UFC Fight Night: Florian vs Thomas

Alright yet another free MMA event from the UFC. I may bag on them a lot but they are delivering some good shows, and for free! #1 contender matches, returns, rematches, and heavy hitters line up for this Fight Night.

Kenny "Kenflo" Florian 6-3 vs Din Thomas 20-6 Ken has been an ever improving fighter since he left the TUF show and even fought Sean Sherk for the title (though he lost a 5 round decision). The loss showed us the improvement and durability of the Boston kid and his subsequent wins have shown his flawless ju jitsu skills. Can he hang with the well rounded and lethal Thomas? The American Top Team fighter has been perfect since returning to the UFC after a stint on the TUF Comeback series. Din has mad scrambling skills and I don't see him getting caught in one of Ken's submissions. He is the better striker as long as he stays clear of the razors attached to the end of Kenflo's elbows. Thomas has fought and beaten better like current Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, former Lightweight Champion Jens Pulver, and recently the gritty tough Clay Guida. A nice resume and a guy who just seems to keep improving. It may not end before the judges are called on, but Din outpoints his way to become the #1 contender for the Lightweight Championship (vs Sean Sherk if he wins his steroid appeal or vs ??????? if the appeal fails and Sean is stripped of the title).

WINNER-Din Thomas by decision

Chris "Crippler" Leben 16-4 vs Terry "Mini Tyson" Martin 18-2 Coming off 2 straight losses Chris desperately needs the win. However, he is facing a mini monster truck in the form of the sledgehammer wielding fists of Martin. Terry has won 4 in a row and has looked so much better now that he has dropped to Middleweight. Time for Leben to find a new job as Martin is going to come in and drop bombs like George W. Bush on innocent foreigners.

WINNER-Terry Martin by TKO

Nate Diaz 6-2 vs Junior Assuncao 6-2 Jr. is no slouch and the most recent TUF winner must be prepared to battle wherever the fight takes place. Jr. can do it standing or on the floor though Nate's ju jitsu is absolutely sick and no one can seem to hang with him there. I give the edge to Nate because he trains with some of the best in the world and knows he must live up to the hype of winning the reality TV show.

WINNER-Nate Diaz by decision

Nate "Rock" Quarry 14-2 vs Pete "Drago" Sell 7-4 (rematch) Welcome back Nate, what a long road it has been. After rising to stardom from the very 1st TUF season, Nate got a title shot vs then Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin in which he was brutally KO'd and then disappeared for almost 2 years! The man went through a difficult back surgery, and long recovery, and a bitter falling out with former partners at Team Quest. Now with his life back on track and in shape, Nate returns to fight Sell again after he KO'd him in their 1st meeting in which the stoppage may have been premature. Can Quarry come back after all this time and be the man he was? How will he react from the surgery and the debilitating KO that made highlight reels everywhere? We shall see, but don't think for a moment Drago is a great fighter. He is average at everything, and his claim to fame is beating the once important Phil Baroni. There is no reason Nate should lose this fight, save he's not the man he once was.

WINNER-Nate Quarry TKO

Gray Maynard 3-0-1 vs Joe Veres 5-1 "Hi, my name is Joe and I am out of my depth against a very pissed of wrestler who trains with Randy Couture." Gray is coming off his NC (no contest) against Rob Emerson who he destroyed, but in the process of slamming him, KO'd himself as well. Some of the craziest shit I've ever seen. Now, Gray's back and Veres pays the price.

WINNER-Gray Maynard by school yard stomping

Edilberto Crocota 10-1-1 vs Luke "I Drink My Own Pee" Cummo 8-4 I like Luke but seriously you tell people you drink your own pee for medicinal purposes and what do you expect? Mad scrap and scramble time. These 2 boys get after it in crazy ways. This fight could be anywhere and everywhere. Luke has the edge on the feet, while the Croc can submit in the blink of an eye. Good luck picking this one.

WINNER-Crocota?

Thiago Alves 17-4 vs Kuniyoshi Hironaka 11-3 Yet another return as American Top Team's Al returns from a 9 month suspension for an illegal diuretic (water pill for cutting weight). Hironaka loves the decisions and usually waits to long to pull the trigger, so expect Thiago to do it for him.

WINNER-Thiago Alves by TKO

Cole Miller 12-2 vs Leonard Garcia 14-2 This is a submission specialist match with both men being very talented on the floor. This is no Andy Wang so Cole will be tested. I'm not too sure who to pick herr (as Nelly would say) so good luck.

WINNER-Cole Miller by decision

Jonathan Goulet 19-8-1 vs Dustin Hazelett 10-3 Neither guy is consistent but Goulet has been nothing but a disappointment so the nod goes to the other guy by default. (note-Mike Swick is not fighting Goul due to injury)

WINNER-Dusty Hazelbum

Da da da da some close fights here and the new season of the Ultimate Fighter to follow. Enjoy the hilarity and banter of the Matt's, Serra and Hughes.