matchup features Wesley Correira (2-1) taking on Sean Alvarez (0-0).

Correira is rated at 1045 — 217 points above Alvarez's 828. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.

A few statistical edges stand out. Correira throws significantly more leather — a 3.9 sig. strike per minute gap. Alvarez is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Alvarez has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Wesley Correira over Sean Alvarez. The model gives Correira a slight nod at 61% — this could easily go either way.

The Light Heavyweight matchup features Rich Franklin (14-5) taking on Evan Tanner (11-5).

Franklin carries a modest Elo edge (1094 to 1034), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.

The style clash matters here: Franklin is comfortable adjusting on the fly, mixing strikes and grappling as openings appear, while Tanner is most dangerous on the ground, constantly threatening chokes and joint locks. In our database, submission artists own a 56% win rate against all-rounders, giving Tanner the stylistic edge.

A few statistical edges stand out. Tanner throws significantly more leather — a 4.0 sig. strike per minute gap. Tanner is far more active with takedowns, averaging 2.1 more per 15 minutes. Franklin has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Evan Tanner over Rich Franklin. We're leaning Tanner here at 69%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.

The Lightweight matchup features Duane Ludwig (4-4) taking on Genki Sudo (1-1).

Sudo is rated at 1110 — 257 points above Ludwig's 853. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.

A few statistical edges stand out. Sudo throws significantly more leather — a 1.4 sig. strike per minute gap. Sudo is far more active with takedowns, averaging 4.5 more per 15 minutes. Ludwig has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Genki Sudo over Duane Ludwig. We're leaning Sudo here at 67%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.

The Lightweight matchup features Hermes Franca (6-4) taking on Richard Crunkilton (0-0).

Franca is rated at 1107 — 192 points above Crunkilton's 915. Gaps this large usually mean one fighter has been consistently beating better opponents.

A few statistical edges stand out. Crunkilton throws significantly more leather — a 0.0 sig. strike per minute gap. Crunkilton is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Crunkilton has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Richard Crunkilton over Hermes Franca. The model gives Crunkilton a slight nod at 59% — this could easily go either way.

The Middleweight matchup features David Loiseau (4-4) taking on Mark Weir (1-1).

Loiseau carries a modest Elo edge (919 to 877), the kind of gap that reflects a slightly better run of form rather than a talent chasm.

A few statistical edges stand out. Weir throws significantly more leather — a 2.3 sig. strike per minute gap. Weir is far more active with takedowns, averaging 0.0 more per 15 minutes. Loiseau has tighter striking defense, making opponents miss more often.

The Pick: Mark Weir over David Loiseau. We're leaning Weir here at 68%, a solid but not overwhelming edge.