UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard 3
October 8, 2011
Toyota Center
Houston, Texas
Main Bouts (PPV):
Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) vs. Gray Maynard (10-0-1) 3 [Rubber Match] The feud has gone on for 10 years seemingly but it is finally coming to an end. I hope. We all know what each man brings to the table at this point so will it be Edgar's express speed striking endless endurance and heart, or Maynard's power punching and grinding wrestling? I lean ever so slightly to Edgar who can simply out race about anyone while the "Bully" tends to slow down as the bouts drag on. It should be razor close but I doubt Gray gets his hands on Edgar much and Jersey kids will be fisting (did I say that right?) all night long. Is that "J-Woww" in the crowd?
Toyota Center
Houston, Texas
Main Bouts (PPV):
Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) vs. Gray Maynard (10-0-1) 3 [Rubber Match] The feud has gone on for 10 years seemingly but it is finally coming to an end. I hope. We all know what each man brings to the table at this point so will it be Edgar's express speed striking endless endurance and heart, or Maynard's power punching and grinding wrestling? I lean ever so slightly to Edgar who can simply out race about anyone while the "Bully" tends to slow down as the bouts drag on. It should be razor close but I doubt Gray gets his hands on Edgar much and Jersey kids will be fisting (did I say that right?) all night long. Is that "J-Woww" in the crowd?
WINNER-Frankie Edgar by Decision
Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo (19-1) vs. Kenny Florian (14-5) It's "Kenflo's" last shot as all have noted and I am personally rooting for the good guy. Jose looked human after a disastrous weight cut against Mark Hominick and still won 4 of 5 rounds. Aldo has unfathomable striking as well as some of the best striking defense in the game not to mention a wicked ground game Jose has yet to even need. "Kenflo" has game everywhere but just not at the level of the champion and I think he looks worse at Featherweight. It won't be a good night for Florian but I pray he doesn't retire instead sticking around to take intriguing future fights. Barring a vicious cut its "Scarface" all day.
WINNER-Jose Aldo by Rd.4 TKO
Chael Sonnen (25-11-1) vs. Brian Stann (11-3) I can't decide if I really believe Stann can win or if I just hate Sonnen that much. Chael has been out for 14 months since he was caught cheating against Anderson Silva and was suspended for which he has never owned up to. Unfortunately, reason wins over hyperbole which Sonnen would know nothing about. Chael has a strong chin but will most likely take the "All-American" down over and over again which has been a chink in his armor for some time. Brian should hold him off early giving him the KO opportunity but eventually during 15 minutes he hits the mat and gets roughed up before losing a spirited bout on points. Maybe we get lucky and a PTSD addled veteran goes monkey nuts and shoots Chael dead before our eyes. Oh that would be beautiful!
WINNER-Chael Sonnen by Decision
Melvin Guillard (29-8-2) vs. Joe Lauzon (20-6) "J-Lo" as Joe Rogan called him cannot be happy with the disrespect given to him by critics and the "Young Assassin," but they're probably right. "J-Lau" struggles with strikers and Melvin is the best in the division. Greg Jackson has helped Guillard grow up as a person and fighter which doesn't bode well for Lauzon. A highlight reel win for Melvin may gain him the winner of Edgar/Maynard 3 and he might even get the stare down with the Champion at the end of the night. I'm not so sure Guillard deserves it if you compare faced competition with Clay Guida, but they didn't ask me.
WINNER-Melvin Guillard by Rd.2 TKO
Leonard Garcia (15-7-1) vs. Nam Phan 2 (16-9) [Rematch] Last time the world was shocked when the blind judges "robbed" Phan and now let justice be done. Both are tough fighters but Garcia has no semblance of technique instead opting to only throw haymakers while Nam sports more technique and a better mat game. I doubt we see the rock em sock em style of the 1st bout with Nam using more grappling mixed with striking to beat Garcia who couldn't get another judges nod even if he KO'd Phan. This being on the main card while Pettis/Stephens is on the Prelims is nothing short of a crime. The world is against you Garcia, good luck.
WINNER-Nam Phan by (dare I say it?) Decision
Prelims (Spike TV):
Demian Maia (14-3) vs. Jorge Santiago (23-9) Don't let the popular rankings fool you as Santiago is about to make a freefall down the Middleweight ladder. Maia has showed a lot of improvement standing (which came out of nowhere in a decision loss to Mark Munoz last out) and his Jiu-Jitsu is always stellar. Santiago is solid but for a glass jaw and this is Maia's fight to lose. Demian may rough Jorge up on the feet but he will destroy Santiago on the floor.
Prelims (Spike TV):
Demian Maia (14-3) vs. Jorge Santiago (23-9) Don't let the popular rankings fool you as Santiago is about to make a freefall down the Middleweight ladder. Maia has showed a lot of improvement standing (which came out of nowhere in a decision loss to Mark Munoz last out) and his Jiu-Jitsu is always stellar. Santiago is solid but for a glass jaw and this is Maia's fight to lose. Demian may rough Jorge up on the feet but he will destroy Santiago on the floor.
WINNER-Demian Maia by Rd.2 Submission
Anthony Pettis (13-2) vs. Jeremy Stephens (20-6) 256 for Jeremy? Intense fight and no love lost between these two up and coming Lightweights. "Lil Heathen" has overachieved a bit until he tops out against the elite 155ers while "Showtime" set the world on fire before dropping a close bout to Clay Guida which to fickle MMA fans means you suck. Pettis has skills everywhere and though he lost on the floor to the "Carpenter," Tony can rock there as well. Guida can suffocate the best of them but the creative talent of Pettis will be more than Stephens can handle. Jeremy has one punch KO power but has many holes in the rest of his game save for toughness. It's a good solid test for Anthony but he passes exposing those holes even if he doesn't win by spectacular inverted swanton flip kick.
Anthony Pettis (13-2) vs. Jeremy Stephens (20-6) 256 for Jeremy? Intense fight and no love lost between these two up and coming Lightweights. "Lil Heathen" has overachieved a bit until he tops out against the elite 155ers while "Showtime" set the world on fire before dropping a close bout to Clay Guida which to fickle MMA fans means you suck. Pettis has skills everywhere and though he lost on the floor to the "Carpenter," Tony can rock there as well. Guida can suffocate the best of them but the creative talent of Pettis will be more than Stephens can handle. Jeremy has one punch KO power but has many holes in the rest of his game save for toughness. It's a good solid test for Anthony but he passes exposing those holes even if he doesn't win by spectacular inverted swanton flip kick.
WINNER-Anthony Pettis by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Joey Beltran (13-5) vs. Stipe Miocic (6-0) Though he has struggled in the UFC its always exciting to see the "Mexicutioner" in a fight. The guy has serious heart and always brings or absorbs a great deal of punishment. The MexiCAN uses sheer will to overcome his lack of skills and natural abilities while the Mirko Cro Cop shorts sporting Miocic is a gifted athlete who has not been tested at this level. "Red Stipe" (I know its pronounced Steepay) has a lot of pressure/hype coming in much like a Todd Duffee and I really question whether or not he can go the full 15 with Beltran. Joey will have to survive the Golden Glove attack of Miocic while avoiding his Division I wrestling as well but I just have this feeling like Stipe isn't ready yet.
Prelims (Facebook):
Joey Beltran (13-5) vs. Stipe Miocic (6-0) Though he has struggled in the UFC its always exciting to see the "Mexicutioner" in a fight. The guy has serious heart and always brings or absorbs a great deal of punishment. The MexiCAN uses sheer will to overcome his lack of skills and natural abilities while the Mirko Cro Cop shorts sporting Miocic is a gifted athlete who has not been tested at this level. "Red Stipe" (I know its pronounced Steepay) has a lot of pressure/hype coming in much like a Todd Duffee and I really question whether or not he can go the full 15 with Beltran. Joey will have to survive the Golden Glove attack of Miocic while avoiding his Division I wrestling as well but I just have this feeling like Stipe isn't ready yet.
Upset Pick WINNER-Joey Beltran by Decision
Tiequan Zhang (18-1) vs. Darren Elkins (13-2) Elkins is Nicole Richie thin but don't let the lack of physique fool you. The kid is very well rounded while the "Mongolian Wolf" has looked overrated since he rode the hype train over from China. Zhang will have his hands full and has only been out of the initial round against Danny Downes who defeated him and Darren may not even need to drag him into deep water. I'm getting crazy with the Upsets but let it ride kids!
Tiequan Zhang (18-1) vs. Darren Elkins (13-2) Elkins is Nicole Richie thin but don't let the lack of physique fool you. The kid is very well rounded while the "Mongolian Wolf" has looked overrated since he rode the hype train over from China. Zhang will have his hands full and has only been out of the initial round against Danny Downes who defeated him and Darren may not even need to drag him into deep water. I'm getting crazy with the Upsets but let it ride kids!
Upset Pick WINNER-Darren Elkins by Decision
Aaron Simpson (10-2) vs. Eric Schafer (13-5-2) The "Red" makes the long necessary trek to 185 where he will meet the "A-Train" who has gone 6-2 for Zuffa. I like the "Red" and his grappling but he is just too easy to hit and Aaron is a very strong dude who can comfortably wrestle as well while caving your head in.
Aaron Simpson (10-2) vs. Eric Schafer (13-5-2) The "Red" makes the long necessary trek to 185 where he will meet the "A-Train" who has gone 6-2 for Zuffa. I like the "Red" and his grappling but he is just too easy to hit and Aaron is a very strong dude who can comfortably wrestle as well while caving your head in.
WINNER-Aaron Simpson by Rd.3 TKO
Steve Cantwell (7-4) vs. Mike Massenzio (12-5) Who would have guessed that after 2008 when Steve defeated Brian Stann to win the WEC Light Heavyweight title, that it would be the "All-American" at the top of the heap and the "Robot" left clinging to a job? Well, I would since I predicted greatness for Mr. Stann as far back as 2007 but I digress. Can'twin follows Stann down to Middleweight after dropping 3 fights in a row while the "Palooka" hasn't amazed anyone going 2-3 in his last 5 including a brief stop at Combat Zone 37. The Mass could possibly out wrestle Steve but I'd imagine he'll eat a bunch of power strikes in route to a Decision loss providing Cantwell can work 15 minutes at the lower weight.
Steve Cantwell (7-4) vs. Mike Massenzio (12-5) Who would have guessed that after 2008 when Steve defeated Brian Stann to win the WEC Light Heavyweight title, that it would be the "All-American" at the top of the heap and the "Robot" left clinging to a job? Well, I would since I predicted greatness for Mr. Stann as far back as 2007 but I digress. Can'twin follows Stann down to Middleweight after dropping 3 fights in a row while the "Palooka" hasn't amazed anyone going 2-3 in his last 5 including a brief stop at Combat Zone 37. The Mass could possibly out wrestle Steve but I'd imagine he'll eat a bunch of power strikes in route to a Decision loss providing Cantwell can work 15 minutes at the lower weight.
WINNER-Steve Cantwell by Decision
No comments:
Post a Comment