UFC 129 Predictions

Main Card:

Welterweight Championship: Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields

Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick

Light Heavyweight: Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida

Light Heavyweight: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz

Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson

Shawn's Predictions:

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson: Henderson via Decision

Being a former champion, Henderson is attempting to bounce back from a loss to new LW contender Anthony Pettis and his devastating flying kick off of the fence. Meanwhile, Bocek is trying to climb his way to the top of the LW ranks while proving, what he thinks to be, the best BJJ practitioner in the LW division. There is no doubt Bocek will be looking for submissions, but Henderson should be comfortable taking him down because he is almost submission proof. I think Henderson will use his superior striking to pick his spots and set up takedowns, and from there try to work submissions or ground and pound. I wouldn't be surprised if Henderson finished this with a sub or KO/TKO, but I think Bocek is too tough. Expect Bendo to use his superior striking and wrestling on his way to a decision victory.

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Jason Brilz: Brilz via Decision

I think this fight will come down to who has more in the gas tank. "The Janitor" Matyushenko is getting old and I don't think he has much left to show. On the other hand, Brilz is coming off of a hard-fought loss to Antônio Rogério Nogueira which he deserves much credit for. This is clearly a battle between wrestlers, and I think Brilz will have more in his tank and will prove tougher than old Vlad. Expect Brilz to use his wrestling to win a fairly one sided decision.

Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida: Machida via Decision

Coming off of two loses, Machida needs to take home another victory. Unfortunately, I don't think this fight will be a cake-walk for him. Although Couture is almost as old as my own father, he's still got it. You can that when he fights, he still has the passion and drive to preform well. This, along with experience and his toughness can give him an edge. The game plans for each fighter are somewhat obvious for this bout, as Couture will probably use his wrestling to either take Machida down or get him up against the cage and pressure the Dragon with dirty boxing. Machida will try to circle around, and use his effective karate counter punching to score points and hurt Couture. I wont be surprised if Machida finishes the "Natural" (ex. Rashad Evans), but I think Couture is too tough and I wont expect Machida to let his hands go as freely has he has in the past. Machida will use his effective counter striking to wear down Couture and put him in spots where he has trouble being aggressive and getting control of Machida. The pick is Machida by decision

Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick: Aldo via TKO

Expect this fight to be fireworks, as both guys are nuts enough to stand with one another. Both featherweights are known for finishing their opponents in a dominant fashion and that's what will make this fight so interesting. I'm not sure what Hominick's game plan is, in fact, I don't know what anybody's gameplan for fighting Aldo would be, but I think it will be very difficult for Hominick to win this fight. Aldo will do what he usually does and use his leg kicks very effectively. Eventually, Aldo will prove too much for Hominick and the Canadian will be worn out. Aldo will go in for the kill, hurt Hominick and will have to have to ref pull him off of the hometown hero, thereby upsetting about 55,000 canucks as Aldo will retain his title winning the fight via TKO.

Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields: St-Pierre via TKO

Arguably the two best welterweights in the world are finally facing off. Shields has gone unbeaten in his last 15 fights, and this is his chance to prove he is the best welterweight in the world. Unfortunately for him, it will not be easy, as GSP is standing in his way. Both fighters are very similar, as they both have great wrestling and are decent in other areas. While GSP has an large advantage on the stand-up and the wrestling game, Shields has an advantage as he is a world class BJJ practitioner. The media has been hyping his ground game for a while, but to be honest, I think it is highly overrated. This fight starts on the feet of course, so their is a slight possibility we will never see his ground game, but I doubt it. When the bout kicks off, GSP will show that he has far superior striking, by picking his spots (ex. Jabs to Koscheck) taking Shields down. At the same time, Shields will be looking for the perfect time to take down GSP, as he probably isn't as confident with his striking. If he gets GSP on his back, he will look to pass to mount and look for submissions, but it will not be easy. I expect GSP to push the pace, keep the fight standing for a little, take Shields down a couple times, and drop Shields while standing and trading. GSP will pounce on Shields and finish him, retaining his championship.

*Yes I know this is a bold prediction, but I dreamt that GSP TKO'd Shields, so I'm stickin' with it.

Vinny's Predictions:

Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson: Henderson via Dec
Vladimir Matyushenko vs Jason Brilz: Brilz via Sub
Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida: Machida via TKO
Jose Aldo (c) vs. Mark Hominick: Aldo via TKO
Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Jake Shields: St-Pierre via TKO

 

Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Prediction Results

Nick Diaz made history as he was declared the first man to "outstrike" Paul Daley and TKO him. Just to clarify, Paul Daley has only one other TKO loss on his record, but it is from a dislocated thumb. It was a battle between strikers for most of the fight, as both men swung for the fences hoping to catch the other. Daley had hurt Diaz badly in the middle of the 1st, but Diaz recovered and eventually finished the wobbly Brit with 3 seconds left in the 1st with punches. Also on the card, Gilbert Melendez made short work of challenger Tatsuya Kawajiri by finishing him with strikes about three minutes into the 1st, Gegard Mousasi and Keith Jardine fought to a majority draw (which I think is bullshit) because Mousasi was deducted one point for an illegal upkick. He would have won the fight if not for the upkick. In the first fight of the night Shinya Aoki recieved his first win on American soil by finishing Lyle "Fancy Pants" Beerbohm via neck crank about a minute into the 1st round.


Yes, I am a Paul Daley fan, but I think three more seconds wouldnt have done him any worse and I believe this fight should have gone to the second round. Sure he was rocked, but it is possible that if "Big" John McCarthy had spared Daley three seconds we could have a different champion. Diaz seems unstoppable at this point. I'm not sure who they'll throw at him next, probably Tyron Woodley, but I dont think he will lose anytime soon, that is, unless they throw him to GSP in the future.

Points awarded: Jon had 5 points, Joe had 4 points, I (Shawn) had 4 points, and Vinny sadly had 1 point.

Standings:

Shawn: 34 points

Vinny: 29 points

Joe: 26 points

Jon: 22 points

See you all at 129

SL

Quote Of The Day

"Years ago we hardly had anything to eat. Now I earn more money and I see every opponent as a man that tries to put me back to that poorer period. That man has to be eliminated" - Fedor Emelianenko

Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Predictions

We haven't really intensively covered a Strikeforce event in a while, and now that they're under Zuffa, I think now is the time to take them more seriously. This is a great card to start.

Main Card:

Welterweight Championship: Nick Diaz (c) vs. Paul Daley
Lightweight Championship: Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Light Heavyweight: Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine
Lightweight: Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm

Shawn's Predictions:
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm: Aoki via Submission
Aoki is clearly trying to get this fight to the ground but every fight starts standing up. Beerbohm as the advantage on the feet, and I think this is his chance to prove he is a superior striker. Aoki will have to carefully pick his spots on the feet and look for the perfect chance to get Beerbohm to the ground in anyway, whether it be a takedown or pulling guard. Keep in mind that Beerbohm only has 17 fights while has 32. This will play an important factor in this fight. If this fight goes to the ground, I think Aoki will show his experience and easily lock up a submission, giving him the victory.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine: Mousasi via KO
After Mike Kyle announced he had to withdraw from this bout with an injury, brave UFC veteran Keith Jardine stepped in to take his place. Jardine is known for his unorthodox striking and his weird run in the UFC. He beat guys like Liddell, Griffin, and Brandon Vera, but loses to guys like Houston Alexander, but he is now on a two fight win streak. Mousasi is also on a two win streak and is making another run at the title. Mousasi's stand-up is some of the best in the division and I think Jardine is going to have a lot of trouble with this. Jardine might go for takedows, but I think Mousasi will prevent this with strikes and kicks to the legs/body. Mousasi will be much more technical and will pick his spots at the perfect time, catching Jardine on the feet and probably knock him down many times, eventually scoring a clean knockout or TKO.

Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri: Melendez via Decision
This is a rematch between these two fighters and is now for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship. In their first fight back in Pride, Melendez won via unanimous decision. Now, Kawajiri is trying to prove he is a better fighter than he was in '06 as he will attempt to take the strap from Melendez. Both are tough, resilient, and willing to stand toe to toe. I think Melendez's stand up is superior to Kawajiri's and I think this will be a significant factor in this matchup. Expect Melendez to push the pace, use his striking to find takedowns, and wear down the tough Kawajiri to win a decision victory

Nick Diaz (c) vs. Paul Daley: Diaz via Submission
There is no hiding Paul Daley's mission in this fight, to knock the fuck out of Nick Diaz. It doesn't matter who you are, but to stand and trade with Paul Daley isn't very smart. Just ask Scott Smith. The thing that is interesting about this fight is the fact that Nick Diaz might be fuckin' nuts enough to actually do it. Every fight starts standing, so Diaz's goal should be to get this to the ground, while Daley's should be to keep it up. This fight has the potential to be fireworks, only if Diaz doesn't sit on Daley for 5 rounds, which I don't think is his intention. If it is, be ready to get cheap-shotted after the bell like our buddy Koscheck. I think the main factor in this fight will once again be the fact that Paul Daley is not well-rounded. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Daley knock the fuckin' piss out of Diaz, but Diaz is too experienced and too well-rounded for Daley. Diaz will have to carefully close the distance and work for a takedown and eventually the fight will get to the ground. When it happens, expect Diaz to punish Daley with shots and until Daley unwillingly gives Diaz one of his limbs. I'm going with Diaz by submission of his choice.

Vinny's Predictions:
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm: Aoki via Decision
Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine: Mousasi via KO
Gilbert Melendez (c) vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri: Kawajiri via Decision
Nick Diaz (c) vs. Paul Daley: Daley va KO


*Vinny's Side Prediction: Diaz vs. Daley will end in a No Contest or DQ, via Daley hitting Diaz after the bell and Diaz being drug tested and testing positive for THC in his system. (If Vinny gets this correct, he wins the entire contest)

Bellator 39 (XXXIX) Results

Last night I found myself pretty eager to watch Bellator 39. Not much of a big fan, but some relatively big names were on the card. Bellator is now shown live on MTV2, so it is much easier for fight fans to watch, and its free, so its a win-win.

As for the the results of the event, UFC veteran Ben Saunders defeated Matt Lee by brutally cutting him open in the third round with a barrage of knees, punches, and elbows, and thereby forcing the ringside doctor to stop the fight. The doctor didnt even think twice or examine the cut because of how bloody Lee's cut was. Also on the card was the lightweight semifinal bout between Toby Imada and Patricky Freire, which without a doubt was the highlight of the night. The match started off fairly easily, but out of nowhere Freire hit Imada with a devastating flying knee that rocked Imada. Freire smelled blood and attacked Imada with a combination of punches, knocking him out cold. Take a look:

Apparently Imada's bowels lost control after being KO'd and he was taken out on a stretcher, brutal huh? Next on the card was a welterweight semifinal bout between Rick Hawn and Lyman Good in which Hawn defeated Good in a fairly close split decision. This brought us to our main event in which lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez fought Pat Curran for the championship. Even though he approximately has a 90% finish ratio, I predicted Alvarez by decision, and I was correct. Pat Curran wasnt able to show much offense against Alvarez, but he proved he was tough enough to withstand any of the champ's attacks, and he should be proud of himself.

Everyone keep a lookout for upcoming Bellator events. The have some exciting upcoming fighters and its all free on MTV.  Stay tuned.

SL

UFN: 24 (Nogueira vs. Davis) Prediction Results

Look at that freak of nature. The lanky prospect newcomer Phil Davis defeated Antônio Rogério Nogueira in a fairly one-sided unanimous decision last Saturday in Seattle. Also on the card, Anthony Johnson was victorious over Dan Hardy in a one-sided unanimous, TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah submitted TUF 9 alum DaMarques Johnson via strikes, and the "Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung avenged his controversial split decision loss to Leonard Garcia by submitting him with a unique/rare twister neck crank.

One thing I was really looking forward to in this event was Hardy showcasing his striking in his fight against Johnson. Even more so because of the fact that Johnson agreed that he would stand and bang with Hardy and that neither of them werent going to the ground. This unfortunately wasn't the case. Johnson went against his word, took Hardy down, and sat on him, for 3 straight rounds. A fight that had the most potential turned out to be the worst of the night. I feel bad that Hardy has lost 3 in a row now, but he needs to step up his game. He should really start focusing on his jiu-jitsu and his wrestling, because without those he will never get near a title again.

Now to a nice highlight of the night. In the rematch between the Korean Zombie and Garcia, the better fighter was given the victory. Chan Sung Jung showcased his jiu-jitsu by pulling off a rare neck crank known as the twister. I was nervous that KZ wouldnt win this fight, but I'm glad he showed who the better fighter was after being robbed last april.

The points awarded for the event: Vinny got 5 points, I (Shawn) got 4 points, Jon got 3 points, and Joe got 2 points. Here are the standings as of now:

Standings:

Shawn: 30 points

Vinny: 28 points

Joe: 22 points

Jon: 17 points

SL