Bellator has returned to the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida, to put on another night of exciting fights. The night is sure to be one to remember as some of Bellator’s big names like Rodrigo.
Bellator has returned to the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida, to put on another night of exciting fights. The night is sure to be one to remember as some of Bellator’s big names like Rodrigo Lima, Mikhail Zayats, Emanuel Newton, and David Rickels take the stage. The night is sure to be filled with finishes and exciting fights as all of the fighters are known for putting on a show.
Lima vs. Mann
The main card kicks off live at 10:00pm EST with this Bantamweight feature fight. Rodrigo Lima posts an impressive 10-1 record with 3 (T)KOs, 5 submissions, and 2 decisions. His opponent Ronnie Mann is 21-5 with 3 (T)KOs, 11 submissions, and 6 decisions. Both these fighters are well rounded and exciting. I’m giving the slight edge to Mann due to experience, not to mention he fought Pat Curran to a decision. So I think Mann wins by submission.
Houston vs. Melo
This is sure to be a great fight. Houston is 10-1 with all of his wins coming by a finish, whereas Melo is 28-11 with 11 (T)KOs, and 13 submissions. Both these guys are dangerous all over, but once again I’m going with experience. This is Houston’s third fight for Bellator and we’ll see how he looks. I think Melo takes this by KO.
Newton vs. Zayats
This is going to be a great fight, and it’s for the Light Heavyweight Tournament Championship. The winner takes home $100,000 and a shot at Attila Vegh. This is bound to be a great fight, both men are finishers, and as we saw with Newton, he can shock the world. Zayats is one of the highly touted Russian prospects that I’m always talking about. Unfortunately I’m not feeling it tonight from the Russian. I think this is going to be a war, and in the end, Newton is going to take home a decision.
Rickels vs. Awad
We have for our main event; David Rickels taking on Saad Awad, both men bring it and are exciting fighters. So this is sure to be a crazy fight. Rickels is the cave man, and you can tell it when he fights. He has a chin made of granite, and a nasty triangle. Awad is well rounded and is coming off two knockout wins. This is a tough one to call, but Awad has been submitted in the past. I think Rickels will get rocked, and Awad will go for the kill and get caught in a triangle or arm bar.
Quarter-finals have arrived, and now the competition gets serious. Like any other Ultimate Fighter season, the quarter-fianls is when I give my prediction for each fight, and now is as good a time as any.
Quarter-finals have arrived, and now the competition gets serious. Like any other Ultimate Fighter season, the quarter-fianls is when I give my prediction for each fight, and now is as good a time as any to give my two cents. My total past TUF predictions are just over 72%, so let’s see if I can keep up the success.
Collin Hart vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Both fighters won their fights by beating their opponent on the ground. Hart was able to stifle any submission attempts from Kevin Casey, but Casey seemed content in attacking off his back, where Gastelum will look to be the one in top position. Also, Casey’s only real offense was his Jiu-Jitsu, while Bubba McDaniel was much bigger threat to Gastelum on the feet. McDaniel was seen as one of the more experienced and talented guys in the competition, so it seems to me like Gastelum was able to overcome more adversity than Hart. When it comes down to it, I see Gastelum outworking Hart wherever the fight goes. The wrestling may be close, but Gastelum is just dying to showcase his knockout power.
Pick : Kelvin Gastelum
Dylan Andrews vs. Luck Barnatt
The first pick of the season vs. the last pick of the season, who do you think I’ll pick? Like Chael Sonnen said, Barnatt outworked everyone. This guy can strike with you, take you down, and sweep you when he’s taken down. As the tallest fighter, he has one hell of a reach advantage, and quite honestly, I don’t know how Andrews could possibly come out the victor. Zak Cummings was lighting him up on the feet, and even had him in some bad positions. Andrews eventually reversed the position, and Cummings didn’t have an answer. Against Barnatt, I don’t see the fight playing out the same at all. Barnatt will defend all takedown attempts, and if his takes Andrews down, He’ll keep him down.
Pick : Luke Barnatt
Still two more quarter-final match ups to go, and two more days to see if the fights turn out anything like I predicted. Hopefully bragging rights will be in order. As always, welcome to your comments pertaining to the fights, regardless whether you agree or not.
So Josh my have gotten the win in our little prediction war for UFC 158, but I’m sorry, Bobby Voelker absolutely should have won that fight against Patrick Cote. Now had the judges scored that.
So Josh my have gotten the win in our little prediction war for UFC 158, but I’m sorry, Bobby Voelker absolutely should have won that fight against Patrick Cote. Now had the judges scored that fight correctly, I would have come out on top that night 2-1 in our three fight dissension battle. Nonetheless, I still have one win on him.
It’s dissension at its best, the ongoing prediction battle between MMAfix.com writers, Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli and Josh Leduc.
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Gegard Mousasi
Fight Freek’s thoughts : Gustafsson’s last win was over Shogun, while Mousasi’s was over Mike Kyle, who is no where near the top ten in the light heavyweight division. I applaued Mousasi for his wins over Ovince St. Preux and Hiroshi Izumi, but again, not as impressive as beating Thiago Silva or Shogun. Gustafsson is a giant light heavyweight, with excellent boxing. Now mix in superb takedown defense, and Gegard will have a hell of a hard time figuring out how to win this one.
Pick : Alexander Gustafsson
Josh’s thoughts : Mousasi’s has excellent striking, with an top notch submission game as well. The mauler used his size advantage to beat Shogun, but Mousasi has beating larger opponents before using nothing more than his superior technical abilities. Bottom line, Gustafsson’s striking and grappling skills aren’t nearly as diverse, and Mousasi will have more ways to win.
Pick : Gegard Mousasi
Tor Troeng vs. Adam Cella
Fight Freek’s thoughts : Tor was clipped bad in his loss on the Ultimate Fighter, but his fight to get into the house was more impressive than that of Cella’s. Not to mention, he’s has five times the professional experience, and his only loss in twelve fights was to the former UFC middleweight title contender, Thales Leites. Too Many factors in Tor’s corner for me to side with Cella.
Pick : Tor Troeng
Josh’s thoughts : Cella lost to Uriah Hall, who may be the best fighter on this TUF season. Tor, not so much. In only four professional fights, Cella has stopped all his opponents. Two by submission, and two by KO. I’m going with Cella’s well rounded skills, and ability to finish.
Pick : Adam Cella
And for the record, here’s the rest of our picks that we agree on…
Akira Corassani vs. Robbie Peralta Corassani is a skilled fighter, but I dissagreed with the judges when he was awarded the decision win over Andy Ogle. On more than one occasion, Ogle landed.
Akira Corassani vs. Robbie Peralta
Corassani is a skilled fighter, but I dissagreed with the judges when he was awarded the decision win over Andy Ogle. On more than one occasion, Ogle landed a solid strike that turned the fight in his favor. I guess the judges thought Corassani did enough to negate the damage, but Peralta will ring his bell a lot harder. When I think of Robbie Peralta, one thing comes to mind; knockout! After seeing the damage that Ogle did to Corassani, I’m betting on a first round knockout for Peralta.
Pick : Robbie Peralta
Diego Brandao vs. Pablo Garza
Close fight to call. Garza had a big win over Mark Hominick, but he was defeated by Dennis Bermudez; a fighter Brandao submitted. Garza striking has improved, but Brandao should have the striking advantage, and should be able to keep the fight standing. If Brandao had such a close fight with Darren Elkins, a strong wrestler, the less powerful takedowns of Garza shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Brazilian. If his striking looks tip top, Bradao should be able to put a flurry together and finish the lanky Garza.
Pick : Diego Brandao
Brad Pickett vs. Mike Easton
Striking, Wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu; Brad Pickett does it all. Easton is a hell of a fighter, but Raphael Assuncao gave him more than a few problems on the feet, as well as the ground. Cardio shouldn’t be an issue for either fighter, but I see nothing stopping Pickett from taking Easton down. Seeing Easton is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, I don’t see him getting submitted, and probably KO’d either. In the end, Pickett will dictate where the fight goes, and win by whatever means necessary.
Pick : Brad Pickett
Matt Mitrione vs. Phil De Fries
De Fries has impressive Jiu-Jitsu and improved boxing skills, but Mitrione has already beaten Christian Morecraft and Time Hague; fighters who have similar skills on the same level. I agree that this is an appropriate match up, but Mitrione will just be a little more well rounded, and more skilled.
Pick : Matt Mitrione
Ryan Couture vs. Ross Pearson
As much as I like seeing Couture rise to new levels to defeats higher level opponents, I think this is where it stops. Like George Sotiropolous, Couture is more Jiu-Jitsu and not so much pure wrestling. Pearson defended the takedown well against Sotiropolous, and should be more than capable of doing the same against Couture. Now the fight is on the feet, giving Pearson a huge advantage. I’m hoping Couture’s chin can withstand three rounds with Pearson, but he’ll lose a decision.
Pick : Ross Pearson
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Gegard Mousasi
No beating around the bush with this one, I got the Mauler. Gustafsson’s last win was over Shogun, while Mousasi’s was over Mike Kyle, who is no where near the top ten in the light heavyweight division. I applaued Mousasi for his wins over Ovince St. Preux and Hiroshi Izumi, but again, not as impressive as beating Thiago Silva or Shogun. Gustafsson is a giant light heavyweight, with excellent boxing. Now mix in superb takedown defense, and I don’t know how Mousasi can win this fight.
Let’s start with the obvious, GSP had another decisive win. Wow, for real? Did anyone find that surprising? Because if you did you have the analyst skills of a six year old. Even the.
Let’s start with the obvious, GSP had another decisive win. Wow, for real? Did anyone find that surprising? Because if you did you have the analyst skills of a six year old. Even the people who were picking Diaz for the upset weren’t shocked at the fact that Diaz didn’t amount much offense the entire fight.
It’s good to know the Johny Hendricks is getting the next crack at GSP. I still think it’s ridiculous the Nick Diaz got the chance first, but I’ve ranted enough about that in the past. I was surprised to see that so many people had picked Carlos Condit to win, because the fight played out exactly as I predicted with Hendricks taking a decision. He threw his left hand with bad intent, and when Condit was focused on evading the haymakers, Hendricks would shoot in for a takedown. Condit did have moments of success, but Bigg Rigg did what he does best, and won me $100 with his win. Damn glad my money was on Hendricks.
Now just because Hendricks in getting the next title shot, doesn’t mean that Jake Ellenberger isn’t far behind. He’s beaten Mike Pyle, Sean Pierson, Jake Shields, Diego Sanchez, Jay Hieron, and he just added Nate Marquardt to that list with a devastating knockout. One more solid win over a top opponent and he should get the next title shot, possibly Josh Koscheck, Tarec Saffiedine, or a rematch with Martin Kampmann.
I’ll admit that Patrick Cote performed better in his welterweight debut than I expected, but Bobby Voelker won that fight. The only ones that didn’t seem to agree were the bias sons of bitches that judged the fight. And of course they all three judges just so happened to score it for the Canadian fighter. Know why no one complained about the decision? Oh I don’t know, probably because they were in Montreal. I scored it 30-27 for Voelker, but I can see Cote taking the second round, but with equally as many combinations as Cote, with more takedowns and ground control? No way. I’m just glad that the judges didn’t fuck up any other fights that night.
Jordan Mein had one of the best UFC debut’s a fighter can have, and against a UFC veteran. Not only did he show excellent striking and KO Dan Miller, but he also demonstrated proficient submission defense. I’m not saying that he’ll be fighting for the belt anytime soon, but we could be looking at a future top ten contender.
The judges may have only screwed up one fight, but another was all the doing of ref Yves Lavigne that screws Antonio Carvalho. Darren Elkins landed a hard punch that clearly wobbled Carvalho, he covered up the best he could, but one follow up punch dropped him to a knee. That’s it. Not flat on his back, didn’t even fall on his ass; just dropped to a knee and stood back up. But Yves Lavigne said no. All you need to do is take a knee and Yves Lavigne will step in and spoil a good fight. But then again, we all knew he was more than capable of screwing up a few fights.
Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher Ricci may be moving back down to the lightweight division, but Fletcher is one of the larger lightweights with a significant reach advantage. Essentially, Ricci will be.
Mike Ricci vs. Colin Fletcher
Ricci may be moving back down to the lightweight division, but Fletcher is one of the larger lightweights with a significant reach advantage. Essentially, Ricci will be facing a same problem as he did when he fought Colten Smith; avoid the going to the ground with the larger fighter. Fletcher doesn’t possess equal wrestling skills as Colten Smith, but his Jiu-Jitsu is more impressive, so instead of holding Ricci down for three rounds, Fletcher will be looking for a submission opening. Ricci will have the striking advantage, but he’ll have to get on the inside of Fletcher’s reach. Instead of a traditional wrestling takedown, Fletcher will look to clinch and try to trip the leg to get this fight he’ll have to be careful not to close the distance when his opponent is also coming forward. In three rounds, I find it more likely that Freak show can get Ricci down and find a submission opening, rather than suffer a KO.
Pick : Colin Fletcher
Nick Ring vs. Chris Camozzi
It’s true that Ring has a few controversial wins on his recond, but they were against respectable opponents, and it wasn’t as if he was absolutely dominated in those fights. Camozzi on the other hand, was clearly losing to Nick Catone for over two rounds, but a cut that Catone had sustained caused the ref to stop the fight, which awarded the win to Camozzi. His win over Luiz Cane had me thinking that perhaps I was too critical of his skills, but part of me still credits that victory to Cane’s lack of conditioning and not necessarily Camozzi’s exceptional skill. Whether both fighters look their best or their worst, I see the majority of skillsets laying with Ring. It may be another controversial win, but it will be a win nonetheless.
Pick : Nick Ring
Jake Ellenberger vs. Nate Marquardt
Marquardt didn’t look like the same fighter that KO’d Tyrone Woodley in his fight with Tarec Saffiedine. Whether it was bad game planning or a harsh weight cut, I’m extremely hesitant to put my confidence in the former Strikeforce champ. Ellenberger on the the other hand, has had a constant performance in nearly all of his fights. Even in his loss to Martin Kampmann, Ellenberger completely dominated the Danish kick boxer, and nearly finished the fight in the second round. Kampmann made a strong comeback in the second, but still many fans protested the possible early stoppage. Even Dana White was one of those who complained that the fight was stopped too early. Ellenberger is now only a wrestler, he has developed proficient boxing. Now it may not compare to the kickboxing of Marquardt, but by mixing up his striking and wrestling, Ellenberger will have enough tools to win a close decision.
Pick : Jake Ellenberger
Carlos Condit vs. Johny Hendricks
The top two welterweights behind GSP are squaring off, and damn this is a tough fight to call. Condit will have the superior technical striking and Jiu-Jitsu, with Hendricks having better wrestling and a clear advantage in knockout power. Neither fighter seems to have a cardio problem, so this fight could play out multiple ways. Condit could always use his footwork and reach to out strike Hendricks for three rounds, or he could be on the wrong side of a crippling left hand, which could end the fight in under a minute. I don’t see Hendricks getting caught with a head kick or flying knee, and like Rory MacDonald and GSP, he can utilize his wrestling to control Condit for multiple rounds. Bottom line, I see Condit as a slightly more well rounded Martin Kampmann, and we all know what Hendricks did to the Hitman. Condit will be guessing whether he has to stuff a takedown, or be on the lookout for the left hand, and this will frustrate him and slow his combinations. I don’t’ believe Condit will get finished, but Bigg Rigg will pull off a close decision win.
Pick : Johny Hendricks
George St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz
As much as some fans despise Diaz, you have to admit that he’s extremely talented. However, if I had to put money on one fighter to win, it would be GSP. If Diaz tries the same strategy he utilized against Carlos Condit, he will get annihilated by the champ. For every split second Diaz drops his hands, GSP will catch him with his long jab, the same jab that made Josh Koscheck’s eye swell up to the size of a grape fruit. The cardio of Diaz has always been on of his strongest weapons, but against fighters with exceptional cardio, his still possibly superior conditioning, gives him little edge if any. Sean Sherk and Carlos Condit had no issue fading in their fight with Diaz, which gave him no real advantage. Also the Jiu-Jitsu and boxing of Diaz are some of his more utilized tools in his arsenal, but which the wrestling of GSP, and the distance he chooses to fight at, I doubt that Diaz will be able to capitalize. In this fight, Diaz’s strongest attributes simply won’t be enough to dethrone the Canadian, and the champ will ground out another unanimous decision.
