Tag: Neil Magny

Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch — Complete Main Card Preview and Predictions

By CP Reader Connor Lewandowski

Featuring a main event matchup that was only the UFC’s fourth last resort (!!), UFC Fight Night 60 goes down this Saturday in Broomfield, Colorado. It’s a card that’s been getting a lot of heat from hyperbolic MMA fans for being “underwhelming” and “a beacon of the UFC’s plunge toward mediocrity,” but to be honest, it’s not all that bad of a card. So join me after the jump as I break down all six (!) main card fights from top to bottom…

By CP Reader Connor Lewandowski

Featuring a main event matchup that was only the UFC’s fourth last resort (!!), UFC Fight Night 60 goes down this Saturday in Broomfield, Colorado. It’s a card that’s been getting a lot of heat from hyperbolic MMA fans for being “underwhelming” and “a beacon of the UFC’s plunge toward mediocrity,” but to be honest, it’s not all that bad of a card. So join me after the jump as I break down all six (!) main card fights from top to bottom…

Ben Henderson vs Brandon Thatch

Thatch is a beast on the feet, make no mistake about it. There are few 170 pounders clamoring to stand across the octagon and exchange with the (11-1, 2-0 UFC) Denver native. For the former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson (21-5, 9-3 UFC), there is a lot to lose in making his welterweight debut on short notice against a hard-hitting prospect with little name recognition. This fight will be largely predicated on the Glendale product’s ability to get the fight to the canvas, which Henderson will find is much easier said than done against the noticeably larger striker in Thatch. Look for Thatch to land early and often in the clinch, but it won’t be enough for the finish. I expect Henderson’s relentless pursuit of the takedown to pay dividends as the fight goes on and open the door for a submission in the later rounds.

Prediction: Henderson

Max Holloway vs Cole Miller

Holloway has long been touted as one of the featherweight division’s best prospects, but he has his hands full in the 16-fight UFC veteran in Miller, who is riding a two-fight win streak. Miller is well-rounded and possesses strong grappling skills in addition to being one of the division’s taller fighters at 6 foot 1. However, he has shown in the past an inability to trade with shorter strikers (see the Phan and Gamburyan fights). I expect the Hawaiian native Holloway to find his range and pick Miller apart enroot to a decision.

Prediction: Holloway

Neil Magny vs Kiichi Kunimoto

Coming off a stretch in which he tied a UFC record for wins a calendar year (5), Neil Magny looks to keep his impressive streak going against the slick Kunimoto. With half of his 18 wins by way of submission, the Japanese welterweight poses a serious threat, although it’s hard to understand why Magny has been installed as the more than 5-1 favorite. I do, however, expect him get the better of the exchanges and ultimately earn a decision over the gritty Kunimoto.

Prediction: Magny

Dan Kelly vs Patrick Walsh

A classic matchup of striker versus grappler, this bout pits the undefeated Australian judoka Kelly versus Walsh, a 5-1 Thai-boxer. It’s rare to see a fighter have so much success entering the fight game so late, but at 37 years old, Kelly has done just that. If the Melbourne native can withstand the early onslaught from Walsh, I expect he will find a way to get the fight to the mat, from their look for Kelly to lock in one of his signature submissions for the upset.

Prediction: Kelly

Michel Prazeres vs Kevin Lee

This lightweight bout features a pair of fighters with a combined record of 27-2. Both fighters know what the other will look to do. With Prazeres, we can expect him to try and close the distance and look to score powerful body takedowns while delivering forceful ground and pound. Kelly will aim to find his range against the shorter Brazilian. What I believe may ultimately separate these two is Kelly’s ability to adapt if he can’t get the better of the exchanges. He has the tools to mix in takedowns of his own. If Prazeres can’t drag the collegiate wrestler to the floor, it will be a long night for him.

Prediction: Lee

Ray Borg vs Chris Kelades

The main cards opening bout features two of the UFC’s quickest rising flyweight prospects in the 21 year old Borg and Canadian Kelades. Odds makers have the UFC’s 4th youngest fighter pegged as high as a -600 favorite, but it’s hard to see where they’ve observed such a disparity in ability between these two 125-pounders. In the company’s fastest division Borg still makes his opponents look a step behind, his ability to transition in scrambles in nothing short of incredible. I won’t be shocked to see Kelades hang around longer than most expect him to, and even see some value in him at +400, but more likely than not Borg will find the moments opening and sink in the rear naked choke and force the Canadian to tap or go to sleep.

Prediction: Borg

Josh Koscheck Returns To The Octagon At UFC 184 Against Neil Magny


(Josh Koscheck deep in thought. / Photo via Getty)

Josh Koscheck will look to avoid being a stepping-stone for the rising Neil Magny when both welterweights collide at UFC 184, according to MMA Junkie.

The Fresno-based fighter, who began a stint as an analyst on FOX Sports 1 and gave our children nightmares on the first day of the job, will be returning from a year of inactivity and mumblings of retirement based on remarks made by Dana White after the former welterweight title challenger was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 167. It was his second back-to-back knockout loss, falling at the hands of Robbie Lawler before that at UFC 157 back in February 2013. “Kos” is in dire need of a win if he wants to resume fighting, riding a three-fight losing streak. If he topples his opponent in Los Angeles, Calif., it would be his first victory in two years.


(Josh Koscheck deep in thought. / Photo via Getty)

Josh Koscheck will look to avoid being a stepping-stone for the rising Neil Magny when both welterweights collide at UFC 184, according to MMA Junkie.

The Fresno-based fighter, who began a stint as an analyst on FOX Sports 1 and gave our children nightmares on the first day of the job, will be returning from a year of inactivity and mumblings of retirement based on remarks made by Dana White after the former welterweight title challenger was knocked out by Tyron Woodley at UFC 167. It was his second back-to-back knockout loss, falling at the hands of Robbie Lawler before that at UFC 157 back in February 2013. “Kos” is in dire need of a win if he wants to resume fighting, riding a three-fight losing streak. If he topples his opponent in Los Angeles, Calif., it would be his first victory in two years.

Undefeated in 2014 by racking up five straight victories, Magny’s stock can rise if he’s successful against “Kos,” as he currently holds the record for the most wins by any fighter in the UFC this year when he defeated William Macario at UFC 179 last month. Tying Roger Huerta for the most nods in a calendar year, not to mention holding the longest active winning streak out of all his 170-pound compatriots, Magny hopes to show observers his impressive run wasn’t for nothing. Winning is everything, yet this is Magny’s chance to prove he’s better than just the average mid-card talent. Koscheck would be his most prized victory, if that makes sense, after getting the better of a handful of guys without Wikipedia pages (including three out of five decision victories).

Call it odd matchmaking, but it makes sense if we look at it in terms of the fight game. Koscheck may or may not have it anymore, seeing how he’s faltered as of late, and him and his past nemesis Diego Sanchez are the only bucks left from the inaugural TUF season 1 (arguably the only season you ever needed to watch). That’s a lot of wear and tear, especially for someone that never sported gold.

His foe certainly is turning some heads, however, Magny isn’t a name that’s going to be thrown around at your next UFC viewing party. A win in definitive fashion could change that.

Plus, it doesn’t take a boxing historian to figure out this is a crossroads fight for Koscheck, and the most important bout for Magny to date in his career. It’s either out with the old, in with the new, or “I’ll punch out of work when I tell you I’m punching out of work.”

UFC 184 takes place Feb. 28, 2015, from LA’s famed Staples Center, featuring two title bouts including Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort for the middleweight strap, alongside Ronda Rousey defending her women’s bantamweight belt against Cat Zingano.

– Alex G.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 16? Episode One Recap: One Step Closer to the End


Meh.

Perhaps you are part of the ever-diminishing group of people who chose to watch The Ultimate Fighter on a Friday night before going into town on a taxi, having a couple of drugs, having dinner, having a threesome, going home again, having a shower, going out again, more drugs, more threesomes – basically living the rock n’ roll lifestyle of the 18-34 year olds that this show targets. Or perhaps you are straight edge, in which case TUF serves as a warm-up for your night of  Mr. Pibb (or some other beverage, if you enjoy missing all the cool things), lines of Pixy Stix and threesomes. You know, standard practice.

If you tuned in during the first episode, the good news is that you were treated to a night of actual fights instead of drunken arguments, disturbing pranks and more of the stuff you hate about the show. Sure, we still had multiple dudes entering the cage sporting Tatanka/Jorgensen hawks, but not everyone can pull off a normal haircut, I guess.

Right off the bat things get awkward between Dana White and Roy Nelson. Before the fights, Big Country informs the fighters that it’s important to entertain the fans, but winning should be their main priority. Dana White lets Shane Carwin address the UFC hopefuls before he tells the fighters how wrong Roy Nelson is for saying that. That moment probably would have been pretty effective in building interest in the Roy Nelson vs. Dana White storyline if Dana White hasn’t been telling everyone who will listen how fed up he is with Big Country.

As for the actual fights, we’ve got results after the jump, including team selections.


Meh.

Perhaps you are part of the ever-diminishing group of people who chose to watch The Ultimate Fighter on a Friday night before going into town on a taxi, having a couple of drugs, having dinner, having a threesome, going home again, having a shower, going out again, more drugs, more threesomes – basically living the rock n’ roll lifestyle of the 18-34 year olds that this show targets. Or perhaps you are straight edge, in which case TUF serves as a warm-up for your night of  Mr. Pibb (or some other beverage, if you enjoy missing all the cool things), lines of Pixy Stix and threesomes. You know, standard practice.

If you tuned in during the first episode, the good news is that you were treated to a night of actual fights instead of drunken arguments, disturbing pranks and more of the stuff you hate about the show. Sure, we still had multiple dudes entering the cage sporting Tatanka/Jorgensen hawks, but not everyone can pull off a normal haircut, I guess.

Right off the bat things get awkward between Dana White and Roy Nelson. Before the fights, Big Country informs the fighters that it’s important to entertain the fans, but winning should be their main priority. Dana White lets Shane Carwin address the UFC hopefuls before he tells the fighters how wrong Roy Nelson is for saying that. That moment probably would have been pretty effective in building interest in the Roy Nelson vs. Dana White storyline if Dana White hasn’t been telling everyone who will listen how fed up he is with Big Country.

As for the actual fights, we’ve got results after the jump, including team selections.

Full Results from Episode One:

Dom Waters def. Kevin Nowaczyk via KO (punch), Round One
Michael Hill def. Lev Magen via KO (punch), Round One
Bristol Marunde def. George Lockhart via submission (guillotine choke), Round One
Mike Ricci def. Jason South via TKO (punches), Round One
Julian Lane def. Diego Bautista via unanimous decision
Igor Araujo def. Cortez Coleman via submission (triangle choke), Round Three
James Chaney def. Jerel Clark via submission (triangle choke), Round One
Cameron Diffley def. Zane Kamaka via submission (armbar), Round One
Neil Magny def. Frank Camacho via unanimous decision
Jon Manley def. Ricky Legere Jr. via unanimous decision
Colton Smith def. Jesse Barrett via unanimous decision
Matt Secor def. Mak Griffin via submission (triangle choke), Round Three
Eddie Ellis def. David Michaud via submission (arm-triangle choke), Round Two
Joey Rivera def. Saad Awad via unanimous decision
Nic Herron-Webb def. Tim Ruberg via submission (armbar), Round One
Sam Alvey def. Leo Kuntz via KO (punch), Round One

When it’s time to pick teams, Roy Nelson wins the coin toss, but offers Shane Carwin the chance to pick the first fighter in exchange for the chance to pick the first matchup. After watching him practically zombify 14-1 fighter Leo Kuntz with a right hook, Carwin selects Bellator veteran Smilin’ Sam Alvey with the first overall pick. Roy Nelson choses Dom Waters with his first selection. When it was all said and done, the team rosters looked like this:

Team Carwin: Sam Alvey, Bristol Marunde, Mike Ricci, Neil Magny, James Chaney, Eddie Ellis, Igor Araujo, Matt Secor
Team Nelson: Dom Waters, Michael Hill, Cameron Diffley, Colton Smith, Jon Manley, Nic Herron-Webb, Joey Rivera, Julian Lane

Try not to act too surprised, but the episode ends with Dana White saying that Shane Carwin appears to have the better team, but anything can happen. Cool reality show, bro. Let me know who wins it.

@SethFalvo