FightTicker.com is happy to welcome a guest panel to predict the UFC 85 headliner between welterweights Matt Hughes and Thiago Alves. The members of the panel are Larry Vollmer of The Journal News, Tom Kim of the Seattle PI, Jared Barnes of the Houston Chronicle, Mark Chalifoux of The Baltimore Sun, and Carlos Arias of the OC Register.

Panel picks

Larry Vollmer (Inside the Octagon blog): Thiago Alves by KO/TKO in round 3

"After losing by TKO to GSP, I am surprised Matt Hughes took a fight with another powerful striker. When GSP annihilated Hughes for the second time, he showed the whole world the blue print on how to beat Matt Hughes: stand up with him. When Hughes realized he was getting destroyed on the feet, he went for the takedowns and was repeatedly denied by GSP. Hughes' boxing and kickboxing skills are severely limited, and that forces him to rely on his wrestling and ground-and-pound.

"If Thiago Alves were smart, he would be training his takedown defense every day, while working on honing his stand-up skills. Alves has some serious power, and is coming off a KO victory over Karo Parisyan, a guy who is really hard to knock out.

"In my mind, this fight comes down to an x-factor -- Alves' takedown defense. If he can deny Hughes' wrestling, he can win this fight. If he can't neutralize Hughes' wrestling, then we will see a typical Matt Hughes victory: takedown to ground-and-pound to stoppage.

"Still, I have to think that the young, powerful Alves is the newer generation of mixed martial artists that know how to adapt to their opponents' strengths. ATT probably has a solid game plan for Alves and I think Alves will be able to knock Hughes out."

Tom Kim (Ultimate Fan blog): Matt Hughes by tapout due to armbar in round 2

"Unlike a lot of fans, I am not ready to write off Matt Hughes as a fighter. Yes, GSP destroyed him in two of his last three fights, but Thiago Alves is not GSP. While Alves is arguably the best striker in the welterweight class and on quite a roll, I feel his lack of wrestling will play a key role in his bout with Hughes. Look for Hughes to aggressively go for the takedown early and not risk a beatdown on his feet. Conversely, Alves will do everything in his power to keep the fight standing. I feel Hughes will get the takedown sooner than later, land some of his trademark ground-and-pound and eventually submit Alves by armbar in round 2."

Jared Barnes (Brawl Sports blog): Matt Hughes by TKO in round 2

"Hughes may have lost twice to GSP, but he is still the same guy that put Royce Gracie and BJ Penn on their backs and beat them up. He's not going to have problems doing the same to Thiago Alves.

"Alves is a bright young star, brimming with potential, but the closest he's been to fighting a fighter the caliber of Hughes was 2 years ago when he lost by TKO to Jon Fitch. Alves is a good welterweight and I expect him to be in the mix for years to come, but I don't think he's ready for the Hughes and Pierres of the world quite yet."

Mark Chalifoux (MMA Stomping Ground blog): Thiago Alves by TKO in round 2

"I’m feeling an upset in this fight because I think Alves has the better stand-up and Hughes won’t be as motivated in this fight. I don’t think Hughes has a lot left in the tank and that this could be the last hurrah for him. He really hasn’t impressed me in his last few fights and Alves win over Hughes will be more symbolic than anything.

"Alves is an up-and-comer and I imagine that after you’ve had the career Hughes has had, that some of these fights start to look the same. I’m not insinuating Hughes is downplaying Alves but if he looks more like the uninspired fighter he’s been recently then this might not be that much of an upset.

"I hope I’m wrong. I hope Hughes comes out with some fire but I don’t think it will be as easy for him to get Alves down and get on with his usual ground-and-pound. I think there are a lot of things that aren’t going to be as easy for Matt Hughes in the coming years. Hughes needs it…but I’m questioning how much he wants it. Never thought I’d be saying that."

Carlos Arias (Keep Punching blog): Thiago Alves by TKO in round 3

"Has Matt Hughes become the gatekeeper of the welterweight division or does he have one more run left in him? Hughes has been one of the great champions in UFC history, but I don't see how he can hold up against this new wave of young guns at 170 pounds, including Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck and, yes, Thiago Alves.

"Alves is riding a five-fight winning streak. The former Brazilian Muay Thai champion has won his past four fights by TKO, including a second-round TKO over Karo Parisyan in his last fight. Hughes has never been a very good striker and Alves is one of the best strikers at welterweight.

"Hughes has to get it to the ground where he can utilize his renowned ground-and-pound game. But Alves has very good Jiu-Jitsu and can work from his back. Hughes has loads of experience over Alves and has fought on the huge stage on countless occasions. You never know how a fighter will react the first time he is thrust into the spotlight and it doesn't get much bigger than headlining a UFC event. I just see this as a bad matchup for Hughes. I think Alves will handle the pressure. I'm taking Alves by third-round TKO."

Verdict: Thiago Alves wins 3-2