UFC 137 Main card
Welterweight Championship: Georges St.Pierre vs Carlos Condit
Condit is without a doubt the most dangerous opponent St. Pierre has fought yet, but I think GSP is going to win this fight easier than most people think. Condit is a guy who has fantastic armbars and devastating standup. What is probably going to happen though is that GSP is going to confuse Condit with takedown fakeouts and overwhelm with a number of strikes. Then do late round takedowns and avoid the submission to secure the round. Condit wins if he gets lucky and catches GSP with punches. I don’t see a submission happening. GSP and his team are smart enough to never stay in the guard of Condit. If GSP controls from the half guard, Carlos is likely not going to get up the entire round.
GSP.
Welterweight bout: BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz. Did you think I wouldn’t pick him coming back to the UFC? Not like this fight is easy.
Heavyweight bout: Cheick Kongo vs Matt Mitrione
Mitrione is on a hot streak for sure, but I think Kongo is the more talented overall fighter. Unless it goes to the ground. Mitrione has better top control. Matt could GnP this one, while Kongo likes to win on the feet. I’m feeling Kongo here.
Heavyweight bout: Mirko Filipovi? vs Roy Nelson
I gotta go with Roy. He can take a tremendous amount of damage and put it on the other guy himself. Plus if it goes to the ground, his belly is a huge advantage.
Featherweight bout: Hatsu Hioki vs George Roop
Everytime I don’t pick this guy, he crushes his opponent. Roop.
Preliminary card (Spike TV)
Lightweight bout: Dennis Siver vs Donald Cerrone
Featherweight bout: Tyson Griffin vs Bart Palaszewski
Griffin. He will stay close to Bart all night and that is where Bart’s weaknesses are inside the grappling range. If Griffin stays on the inside he should win this one.
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Middleweight bout: Brad Tavares vs Dustin Jacoby
No pick, but Tavares has some power.
Bantamweight bout: Scott Jorgensen vs Jeff Curran
Glad to see Curran back in the UFC after a long stint outside. Jorgensen is that Guidaesque grinding wrestler and Curran has no problem fighting off his back. I can see Jorgensen taking a decision win here, but would be cool to see Curran pull off the sub.
Light Heavyweight bout: Brandon Vera vs Eliot Marshall
Vera easy.
Lightweight bout: Ramsey Nijem vs Danny Downes
Nijem
Middleweight bout: Chris Camozzi vs Francis Carmont
Camozzi seemed tough on the show.