UFC 139: Shogun vs. Henderson
November 19, 2011
HP Pavilion
San Jose, California
This is one of the best cards the UFC will put together this year! If ever you were to put money down on a PPV, this would be the time. Lots of stars, Legends, and Upsets all over this event.
Main Bouts (PPV):
Mauricio Rua (20-5) vs. Dan Henderson (28-8) "Hendo" returns to the UFC after conquering Strikeforce's Light Heavyweight Title and is ready to take a final run at the belt against the surging "Shogun." Rua felled Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida twice (despite the judging), before dropping the belt disastrously against Jon Jones, only to recover blasting out Forrest Griffin last out. I have no doubt we will be swinging for the fences and ignoring "Hendo's" wrestling base entirely. If the knees are there, "Shogun" should out strike and out speed the aging legend who relies too heavily on the "H-Bomb." A more varied attack leads the percentages as Rua breaks down Danny en route to a ballistic stoppage.
WINNER-Mauricio Rua by Rd.3 TKO
Wanderlei Silva (33-11-1) vs. Cung Le (7-1) The "Axe Murderer" has gone 2-4 in his latest stead in the UFC and is returning after a 27 second KO loss to Chris Leben. Le joins the Zuffa cast as a former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion who spends most of his time these days making movies in Hollywood. Cung will have the homeland advantage but has never faced such a deadly opponent in his short career. Le is actually older at 39 but displays a vast myriad of powerful kicks that keep opponents off balance. We know Wand will attack without fear but can he keep it together enough to break down Le who always has suspect conditioning something Silva will never lack. This is made for Wand and he has to win in the clinch and never stop pushing the pace.
Upset Pick WINNER-Wanderlei Silva by Rd.2 TKO
Urijah Faber (25-5) vs. Brian Bowles (10-1) Two former WEC Champions meet for the 1st time to set up the #1 Bantamweight contender. Faber has been hitting a career ceiling as of late losing 4 title shots while Bowles lost only once dropping the belt to current Champion Dominick Cruz with a broken hand in his short career. Both men can swing and scramble guaranteeing a great match a the "Kid" out works and out wrestles Brian to get the judges approval.
WINNER-Urijah Faber by Decision
Martin Kampmann (17-5) vs. Rick Story (13-4) The "Horror" returns angrily after being dry humped to a loss stalling his title climb. Kampmann was the complete game man to beat before two tough Decision losses and a TKO loss to the expelled Paul Daley. Martin has lacked that killer instinct something Story possesses in spades. Story has solid wrestling and brutal hands while Kampmann relies on technical brilliance and an underrated ground game. The kickboxer should counter Rick's heavy hands and if grounded could easily pull the submission as long as he doesn't sustain too much damage in the process against the uber-aggressive wrestler.
Upset Pick WINNER-Martin Kampmann by Decision
Stephan Bonnar (13-7) vs. Kyle Kingsbury (11-2) The "American Psycho" has won 2 in a row after the horrible 3 fight skid while Kyle has added power while sharpening his skills with AKA while on a 4 fight win streak. Both men are going to trade on the feet with Kingsbury more likely to attempt grappling. Bonnar has great Jiu-Jitsu when he uses it but this will be a kickboxing match with Stephan bloody as always. Its a close fight but an in shape Bonnar can use his savvy experience to out game Kingbury wherever the fight leads.
Upset Pick WINNER-Stephan Bonnar by Decision
Prelims (Spike TV):
Ryan Bader (12-2) vs. Jason Brilz (18-4-1) Brilz had his moment of glory almost beating Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and getting KO'd by Vladimir Matyushenko in 20 seconds while "Darth" got choked out by Jon Jones and then embarrassed by Tito Ortiz so he desperately needs a win as well. Bader is simply better with power striking and better wrestling provided he isn't developing a chin problem. Bader all day.
WINNER-Ryan Bader by Decision
Michael McDonald (13-1) vs. Alex Soto (6-0-1) "Mayday" got a scare in his last couple bouts but make not mistake, the top prospect can establish the fight on the feet before sucking Soto to the mat for a submission. A careful Michael needs to be more aggressive but he has all the tools against a far more green opponent.
WINNER-Michael McDonald by Decision
Prelims (Facebook):
Tom Lawlor (7-3) vs. Chris Weidman (6-0) The always annoying and playing dress up Lawlor hasn't fought since October of '10 and has gone 3-2 in the UFC relying on lay and pray. Chris is undefeated in his short career though he is entering his 3rd Octagon bout. If we're gonna grapple Weidman will have the advantage leaving Lawlor with little to offer and roughing him up on the feet.
WINNER-Chris Weidman by Decision
Gleison Tibau (23-7) vs. Rafael Dos Anjos (15-5) RDS has done well recently upsetting George Sotiropoulos by shocking KO but isn't going to beat the top tier of the class. Tibau the giant sized Lightweight has been rocking and rolling save for a spirited stumble against gritty Jim Miller. Tibau's striking has improved steadily and I think RDS's run to the top is about to get over powered and beat down in a one sided affair.
WINNER-Gleison Tibau by Decision
Miguel Torres (39-4) vs. Nick Pace (6-2) "Angel" lost a razor close decision to Demetrious Johnson stopping his chance to take back his belt while Pace lost last against Ivan Menjivar going 1-2 for Zuffa over all. Pace was professional enough to miss weight and will forfeit part of his fight purse while "Angel" also struggled on the scales but did make weight eventually while Nick wasn't close. Torres is vastly more experienced being a dominant former WEC Bantamweight Champion and is going to cut Nick up on the feet before bringing the Jiu-Jitsu for a tapout victory late.
WINNER-Miguel Torres by Rd.3 Submission
Matt Brown (14-10) vs. Seth Baczynski (14-6) The "Immortal" saved his job shocking "Doomsday" by decision while Seth is alright. I think the UFC served up a win for Matt here but they may be surprised. Seth can take a beating while out working the easily gassed out Brown en route to a close decision.
Upset Pick WINNER-Seth Baczynski by Decision
Shamar Bailey (12-4) vs. Danny Castillo (11-4) Bailey does zilch for me and Castillo can muster enough offense thrills to frustrate the wrestle only fighter. Team Alpha Male baby.
WINNER-Danny Castillo by Decision
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