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Friday, January 18, 2008

Gabriel Gonzaga vs Fabricio Werdum - UFC 80 Predictions

There’s little argument that Randy Couture, Andrei Arlovski, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Fabricio Werdum are Top 10 heavyweights. So when either Gonzaga or Verdum rack up two consecutive losses after UFC 80, there is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, both men should be lauded for taking such a highly competitive fight at this point in their careers.

As I blogged about in the post Meet your new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Gabriel Gonzaga!, Gabe has all of the tools to be UFC Heavyweight champion. The same could also be said for Werdum. The deciding factor in this contest might just be the training camps. While Werdum has traveled back to Brazil to train with the World-renown Chute Boxe Academy, Gonzaga has chosen to stay put and train with Team Link in the lesser known MMA not-hotbed of Ludlow, Massachusetts. While World-class athletes can certainly emerge from modest surroundings, the question is whether or not Gonzaga has surround himself with enough quality training partners to further his growth. If he’s the top guy in his camp, how will he grow as a fighter?

Nothing against Werdum, but I’m rooting for Gonzaga in this one. He’s most definitely a monster, but has a “likability” factor that is hard to define. That is a highly marketable combination. He’s also working on his English, which all International MMA fighters should make a top priority. (Hey, don’t get mad at me – former Pride President Nobuyuki Sakakibara felt the same way).

See Gonzaga Decapitate Mirko Cro Cop

Look for an exciting contest as Gonzaga looks to return to Heavyweight contention and Werdum looks to exercise the specter of the Arlovski snoozefest. Whoever the winner, they're surely deserving of a shot against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (or Tim Sylvia, should he decide to let his fists fly).

And don't forget my man Heath Herring. He's coming back! Now, on to predictions...

UFC 80 Predictions

B.J. PENN VS. JOE STEVENSON
MMA Weekly: Penn by submission in the third round
Sherdog: Penn by rear-naked choke early in the second round

GABRIEL GONZAGA VS. FABRICIO WERDUM
MMA Weekly: Gabriel Gonzaga by decision
Sherdog: Gonzaga by TKO late in the second round

MARCUS DAVIS VS. JESS LIAUDIN
MMA Weekly: Davis by TKO in the third round
Sherdog: Davis by TKO early in the second round

JASON LAMBERT VS. WILSON GOUVEIA
MMA Weekly: Gouveia by decision
Sherdog: Gouveia by guillotine choke late in the first round

KENDALL GROVE VS. JORGE RIVERA
MMA Weekly: Grove by submission in the first round
Sherdog: Grove by TKO stoppage in the second round

ALESSIO SAKARA VS. JAMES LEE
MMA Weekly: Alessio Sakara by TKO in the first round
Sherdog: Lee by submission

SAM STOUT VS. PER EKLUND
MMA Weekly: Stout by decision
Sherdog: Eklund by first round strangulation

PAUL TAYLOR VS. PAUL KELLY
MMA Weekly: Taylor by KO in the first round
Sherdog: Taylor by second round KO

ANTONI HARDONK VS. COLIN ROBINSON
MMA Weekly: Hardonk by KO in the first round
Sherdog: Hardonk by first round knockout

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Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Fantasy UFC - Liddell v Silva UFC 79 Predictions

Fantasy UFC 79 Booking

Lately I've been waxing nostalgic about my days as a pro wrestling script writer. I thought it might be fun to write up the script for UFC 79 as if it were booked by a pro wrestling promoter. This is all in good fun. Please don't take any of it seriously. And by all means post your own fantasy results in the comments section.

Wanderlei Silva Beats Chuck Liddell Convincingly
UFC needs a strong debut from the Axe Murderer . He’s got a tremendous updside and natural heel charisma. Plus, Chuck is more “bulletproof”. That is, he can bounce back from a loss more easily in the fans eyes. With this loss, it transforms Chuck from the mohawked killer into the aging star on the comeback trail. That role suits Chuck’s soft-spoken demeanor well.

[Cut to the post fight with Joe Rogan and Silva]

Silva: “Joe, I’ve waiting for this fight for five years. A little over a year ago, I came right here to Vegas on the biggest stage of them all – Pride. And I called out Liddell. I said “Where’s Chuck?” He’s hard to find, you know. And after tonight he’s going to be even harder to find. That’s why I’ve created a new children’s book called “Where’s Chuck”. [Pulls out a very well-done children's book mockup as Rogan looks on in disgust.] Here’s the referee announcing the winner of the Hampage fight. Where’s Chuck? By the way, Joe, did you know I have knocked out Hampage twice?”

Rogan: “It’s pronounced Rampage.”

Silva: [turning the page] “Here’s the referee announcing the winner tonight. Where’s Chuck? [turns the page] Oh wait - I found him. Here’s Chuck in the retirement home! [Holds up illustration of Liddell in a rocking chair. His cornermen join in as they point and laugh at the still fallen Liddell.]

[The crowd goes wild as a familiar blonde figure bursts into the octagon. It’s Tito Ortiz!]

Ortiz: “I’ve heard just about enough of this, Joe. You know Chuck and I aren’t exactly the best of friends. And everyone knows I talk a lot of trash. But after he beat me last year right here Vegas, I was man enough to admit that Chuck was the greatest. And to hear this punk out here trash talking a living legend, well, I’ve heard just about enough!” [removes shirt]

Silva: “Easy there bad boy. Believe me, I would love to avenge my so called “loss” over you. But rumor has it you’re in a contract dispute with the UFC. As much as I’d like to wipe the mat with you, it’s not going to happen. Hit the bricks, Tito. Maybe you can join Chuck in the retirement home.”

Goldberg: “He’s right, fans. Dana White and Ortiz at a contract impasse. There’s no way White is going to make this fight.”

Ortiz: [to White who has been standing by] “Dana, I know you and I don’t see eye to eye. And I know you think I’m all about money. Well, here’s the deal. I’ll fight this bum for FREE! [crowd roars in approval]. What do you say, Dana? Ortiz vs. Silva II – winner takes all! Whoever wins gets the winner’s and loser’s share of the purse. Whoever loses gets nothing!”

White: [Not thinking on his feet] “Tito Ortiz fighting in the UFC for free? I like the sound of that!”

Ortiz: “What do you say, Silva? We’re talking about the biggest single payday in the history of MMA. Are you in – or are you afraid I will beat you again?”

Silva: “I know your game, Ortiz. You think you’ll just hold me down for three rounds while you squeak out another tainted victory handed to you by crooked American judges. But I’m not worried about that. I’m going to knock you out. It’s on!”

This sets up Ortiz (cornered by Liddell) vs. Silva in the biggest money payday in MMA history. The winner will go on to face the Griffith vs. Jackson winner.

Ultimate Fighting Championship - Ultimate Iceman - Chuck Liddell

St-Pierre Beats Hughes Convincingly
In the buildup for this fight, the UFC should feature interviews with some of the top welterweights: Thiago Alvez, Jon Fitch, Josh Koschek, Karo Parisyan, and champ Matt Sera. Karo would sound very disgruntled in his interviews that he didn’t get the title shot. Again, I would have St-Pierre win. Like Liddell, Hughes can weather the loss more easily in fans eyes.

[cut to the post-fight interview with Joe Rogan]

St-Pierre: “I’d like to thank Matt Hughes for the opportunity to fight him again. I was very impressed with his performance, and was very fortunate to come out on top again. Thank you Dana White for making this fight. Thank you to UFC and all the fans. I look forward to fighting Matt Serra again as soon as he is recovered from his injury. In the meantime, I will fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me. I’d like to fight Jon Fitch or Thiago Alves.”

[Karo Parisyan makes his way into the octagon and grabs the microphone. He is wearing a t-shirt that reads “UFC can’t stand The Heat.”]

Parisyan: “No disrespect to you St-Pierre or to you Hughes. This is directed at Dana White. Two years ago I was promised a title shot. Well, it’s two years later, and I’m still waiting. I’ve done nothing but beat everyone the UFC has put in front of me. My only “loss” was a decision over hand-picked UFC poster boy Diego Sanchez. And let’s face it, he hasn’t been the same since I got through with him. And what happens? Hughes gets shot after shot. St-Pierre gets shot after shot. Hell, even Matt Serra gets a title shot after winning some TV show. Where’s my shot? I want St-Pierre. [faces off with Georges]. St-Pierre, I’m calling you out. I want that belt!”

[Dana White tries to calm Karo down. Karo grabs White by the lapel and pulls him close]

Parisyan: “I want that title shot, Dana. You promised me!”

White: “Karo, you know if you put your hands on me you’ll be fired. Then you’ll never get a shot.”

Parisyan: “Fire me! If I don’t get my title shot, I’d rather be fired. There are plenty of Mavericks out there that would love to fire up a Cuban and Mark out over the Heat!”

Goldberg: “You’re not allowed to say half those words on the UFC. Who does he think he is, Joe Rogan?”

[A disturbance breaks out in the stands. The crowd goes wild as the camera zooms in on – Nate and Nick Diaz!]

Nick: “Hey Heat, you want a fight? Why don’t you meet me in the parking lot?”

Parisyan: “Look it’s dumb and dumber! Nick, I’ve already destroyed you. How about I beat your little brother while you watch!” [The Diaz brothers rush towards the octagon as security holds them back.]

Goldberg: “He doesn’t work here! Nick Diaz was fired by Dana White!” [cut to black]

In the post-show press conference, Dana White announces that Parisyan will get everything he asked for. First off, he gets a shot at Nate Diaz, who agrees to move up a weight class to fight the Heat. Relenting to Karo’s demands, White agrees to allow Nick Diaz to corner Nate so that “that bum can see me beat his punk brother to a pulp close up.” If Parisyan wins, he’ll get the very next title shot. If Parisyan loses, he gets released from his UFC contract and is allowed to fight elsewhere immediately (albeit with the stigma of being beaten by an unranked lightweight).

Meanwhile, faced with the prospect of the ultra-polite St-Pierre vs. the soft-spoken Jon Fitch, White brings back the USA vs. Canada PPV format. To spice things up, Matt Hughes will corner Jon Fitch, while Canadian native Jim Carrey will once again channel the spirit of Andy Kaufman as he builds up St-Pierre’s fight against Fitch. The loser must kiss Michael Moore’s foot.

UFC Ultimate Knockouts, Vol. 4

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Friday, November 16, 2007

UFC 78 Predictions: Evans vs. Bisping

Who do the top journalists in MMA think will win this weekend's UFC matchups? Pride is on the line as the top MMA sites vie for prediction supremacy. See which expert comes out on top this time around:

UFC 78: Validation
Live from Newark - Saturday, November 17, 2007

Michael Bisping (+215) vs. Rashad Evans (-275)
MMA Weekly: Evans by decision
MMA Junkie: Evans by 2nd round TKO
Sherdog: Evans by decision
WINNER: Evans by decision

Houston Alexander (-155) vs. Thiago Silva (+125)
MMA Weekly: Silva by 2nd round submission
MMA Junkie: Alexander by 1st round TKO
Sherdog: Alexander by 1st round TKO
WINNER: Silva by 1st round TKO

Joe Doerksen (+120) vs. Ed Herman (-150)
MMA Weekly: Doerksen by 3rd round submission
MMA Junkie: Doerksen by submission
Sherdog: Doerksen by 3rd round submission
WINNER: Herman by 3rd round TKO

Ryo Chonan (+275) vs. Karo Parisyan (-345)
MMA Weekly: Parisyan by decision
MMA Junkie: Parisyan by 2nd round TKO
Sherdog: Parisyan by decision
WINNER: Parisyan by decision

Frankie Edgar (-135) vs. Spencer Fisher (+105)
MMA Weekly: Edgar by decision
MMA Junkie: Fisher
Sherdog: Edgar by 2nd round TKO
WINNER: Edgar by decision

Chris Lytle (+150) vs. Thiago Alves (-180)
MMA Weekly: Alves by decision
MMA Junkie: Alves by decision
Sherdog: Alves by 3rd round TKO
WINNER: Alves by doctor stoppage

Jason Reinhardt (+300) vs. Joe Lauzon (-600)
MMA Weekly: Lauzon by 1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Reinhardt by 1st round submission
Sherdog: Lauzon
WINNER: Lauzon by 1st round submission

Luke Caudillo (+350) vs. Marcus Aurelio (-450)
MMA Weekly: Aurelio by 1st round submission
MMA Junkie: Aurelio by 2nd round submission
Sherdog: Aurelio by 1st round submission
WINNER: Aurelio by 1st round TKO

Akihiro Gono (-260) vs. Tamdan McCrory (+200)
MMA Weekly: Gono by decision
MMA Junkie: Gono by decision
Sherdog: Gono by 1st round TKO
WINNER: Gono by 2nd round submission

Post-fight Predictions Scorecard
MMA Weekly: 8-1 WINNER
Sherdog: 7-2
MMA Junkie: 5-4

Congratulations to MMA Weekly's Ricardo Mendoza for posting a near-perfect 8-1 prediction scorecard. Bonus points for being the lone site to pick Thiago Silva to upset Houston Alexander. Great job, MMA Weekly!

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Friday, September 7, 2007

UFC 75 Predictions and Results: Jackson v. Henderson

Who do the top journalists in MMA think will win this weekend's UFC matchups? We've aggregated predictions from MMA Junkie, MMA Weekly, Sherdog, MMA Torch, Yahoo! Sports, and SLAM! Sports. Sherdog reigned supreme with their UFC 74 pics. See see which expert comes out on top this time around:

UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion
Live from London - Saturday, September 8, 2007

Quinton Jackson vs. Dan Henderson
Sherdog: Jackson by 4th round TKO
MMA Weekly: Henderson by 2nd round TKO
MMA Junkie: Henderson by decision
WINNER: Jackson by unanimous decision

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo
Sherdog: Cro Cop by 2nd round TKO
MMA Weekly: Cro Cop by 1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Cro Cop by 2nd round TKO
WINNER: Kongo by unanimous decision

Matt Hamill vs. Michael Bisping
Sherdog: Bisping by 2nd round TKO
MMA Weekly: Bisping by 1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Bisping by 2nd round TKO
WINNER: Bisping by split decision

Marcus Davis vs. Paul Taylor
Sherdog: Davis by 1st round TKO
MMA Weekly: Davis by 3rd round submission
MMA Junkie: Davis by 3rd round TKO
WINNER: Davis by 1st round submission

Houston Alexander vs. Alessio Sakara
Sherdog: Alexander by 1st round TKO
MMA Weekly: Sakara by 1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Alexander by 2nd round TKO
WINNER: Alexander by 1st round TKO

Terry Etim vs. Gleison Tibau
Sherdog: Etim by 3rd round TKO
MMA Weekly: Tibau by decision
MMA Junkie: Tibau by decision
WINNER: Tibau by unanimous decision

Tomasz Drwal vs. Thiago Silva
Sherdog: Drwal by 1st round TKO
MMA Weekly: Silva by1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Silva by 2nd round submission
WINNER: Silva by 2nd round TKO

Dennis Siver vs. Naoyuki Kotani
Sherdog: Kotani by 1st round submission
MMA Weekly: Siver by 1st round TKO
MMA Junkie: Kotani by 1st round submission
WINNER: Siver by 2nd round KO

Jess Liaudin vs. Anthony Torres
Sherdog: Liaudin by unanimous decision
MMA Weekly: Liaudin by 1st round submission
MMA Junkie: Liaudin by unanimous decision
WINNER: Liaudin by 1st round TKO

Post-fight Predictions Scorecard
Sherdog: 5-4
MMA Weekly: 6-3
MMA Junkie: 6-3

I'll keep this post updated as more predictions come in. If you know of other respectable sites that should be listed, please post the predictions URL in the comments section. And finally - who do you think will win?

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Friday, August 24, 2007

UFC 74 Predictions Roundup: Couture v. Gonzaga

Who do the top journalists in MMA think will win this weekend's UFC matchups? We've aggregated predictions from UFC Junkie, MMA Weekly, Sherdog, MMA Torch, Yahoo! Sports, and SLAM! Sports. I've already predicted my winner of the UFC 74 main event between defending Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture and challenger Gabriel Gonzaga in my post, Meet your new UFC Heavyweight Champion, Gabriel Gonzaga! Now see who the experts picked:

UFC 74: Respect
Live from Las Vegas - Saturday, August 25, 2007

Thales Leites (-270) vs. Ryan Jensen (+210)
Sherdog: Leites by 1st round submission
UFC Junkie: Leites by 2nd round submission
MMA Weekly: Leites by 1st round submission
MMA Torch: Leites by 2nd round submission
Yahoo! Sports: Leites by 2nd round submission
WINNER: Leites by 1st round submission

Frank Mir (-170) vs. Antoni Hardonk (+140)
Sherdog: Mir by 1st round submission
UFC Junkie: Mir by 1st round submission
MMA Weekly: Mir by decision
MMA Torch: Mir by 1st round TKO
Yahoo! Sports: Mir by 1st round submission
WINNER: Mir by 1st round submission

Roger Huerta (-450) vs. Alberto Crane (+300)
Sherdog: Huerta by 1st round TKO
UFC Junkie: Huerta by 2nd round TKO
MMA Torch: Huerta by 1st round TKO
SLAM! Sports: Huerta by 1st round TKO
Yahoo! Sports: Huerta by 3rd round TKO
MMA Weekly: Huerta by 2nd round TKO
WINNER: Huerta by 3rd round TKO

Clay Guida (-120) vs. Marcus Aurelio (-110)
Sherdog: Guida by decision
UFC Junkie: Aurelio by 2nd round submission
MMA Weekly: Guida by 2nd round TKO
MMA Torch: Guida by decision
Yahoo! Sports: Aurelio by decision
WINNER: Guida by decision

Renato Sobral (-210) vs. David Heath (+170)
Sherdog: Sobral by 2nd round submission
UFC Junkie: Heath by decision
MMA Weekly: Sobral by decision
MMA Torch: Heath by 3rd round TKO
Yahoo! Sports: Heath by 3rd round TKO
WINNER: Sobral by 2nd round submission

Kendall Grove (-260) vs. Patrick Cote (+200)
Sherdog: Grove by 2nd round submission
UFC Junkie: Grove by decision
MMA Torch: Grove by 1st round TKO
SLAM! Sports: Grove by 2nd round submission
Yahoo! Sports: Grove by 1st round TKO
MMA Weekly: Grove by 2nd round submission
WINNER: Cote by 1st round TKO

Joe Stevenson (-295) vs Kurt Pellegrino (+235)
Sherdog: Stevenson by 2nd round TKO
UFC Junkie: Pellegrino by submission
MMA Torch: Stevenson by 3rd round submission
SLAM! Sports: Stevenson by decision
Yahoo! Sports: Stevenson by 3rd round submission
MMA Weekly: Stevenson by decision
WINNER: Stevenson by decision

Georges St. Pierre (-220) vs. Josh Koscheck (+180)
Sherdog: St. Pierre by decision
UFC Junkie: Koscheck by decision
MMA Torch: St. Pierre by 1st round TKO
SLAM! Sports: St. Pierre by 1st round TKO
Yahoo! Sports: St. Pierre by decision
MMA Weekly: Koscheck by decision
WINNER: St. Pierre by decision

Gabriel Gonzaga (-135) vs. Randy Couture (+105)
Sherdog: Couture by 4th round TKO
UFC Junkie: Gonzaga by 4th round submission
MMA Torch: Gonzaga by 3rd round TKO
SLAM! Sports: Couture by decision
Yahoo! Sports: Couture by decision
MMA Weekly: Gonzaga by 4th round TKO
WINNER: Couture by 3rd round TKO

UPDATE: Predictions Scorecard
Sherdog: 8-1
SLAM! Sports: 4-1*
Yahoo! Sports: 6-3
MMA Torch: 6-3
MMA Weekly: 6-3
UFC Junkie: 3-6
*Only picked main card bouts

Sherdog, SLAM! Sports, and Yahoo! Sports all correctly predicted both main events.

I'll try to keep this post updated as more predictions come in. If you know of other respectable sites that should be listed, please post the predictions URL in the comments section. And finally - who do you think will win?

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