LESNAR’S UFC HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ON THE LINE!
Brock Lesnar (3-1, 1 KO, 1 SUB) vs. Frank Mir (12-3, 2 KOs, 7 SUBs) Champion Brock Lesnar will once again square off with the only man to beat him; interim champ Frank Mir. Their first battle a year and a half ago, ended in some controversy after Lesnar was pounding out Mir on the ground and seemingly on the way to a stoppage victory, when referee Steve Mazzagatti broke the action and penalized Lesnar for hitting behind the head, thus giving Mir a chance to recover and escape a dangerous position. As the fight ensued, Lesnar fell victim to Mir’s Jiu-Jitsu and was forced to tap due to a knee bar. In their second meeting on Saturday, I see the fight playing out in a similar fashion sans the referee interference. I see Lesnar starting fast, running in and grounding his man, while throwing short, sloppy hammer fists and look to stop Mir. However, I don’t see him getting the ending he wants. Lesnar is way too impatient in the cage, and appears too wound up most of the time. He did show some patients in his last two fights, but it was also mixed in with his typical spastic rhythm. In the end, I see Lesnar falling again to Mir, mostly due to Mir’s experience and Lesnar’s lack there of. Prediction: Mir by Submission.
Georges St. Pierre (18-2, 8 KOs, 4 SUBs) vs. Thiago Alves (16-3, 10 KOs, 1 SUB)
*5 ROUNDS-CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT*
While UFC 170 lb. champ St. Pierre seems unstoppable at the moment and is riding a huge wave of momentum-so is his opponent, Thiago Alves. Both men’s hit list of their last several victims’ is a who’s who in the world of MMA. We have seen that St. Pierre can be stopped by strikes by looking at the first Serra fight, and Alves has a knack for knocking guys out. This fight will really tell us where Alves stands as a welterweight (170). However, I still don’t believe the fight will be all too competitive as St. Pierre seems to be on a different level than most. It may take a jump to middleweight (185) to see St. Pierre in a competitive fight. Prediction: St. Pierre by Submission.
Jon Fitch (18-3, 4 KOs, 5 SUBs) vs. Paulo Thiago (11-0, 2 KOs, 7 SUBs) This fight is a very tough one to call. Fitch has only one loss in his last 17 bouts, and that being to champ Georges St. Pierre. In those wins, he has defeated the likes of Diego Sanchez (21-2, 6 KOs, 9 SUBs), Brock Larson (26-2, 5 KOs, 18 SUBs), and title challenger Thiago Alves (16-3, 10 KOs, 1 SUB). Paulo Thiago will offer up a challenge for Fitch; as Thiago sports an undefeated record and is a well versed submission specialist. However, Fitch has only one loss via submission, that in his first pro bout some seven years ago. Prediction: Fitch by UD.
Dan Henderson (24-7, 10 KOs, 1 SUB) vs. Michael Bisping (17-1, 11 KOs, 4 SUBs) A definite grudge match will erupt between last seasons Ultimate Fighter coaches. Henderson has seemingly done it all, and if he hasn’t done it; he has damn sure tried it. Bisping is the young, cocky Brit who has a solid skill set and will be looking to take out the now 38 year old (39 in August) Henderson. Henderson has sneaky punching power and great stamina, but Bisping isn’t easily hurt and being almost a decade younger, may have more left in the tank. Prediction: Bisping by UD.
Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1, 5 KOs, 7 SUBs) vs. Alan Belcher (14-5, 7 KOs, 5 SUBs) Alan is a tough, talented fighter, but Akiyama will be a very tough man for him to beat come Saturday night. I find both guys fan friendly, as they tend to finish fights and I would pick this to be a strong candidate for fight of the night. Belcher has the experience in the UFC, while Akiyama will be making his UFC debut. This could play into Belcher’s favor, and even though I favor Akiyama in this fight, Belcher is no doubt capable of getting the W. It will be a great way to kick off the historic night of action. Prediction: Akiyama by TKO.
Mark Coleman (15-9, 4 KOs, 8 SUBs) vs. Stephan Bonner (11-5, 2 KOs, 7 SUBs) Coleman is becoming MMA’s version of Evander Holyfield, in that he won’t quit! Prediction: Bonner by however he chooses.
Mac Danzig (18-6, 4 KOs, 10 SUBs) vs. Jim Miller (13-2, 1 KO, 9 SUBs) Prediction: Danzig good, Miller better and by UD.
Jon Jones (8-0, 5 KOs, 1 SUB) vs. Jake O’Brien (11-2, 8 KOs)
O’Brien dropping from heavyweight to try his luck at light heavy.
Prediction: Jones by TKO.
Dong Hyun Kim (11-0-1, 6 KOs, 1 SUB) vs. TJ Grant (14-2, 1 KO, 12 SUBs)
The Korean “Stun Gun” strikes again!
Prediction: Kim by SD.
CB Dollaway (8-1, 5 KOs, 2 SUBs) vs. Tom Lawlor (5-1, 2 KOs, 2 SUBs)
The Doberman bites back!
Prediction: Dollaway by Submission.
Matt Grice (9-2, 3 KOs, 3 SUBs) vs. Shannon Gugerty (11-3, 3 KOs, 8 SUBs)
With a name like Gugerty you’d better be able to defend yourself!
Prediction: Grice by UD.