UFC 116: July 3, 2010MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Boy there is a lot of hate being spewed Russia's way but I will respond to this ignorantly berserk bandwagon drivel later. Another Heavyweight showdown headlines UFC 116 as two cats who actually cut weight to make the big boy division, clash with the Champion vs Champion banner though we all know that's fake. "Sexyama" and the "Crippler" make their last second match bitter with "lacks of respect," a Bonnar and Soszynski Rematch, a Lightweight top contenders match that could steal the show, and a new Czech Heavyweight that is possibly crazy. Its an odd and not so impressive card for Zuffa.
Main Bouts (PPV):
UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (4-1) vs. Shane Carwin (12-0) The two (literally) biggest alpha males in the Zuffa brand meet in an epic title fight we have waited on since late last year before Brock became hospitalized "near death" and Carwin decided to fight as rarely as possible keeping his aura and undefeated streak alive with Cain Velasquez waiting in the wings as the official number 1 contender. Both men bring wrestling though we'd never know it from Carwin who also possesses instant brutal KO power which Lesnar has yet to show. What nobody is talking about is that neither guy has faced an opponent like the other yet. Brock has slid by on old timers and Jiu-Jitsu fighters while Shane has fought barely anyone of note save Gabe Gonzaga who was winning that bout before the devastating KO. I see this as more of a Lesnar vs Heath Herring fight with Lesnar being careful on the feet, and once hurt, will dominate this fight on the floor. I can actually see this fight going multiple rounds which will hurt Shane's power and who knows if either man can fight the full 25 minutes. The most shocking MMA moment of all time was last week so I'll just play it safe thank you.
Main Bouts (PPV):
UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (4-1) vs. Shane Carwin (12-0) The two (literally) biggest alpha males in the Zuffa brand meet in an epic title fight we have waited on since late last year before Brock became hospitalized "near death" and Carwin decided to fight as rarely as possible keeping his aura and undefeated streak alive with Cain Velasquez waiting in the wings as the official number 1 contender. Both men bring wrestling though we'd never know it from Carwin who also possesses instant brutal KO power which Lesnar has yet to show. What nobody is talking about is that neither guy has faced an opponent like the other yet. Brock has slid by on old timers and Jiu-Jitsu fighters while Shane has fought barely anyone of note save Gabe Gonzaga who was winning that bout before the devastating KO. I see this as more of a Lesnar vs Heath Herring fight with Lesnar being careful on the feet, and once hurt, will dominate this fight on the floor. I can actually see this fight going multiple rounds which will hurt Shane's power and who knows if either man can fight the full 25 minutes. The most shocking MMA moment of all time was last week so I'll just play it safe thank you.
WINNER-Brock Lesnar by Rd.3 TKO
Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1) vs. Chris Leben (20-6) "Sexyama" was so disappointed that Wanderlei Silva fell out of this fight that he almost took his ball and went home which Leben took as disrespect. Akiyama has a big name in Japan and Chris ain't exactly in the bright lights of the current Middleweights. Still Leben always has that left hook that can put anyone to sleep. I fear his body may not respond quite like he believes it will after fighting 15 days ago! Besides, Yoshi is a far better fighter all around and as long as he fights smart, he will win and just maybe put the "Crippler" who didn't murder his family, away. This fight is too important to the peoples of Korea and Japan for Akiyama not to pull out the victory.
WINNER-Yoshihiro Akiyama by Decision
Chris Lytle (28-17-5) vs. Matt Brown (11-8) Jesus why does Brown get any play on a PPV card? Overrated isn't a strong enough word for Matt who is strong with decent striking and toughness but that's about it. "Lights Out" is a very well rounded fighter who usually prefers a war which earned him 8 fight bonuses in his career and 5 in a row, but is the exact opposite gameplan to attack the "Immortal." Lytle has got to be smarter than that so look for the veteran to wear down the some times cardio challenged Hume disciple, and eventual tap him like in 2007 when Chris did the exact same thing to the exact same guy in the UFL.
WINNER-Chris Lytle Rd.3 Submission
Stephan Bonnar (11-7) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (19-9-1) [Rematch] It was the now famous "clash of heads" that gave Krzysztof the undeserved win around four months ago. Now we do it for realz and I still lean toward the Pollock. The Team Quest fighter is a better striker though Bonnar wins the chin award and both are equal on the mat. Anything can happen but the percentages favor basically the same result.
WINNER-"The Polish Experiment" by Decision
Kurt Pellegrino (16-4) vs. George Sotiropoulos (12-2) Ooooh, possible "Fight Of The Night" honors here with two rising Lightweights looking to take that next step nearing the top of the division but one goes back down the ladder. I believe the Australian has it. "Batman" has almost gotten to that elusive title shot before but just can't seem to bypass that glass ceiling. George is a surprise to most (not me look back I called it) with skills everywhere and a zeal of determination and high MMA iq. Kurt has all that jazz as well I just think he'll always have that "gatekeeper" tag while Sotir is title bound. Expect a war either way.
WINNER-George Sotiropoulos by Decision
Prelims (Spike TV):
Brendan Schaub (5-1) vs. Chris Tuchscherer (18-2) Schaub finds himself in a similar situation as the Duffee/Russow fight. He is a better striker than Chris is a wrestler, but Tuch is such a wide assed box of a guy that I could see him taking Brendan down over and over again en route to a boring bout. I'm honestly not that impressed by the "Hybrid" so I'm taking experience and a solid base to win.
Upset Pick WINNER-Chris Tuchscherer by Decision
Ricardo Romero (10-1) vs. Seth Petruzelli (12-4) The "Silverback" returns to the UFC after being the first to topple the mighty Kimbo Slice and two minor league wins. Ricardo has his first fight outside Ring Of Combat in what will probably be a punch it out affair early and a G&P divorce late. I say divorce because once floored, this fight becomes Romero's as Seth just ain't got much game on the mat.
WINNER-Ricardo Romero by Rd.3 TKO
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Kendall Grove (11-7) vs. Goran Reljic (8-1) "Iron Jaw" is back in a fight I think he can actually win. He's got the Jiu-Jitsu advantage, amazing reach advantage, and is really a better striker as well. I really don't know what Reljic brings to the fight save a final dusting of that ring rust from the injury that sidelined him for a couple of years. Anyone can touch Grove on the chin and put him out but a smart careful gameplan leads to a win.
Prelims (Non-Televised):
Kendall Grove (11-7) vs. Goran Reljic (8-1) "Iron Jaw" is back in a fight I think he can actually win. He's got the Jiu-Jitsu advantage, amazing reach advantage, and is really a better striker as well. I really don't know what Reljic brings to the fight save a final dusting of that ring rust from the injury that sidelined him for a couple of years. Anyone can touch Grove on the chin and put him out but a smart careful gameplan leads to a win.
Upset Pick WINNER-"Da Spyder" by Decision
Dave Branch (6-0) vs. Gerald Harris (15-2) Damn, Joe Silva doesn't like Harris much since he has had a tough road to hoe so far in the UFC. Branch is a Renzo Gracie prospect with a lot of upside but Gerald's adequate wrestling should nullify the ground game while out pointing Dave in what could be a very close fight.
Dave Branch (6-0) vs. Gerald Harris (15-2) Damn, Joe Silva doesn't like Harris much since he has had a tough road to hoe so far in the UFC. Branch is a Renzo Gracie prospect with a lot of upside but Gerald's adequate wrestling should nullify the ground game while out pointing Dave in what could be a very close fight.
WINNER-Gerald Harris by Split-Decision
Forrest Petz (17-7) vs Daniel Roberts (9-1) Petz is simply filling a hole in the card and though he stumbled for the first time in his career in his UFC debut, Roberts is pretty good and will pound the far less famous Forrest into the mat.
WINNER-Daniel Roberts by Rd.2 Submission
Jon Madsen (5-0) vs. Karlos Vemola (7-0) Welcome the crazy attack machine from Czechoslovakia and CFC Heavyweight Champion Vemola to the United States. That being said, Madsen is going to take Karlos down after the initial "gong and dash," and from there bore the crap out of us for the next fifteen minutes.
Jon Madsen (5-0) vs. Karlos Vemola (7-0) Welcome the crazy attack machine from Czechoslovakia and CFC Heavyweight Champion Vemola to the United States. That being said, Madsen is going to take Karlos down after the initial "gong and dash," and from there bore the crap out of us for the next fifteen minutes.
WINNER-Jon Madsen by Decision
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