UFC 143: Super Bowl Weekend - Diaz vs. Condit
February 4, 2012
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Card (PPV):
Interim Welterweight Title Fight
Nick Diaz (26-7) vs. Carlos Condit (27-5) The on again off again run around in the Welterweight division is coming to a head as two brutal Welterweights square off for the Interim belt while Georges St. Pierre watches cage side awaiting his future opponent for the real title. Both men are riding momentum's wave but Diaz has gone from most hated to fan favorite superstar in one year's time as his skills have improved with his confidence. Condit is the quiet killer who was the last WEC Welterweight Champion and ironically Nick was the very 1st. "NBK" has run off 4 wins in a row and has gone 11-1 since 2006. The 209 native has won a similar 11 in a row including destroying BJ Penn in his UFC debut. Both men have great ground but Nick's is ridiculous. Diaz can strike in volume for days but Carlos has one move KO power as proven. Neither man excels at the wrestling game which will be absent. Condit has the reach advantage but can he take the myriad of punches coming at his as Diaz never tires. Its going to be a long journey, but Nick is a better fighter and his time is now!
Roy Nelson (16-6) vs. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) A slimmer "Big Country" welcomes the returning and I feel highly overrated Werdum to the UFC. Fabricio submitted Fedor Emelianenko to make his name but has been average at best other times when he cannot secure the submission. Werdum's hands are god awful while Roy can throw very heavy leather and defend himself adequately on the floor. Nelson has made good strides but desperately needs the win. "Big Country" will surprise people here punishing Werdum who cannot get the ground game going before a big finale.
Josh Koscheck (16-5) vs. Mike Pierce (13-4) Welterweight wrestlers looking to make a stand up war and a statement for the Welterweight top tier. "Kos" still has questions about his repaired orbital eye bone but has always excelled against people not named George. Pierce has quietly worked up the ranks hanging with the likes of Jon Fitch (whom he almost stopped late in the fight) and Johny Hendricks. This could be a very boring fight but look for a careful Blanket to just keep ahead of Mike in the end.
Renan Pegado (17-1) vs. Scott Jorgensen (13-4) This is going to be a great fight and props to perennial MMAFO favorite Scotty Jorgensen for deservedly getting on the 'main card.' "Barao" upset Brad Pickett in impressive fashion and has not lost since his very 1st professional bout. I fear Renan is heading toward a title shot while Jorgensen has already had his. I see a changing of the guard in a "Fight of the Night" contender.
Ed Herman (19-8) vs. Clifford Starks (8-0) The angry ginger has been on a roll since returning from knee surgery and meets an undefeated upstart. However, "Short Fuse" has a much more well rounded game against an average unimpressive fighter.
Nick Diaz (26-7) vs. Carlos Condit (27-5) The on again off again run around in the Welterweight division is coming to a head as two brutal Welterweights square off for the Interim belt while Georges St. Pierre watches cage side awaiting his future opponent for the real title. Both men are riding momentum's wave but Diaz has gone from most hated to fan favorite superstar in one year's time as his skills have improved with his confidence. Condit is the quiet killer who was the last WEC Welterweight Champion and ironically Nick was the very 1st. "NBK" has run off 4 wins in a row and has gone 11-1 since 2006. The 209 native has won a similar 11 in a row including destroying BJ Penn in his UFC debut. Both men have great ground but Nick's is ridiculous. Diaz can strike in volume for days but Carlos has one move KO power as proven. Neither man excels at the wrestling game which will be absent. Condit has the reach advantage but can he take the myriad of punches coming at his as Diaz never tires. Its going to be a long journey, but Nick is a better fighter and his time is now!
WINNER-Nick Diaz by Decision
Roy Nelson (16-6) vs. Fabricio Werdum (14-5-1) A slimmer "Big Country" welcomes the returning and I feel highly overrated Werdum to the UFC. Fabricio submitted Fedor Emelianenko to make his name but has been average at best other times when he cannot secure the submission. Werdum's hands are god awful while Roy can throw very heavy leather and defend himself adequately on the floor. Nelson has made good strides but desperately needs the win. "Big Country" will surprise people here punishing Werdum who cannot get the ground game going before a big finale.
Upset Pick WINNER-Roy Nelson by Rd.2 TKO
Josh Koscheck (16-5) vs. Mike Pierce (13-4) Welterweight wrestlers looking to make a stand up war and a statement for the Welterweight top tier. "Kos" still has questions about his repaired orbital eye bone but has always excelled against people not named George. Pierce has quietly worked up the ranks hanging with the likes of Jon Fitch (whom he almost stopped late in the fight) and Johny Hendricks. This could be a very boring fight but look for a careful Blanket to just keep ahead of Mike in the end.
WINNER-Josh Koscheck by Decision
Renan Pegado (17-1) vs. Scott Jorgensen (13-4) This is going to be a great fight and props to perennial MMAFO favorite Scotty Jorgensen for deservedly getting on the 'main card.' "Barao" upset Brad Pickett in impressive fashion and has not lost since his very 1st professional bout. I fear Renan is heading toward a title shot while Jorgensen has already had his. I see a changing of the guard in a "Fight of the Night" contender.
WINNER-Renan Pegado by Decision
Ed Herman (19-8) vs. Clifford Starks (8-0) The angry ginger has been on a roll since returning from knee surgery and meets an undefeated upstart. However, "Short Fuse" has a much more well rounded game against an average unimpressive fighter.
WINNER-Ed Herman by Decision
Prelims (FX):
Dustin Poirier (11-1) vs. Max Hollaway (4-0) "Diamond" rides in with 4 consecutive wins and is looking to challenge Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo this year. Max is filling in and is going to get destroyed here.
Prelims (FX):
Dustin Poirier (11-1) vs. Max Hollaway (4-0) "Diamond" rides in with 4 consecutive wins and is looking to challenge Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo this year. Max is filling in and is going to get destroyed here.
WINNER-Dustin Poirier by Rd.3 Submission
Alex Caceres (6-4) vs. Edwin Figueroa (8-1) The equally annoying "Bruce Leeroy" looked better at Bantamweight mixing up his offense and getting rid of the Monchichi haircut. Cute kicks aside watch as Edwin gets things dirty when he finally gets his hands on the kid.
Matt Brown (12-11) vs. Chris Cope (5-2) Two just awful fighters from awful TUF seasons and Matt will blow the jackass 'wooing' Cope out of the cage.
4 Absolutely Horrible Fighters in 3 bouts:
Matt Riddle (5-3) vs. Henry Martinez (8-1) I absolutely loathe Riddle but he is getting a 'gimme' fight here as Henry comes in on short notice a weight class above where he fights.
Matt Riddle (5-3) vs. Henry Martinez (8-1) I absolutely loathe Riddle but he is getting a 'gimme' fight here as Henry comes in on short notice a weight class above where he fights.
WINNER-Matt Riddle by Rd.2 TKO
Alex Caceres (6-4) vs. Edwin Figueroa (8-1) The equally annoying "Bruce Leeroy" looked better at Bantamweight mixing up his offense and getting rid of the Monchichi haircut. Cute kicks aside watch as Edwin gets things dirty when he finally gets his hands on the kid.
WINNER-Edwin Figueroa by Decision
Matt Brown (12-11) vs. Chris Cope (5-2) Two just awful fighters from awful TUF seasons and Matt will blow the jackass 'wooing' Cope out of the cage.
WINNER-Matt Brown by Rd.2 TKO
Prelims (Facebook):
Prelims (Facebook):
Rafael Natal (13-3-1) vs. Michael Kuiper (11-0) "Sapo" has gone 1-1-1 in the UFC while "Judo" comes in undefeated but untested. Natal lacks while standing where Kuiper can excel provided he avoids the takedown. It could go either way but I want some new blood.
Upset Pick WINNER- Michael Kuiper by Rd.1 TKO
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