Our MMA analyst, Steve Cofield of Cagewriter.com and ESPN Radio returns to host MMAFix UFC 123 Betting Odds. Cofield debates the UFC 124 betting odds with guest panelists Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com and Larry Pepe of ProMMARadio.com.
The three experts weigh in on Thiago Alves in his “final” attempt at cutting weight to 170lbs as […]
Our MMA analyst, Steve Cofield of Cagewriter.com and ESPN Radio returns to host MMAFix UFC 123 Betting Odds. Cofield debates the UFC 124 betting odds with guest panelists Damon Martin of MMAWeekly.com and Larry Pepe of ProMMARadio.com.
The three experts weigh in on Thiago Alves in his “final” attempt at cutting weight to 170lbs as Dana White gives him one more chance and he takes on John Howard. Alves is considered a -300 favorite against Howard who is at +220, though both are coming off losses. Alves actually holds two recent back to back losses to the top 2 ranked Welterweights in the world, Jon Fitch and Georges St. Pierre. Howard suffered his first loss in the UFC at UFC on Versus 2, when his fight with Jake Ellenberger was stopped in the 3rd round due to TKO (doctor stoppage). Is the money worth laying down on John Howard or Thiago Alves? Damon Martin and Larry Pepe make their determinations in the video below:
Steve Cofield also asks the panel if +300 is worth staking on Josh Koscheck in his Main Event title contendor shot against UFC Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre, who is about -400 to -500 in online sportsbooks. Check the video below if Kos would be a good bet.
(Video courtesy BREAK/UFC.com)
If you missed the Countdown to UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck show on Monday, we got you covered.
One of the most intriguing parts of the St-Pierre-Koscheck segment of the show came courtesy of Kos’ ex-college w…
If you missed the Countdown to UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck show on Monday, we got you covered.
One of the most intriguing parts of the St-Pierre-Koscheck segment of the show came courtesy of Kos’ ex-college wrestling coach who said that the American Kickboxing Academy-trained fighter’s assholish persona is not an act. According to the coach, Koscheck who was not well-liked by his college teammates once nearly came to blows with a fellow wrestler in the change rooms and was known as a bit of a loner. He said that he didn’t bat an eye at the way his former charge was portrayed on The Ultimate Fighter, because he remembers him being a bit of a dick.
We’ll have more on Koscheck’s abrasive personality from his AKA teammate, Phil Baroni on tomorrow’s UFC 124 edition of The Bum Rush.
It’s also worth noting from the countdown show that Koscheck, who was involved with Bobby Southworth in taunting that "fatherless bastard" Chris Leben on TUF 1 was raised very modestly by a single mother and seems very bitter as a result. Maybe Josh just needs a good hug to make him stop being such a prick. Too bad he says he’ll never fight Jon Fitch.
Check out the rest of the countdown videos after the jump.
Main card Welterweight Championship bout: Canada Georges St-Pierre (Current Champion) vs Josh Koscheck Striking advantage: St-Pierre Wrestling advantage: St-Pierre Submission advantage: St-Pierre KO Advantage: Even Mental advantage (from winning previously): St-Pierre Cardio advantage: Even MMA IQ: St-Pierre Fighting in Hometown: St-Pierre Experience: Even I don’t see how on paper Koscheck wins this fight the second […]
Main card
Welterweight Championship bout: Canada Georges St-Pierre (Current Champion) vs Josh Koscheck
Striking advantage: St-Pierre
Wrestling advantage: St-Pierre
Submission advantage: St-Pierre
KO Advantage: Even
Mental advantage (from winning previously): St-Pierre
Cardio advantage: Even
MMA IQ: St-Pierre
Fighting in Hometown: St-Pierre
Experience: Even
I don’t see how on paper Koscheck wins this fight the second time around. However, Koscheck is an extremely tough individual and always has the puncher’s chance. I’m going to skip that chance and take St-Pierre. GSP is a heavy favorite, but I still think he is going to win.
Heavyweight bout: Netherlands Stefan Struve vs Sean McCorkle
Two giants here. However, Struve has more experience and has shown to have a really tough chin. Couple that with his long jab and good Thai clinch work plus his excellent submission game. I give a heavy edge to Struve.
Lightweight bout: Jim Miller vs Charles Oliveira
I think Oliveira has the striking advantage here. I’m going with Chuck.
Lightweight bout: Joe Stevenson vs Mac Danzig
Not sure Mac Danzig brings enough to the table to beat Joe Stevenson. Should be an excellent fight though.
Welterweight bout: Thiago Alves vs John Howard
Thiago Alves against John Howard. Interesting matchup. Thiago provides a lot of standup weapons against Howard who is dangerous in the clinch and on top when on the mat.
I lean towards the favorite here, but I could see Howard getting takedowns and winning a decision just the same. Haven’t seen odds for this yet.
Preliminary card
Lightweight bout: Mark Bocek vs Dustin Hazelett
Going to be interesting fight against two jiu-jitsu aces. Hazelett likely to have a significant reach advantage. Bocek is a zombie who is hard to finish. Neither one is probably going to submit the other and neither one is going to KO the other. I lean towards Bocek because he never stops moving forward. That is enough to take a decision.
Middleweight bout: Jesse Bongfeldt vs Rafael Natal
Pass
Welterweight bout: Matt Riddle vs Sean Pierson
Unfamiliar with Pierson. Riddle has been impressive though.
Middleweight bout: Joe Doerksen vs Dan Miller
I don’t see anything Doerksen can do take Miller out here. Miller not be able to do anything to Doerksen either though. Depending on how bad odds are skewed, I like Miller. If they are outrageous its worthwhile to go the other way. Evenly matched fight, Miller has better cardio.
Welterweight bout: TJ Grant vs Ricardo Almeida
Another close match. The always gritty TJ Grant will put up a good fight against Ricardo Almeida who was choked out by Matt Hughes in 20 seconds, but he won’t finish Almeida and I lean towards Almeida getting the sub.
Lightweight bout: Pat Audinwood vs John Makdessi
Pass
(John Howard discusses his path from the Boston projects to the Octagon. Doomsday takes on Thiago Alves next Saturday at UFC 124. Props: FightMagazine.com)
– Scott Coker Says He’s Not Interested in Gerald Harris; Todd Duffee Turned Down an Of…
(John Howard discusses his path from the Boston projects to the Octagon. Doomsday takes on Thiago Alves next Saturday at UFC 124. Props: FightMagazine.com)
– Scott Coker Says He’s Not Interested in Gerald Harris; Todd Duffee Turned Down an Offer to Fight Antonio Silva (LowKick)
(Props: GollyIE)
…and just to get the taste of vomit out of your mouths, here’s the extended trailer for UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck II (December 11th, Montreal). The supporting card looks very promising, but it’s sort of unfortunate that t…
…and just to get the taste of vomit out of your mouths, here’s the extended trailer for UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck II (December 11th, Montreal). The supporting card looks very promising, but it’s sort of unfortunate that the other two fights being featured here are Thiago Alves vs. John Howard and Mac Danzig vs. Joe Stevenson — considering all four fighters are coming off losses. Meanwhile, UFC 124 will also host two fights featuring guys on the upswing: Jim Miller (five-fight win streak) vs. Charles Oliveira (undefeated wunderkind) and Sean McCorkle (mouthy Internet celebrity) vs. young veteran Stefan Struve, who he’s been beefing with for months.
Still, Thiago Alves gets the best line of the video: "When you’re fighting the Pitbull, it’s over. No afterparty for you." And GSP guarantees a stoppage victory. "Get in, get out, and leave," he says. "That’s what the crowd wanna see, and that’s what I wanna do."
As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he […]
ByJoyce Lynda Valdes
As news leaks that UFC Welterweight, Jake Ellenberger will be getting a crack at the #2 ranked Welterweight in the world, MMAFix decided to ask Ellenberger 10 burning questions. Jake Ellenberger took some time out from training in Hawaii to sit down at his computer and explain to us why he calls Jake Shields, “Miss Piggy” and why he thinks he’s been asked to fight Jon Fitch at UFC 126.
1. Okay, I’ve seen your Twitter talk to Jake Shields. Why did you dub him “Miss Piggy”? And are you not a fan of McDonald’s dollar menu?
JE: Miss Piggy is fitting for Shields for his softness when he fights. Also his feminine charm reminds me of Miss Piggy from the Muppet Show.
2. I’ve read that Jake Shields ducked a fight with you some time ago. Can you explain that?
JE: Easy, I signed a contract to fight him, his dad pulled him out. Weak move.
3. So is it safe to say you were unimpressed with Shield’s Decision win against Martin Kampmann? What did you think of Kampmann’s performance? He told us he put in a shitty performance and wasn’t happy with himself.
JE: Jake Shields always seems to have an excuse. News Flash, everyone cuts weight in the upper echelon of the UFC, I cut 20 pounds to make welterweight, and I walk around at 205. When you are a professional athlete, you have the right people are in place around you, and decisions can be made about situations like this. If it’s too hard to make 170, either compete at middleweight or cut the weight and don’t complain.
4. How much can you confirm that there will be a bout between you and Jon Fitch at UFC 126?
JE: That is the rumor…
5. Jon Fitch is the number 2 ranked Welterweight in the world but is often criticized for not putting on the most exciting performances. How do you feel about Fitch?
JE: Jon Fitch is a great fighter and no one but GSP has beaten him in a long time. He has solid wrestling, good hands, smothering top game, and a good guard. Like any other guy, he has holes in his game though in which I will try to exploit.
6. We know you put on exciting fights. What you did to John Howard’s face was very impressive at UFC on Versus 2. What do yousay to people who are a little surprised though at your rapid flight up the ranks to get an opportunity at Jon Fitch?
JE: Joe and Dana are the best in the business for a reason and they make matchups for exciting fights. I will always have an exciting fight!
7. Do you agree as some MMA analysts have said, that Fitch has far more to lose than you do if he takes a loss to you?
JE: Sure, I agree. Everyone in a fight has something to lose.
8.It may be fair to say the UFC Welterweight division is the most stacked division they have with all four of the top ranked MMA Welterweights in the world fighting in the promotion. Other top 10 fighters, for instance in the UFC Light Heavyweight division like Jon Jones and Matt Hamill have yet to receive a top 5 fighter, why do you think you are getting this outstanding opportunity?
JE: My job is to fight, that’s it. I am grateful for the opportunity to fight a top 5 guy, and any other professional fighter would take advantage of this opportunity as well.
9.If you can beat Jon Fitch and have the chance to pick your next opponent, Title shot not a factor, who would you choose to fight? GSP or Jake Shields? Shields has said that he would prefer Georges St. Pierre over Josh Koscheck because beating St. Pierre would be more prestigious. How do you feel?
JE: Shields, he will not beat me. EVER.
10. What do you want MMA fans to expect from you going into your next fight? …that you can finish Fitch?…that you will put on an exciting show?…that you can smack talk better than Chael Sonnen?
JE: I always have exciting fights, and look forward to becoming a world champion.
