UFC Picks
UFC 127: Fitch versus Penn
The UFC heads down-under to host what should be a lot of great “stand and bang” fights. Australians are a rowdy bunch which makes for great energy and pumped up fighters.
Here are my picks for tonight:
Penn vs Fitch.
Fitch has long been the second best fighter in the world at 170. He is far and away the best contender in the weight division, he just can beat St.Pierre. Penn on the other hand is “that day” kind of fighter. Maybe the extra weight will help. Maybe not cutting will give him power and stamina. Maybe not. You never know with BJ. I honestly believe this will be the last hurrah for the great champion. I say Fitch by ground and pound, round 3.
Bisping vs Rivera.
Two words: right cross.
If Bisping can finally figure out how not to get hit with a right cross then he wins. He has more precise striking, better stamina, and a tighter ground game. Riviera has a big heart and a big right hand, but I got burned by the big puncher in my last picks, so this time I am taking the better fighter. It doesn;t seem like they like each other too much and the weigh-in was entertaining. Take Bisping by decision.
Siver vs Sotiropoulos
Siver is one dimensional. He has great kickboxing, albeit a little slow, and an average at best ground game. George on the other hand, has an amazing ground game. I see him exploiting this quickly and giving his home fans something to cheer about. Take George by rear-naked in the third round.
Slugfest Pick:
Spencer Fisher vs Ross Pearson.
These two are tailor made for each other. Pearson is tight and right and has good power in his punches and kicks. Fisher is a maniac with creative striking, a good ground game, and a steel jaw. I think these guys are going to put on a hell of a show. I think Fishers heart and experience pull him through in this one. Take Fisher.
There are no mega fights on this card but sometimes these better matched, lower hyped ones can be way more entertaining.
Enjoy the fights!
UFC 126: Silva Versus Belfort, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
I think this is the best card of the UFC has put on in about a year. The top three fights on this card are ridiculously competitive and everyone is a superstar. I can only imagine that the MMA kings wanted to put their best foot forward on Super Bowl weekend. This card will answer three key questions for us:
1) Are Anderson’s hands as good as Belfort’s?
2) Is Forrest at the end of his Cinderella story career or does he have something left?
3) Is Jon Jones from this planet?
So without any further ado, here are my picks for Saturday night:
Silva versus Belfort
I know I called Chael Sonnen and was wrong. I am still pretty bitter about that last round. This time I WILL shock the world. I believe Belfort’s hands will outdo Silva’s. They aren’t as fast as they used to be but they are still stupidly fast, and now he has more power. He won’t be submitted either. His ground game is very strong. I think they feel themselves out for the first round and in the second Belfort catches Silva with a right hook. From there he grounds and pounds his way to victory.
Take Belfort as the new champ. It’s about time.
Franklin Versus Griffin
Let me say this first, Franklin bugs me. Maybe it’s his smugness. Maybe it was that he told Matt Serra to drop to a knee when a fight started so it wouldn’t be legal for his opponent to knee him in the head. Either way, I have not been a fan.
But man is this guy good.
He’s like John Fitch. He’s the second best fighter in the middleweight division, by a long shot, but he will never win the title again. Now that he is back at light heavyweight he could potentially face the same thing. This guy has beaten EVERYONE other than Silva. He has great boxing, he fights smart, and his cardio is awesome. I love Griffin but I don’t think there is a comeback here. If the UFC wanted to see Forrest regain his confidence, they should have picked someone else. Franklin is too tough.
Take Franklin by decision.
Jones versus Bader
Bader has been on a great run. He has really good takedowns, a strong right hand, and a good chin. I think he has a pretty good career ahead of him. I also think the UFC must not like him very much.
Jon Jones scares me. He scares me a lot.
His freakishly long arms, the longest in UFC history, combined with his massive size, amazing agility, and weird ninja-like moves make him unstoppable. (Short of a lucky punch by Bader) I think this fight could shock the MMA world by ending just a easily as his others. No one has come even CLOSE to competing with this kid.
Take Jones by KO.
I wish I could have been at this event. It is going to be amazing but Vegas was just not going to be a healthy decision right now 
Enjoy the fights!
Fight For the Troops: Saturday January 22, 2011
I love when the UFC holds these fights for the troops. The crowd is always mental and they usually put fighters on the card who need to prove a point. They are some of the most action packed fights you will ever see. This card promises the same. The best part is…..IT”S FREE ON TV!
Dunham Versus Guillard
First off, I will say this: I HATE Guillard. He’s a punk. The only thing I hate more is picking against him because he is SOOO ridiculously explosive the he can make me look like an idiot in a split second. That being said, I really like Dunham’s all-round skill set, workman like effort, and rock hard chin. This is his time to show he is the real deal and I believe he grabs the spotlight. I think he rocks Guillard with some brutal ground and pound and then submits him in round 2.
Mitrione Versus Hague
Two big boys, two big punchers, two guys who like to bang. Could you ask for anything more?
Mitrione has shown his NFL days prepared him well for an MMA career. His footwork is getting better, he takes a punch well, and he has heavy hands. The “Thrashing Machine”, what a great name by the way, has seen highs and lows in the UFC and is making his last run. He is coming off two big KOs in smaller shows and is ready to show off his new commitment. I think experience pays off for Hague in this one and he catches Mitrione in the 2nd round with a vicious shot. KO for Hague.
Hominick Versus Roop.
Roop is ridiculously tall for featherweight at 6″1′. Hominick will be outreached by a long shot. Hominick is extremely well rounded and has excellent stand up. He has also been in some SICK wars and shown he can take some brutal punishment and keep going. He wants a title in the UFC. I see Hominick outlasting Roop for a judges decision in what may be a very AWKWARD stylistic fight.
Barry Versus Beltran
Barry GAVE AWAY his fight with Cro-cop because of his infatuation with him. I imagine he knows it, and feels like a dip shit. I expect him to come out in this fight and prove how good he really is.
And he is REALLY good. He hits and kicks harder than anything I have seen in a long time. He hits SCARY hard. He breaks things.
Him and Beltran both love to Bang so this one should end violently
I am excited. Take Barry by KO in round 1.
Miller Versus Wiman.
No more underating for Miller. He is legit. Wiman has been much better since he removed the worst nickname in MMA (Handsome)from his handle but he doesn’t have Miller’s killer instinct. Miller by Sub in round 2.
Look forward to a very entertaining card and head over the the corporate website. They are holding an auction and selling some very school stuff. It all goes to the troops. I got mine!
See you Saturday!
UFC 125, January 1, 2011
This should be a barn burner. DW has done it again by putting a UFC on New Years. What a perfect time to be hung over and watching sports. Here are the picks:
Maynard Versus Edgar
I still think Edgar is in a weight class too high and that is WHY he is winning. He is just faster than everyone. That being said, Gray has beat him once before and usually the guy who won the first will also win the second. Most fighters have Maynard winning with excellent wrestling and ground and pound. I am going to finally give Edgar the respect he deserves and give him the edge. I think his two fights with BJ Penn prepared him for well for the ground game and I think his stick and move style will frustrate Maynard too.
Leben Versus Stann
Leben is one of my favorites. A total head case with a jaw of steel and a left hand made of sawdust, gunpowder, and scrap metal. When was the last time this guy had a boring fight? Stann on the other hand has been a COMPLETE disappointment. Leben has it right. He said Stann is “well rounded but excellent at nothing.” Take Leben in another classic slugfest.
Vera Versus Silva
Hmmmmmm tough one. I was a huge Vera nut hugger for a long time. Right up until I realized he was never going to reach his potential. (Right about the same time John Jones smashed his face in with that elbow) Look for Thiago to push the pace hard on Vera and try to break him quickly. It hurts me to do it but I will take Silva.
Diaz Versus Kim
Diaz is awesome and ridiculous. I couldn’t believe how tall he was when I was talking to him in Las Vegas. I see about 300 jabs being thrown in this fight and eventually Diaz choking Kim out. This could be fight of the night as Diaz hasn’t quite figured out , just like his brother, that finishing people quickly with your superior Jits is ok too!
Guida Versus Gomi
Yes, the almighty Fireball Kid is finally in action. Another fight of the night possibility. Guida will bring 15 minutes of pain like he always does. Surprisingly, I think this one is a no-brainer. Guida can’t be knocked out and Gomi will suffer the usual jitters of a UFC debut. Take Guida in a judges decision that will have the fans on their feet.
Happy New Year’s everyone!
January 1st, 2011 at 8:51 pm
Here are my picks for UFC 125:
Maynard vs Edgar
I agree that Edgar is still a weight class too high and his speed has helped him up until now. However, I think this fight will play out like the first between these two – Maynard will eventually get Edgar on the ground and start to pound on him and slow him down.
Styles make fights and Edgar’s plan against BJ Penn to continually stick and move kept him away from BJ’s power(something an equally quick Sean Sherk forgot to do against BJ and got knocked down and out).
But Maynard is a much better wrestler than BJ and when he eventually gets Edgar pinned against the fence he will overpower him, put him on his back and make him pay – something BJ could not do. Maynard by decision.
Leben vs Stann
Leben definitely has a jaw of steel but his “lead with his chin” fighting style has gotten him into trouble before (Anderson Silva’s 1st round pinpoint striking destruction of Leben). Not to worry though because Brian Stann is definitely not Anderson Silva, he is not quick or pinpoint in his striking and his power is probably equal to that of Leben. But his chin is definitely not equal to Leben’s – Leben by knockout.
Vera vs Silva
Interesting fight, Thiago will stalk him Vera early and eventually wear him down with his aggressiveness. I agree with you on Vera, he has been a big disappointment and looks like he has resigned himself to collecting paychecks and not winning fights. Silva by decision.
Guida vs Gomi
Gomi is a good wrestler and a more pinpoint striker than Guida but his conditioning has been questionable. Guida on the other hand is like the Tasmanian devil with an iron jaw – he keeps moving forward no matter what is thrown at him. I see the Fireball Kid flaming out after the first round and Guida eventually imposing his will on Gomi. Guida by decision.
January 1st, 2011 at 8:55 pm
Good thoughts here. Your Maynard theory is definitely the popular one. I have to give Edgar respect at some point though! Might as well be now.
January 1st, 2011 at 9:18 pm
I am actually rooting for Edgar, I just think Maynard is a bad matchup. I would have more confidence if Edgar had strong jits/submission skills when he ended up on the ground. Who knows maybe Maynard won’t be able to hold him down for too long.
January 1st, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Edgar, Leben most def., Silva. Enjoy the fights guys
January 4th, 2011 at 11:27 am
Thank you for a great post.
January 7th, 2011 at 12:51 am
Thanks for the awesome post!