Nick Diaz vs KJ Noons
Despite KJ Noons looking better than ever, did you see him manhandle Jorge Gurgel? It wasn’t pretty for Gurgel, but Noons looked so damn crisp on his feet. There is nobody that boxes better than him in MMA. A great boxing style, yet unorthodox, but highly effective is Nick Diaz. This is the rematch of these two where Noons beat Diaz due to doctor stoppage on a deep cut. Nick had never lost due to cut at that point in his career. Noons had floored Diaz in that fight slightly stumbling him, more of a flash knockdown, but Diaz quickly protected himself and Noons let him up off the ground. The ground is not where Noons wants to be against Diaz. It was this stoppage that Noons won the up for grabs belt. After one title defense in Hawaii, there was after fight controversy when the Diaz brothers entered the ring during the interview and a fight broke out. After that, Noons took time off due to contract issues and was stripped of his new belt. In between then and now, Diaz five people and won the up for grabs belt against Lithuanian bad ass striker Marius Žaromskis. Since that fight Diaz beat Hayato “Mach” Sakurai quickly in 1 round in a DREAM matchup.
If you have been following this website for more than a few days, you know I’m picking Nick Diaz at any odds.
Sarah Kaufman vs Marloes Coenen
Sarah Kaufman is tough for anyone due to her size, strength, bad ass wrestling ability. If she gets on top the round has gone her way nearly every time. Coenen is a good stand up fighter, really good, and great off her back. The problem is that she will be on her back mostly with Kaufman’s take downs and ground and pound. Only if the odds are really favoring Kaufman, I like Coenen. I can’t see this being close to even, but if it is, Kaufman is the play.
Josh Thomson vs Gesias Cavalcante
Good to see JZ back in the cage/ring, however, Thomson is no joke. This shouldn’t be an easy fight for either of them. Of the two Thomson is the better striker and better wrestler, but Gesias has the power, and won’t be getting submitted. If this fight goes to a decision, which many of Cavalcante’s fights do, Thomson takes this on points. If it ends early Gesias is likely to be the winner. However, with history against Cavalcante, I like Thomson to get back on the winning streak.
Tyron Woodley vs. Andre Galvao
Andre Galvao beat John Alessio with a sick armbar in DREAM. Try to find that on Youtube if you can. He got quick and against a salty veteran like Alessio that was no easy task. Tyron has a ton of potential. I think in his last fight in the Challenger series, if I remember correctly, his standup is really spotty, but his wrestling was really good and his submission defense/attempts were high. I like Galvao here.