Tag: MMA Picks

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

 

Gegard Mousasi  vs. Ilir Latifi

I won’t undermine Latifi’s skills, but let’s face it, he won’t overcome the skills of a fighter qho many believe is top ten in the world at light heavyweight. Mousasi has had trouble with wrestlers in the past, but they were fighters with much more crudentials than Latifi. I see no reason as to why the elite kickboxer shouldn’t be able to finish his opponent within the first two rounds.

Pick : Gegard Mousasi

 

 

Quick Picks

Ben Alloway   >  Ryan LaFlare

Tor Troeng   >  Adam Cella

Reza Madadi   <  Michael Johnson

Chris Spang   <  Adlan Amagov

Marcus Brimage  >  Conor McGregor

Michael Kuiper  <  Tom Lawlor

Besam Yousef  <  Papy Abedi

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

Unless you’re the casual MMA observer who probably thinks full guard is a deodorant, you know that Tuesday night will feature part two of the TUF quarter-finals. I went 1-1 for my part one quarter-final predictions, but I’m confident part two will be 2-0. So enough of the introduction formality, let’s get into these damn predictions.

Josh Samman   vs.  Jimmy Quinlan

Quinlan is one hell of a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, but he forgets he’s in an MMA fight, and gets in a strict grappling mode. This nearly cost him a spot in the quarter-finals when he fought team Jones’ number one pick, Clint Hester. Ultimately, Quinlan was able to submit Hester, but Samman is more well rounded and athletic than Hester. Quinlan has less than one third the MMA experience of Samman, and if he drops his hands for even a second, he could be going to sleep just like Tor Troeng. With the exception of grappling, Samman has the superior attributes, and as long as he doesn’t get caught in a submission, he should come out on top.

Pick : Josh Samman

 
Bubba McDaniel   vs.  Uriah Hall

Unlike his first two fights, Bubba won’t have to worry about being taken down in this fight. Both Uriah and Bubba prefer to keep the fight standing, but I don’t see it going well for Bubba. Being one of the more experienced fighters in the competition, it was almost as if everyone expected Bubba to walk through his first opponent. As we know that didn’t happen, but got another chance in the wildcard fight against Kevin Casey. He was dominated in the first round, but came back in the second, causing Casey to quit. During his time on the show, it seems that Bubba has really been second guessing himself. Jon Jones even shed made comment to that, telling him he needs to start believing in his skills. Uriah is at least as skilled a striker as Bubba, if not more, and has had more success in the octagon without taking damage. There’s a great deal of hype behind this middleweight prospect, and I’m pick him to a least win a decision, if not KO this opponent.

Pick : Uriah Hall

 
I’d like to see both my picks get a win not only for the sake of my prediction percentage, but because a fight between Uriah Hall and Josh Samman would be an epic fight, and one I think most every MMA fan would like to see. The only thing that would make that fight better, is if it was the bout to determine the TUF winner. But I’m getting ahead of myself. We’ll come back to that fight if my predictions end up being correct.

 
-Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

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.

 
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

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…

 
Ryan Couture  <  Ross Pearson

Matt Mitrione  >  Phil De Fries

Brad Pickett  >  Mike Easton

Diego Brandao  >  Pablo Garza

Akira Corassani  <  Robbie Peralta

Ben Alloway  >  Ryan LaFlare

Reza Madadi  <  Michael Johnson

Chris Spang  <  Adlan Amagov

Marcus Brimage  >  Conor McGregor

Michael Kuiper  <  Tom Lawlor

Papy Abedi  >  Besam Yousef

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

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.

Pick : Alexander Gustafsson

 

Ben Alloway  >  Ryan LaFlare

Tor Troeng  >  Adam Cella

Reza Madadi  <  Michael Johnson

Chris Spang  <  Adlan Amagov

Marcus Brimage  >  Conor McGregor

Michael Kuiper  <  Tom Lawlor

Papy Abedi   >  Besam Yousef

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek