Gambling Addiction Enabler: TUF 14 Finale Edition

The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale is just two days away, and though the bookies haven’t given us much to work with, we decided to throw y’all some last minute betting advice come fight night in case you plan on bluffing the piss out of Johnny Chan in the Palms Casino afterward. Check out the betting lines, courtesy of BestFightOdds, along with the almighty wisdom of the Great Potato, below.

Main Card (Spike TV)
Michael Bisping (-185) vs. Jason Miller (+160)
T.J. Dillashaw (-205) vs. John Dodson (+165)
Diego Brandao (-320) vs. Dennis Bermudez (+250)
Tony Ferguson (-255) vs. Yves Edwards (+205)

The Main Event: Let’s get right to it. Bisping has a lot of advantages going into this fight: he’s never been submitted, which is Miller’s bread and butter, he’s fought more in the past year, and he has considerably less pressure on him than Mayhem, who is out to prove to casual and hardcore fans alike that he is more than just a goofball TV personality. And we all know that Bisping will do anything, and I mean anything, to destroy those who slander him publicly, so Miller will most definitely be facing at a steep hill to climb for his first appearance in the octagon since 2005. But there are a couple crucial outside factors here. As Miller has stated, he is one hard headed son of a bitch, and despite what Bisping’s record says, have we ever seen him truly overwhelm an opponent as tough as Mayhem on the feet? You could argue Denis Kang, but I would respond to that argument with a pat on your head and a condescending chuckle.

The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale is just two days away, and though the bookies haven’t given us much to work with, we decided to throw y’all some last minute betting advice come fight night in case you plan on bluffing the piss out of Johnny Chan in the Palms Casino afterward. Check out the betting lines, courtesy of BestFightOdds, along with the almighty wisdom of the Great Potato, below.

Main Card (Spike TV)
Michael Bisping (-185) vs. Jason Miller (+160)
T.J. Dillashaw (-205) vs. John Dodson (+165)
Diego Brandao (-320) vs. Dennis Bermudez (+250)
Tony Ferguson (-255) vs. Yves Edwards (+205)

The Main Event: Let’s get right to it. Bisping has a lot of advantages going into this fight: he’s never been submitted, which is Miller’s bread and butter, he’s fought more in the past year, and he has considerably less pressure on him than Mayhem, who is out to prove to casual and hardcore fans alike that he is more than just a goofball TV personality. And we all know that Bisping will do anything, and I mean anything, to destroy those who slander him publicly, so Miller will most definitely be facing at a steep hill to climb for his first appearance in the octagon since 2005. But there are a couple crucial outside factors here. As Miller has stated, he is one hard headed son of a bitch, and despite what Bisping’s record says, have we ever seen him truly overwhelm an opponent as tough as Mayhem on the feet? You could argue Denis Kang, but I would respond to that argument with a pat on your head and a condescending chuckle.

Now let’s talk about grappling, shall we? Miller showed that he could roll with the best in his five rounder against Jake Shields, at one point even managing to catch the Cesar Gracie black belt in a rear naked choke late in the second round. Granted he would go on to lose that fight, but it’s not crazy to think that if Miller can take this fight to the ground, then he could hold a distinct advantage. But Miller has said that he plans to keep it standing, so it really comes down to whether you think Bisping can finish Miller on the feet (or at least jab and jog a decision over him) and whether or not Mayhem will allow that to happen.

The TUF Finals: Since we’ve recently been made aware of the fact that Dodson has the ability to KO you back to your hometown, he’s looking pretty good as a modest underdog. He’s easily the quicker of the two, and probably more athletic. But if Dillashaw can do anything, it’s take you to the mat and unleash a clinic of ground-and-pound. And though Dodson has been able to spring to his feet quickly after being taken down in his time on the show, he has still shown the ability to be taken down, and to far inferior grapplers than Dillashaw, nonetheless. The wrestling game is going to determine the winner of this one, and I think Dillashaw will come out on top.

I’m not totally counting out Dennis Bermudez, but I’m pretty damn close to. Diego Brandao is a killer, ladies and gentlemen, and if Akira Corissani was able to tag Bermudez as much as he did, then someone with Brandao’s power will surely put him away. Plus, can any of you remember the last TUF contestant to run through all three of his opponents on the show via first round TKO? I’ll give you a hint; he’s also fighting Saturday, and he won last season’s The Ultimate Fighter. Brandao has got this one.

The Other Fight: Yves Edwards is a tough, well rounded veteran who has the tools to put just about anyone in trouble, and given Ferguson’s lack of octagon experience, we’ve yet to see both his chin and ground game tested. But Ferguson is a precise striker that has an ability to punish your jaw worse than a Now & Later, and since Sam Stout already showed him the road to Edwards’ off button, expect Ferguson to sprinkle that road with the teeth of the “Thugjitsu Master” en route to a second or third round TKO.

Official CagePotato Parlay: We’re going balls out for this one and parlaying the entire main card. Since the fate of mankind lies in his hands (and we’ve always loved a good underdog) it’s going something like this:

Miller + Dillashaw + Brandao + Ferguson

50 bucks gets you just under a 300 dollar payout.

-The Great Potato 

Tony Ferguson Gives Important Advice to Future TUF Winners

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LAS VEGAS — Watch below as Tony Ferguson talks about his upcoming fight against Yves Edwards, how this weight cut compares to his first cut to 155, why he decided to stay closer to home for this fight camp, and his advice for the future TUF winners.

 

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LAS VEGAS — Watch below as Tony Ferguson talks about his upcoming fight against Yves Edwards, how this weight cut compares to his first cut to 155, why he decided to stay closer to home for this fight camp, and his advice for the future TUF winners.

 

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Video: Mayhem Miller TUF Journal- Day 1

The TUF 14 Finale is just a few days away, and unless you overheard Michael Bisping’s spoiler fail on Inside MMA, then this season’s participants in that finale are still a mystery to you. That being said, Team Mayhem coach Jason Miller has released the first of several video journals leading into his upcoming scrap with opposing coach and global pandemicMichael Bisping, which goes down this Saturday at the Palms Casino.

Though not much is revealed in the first installment (other than Miller admitting Nick Diaz to be one of his favorite fighters), we do get a sneak peak at Mayhem’s diet and weight cutting method from nutritionist and Team Mayhem assistant coach Ryan Parsons. Turns out, Parsons is a strong believer in the power of romance in a fighter’s life. Tom Lawlor concurs.

The TUF 14 Finale is just a few days away, and unless you overheard Michael Bisping’s spoiler fail on Inside MMA, then this season’s participants in that finale are still a mystery to you. That being said, Team Mayhem coach Jason Miller has released the first of several video journals leading into his upcoming scrap with opposing coach and global pandemicMichael Bisping, which goes down this Saturday at the Palms Casino.

Though not much is revealed in the first installment (other than Miller admitting Nick Diaz to be one of his favorite fighters), we do get a sneak peak at Mayhem’s diet and weight cutting method from nutritionist and Team Mayhem assistant coach Ryan Parsons. Turns out, Parsons is a strong believer in the power of romance in a fighter’s life. Tom Lawlor concurs.

The video begins with Mayhem, mid conversation on a phone interview and backing the claims he has made in countless interviews: his training camp is the best he’s ever had, Bisping will go for the takedown first, etc. And after gathering his favorite autographed Bisping photo and horsing around with apocalypse dog, it’s off to Vegas.

A quick look at his grocery list makes me yearn for just one Whole Foods store to be built in Upstate New York, because Walmart is not the place to buy blueberries in November. Anyway, Miller also gives us another glimpse at the Bane-esque NormaTec suits that we saw earlier this season on The Ultimate Fighter

I like the simple, laid back approach to the journal that editor E. Casey Leyden has taken. Kind of appeals in a minimalist movie poster sort of way.

Don’t forget to catch tonight’s season finale of The Ultimate Fighter 14 at 10/9c.

-Danga 

Michael Bisping Has Multiple Snitches in His Camp, According to Mayhem Miller


(More proof that being on the right side of any photo immediately makes Bisping fall asleep. / Photo via CombatLifestyle)

While preparing for this Saturday’s TUF 14 Finale grudge match against Michael Bisping, Jason Miller recently wrote the following on his website:

“I just want everyone to understand how fricken hard I am training. I have never trained this hard or smart for a fight in my life. In ironic twist news- I’m totally getting reimbursed for John Dodson’s insubordination. I’m not even asking about Michael’s training, but for some reason all the friends that I’ve had for years that are working with him seem to be inclined to tell me about his camp and what he’s doing. I don’t want or need this info, I’m going to beat him regardless, just found it interesting. Pretty karmic.”

Hmm. Michael Bisping’s TUF 14 assistant coaches Tiki Ghosn and Rob McCullough train in the same Huntington Beach circles as Miller — could they be moles infiltrating the Brit’s camp in the name of American patriotism? Or is Mayhem just trying to get in the Count’s head? Bisping is convinced that it’s the latter, telling InsideMMA:


(More proof that being on the right side of any photo immediately makes Bisping fall asleep. / Photo via CombatLifestyle)

While preparing for this Saturday’s TUF 14 Finale grudge match against Michael Bisping, Jason Miller recently wrote the following on his website:

“I just want everyone to understand how fricken hard I am training. I have never trained this hard or smart for a fight in my life. In ironic twist news- I’m totally getting reimbursed for John Dodson’s insubordination. I’m not even asking about Michael’s training, but for some reason all the friends that I’ve had for years that are working with him seem to be inclined to tell me about his camp and what he’s doing. I don’t want or need this info, I’m going to beat him regardless, just found it interesting. Pretty karmic.”

Hmm. Michael Bisping’s TUF 14 assistant coaches Tiki Ghosn and Rob McCullough train in the same Huntington Beach circles as Miller — could they be moles infiltrating the Brit’s camp in the name of American patriotism? Or is Mayhem just trying to get in the Count’s head? Bisping is convinced that it’s the latter, telling InsideMMA:

I know for a fact that none of them have been divulging secrets. I think this is a sign of Jason [being] a little bit nervous [about] the impending doom that’s coming his way this coming weekend and he’s trying to unsettle my camp. I think he’s looking at the [Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson] spygate thing and trying to jump on that bandwagon. Good luck, Jason, but better luck next time.”

Semi-related: Michael Bisping accidentally (?) spoils tomorrow night’s TUF 14 semifinal between Diego Brandao and Bryan Caraway. Don’t watch it if you don’t want to know.


(Props: IronForgesIron)

TUF 14 Finale Fight Card: Bisping vs. Mayhem

Filed under: UFCThe Ultimate Fighter 4 finale fight card features Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Michael Bisping in a coach vs. coach matchup at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Mayhem (24-7) returns to the UFC after six-plus years fighti…

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MIchael Bisping fights Mayhem Miller at the TUF 14 Finale.The Ultimate Fighter 4 finale fight card features Jason “Mayhem” Miller vs. Michael Bisping in a coach vs. coach matchup at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Mayhem (24-7) returns to the UFC after six-plus years fighting outside of the UFC in promotions such as Strikeforce, DREAM and Icon Sport. Mayhem hasn’t fought this year, but won both his fights last year against Kazushi Sakuraba and Tim Stout. Bisping (21-3) is riding a three-fight win streak and last defeated Jorge Rivera at UFC 127 in February.

In addition to Mayhem-Bisping, the finale will also host this season’s finals of the bantamweight and featherweight tournaments.

The current fight card is below.
Current Fight Card
Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller
Featherweight Tournament Final
Bantamweight Tournament Final
Tony Ferguson vs. Yves Edwards

 

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‘TUF 13? Winner Tony Ferguson Draws Yves Edwards for TUF 14 Finale Card


(“Yeah…I’m gonna call you ‘Jessie’. Do you like that name? Shhh, daddy’s got you.” / Photo via UFC.com)

After knocking our four straight opponents to claim his Ultimate Fighter 13 trophy, then shattering Aaron Riley’s jaw last month in his first post-TUF Octagon appearance, Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson is getting another step up this December. The UFC has confirmed that Ferguson (12-2, 2-0 UFC) will be facing 14-year MMA veteran Yves Edwards (41-17-1, 9-5 UFC) at the TUF 14 Finale, December 3rd in Las Vegas.

It goes without saying that Edwards’s biggest advantage in the matchup is experience. The “Thugjitsu Master” has more than four times as many pro fights as Ferguson, and has a resume that includes wins over big names like Josh Thomson, Rich Clementi, and Hermes Franca. Edwards most recently TKO’d Rafaello Oliveira at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson, which helped him rebound from an ugly knockout loss against Sam Stout.


(“Yeah…I’m gonna call you ‘Jessie’. Do you like that name? Shhh, daddy’s got you.” / Photo via UFC.com)

After knocking our four straight opponents to claim his Ultimate Fighter 13 trophy, then shattering Aaron Riley’s jaw last month in his first post-TUF Octagon appearance, Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson is getting another step up this December. The UFC has confirmed that Ferguson (12-2, 2-0 UFC) will be facing 14-year MMA veteran Yves Edwards (41-17-1, 9-5 UFC) at the TUF 14 Finale, December 3rd in Las Vegas.

It goes without saying that Edwards’s biggest advantage in the matchup is experience. The “Thugjitsu Master” has more than four times as many pro fights as Ferguson, and has a resume that includes wins over big names like Josh Thomson, Rich Clementi, and Hermes Franca. Edwards most recently TKO’d Rafaello Oliveira at UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson, which helped him rebound from an ugly knockout loss against Sam Stout.

Though it’s definitely a step up for Ferguson, don’t forget that El Cucuy is a nasty S.o.B. with serious power in his hands. Will he make the official transition from reality-show prospect to legit lightweight contender in his next outing?

The TUF 14 Finale will be headlined by the coaches’ battle between middleweight stars Michael Bisping and Jason Miller. No other matchups have been announced for the card yet, although the event will crown the first featherweight and bantamweight Ultimate Fighter winners in UFC history.