Nick Diaz VS Marius Zaromskis
Nick Diaz hasn’t faced a striker like Zaromskis before. Maybe Gomi in his hey day, but the intensity that Zaromskis brings is like Diego Sanchez mixed with a K-1 striker mixed with BJ Penn’s accuracy and this looks like it could be a Zaromskis victory.
Zaromskis is a pressing fighter, but so is Nick. Marius hasn’t really fought a fighter like Nick yet who throws alot of punches, keeps attacking, and strikes from all kinds of angles.
Zaromskis is good, really really good, but he hasn’t been ground tested, and he hasn’t had his cardio tested in a fight the way Diaz is going push it.
Nick Diaz is favored -210 @ Bodog and am PSYCHED for this fight.
Cristiane Cyborg Santos vs Marloes Coenen
Coenen is a very experienced fighter, but you have never heard of her before because Women’s MMA is not a well known subject in North America yet. Coenen has fought over 20 fights to Santos 9. Coenen is a very cerebral fighter who has a great ground game and a very good striking game as well. This will be the biggest stage Marloes Coenen has fought on. Santos can bring tremendous power, speed, accuracy, and technique. Coenen also has technique, speed, accuracy, but lacks power in comparison. We haven’t seen Santos ground game tested, but based on who she is training with, you have to think its right up there.
If Santos is power, Coenen is finesse. This should be a good fight.
Intertops has Santos @ -556 and Coenen @ +350, because of the odds, I like Marloes Coenen
Robbie Lawler vs Melvin Manhoef
If Lawler is smart, he will get Manhoef to the ground and utilize all those wrestling skills he has acquired over the years and put Manhoef away. If Lawler decides to swing his cock with Manhoef, I think Robbie will get knocked out. Manhoef is a dangerous puncher and has fought at the K-1 level of striking. This means Manhoef will typically be able to put combinations together that the usual MMA fighter is just not used to doing. Especially American MMA fighters who are traditionally more wrestling minded, which Robbie is.
I just can’t decide if Lawler is going to do the smart or stupid strategy. Now that I think about it though. Robbie isn’t exactly Mr. Submission, so that leaves Manhoef a little more wiggle room in the “not worried about being submitted” department. Add that up with the chance of Lawler wanting to test hands with Manhoef, Lawler not really ever facing a guy who can kick like Manhoef, and you get advantage Manhoef.
Manhoef is favored @ Bodog -200 and that is where I lean
Hershel Walker vs Greg Nagy
Hershel Walker is favored -500 @ Bodog, but I’m avoiding.
Bobby Lashley vs Wes Sims
The fight has been announced. Even though Wes Sims is extremely experienced, Bobby Lashley presents that Brock Lesnar type size difference and wrestling ability that will give any fighter problems. However, this is Wes Sims, extra tall, extra susceptible to being taken down.
Lashley should pound out either an exciting first round finish, or if Sims is prepared a Lashley wins a boring 3 round decision.
Either way I like Lashley to win, but the odds @ -1100 makes this fight totally unavoidable for me. However, Bodog does have odds on this fight if you like it.
Undercard:
Jay Hieron vs Joe Riggs
Very tough fight to call here. As their skillset is very similar. Both can KO people on their feet and both do well in the GNP. However, both are not great off their back, or at least they used to not be.
This fight brings together two former UFC fighters from the mid 2000 era now who have had to fight outside the UFC after being cut, but now in the number two organization. These guys have probably been through alot emotionally in terms of the business end of MMA. This fight is probably going to be an emotional one and wouldn’t be surprised to see either fighter crying at the end of it.
Riggs likes to be everywhere except on his back. He has had major back problems in the past, but it appears from his recent fight streak he has that mended. Heiron has really had a nice fight win streak going carried over from his days in the IFL.
Due to Hieron’s wrestling ability I can see him taking Riggs down and controlling the fight.