What would you call two co workers who make predictions, and agree in every fight? Boring that what. Well luckily there’s more dissension between MMAfix.com writers, Josh Leduc and Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli. They agree on the majority of the fights, but there are two bouts in which neither can persuade the other to see it their way.
Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson
Josh’s thoughts : Machida may have knocked out Randy Couture and Ryan Bader, but Henderson is more of a threat on the feet, and has yet to be knocked out in his career. Machida’s skill of being elusive will back fire when Hendo is constantly seeking a knockout and keeping the pressure on. The judges will view it as Machida running like a b*tch and award Henderson the fight. Then again there’s always the chance that he can land the H-Bomb before the fight ends.
Pick : Dan Henderson
Ryan’s thoughts : Machida has a good track record against strong wrestlers. Rashad Evans, Randy Couture and Ryan Bader have all been KO’d by the Dragon. Henderson has the power to threaten on the feet, but his actual striking skill isn’t nearly on the same level as Machida. The Dragon should have any issue using his precision like counter striking to win a decision.
Pick : Lyoto Machida
Sam Stout vs. Caros Fodor
Josh’s thoughts : Stout’s nickname is “hands of stone” for a reason, and he also has a chin of stone. Combine that with his high level of striking, and you have a recipe for victory. If he ever feels uncomfortable on the feet, he’s more than capable in taking his opponent down, as we’ve seen in his third fight with Spencer Fisher.
Pick : Sam Stout
Ryan’s thoughts : Stout has looked mediocre in his last three fights, and could only muster up a win over the no longer significant Spenser Fisher. In his amateur career, Fodor was a champion in MMA and Muay Thai. He also trains with Matt Hume, so we know his grappling is up to par, and will most likely have the advantage on the ground. As he proved in his fight with Justin Wilcox, Fodor can end a fight fast and early. I don’t expect Stout to come into this fight any better than he did in his last three.
Pick : Caros Fodor
Here’s a recap of the fights we agree on, and our picks.
Ronda Rousey > Liz Carmouche
Urijah Faber > Ivan Menjivar
Josh Koscheck > Robbie Lawler
Brendan Schaub < Lavar Johnson
Michael Chiesa > Anton Kuivanen
Court McGee > Josh Neer
Dennis Bermudez > Matt Grice
Kenny Robertson < Brock Jardine
Jon Manley > Neil Magny
Nah-Shon Burrell < Yuri Villefort
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek