UFC 79 Nemesis Breakdown

We all know the names, we all know this is potentially the biggest PPV of the year for all the right reasons. It is time that 2 dream bouts come true so lets get to the action!

"The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva 31-7-1 vs Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell 20-5 Either man touches you on the chin and you go to sleep. This super-fight has been years in the making though it took some odd circumstances to come true. Both coming off losing their respective belts and 2 bouts in a row desperately needing to re-establish themselves at the top of the food chain. This really is a who lands 1st fight. Chuck is always the counter fighter and Wanderlei always the aggressor. So Wand comes forward but does he land 1st or get taken out by the counter hook of Chuck? This fight is almost impossible to call but we have to play the percentages. Chuck is older at 37 (Wand is 31) but Silva has been through more wars and sustained more damage. Don't talk about the loss of Pride FC rules because Silva still has more tools to call on than Chuck. Chuck strikes and when taken down gets up. Wand will use aggression, knees, kicks, punches, the clinch, and god forbid a ground game based in Chute Boxe Ju-Jitsu (he does have a black belt though we never see him use it). Based on their war chests alone and who they have battled, the nod goes to Wand, but with these 2 KO artists you never know and in an instant one will go to sleep. It just has to end that way.
WINNER-Wanderlei Silva by TKO

Matt Hughes 43-5 vs Georges "Rush" St. Pierre 14-2 Take a deep breath people and put away your personal feelings on these guys. Matt Hughes has an experience that far exceeds Georges resume. They each won a fight against each other though "Rush" was winning the 1st as well before he got caught in an armbar. The 2nd time he decimated the legendary Welterweight. Time has passed and have Matt's skills diminished, or is he still an alpha MMA fighter? St. Pierre has only gotten better training with Greg Jackson's camp (Keith Jardine, Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt, etc.) and returning at times to his Canadian home camp BTT Canada. He did however take the fight on short notice (4 weeks) though he claimed he was training with his partners as if he had a fight coming up himself. I don't think GSP takes this fight unless he knows he can be ready, as he knows it is the defining fight in his career to date. What does Hughes really have to prove after all this time as a dominant champion? He has found inner peace and is a future Hall Of Famer. I do think his skills are slowing while GSP is getting faster though that does not count him out. Don't look for a fast fight as both men come in cautious and take this fight into the very late rounds if not a decision. Once they get comfortable, either GSP pulls away with pure athletic talent, or Hughes frustrates GSP into a mistake. I believe GSP takes this on points in a long grueling match.
WINNER-GSP by decision

Lyoto "Ryoto" Machida 11-1 vs Ramaeu Sokoudjou 4-1Soko debuts in the Octagon with a possible title shot looming if he can pull off yet another upset. Here's the thing about this match, Soko is an aggressive striker while Lyoto is a passive striker who enjoys brisk walks on the beach before a decision win. Soko isn't going to allow that as the Team Quest trained fighter pushes the pace against a fighter who loves to take things slow. Watch Ramaeu test the chin of the undefeated fighter (which hasn't been tested) and dispel the rumor that he himself has a glass chin. Ryoto will get out wrestled, out hustled, and out judo'd (I know that's not a word and don't care) unless he lands the miracle punch (does he have the power?) as Soko cements himself as a legit Light Heavyweight.
WINNER-Sokoudjou by TKO

Melvin "Returning From A Cocaine Suspension" Guillard 39-7-3 vs Rich "No Love" Clementi 37-12-1 Either of you guys got any experience? Anywho, these guys freaking hate each other by the way. According to shaky reports, Melvin "sucker punched" Rich backstage at a small MMA show after they had both been trash talking each other on the Internet. Rich apparently put out his hand in a good will gesture and received a punch for it. Since, the former friends (yes they once were friends) have been pushing UFC matchmaker Joe Silva for a bout. After Melvin was cleared from his suspension for using cocaine, yes cocaine the fucking moron, the fight was on! Now both men come in swinging for the fences. Look I don't like the cocky prick, but Melvin has better wrestling, stand up, power, and pure athleticism than ole Clementi. Guillard proves "nice guys finish last" by taking out "No Love" early.
WINNER-Melvin Dullard by TKO

"The Hulk" Soa Palelei 8-1 vs Eddie "Known For Being Cro Cop's Punching Bag" Sanchez 9-1 I'm actually excited to see what the big fella from Australia can do in the U.S. He barely makes the Heavyweight 265 lbs. limit and has massive power in his hands and actually a few submissions. Eddie, I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but the UFc just keeps sending him to the slaughter. He's not that good, though he has a lot of heart, but gets crushed here.
WINNER-Soa by KO

James "Sandman" Irvin 12-4-1 vs Luis "Banha" Crane 8-0 Irvin has unbelievable power in his hands there's no doubt about that. I question his stamina, game plan, and ground game which always seem to be lacking. Can't say I know a whole lot about Banha but he comes to throw (6 TKO/KO's) and has some submissions coming out of his home of Brazil. You know the rule, "when in doubt go with the guy from Brazil."
WINNER-Banha by TKO

Manny "The Manvel" Gamburyan 5-3 vs Nate Mohr 8-4 Don't let the unimpressive records fool you, Nate was brought in to lose to the runner up (via injury) TUF fighter. Manny is an absolute hoss and can out muscle about anyone in the 155 division. It may not be that easy though for the talented Nate has some skillz. In the end Manny out maneuvers the Iowan for a win on points.
WINNER-Manvel by decision

Dean Lister 9-5 vs Jordan Radev 16-2 My "Upset Pick" special. On the ground Dean can take anyone with some of the best Ju-Jitsu in the world. If the Bulgarian can stop the takedowns, he has more power, and much stronger strikes than Lister. Radev must have a good showing after getting schooled by Drew McFedries in his UFC debut. He's better than that and tough too. Look for him to hurt Dean and wrestle his way off the floor when in trouble. Its a risky pick by I think Dean isn't as good of a MMA fighter, though a better Ju-Jitsu fighter. There is a difference.
WINNER-Radev by decision

Roan "Jucao" Carneir0 11-6 vs Tony DeSouza 10-3 The "Souz" is back after a KO loss to Thiago Alves a year and a day later. Roan is also coming off a loss only to Jon Fitch, a competitive fight he started out winning before falling victim to a submission choke. The BTT fighter is also well versed in the submissions which will take this fight to the floor for both men's talents. Roan looked really good against Fitch and Tony doesn't always come in the best of shape for his matches. I think Roan outlasts him and handles him to an eventual victory. This could be a slow, though technical fight. I imagine the drunk fans booing already.
WINNER-Carneiro by decision

Mark Bocek 4-1 vs Doug Evans 6-1 The Canadian Bocek is coming off a loss to Frankie Edgar (who is beating everyone) but is training with the likes of Thales Leites & Vitor Ribeiro so he excels in the Ju-Jitsu. Bocek has little experience and has only fought 2 men with above .500 records. Mr. Evans gave Roger Huerta a run for his money early before gassing and getting pummeled. Evans is a great wrestler but lacks an all around MMA game in his young career. These two relative rookies put to the test which skill is better, wrestling or Ju-Jitsu in a bout nobody pays attention to.
WINNER-Don't care

Well that's a lot to absorb but a lot is going on in this mega-PPV year end event. Not a bad card especially with those 2 dream co-main events. Time to get busy people, K-1 Dynamite, UFC 79, and Yarennoka should they ever finalize their card all in the span of 3 days. Oh, and the IFL is doing something as well.