Author: moneybags

UFC 127 Penn vs Fitch

Welterweight bout: B.J. Penn vs Jon Fitch BJ’s hands are better. He has more power there. Fitch is a zombie and is the bigger fighter. Although BJ’s takedown defense is excellent, he has to make sure Fitch doesn’t get a hold of him otherwise he won’t be able to hop around on one leg against […]

Welterweight bout: B.J. Penn vs Jon Fitch

BJ’s hands are better. He has more power there. Fitch is a zombie and is the bigger fighter. Although BJ’s takedown defense is excellent, he has to make sure Fitch doesn’t get a hold of him otherwise he won’t be able to hop around on one leg against Fitch. Fitch will get BJ to the ground if he gets close. Penn also has a pretty bad going to the decision ratio where Fitch is that pristine grinder who takes and destroys everyone’s will for a full 15 minutes. However, BJ Penn is an underdog in this fight and despite Fitch’s greater wrestling and excellent jiu-jitsu game, Penn has better ground game, and much better stand up game.

Its worth it here to take Penn.

Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs Jorge Rivera

Bisping is that pinpoint striker without the power to deal Rivera stopping blow. Rivera however, hasn’t always displayed the conditioning that Bisping has, yet possesses real KO power. Against Bisping taking Rivera here at +250 is just a smart play. On the ground Bisping is more dangerous. I don’t think Bisping is going to finish him on the ground, but Bisping has a big advantage in the submission defense and escape department. If this fight stays on the feet without going to the ground.

The odds are squarely in Rivera’s favor.

Lightweight bout: George Sotiropoulos vs Dennis Siver

Despite Siver’s great spinning back kick and duck under overhand right left hook combo, Sotiropoulos should take this victory on the ground. George’s top game is pretty insane.

I’ve got George winning inside 2.

Welterweight bout: Chris Lytle vs Brian Ebersole

Ebersole is American fighting on the other side of the world for basically his whole career. He has wrestling experience and Muay Thai background. However, from what I’ve seen in video, I think Lytle will not have a problem. However, this should be an entertaining fight as both of these guys are very loose on their feet. This is a big step up for Ebersole who has fought on lesser promotions against much less talented fighters. He also stepping in on short notice.

I think Lytle wins this based on a number reasons, but like I said, should be a good fight to watch as both fighter’s styles make for entertaining match up.

Middleweight bout: Kyle Noke vs Chris Camozzi

These two ex-TUF guys I think are a pickem, but I’m leaning towards Noke in his backyard (sorta, NZ).

Preliminary card (Ion TV & ESPN UK & Rogers Sportsnet)

Lightweight bout: Ross Pearson vs Spencer Fisher

I’m excited for this fight. Ross Pearson is a tremendous lightweight and has shown incredible boxing ability overall. I’m taking the younger fighter in Pearson with this match, despite Fisher’s craftiness anywhere the fight goes.

Light Heavyweight bout: James Te-Huna vs Alexander Gustafsson

Pass

Middleweight bout: Nick Ring vs Riki Fukuda

Pass

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Light Heavyweight bout: Anthony Perosh vs Tom Blackledge

No pick

Featherweight bout: Zhang Tie Quan vs Jason Reinhardt

No pick

Preliminary card

Heavyweight bout: Mark Hunt vs Chris Tuchscherer
I’ve got Tuchscherer taking this fight to the ground and beating up Hunt on the ground. Hunt has no submission defense as well. Literally 0.

Lightweight bout: Maciej Jewtuszko vs Curt Warburton

Both rangey fighters. Warbuton fights chin up and Maciej is a very aggressive fighter both on the ground and on his feet. I think Warbuton gets caught with something from Maciej.

Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Predictions

Fedor Emelianenko vs Antonio Silva As Bas Rutten said on Inside MMA, this is not an easy fight for Fedor and I agree. However, Mike Kyle was 1 clean punch away from finishing off Silva in their recent fight. Fedor will not likely make the same mistake. I lean towards Fedor here, but Silva will […]

Fedor Emelianenko vs Antonio Silva

As Bas Rutten said on Inside MMA, this is not an easy fight for Fedor and I agree. However, Mike Kyle was 1 clean punch away from finishing off Silva in their recent fight. Fedor will not likely make the same mistake. I lean towards Fedor here, but Silva will be handful just in the size department alone. I don’t think it will be easy, but Fedor will catch Silva because his head is a large target and Fedor has pinpoint accuracy.

Andrei Arlovski vs Sergei Kharitonov

Arlovski is the faster more technical striker. In fact much more. Kharitonov is the russian bear and swings like it. He swings tight inside hooks and if he connects its trouble for Arlovski who has had trouble against heavy big punchers such as Tim Sylvia, Brett Rogers, and Fedor Emelianenko. If Arlovski can execute the gameplan he probably wanted to do against Brett Rogers he should be able to beat Kharitonov easily.

The Reserve Bouts

Shane Del Rosario vs Lavar Johnson

Could be the best fight of the night. I’m leaning towards Lavar, but Del Rosario is clearly the more talented fighter. I just have this feeling the toughness and power of Johnson will get him the victory.

Chad Griggs vs Gianpiero Villante

Chad Griggs.

Valentijn Overeem vs Ray Sefo

Ray Sefo. Overeem is coming off a monster layoff.

UFC 126 Undercard Predictions

Preliminary card Welterweight bout: Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson Mike Pierce is one of the most underknown and underappreciated welterweights. I’ve got Pierce winning this. Light Heavyweight bout: Kyle Kingsbury vs Ricardo Romero For whatever reason, Romero seems to pull out the victories at the end of the day. I lean towards Romero here in […]

Preliminary card

Welterweight bout: Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson

Mike Pierce is one of the most underknown and underappreciated welterweights. I’ve got Pierce winning this.

Light Heavyweight bout: Kyle Kingsbury vs Ricardo Romero

For whatever reason, Romero seems to pull out the victories at the end of the day. I lean towards Romero here in the underdog position.

Lightweight bout: Paul Taylor vs Gabe Ruediger

Taylor should eat Ruediger up as Ruediger is rather poor on his feet, but good on the ground and Taylor is excellent on the feet and mediocre on the ground. Taylor should win this fight via decision.

Preliminary card (Facebook Stream)

Bantamweight bout: Norifumi Yamamoto vs Demetrious Johnson

Kid Yamamoto against a guy I don’t know. I go with Yamamoto everytime.

Preliminary card (Spike TV)

Featherweight bout: Chad Mendes vs Michihiro Omigawa

I know Mendes is likely to win, but you can’t write off Omigawa so easily either. Mendes is -357 to Omigawa at Intertops. With crazy skewed odds I’ll go with Omigawa.

Lightweight bout: Donald Cerrone vs Paul Kelly

This is going to be a great fight. Kelly is tough as nails, Cerrone is as well. I don’t think Cerrone has faced someone as strong as Kelly yet. I think Kelly wears em down and takes the decision.

Main card

Bantamweight bout: Miguel Torres vs Antonio Banuelos

Miguell Torres is likely to win, but I’m avoiding this due to the odds being out of bounds.

Light Heavyweight bout: Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader

This is my favorite fight on the card. I got Jon Jones winning this fight. Intertops has it -357 for Jones and +240 for Bader.

Welterweight bout: Jake Ellenberger vs Carlos Eduardo Rocha

One of the best fighters to bet on is Ellenberger. However, this fight is tricky. Rocha is a absolute jiu-jitsu ace and has a ton of leg related sub victories. I’m passing here as I think Rocha could pull off an insane upset. However, the oddsmakers look like they are thinking like me and Ellenberger is not such a large favorite in this one.

Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin UFC 126

Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin Rich Franklin is favored at Intertops -180 vs Griffin at +140. I’m strongly leaning towards Franklin. More experience, better technician, and can knock you out. Where as Griffin is a grinder with insane cardio. Franklin is not the type to get worn out though. I like Franklin here. Should be […]

Forrest Griffin vs Rich Franklin

Rich Franklin is favored at Intertops -180 vs Griffin at +140. I’m strongly leaning towards Franklin. More experience, better technician, and can knock you out. Where as Griffin is a grinder with insane cardio. Franklin is not the type to get worn out though.

I like Franklin here. Should be awesome fight though.

UFC 126 Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort

Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort Another Brazilian battle here with Belfort who has been out of the UFC for years now. Hasn’t been in since I think he accidentally sliced Randy Couture’s eyelid with the tip of his glove and that was his comeback period. Before that Belfort fought in the early UFC pre-Zuffa. Since […]

Anderson Silva vs Vitor Belfort

Another Brazilian battle here with Belfort who has been out of the UFC for years now. Hasn’t been in since I think he accidentally sliced Randy Couture’s eyelid with the tip of his glove and that was his comeback period. Before that Belfort fought in the early UFC pre-Zuffa.

Since then Belfort has been messing people up in other organizations like 2 event promotion, Affliction, as well as Cage Rage. Some of Belfort’s notable losses include Alistair Overeem in his earlier days and 1 time in Overeem’s larger days. Belfort has lost only to top name opponents and the list of opponents he has beaten is not the top of the heap, however, he has always beaten these guys in incredibly fast fashion.

It sounds like I’m just gunning for a Belfort win. I’m not. Just pointing out because most people might not even know who Vitor Belfort is. This is probably one of the top 2 tests Anderson Silva has ever faced.

Anderson is going to want to stick to the low kicks particuarly his front knee kicks as any high kicks are likely to be met with Belfort punches. However, Belfort can be stifled quite easily. Anyone who has wrestled him in his past has caused problems. Anderson unfortunately is an opponent that fits into Belfort’s strengths.

With the odds at Intertops showing -300 for Silva and +220 for Belfort. With this setup, I like Vitor Belfort for the win.

Strikeforce Cyborg vs Diaz

Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz (c) vs Evangelista Santos This is going to be Nick Diaz’ toughest fight since being in Strikeforce. Santos is tough everywhere. Good standup, good ground. Better than Diaz? Different. I still think Diaz is going to win this fight. Middleweight Championship bout: Ronaldo Souza (c) vs Robbie Lawler If Lawler […]

Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz (c) vs Evangelista Santos

This is going to be Nick Diaz’ toughest fight since being in Strikeforce. Santos is tough everywhere. Good standup, good ground. Better than Diaz? Different. I still think Diaz is going to win this fight.

Middleweight Championship bout: Ronaldo Souza (c) vs Robbie Lawler

If Lawler connects Souza will be out. In fact, I like Lawler here.

Heavyweight bout: Herschel Walker vs Scott Carson

No pick.

Light Heavyweight bout: Roger Gracie vs Trevor Prangley

Prangley is a longtime veteran and difficult to submit. However, on this night, Gracie will submit him.
I have Gracie winning this fight inside 2.