Tag: UFC Picks

Wanderlei Silva   vs.   Brian Stann

The Axe Murderer needs to take this fight into deep water, but Stann is know for quick fights. Wandy’s chin has been in question for awhile, and it doesn’t help that he is facing someone so heavily handed. Silva has the cardio to go a full five rounds, but on the flip side, five rounds is more than enough time for Stann to land that finishing blow. Chances are the two will stand toe to toe, so between Stann’s solid chin and Wandy‘s wide punches, this is a match that Stann should come out the victor.

Pick : Brian Stann

 

Mark Hunt   vs.   Stefan Struve

Struve has an unusual ability to come back to win the fight after taking a brutal beating. His striking and Jiu-Jitsu makes him the more diverse fighter of the two, but he has a tendency to let powerful strikers bully him. Junior dos Santos, Roy Nelson and Stipe Miocic were all able to get inside Struve’s long reach and land damaging shots to the head and body. Although he came back and pounded out Miocic in the second round, Struve won’t finish Hunt so easily. Not too many fighters have a chin anywhere close as good as Hunt. As he proved in his bout with Cheick Kongo, when he hurts his opponent, he doesn’t let them recover. As a tall, lanky fighter, Struve won’t possess the physical strength to stop Hunt’s onslaught. His last resort will be his Jiu-Jitsu, but Hunt has been submitted by fighters like Fedor Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Alistair Overeem, and Gegard Mousasi. He was submitted by Sean McCorkle, but McCorkle is an enormous heavyweight with one of the best guards for his weight class. Bottom line, Struve doesn’t have what it takes on the feet or on the ground to stop or out score Hunt. Hunt will bully him early and get the finish in the same fashion he finished Kongo.

Pick : Mark Hunt

 

Takanori Gomi   vs.   Diego Sanchez

Sanchez has been sidelined due to injury, so there’s no telling how his training has been going. I’d like to think a fighter with Sanchez’s aggression and pace will get right back on the horse, and fight just like he always has in the past, but no one can say for sure. Gomi has been on the downside of his career, and has shown little success in the octagon, but fighting in front of the Japanese crowd might light a fire under his ass. Even if it does, unless if the Dream’s ring rust is the worst we’ve ever seen, he should over power Gomi. He will have the better strinking and grappling, and be the more aggressive fighter.

Pick : Diego Sanchez

 

Hector Lombard   vs.   Yushin Okami

Okami showed good ground control in his fight with Alan Belcher, but he left openings for Belcher to counter. Luckily for him, Belcher was unable to capitalize with his striking or submission attempts. Against a powerful fighter like Lombard, Okami won’t be so lucky. Not only will Okami have a difficult time taking the Judo black belt down, but he’ll have to worry about defending the takedown as well. As proficient a wrestler as Tim Boetsch is, Lombard make taking him down look easy. These potential problems may cause Okami to be frantic, which will allow Lombard to open up with a flurry of punches, and we’ve seen the damage he can do when he fought Rousimar Palhares.

Pick : Hector Lombard

 

Mizuto Hirota   vs.   Rani Yahya

Hirota isn’t beating Yahya on the ground, period. He showed some solid boxing in his fight with Pat Healy, but Hirota won’t prevent Yahya from taking him down. Josh Grispi tried keeping the fight on the feet when he fought Yahya, and was successful for about a minute. If Hirota had exceptional footwork, boxing skills, or wrestling; then maybe he could prevent the takedown, but that’s not the case.

Pick : Rani Yahya

 

Dong Hyun Kim   vs.   Siyar Bahadurzada

I was dead wrong when I thought Paulo Thiago would be able to get Bahadurzada to the ground and control him. Like Thiago, Kim is primarily a grappler, and one who is most effective while in top position. Bahadurzada has knocked out his last five opponents, and since Kim isn’t exactly a threat on the feet, he will most likely face the same. Get ready for a déjà vu of when Kim fought Carlos Condit.

Pick : Siyar Bahadurzada

 

Quick Picks

 
Riki Fukuda   <   Brad Tavares

Takeya Mizugaki   >   Bryan Caraway

Cristiano Marcello   >   Kazuki Tokudome

Alex Caceres   <   Kyung Ho Kang

Marcelo Guimaraes   >   Hyun Gyu Lim

 

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

What would you call two co workers who make predictions, and agree in every fight? Boring that what. Well luckily there’s more dissension between MMAfix.com writers, Josh Leduc and Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli. They agree on the majority of the fights, but there are two bouts in which neither can persuade the other to see it their way.

 

Lyoto Machida   vs.  Dan Henderson

 
Josh’s thoughts :  Machida may have knocked out Randy Couture and Ryan Bader, but Henderson is more of a threat on the feet, and has yet to be knocked out in his career. Machida’s skill of being elusive will back fire when Hendo is constantly seeking a knockout and keeping the pressure on. The judges will view it as Machida running like a b*tch and award Henderson the fight. Then again there’s always the chance that he can land the H-Bomb before the fight ends.

Pick : Dan Henderson

 
Ryan’s thoughts : Machida has a good track record against strong wrestlers. Rashad Evans, Randy Couture and Ryan Bader have all been KO’d by the Dragon. Henderson has the power to threaten on the feet, but his actual striking skill isn’t nearly on the same level as Machida. The Dragon should have any issue using his precision like counter striking to win a decision.

Pick : Lyoto Machida

 

 
Sam Stout   vs.  Caros Fodor

 
Josh’s thoughts :  Stout’s nickname is “hands of stone” for a reason, and he also has a chin of stone. Combine that with his high level of striking, and you have a recipe for victory. If he ever feels uncomfortable on the feet, he’s more than capable in taking his opponent down, as we’ve seen in his third fight with Spencer Fisher.

Pick : Sam Stout

 
Ryan’s thoughts : Stout has looked mediocre in his last three fights, and could only muster up a win over the no longer significant Spenser Fisher. In his amateur career, Fodor was a champion in MMA and Muay Thai. He also trains with Matt Hume, so we know his grappling is up to par, and will most likely have the advantage on the ground. As he proved in his fight with Justin Wilcox, Fodor can end a fight fast and early. I don’t expect Stout to come into this fight any better than he did in his last three.

Pick : Caros Fodor

 

 
Here’s a recap of the fights we agree on, and our picks.

 

Ronda Rousey   >   Liz Carmouche

Urijah Faber   >  Ivan Menjivar

Josh Koscheck   >  Robbie Lawler

Brendan Schaub   <   Lavar Johnson

Michael Chiesa   >   Anton Kuivanen

Court McGee   >   Josh Neer

Dennis Bermudez   >   Matt Grice

Kenny Robertson   <   Brock Jardine

Jon Manley   >   Neil Magny

Nah-Shon Burrell   <   Yuri Villefort

 
– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

Ronda Rousey   vs.  Liz Carmouche

Rousey is still undefeated has looked unstoppable. Carmouche says she won’t fall victim to an armbar like the others, but many Rousey’s past opponents thought the same. No doubt Carmouche is a great fighter, but there’s nothing that separates her from the rest of the competition that Rousey has faced. In fact, she lost a decision to Sarah Kaufman, while Rousey dominated Kaufman and submitted her in the first round. Wrestlers, Strikers, and all around well rounded fighters have all fallen at the hands of Rousey, and this fight will be no different.

Pick : Ronda Rousey

 

Lyoto Machida   vs.  Dan Henderson

Henderson could end his fight at any moment if he lands his “H-Bomb”, but against the most elusive fighter in MMA, there’s a good chance of Henderson’s fans being disappointed. As good a wrestler as Henderson is, it’s surprising that he has chose to keep the fight standing in his most recent bouts. This strategy will backfire against Machida. When Henderson is unable to land a powerful right hand, he will become desperate and reckless, and that’s when Machida will find an opportunity to strike. Machida has already knocked out two strong wrestlers, Randy Couture and Ryan Bader. If such an experienced fighter like Couture got caught by Machida, then why not Henderson? He’s hasn’t been knocked out thus far, but time will catch up to almost every fighter, and any fighter in their 40’s is long over due for it.

Pick : Lyoto Machida

 

Urijah Faber   vs.  Ivan Menjivar

Both fighters are in top elite of the UFC’s Bantamweights, but with the exception of only three fighters, Faber can defeat anyone at 135 lbs. Menjivar has the better Jiu-Jitsu off his back, but Faber’s wrestling will be enough to avoid any armbar attempts, unlike Menjivar’s last opponent. I don’t see either fighter getting the finish, but Faber should get a unanimous decision win.

Pick : Urijah Faber

 

Josh Koscheck   vs.  Robbie Lawler

The betting odds truly reflect just how stacked the odds are in Koscheck’s favor. Just like his fight with Tim Kennedy, Lawler will be outclassed by an expert wrestler. Only this time, Lawler is facing an opponent who is also possesses very proficient striking. Between his wrestling, striking, and Cardio; Koscheck will have more than enough tools to defeat Lawler. I don’t see a knockout happening, but Koscheck can hold his opponent down for three rounds, or sneak in a rear naked choke as he’s done to several one dimensional fighters who rely solely on their striking.

Pick : Josh Koscheck

 

Brendan Schaub   vs.  Lavar Johnson

This is probably the toughest fight for me to predict a winner. Schaub is well rounded and has strong work ethic, but his chin is questionable after suffering two consecutive knockout losses. If Schaub was finished by Ben Rothwell and “Big Nog”, then Johnson can certainly do the same. Johnson has finished fighters with better striking and iron chins, such as, Pat Barry and Joey Beltran. The Achilles heel of Johnson seems to be the ground game, and Schaub is a BJJ brown belt. However, Johnson should know the takedown is more than likely coming from Scaub, and he’ll be ready to stuff the takedown, or counter with his heavy uppercuts. Once hurt, Schaub will be in survival mode, and Johnson will look to finish with an impressive knockout.

Pick : Lavar Johnson

 

Michael Chiesa   vs.  Anton Kuivanen

Kuivanen showcased much improved grappling in his last fight against Mitch Clarke, but Chiesa is a different kind of animal on the ground. He has a near perfect combination of wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu style that will be a nightmare for Kuivanen. If a wrestler like Justin Salas was able to implement his wrestling on Kuivanen, then Chiesa can do the same, but he will actually finish the fight via submission.

Pick : Michael Chiesa

 

Court McGee   vs.  Josh Neer

The biggest X Factor in this fight will be McGee’s weight cut. Personally, I think McGee and Demian Maia had similar body types at middleweight, and certainly wasn’t significantly large or lean in that weight class. The weight cut shouldn’t be too hard on him, and his performance shouldn’t be affected negatively. If that’s the case, McGee will have the advantage on the feet, and as equally strong on the ground. McGee is a karate black belt and proficient in Jiu-Jitsu, especially with chokes. He has multiple wins by either rear naked, arm triangle, or guillotine choke. As a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Neer is proficient in grappling and has twelve wins by submission. He is deadly off his back with triangles and is capable of countering a takedown attempt with a guillotine choke. However, McGee’s well rounded skills will keep him comfortable wherever the fight takes place, and he’ll find one way or another to secure a win.

Pick : Court McGee

 

Sam Stout   vs.  Caros Fodor

Stout has looked mediocre in his last three fights, and could only muster up a win over the no longer significant Spenser Fisher. In his amateur career, Fodor was a champion in MMA and Muay Thai. He also trains with Matt Hume, so we know his grappling is up to par, and will most likely have the advantage on the ground. As he proved in his fight with Justin Wilcox, Fodor can end a fight fast and early. I don’t expect Stout to come into this fight any better than he did in his last three. He’ll put up an effort, but Fodor will out strike him for 3 rounds, if he doesn’t finish him first.

Pick : Caros Fodor

 

Dennis Bermudez   vs.  Matt Grice

Both fighters have a great wrestling talent, but the striking, athleticism, and physical strength advantage are all in the corner of Bermudez. As if he didn’t already have more advantages in this fight, Bermudez also has one hell of a chin, so I certainly don’t see Grice pulling off a lucky knockout. Grice is touch, and won’t be easy to finish, but Bermudez will out wrestle the wrestler and take a decision.

Pick : Dennis Bermudez

 

Kenny Robertson   vs.  Brock Jardine

Not a lot of success for either fighter in the UFC, so this becomes a game of who sucked less in there fights. Robertson didn’t do that bad against Aaron Simpson, but Simpson had a poor performance due to it being his first fight at welterweight. Jardine held his own against Rick Story, and when he wins, he wins quickly. Robertson has a few first round wins as well, but I’m picked Jardine as the more well rounded fighter.

Pick : Brock Jardine

 

Jon Manley   vs.  Neil Magny

I was wrong two times when I picked Manley to lose on the Ultimate Fighter sooner than he did. He was one of the best grapplers of the season, and really improved his striking. His reach over Magny is pretty significant, so this will give him an even greater advantage in the striking. Magny is a skilled fighter, but Manley has him outclassed.

Pick : Jon Manley

 

Nah-Shon Burrell   vs.  Yuri Villefort

Quick Pick; they both finish fights, but Villefort is a little more well rounded than Burrell. He can win by knockout or submission.

Pick : Yuri Villefort

 

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek

MMAFix writers, Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli and Josh Leduc, compete in their ongoing battle of UFC predictions. The dissension dates back to UFC on FX 6, and it’s been a tight race, especially seeing the two usually disagree on only a couple fights per event. Now sixty five fight in the competition, Ryan leads by one, correctly predicting forty fights and Josh with thirty nine.

Fight Freek breaks down the two fights on the card that they disagree on, and why they differ in opinion. This will give Josh an opportunity to pull ahead in the competition, if both fights go his way.

 

James Te Huna  vs.  Ryan Jimmo

 

Josh’s Toughts : Te Huna’s cardio is in question, so he’s going to win, it has to be in the first round. Jimmo is a skilled striker, and as he showed Anthony Perosh, he has the ability to knockout his opponents early. If he ever feels threatened by the power of Te Huna, his wrestling is good enough to take the fight down and wear out his opponent.

Pick : Ryan Jimmo

 

Ryan’s Thoughts : Jimmo may have knocked out Anthony Perosh in seven seconds, but Perosh in amateur on the feet at best. Te Huna will have the advantage in power, and his cardio got him through three fast paced rounds in his last fight, so the cardio stab goes out the window here. Jimmo will have to put Te Huna on his back and holds him there all three rounds, and I don’t see that happening. Te Huna knows the takedown could quite possibly come and he’ll be ready to counter with jaw breaking uppercuts.

Pick : James Te Huna

 

 
Jimi Manuwa  vs.  Cyrille Diabate

 
Josh’s Thoughts : Diabate is an excellent Muay Thai striker, and beaten the likes of Rick Roufus and Michael Bisping in kickboxing matches. Since working with Team Quest, Diabate has improved on his grappling, and won his most recent fight by rear naked choke. Between his technical striking, reach advantage, and improved ground game; the snake should have what it takes to win a decision if not finish his opponent.

Pick : Cyrille Diabate

 
Ryan’s Thoughts : Training with Team Quest or not, Diabate’s ground game is far from deadly. Even with his technical striking skills, he’s easily bullied and rarely utilizes his reach advantage. Manuwa has serious knockout power, and all but one of his fights have ended in such fashion. If Anthony Perosh, Tom DeBlass, and Chad Griggs have been able to get on the inside of his reach, so there’s no doubt that the physically strong and aggressive Manuwa can do the same, and land the finishing shots it will take to put Diabate’s lights out.

Pick : Jimi Manuwa

 
Here’s some quick thoughts on the rest of the bouts. It’s unfortunate that we don’t disagree on more fights, making this dissension a little more interesting. If it doesn’t end up being a tie, one of us is going to eat crow.

 

Ulysses Gomez  vs.  Phil Harris

Gomez can only win if he finds the submission. With Harris’ wrestling and knockout power, it’s more likely Gomez gets caught like he did against John Moraga. Harris by knockout.

 
Vaughan Lee  vs.  Motonobu Tezuka

Tezuka is strictly a ground fighter, and his conditioning is in question. Lee has underated submission skills and has much more proficient striking than Tezuka. Lee by knockout.

 
Tom Watson vs.  Stanislav Nedkov

Watson was taken down by Brad Tavares, so Nedkov should have no issues doing the same. After all, he beat Thiago Silva for two rounds before the professional failed urine sample was able to submit Nedkov. Nedkov by decision.

 
Josh Grispi  vs.  Andy Ogle

Ogle can go all three rounds strong, and Grispi has maybe one round to submit him. Sorry, but it’s more likely that Grispi crumbles under the aggression of Ogle rather than securing a submission in under five minutes. Ogle by decision.

 

Paul Sass  vs.  Danny Castillo

Castillo will take Sass down, but it’ll backfire as Sass locks up another triangle/armbar. Sass by submission.

 
Terry Etim  vs.  Renee Forte

Etim has better striking, a significant reach advantage, and one heck of a guillotine. Forte isn’t ready for this level of competition, and he’ll realize that real quick. Etim by knockout.

 

Che Mills  vs.  Matthew Riddle

Riddle has no chance in a striking match with Mills, and he won’t be strong enough to get Mills down. Mills by knockout.

 
Gunnar Nelson  vs.  Jorge Santiago

Everything Santiago does well, Nelson does it better. Striking, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu; Nelson has every advantage. Nelson by knockout.

 
Cub Swanson  vs.  Dustin Poirier

Swanson’s better on the feet, Poirier’s better on the ground, but the talent gap is bigger on the feet. Between how much damage Poirier takes in his fights, and how much power Swanson has, Swanson emerges victorious. Swanson by knockout.

 
Renan Barao  vs.  Michael McDonald

McDonald has a puncher’s chance, but Barao is too technical. He’ll keep McDonald on the outside with his kicks and win a decision, but an early submission wouldn’t be surprising. Barao by decision.

 

– Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli

@FightFreek