UFC on Versus 4: Predictions for the Entire Kongo vs. Barry Card

Whenever UFC holds an event, Joe and Rob from GuysNation do our best to predict the matches on the card. Sometimes we (mostly Joe) get things right, sometimes we don’t, but we always try to give you our reasoning…even when that means someone (most…

Whenever UFC holds an event, Joe and Rob from GuysNation do our best to predict the matches on the card. Sometimes we (mostly Joe) get things right, sometimes we don’t, but we always try to give you our reasoning…even when that means someone (mostly Rob) flips a coin.

Pat Barry vs. Cheick Kongo

Joe’s thoughts: On paper this could be a great fight. Two highly skilled heavyweight kick boxers could lead to fireworks. Unfortunately, Kongo likes to strategize for his fights and will probably look for the takedown or a clinch along the fence. It is something I noticed in his previous fights against strikers as Kongo likes to control the pace of the fight. His wrestling is still mediocre, but his size and strength help where he is weak. This is what he will need to do to win as Barry is much faster than him.

Joe’s Prediction: Kongo by Decision

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: I hate the way Kongo fights, getting frustrated and using cheap tactics to slow things down to let him get comfortable. He hasn’t had a quality win since early 2009. Barry went late into the third round against Cro-Cop, and that’s enough for me. Barry by decision.

Matt Brown vs. John Howard

Joe’s Thoughts: This should be an exciting fight as both fighters will be looking to stay in the big leagues. Brown has lost his last three and Howard his last two. Though, Howard’s recent losses come against some of the best in the division. Both fighters like to stand and bang so do not blink while watching this one. Look for Howard to be a little sharper in the exchanges and expect this fight to be in the running for fight of the night.

Joe’s Prediction: John Howard by KO

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Brown might have lost three straight, but he lost all three of those by submission, and John Howard hasn’t made someone tap out in nearly four years. I don’t know why, but I like the way Brown can fight, and although I realize he’s probably not going to move way up in the division, I will pick Brown to win this one by KO.

Matt Mitrione vs. Christian Morecraft

Joe’s Thoughts: In his first few fights, Mitrione has looked great. He has stopped three of his first four opponents and comes in to fights with great conditioning and solid striking skills. Morecraft is a good challenge for Matt due to his solid wrestling game. Christian will need to use his grappling abilities and control where the fight goes if he wants to defeat Mitrione. Matt has showed great wrestling defense in the past I expect him to be even more improved for this fight.

Joe’s Prediction: Mitrione by KO

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Mitrione has surprised me and looks to be learning a lot from each fight, and Morecraft’s resume doesn’t excite me at all. Sometimes fighters prove me wrong twice, and I can’t bet against them until their winning streak ends, so I’m going with Matt Mitrione by KO.

Tyson Griffin vs. Manvel Gamburyan

Joe’s Thoughts: After starting his career with some big victories Tyson Griffin has really fallen down the ranks as of late. He has three straight losses even though his last one was controversial. He is making his return to 145 lbs. for this fight, but it is not going to be an easy challenge. He is facing Manny Gamburyan who is coming off a loss to champion Jose Aldo. Both fighters are in a sense looking to start over and should come out swinging. I’m giving the advantage to Manny in this one. I feel like Tyson Griffin’s style has hit the wall.

Joe’s Prediction: Manny by Decision

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Tyson Griffin is a good fighter, and this will be an entertaining fight, but all you have to do to know how this one will end is to look how these guys do against really good opponents. Gamburyan will win by decision

Joe Stevenson vs. Javier Vazquez

Joe’s Thoughts: Joe Stevenson is making his featherweight debut against a game opponent in Vazquez. Joe Daddy desperately needs a win or we could see him on the outside of the UFC. If he can bring Vazquez in to a grappling match then Joe should come out on top. If not, we will probably see the same Joe Stevenson that we see each fight. Luckily for him, Vazquez is not known for his striking power, and he should be able to take and keep him on the ground to grind out his first victory in four tries.

Joe’s Prediction: Joe Stevenson by Decision

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: I really like Joe’s thoughts on this one, and I think Stevenson is going to win by knockout.

Joe Lauzon vs. Curt Warburton

J-Lau is an interesting fighter. Sometimes he looks amazing in his fights, other times he gets dominated. This should be one of the fights where he looks good. Warburton is a decent fighter, but I do not think his skills match up too well with Joe. Expect Lauzon to grind out Round 1 then submit him in the second.

Joe’s Prediction: Joe Lauzon by Submission

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Lauzon’s last three losses don’t bother me, based on who his opponents were. Nothing on Warburton’s resume impresses me, especially that his past three fights went to decision. I agree that Joe Lauzon is going to make him tap out.

Daniel Roberts vs. Rich Attonito

Joe’s Thoughts: This match will mostly be a grappling event. It might start out as a standup war early, but I expect Roberts to get this fight to the ground and work for submissions. Not too sure if he will find one against ATT product Attonito though.

Joe’s Prediction: Daniel Roberts by Decision

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Daniel Roberts is a fighter whose skills I really like, and until he faces someone of note, I won’t pick against him. Roberts by submission.

Nik Lentz vs. Charles Oliveira

Joe’s Thoughts: Lentz has been on a serious roll since coming to the UFC. Going 5-0-1 in his first 6 fights, he has shocked a lot of his opponents with his wrestling ability. Oliveira came in to the UFC with high expectation but faltered against top contender Jim Miller in his last bout. This is a tough one to call, but most of the fight should take place on the mat.

Joe’s Prediction: Nik Lentz by Decision

Rob’s Thoughts & Prediction: Nik Lentz finds ways to win by decision, but Charles Oliveira doesn’t let things get there, and he won’t start now. Charles Oliveira by submission.

Ricardo Lamas vs. Matt Grice

Joe’s Thoughts: Grice is making his UFC return after being released by the company previously. He won his last four outside of the promotion and is looking to stay this time. Lamas is a WEC export making his UFC debut. A lot is on the line for both of these fighters if they want to keep themselves in Joe Silva’s head for future fights with the company.

Joe’s Prediction: Matt Grice by Decision

Rob’s Prediction: Grice has worked really hard to get back to UFC, but I don’t normally like it when a fighter who failed to succeed in their first run with the company gets their return, and I also don’t like it when a fighter takes a long fight to decision and then takes another fight without much of a rest between the two fights. For those reasons alone, I’ll go with Lamas by decision.

Edward Faaloloto vs. Michael Johnson

Joe’s Thoughts: Johnson has the experience in this fight, but Falo must have something to him if Zuffa decided to sign him after only two pro fights. Unfortunately, I think Johnson can grind him down and take a decision.

Joe’s Prediction: Michael Johnson by Decision

Rob’s Prediction: I don’t know much about these guys, but I’ll go out on a limb and pick Faaloloto

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UFC on Versus 4: Predicting Who Will Win Fight, Submission and KO of the Night

Nate Marquardt is out of his fight with Rick Story, but UFC Live on Versus 4 still promises plenty of exciting fights on Sunday night at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Charlie Brenneman has stepped in to replace Marquardt, so welt…

Nate Marquardt is out of his fight with Rick Story, but UFC Live on Versus 4 still promises plenty of exciting fights on Sunday night at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Charlie Brenneman has stepped in to replace Marquardt, so welterweight contender Rick Story will still be competing on the card. Also, two heavyweight fights bolster the main card as Matt Mitrione looks to continue to success against Christian Morecraft and Cheick Kongo will go toe-to-toe with fellow kickboxer Pat Barry.

The card will also be stacked deep with one of the most intriguing preliminary cards of 2011. A few fighters competing on the wildly popular Facebook stream will be Tyson Griffin, Manny Gamburyan, Joe Stevenson, Joe Lauzon and Charles Oliveira.

Here are some predictions for fight of the night, submission of the night and knockout of the night.

Begin Slideshow

UFC on Versus 4: Nate Marquardt Pulled, Rick Story the Real Loser Here

MMAjunkie.com confirmed earlier today that Nate Marquardt did not receive medical clearance to fight in the main event against Rick Story for UFC on VS 4 in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday. The fight would have been Marquardt’s …

MMAjunkie.com confirmed earlier today that Nate Marquardt did not receive medical clearance to fight in the main event against Rick Story for UFC on VS 4 in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday. The fight would have been Marquardt’s welterweight debut. Details aren’t out as to exactly why he wasn’t medically cleared to fight and whether or not it had to do […]

UFC Betting

UFC on Versus 4: Nate Marquardt Pulled, Rick Story the Real Loser Here

Nate Marquardt Fails Medical Clearance, Cut from UFC

After failing to be medically cleared for tomorrow night’s UFC on Versus 4 headlining bout, Nate Marquardt has been fired from the UFC according to Dana White, who posted in a Twitter video: “I’m sure.

After failing to be medically cleared for tomorrow night’s UFC on Versus 4 headlining bout, Nate Marquardt has been fired from the UFC according to Dana White, who posted in a Twitter video:

“I’m sure you heard that Nate Marquardt is out. It’s true. He failed his medicals. Not only is he out of this fight, and out of the main event on Versus, he will no longer be with the UFC.”

Marquardt was supposed to make his Welterweight debut against Rick Story, but Story will now take on Charlie Brenneman who needed a match up when TJ Grant pulled out of his bout following an illness. Marquardt has not responded via Twitter or any other outlet. We can see why White would be pissed he lost his headlining match up so close to the fight, but it must have been a pretty big bombshell to make him drop “The Great” so fast. Afterall, even Chael Sonnen remains on the UFC roster.

*Source: Cagepotato

UFC 127 Fight Card: BJ Penn’s Top 7 Career Defining Moments

Courtesy of :The MMA Truth Related Posts:UFC 123: 10 Career Defining Moments for BJ PennUFC 131 Fight Card: Kenny Florian’s Top 7 Career-Defining MomentsUFC 131 Fight Card: Kenny Florian’s Top 7 Career-Defining MomentsUFC 122: Nate Marquardt’…

Courtesy of :The MMA Truth Related Posts:UFC 123: 10 Career Defining Moments for BJ PennUFC 131 Fight Card: Kenny Florian’s Top 7 Career-Defining MomentsUFC 131 Fight Card: Kenny Florian’s Top 7 Career-Defining MomentsUFC 122: Nate Marquardt’s 10 Career-Defining MomentsUFC 122: Nate Marquardt’s 10 Career-Defining MomentsUFC BettingUFC 127 Fight Card: BJ Penn’s Top 7 Career Defining […]

UFC Betting

UFC 127 Fight Card: BJ Penn’s Top 7 Career Defining Moments

UFC on Versus 4: Nate Marquardt Pulled, Rick Story the Real Loser Here

MMAjunkie.com confirmed earlier today that Nate Marquardt did not receive medical clearance to fight in the main event against Rick Story for UFC on VS 4 in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday.The fight would have been Marquardt’s welterw…

MMAjunkie.com confirmed earlier today that Nate Marquardt did not receive medical clearance to fight in the main event against Rick Story for UFC on VS 4 in Pittsburgh this coming Sunday.

The fight would have been Marquardt’s welterweight debut.

Details aren’t out as to exactly why he wasn’t medically cleared to fight and whether or not it had to do with the weight cut down to 170 pounds remains unknown.

Shortly after the announcement Dana White addressed the public by Tweeting a video stating that Marquardt will no longer be with the UFC.

Obviously this is bad news for the UFC and the card for tomorrow night will now feature Cheick Kongo vs. Pat Barry as the main event.

Marquardt can’t be happy to find out that he is out of a job for the time being.

Fans were looking forward to Marquardt’s debut.

All things considered, the real loser this weekend is welterweight up and comer Rick Story.

Aside from a decision loss to John Hathaway in his UFC debut, Story is riding a six-fight winning streak that saw him take down the likes of welterweight up-and-comers Johny Hendricks and Dustin Hazelett and most recently a win over UFC veteran and former number one contender Thiago Alves—Story is on a roll.

When Marquardt’s original opponent Anthony Johnson was forced to step out it didn’t take long for Story to jump on the opportunity even if it meant fighting twice in less than a month.

A win over Marquardt was just the thing Story needed to launch him to the next level. Back to back wins over Alves and Marquardt would have been enough to start talking title contention.

With Marquardt pulling out, Story is now faced with having taken a fight on short notice against Charlie Brenneman—a guy who is only three fights into his UFC career and not a big name on anybody’s radar just yet.

In other words, fighting Brenneman is a step down from Story’s last opponent Alves and not the fight that is going to get him into title contention even if he wins.

One has to wonder if Story would have accepted the fight on short notice had he known it would be against Brenneman and not Marquardt.

A fight with Brenneman is a risky affair for Story.

Win or lose against Marquardt, the risk would have been worth the reward.

If Story beat Marquardt he would have been that much closer to a title shot; should he have lost, people knew he took the fight on short notice—and Marquardt being a former number-one contender in the next weight class up meant it was okay to lose to him.

Against Brenneman there isn’t much upside besides another win in the win column and a loss to him would be devastating.

Brenneman is only 2-1 in the UFC and he took the fight against Story on less than a day’s notice. If Story loses this fight it will put him at the back of the line—something a loss to Marquardt would have never done.

Although a win over Brenneman won’t mean much aside from extending a win streak, Story has to treat the fight with as much importance as his fight with Thiago Alves and the fight he was supposed to have with Marquardt—a loss to Brenneman could be a turning point in Story’s young career.

 

Leon Horne has been contributing to Bleacher Report for three years now. He focuses mainly on mixed martial arts, but he has also written about tennis, football and hockey. Just send him a message if you want to talk sports or discuss any opportunities. You can follow him on Twitter for updates: Follow Leon_Horne on Twitter

 

 

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